Chapter 2: Second Hour

A/N: If you find any spelling and grammatical errors please bear with me and inform me.

I am sorry all those who read my story. My college just started and it's been a busy schedule. Plus I don't have anything already written on this story, so it takes a bit time to sometimes rewrite whole paras.

Thank you all those who have added my story to their Favourites and Alerts and obviously those who reviewed.

hpnut1: thanks

Lord Lelouch: You are right with most part. And relationships of lead characters will be discussed in next chapter. As Harry I am sure you will love his character in my story.

tdog3872: Harry will enter in next chapter. Keep reading for more details.

Hoffindor: I will keep this story more in action and adventure frame than fluff.

ceo55: I am more like building the story on the way. So I can't tell much of testimony part. As for Harry's elves helping Astoria- no I am planning something different.

'thoughts'

"dialogues"

Chapter: Second Hour

9:05 A.M

The colossal foyer of Ministry of Magic was buzzing its usual hum of the thousands of chattering and scattering of the people working there. Among the hundreds of popping and zoning-in was one such appearance of an elegant attractive raven black haired 22 year old advisor in the International Magical Office of Law and the jurisdiction section of DMLE. Her purse was clamped in her tight grip. She took a deep breath to empty her mind and fortified her occlumency shields to full force, as today she couldn't afford to get caught off guard. She looked around and assessed the crowd. She looked on the security check post; more number of golden gates had been planted on security basis. Following the muggles they had even put a separate baggage frisking counter to check anything you are carrying on you no matter its size or purpose. The mirror in her purse had blood magic on it and a dark magic like that would be caught within seconds. She looked at all gates and found one to be relatively less crowded 'It must be Ness.' She thought shrewdly.

Right now he was the only one who would help her through this. Sometimes it was good to be a solicitor. Ness had been one of the lower ranked Death Eaters and also her first case in favor of a Death Eater. Since he was a minor Death Eater, so his case was easier. His verdict had been on placed table, to go to Azkaban for 10 years, but Daphne had taken up his case at last minute just for practice purpose. She had efficiently turned the case in his favour with the condition that he will give an important lead on a suspicious major Death Eater, which he did have. How he got it wasn't the matter of concern, just its correctness mattered. He had been excused of his crimes as he hadn't committed any major ones and given a job at Security of Ministry. She put on a warm smile and headed with her head held high to the security gate where Ness was.

She reached a desk on the left, over which hung a sign saying security. A badly shaven wizard in peacock-blue robes ignored the irate crowd in favor of his Daily Prophet as they approached. She cleared her throat a little. "Step over there," said the wizard in a bored voice, gesturing to an empty platform where thin and flexible as car aerial, golden semi-automated sensors was present on either side.

Daphne walked closer to him and said softly, "How's it going Ness?"

Ness looked up from the brim of his paper, his eyes widened and he quickly stood up and bowed to her in respect, "Madam Greengrass, how may help you?"

"Oh dear, you see today I'm in such a hurry and I am already running late for a hearing scheduled in 5 minutes so would you be a dear and let me pass through, as routine checkup usually takes 10 minutes. You surely won't want a poor man to be penalized mercilessly." Her sugared voice generally did the trick on males.

"Of course not, Ma'am. I will let you use the security pass but you have to register your wand for identity, please."

She handed him her wand. The wizard dropped it onto a brass instrument, which looked something like a set of scales with only one dish. It began to vibrate. A narrow strip of parchment came speeding out of a slit in the base. Ness tore it off and read the writing upon it.

"Willow wood 9 inches and dragon heart string core, been in use 12 years, as usual."

He handed her wand back and opened a side gate behind his table to let her pass.

She steered away from the desk and back into the stream of wizards and witches walking through the golden gates. She reached a smaller hall where as usual 20 or so lifts could be seen zooming through the floors, and took a deep breath in relief, that was a good start. She took a lift which was right in front of her. She looked at her Omega wrist watch (a present from HIM, which she couldn't bring herself to leave it behind) and noticed she had lost 5 more minutes as it was 9:10.

"Morning, Madam Greengrass." A witch standing beside her wished her. But Daphne was in her own little world still thinking of all successful solicitors like Hanna Abott, Susan Bones, Su Li, and others why did Malfoy choose her. Or was it just a pay back.

She had been one of the major causes that most of the Death Eaters were rotting in an Azkaban cell. Even when she was just 19 she had fought many major cases against Death Eaters including the one which resulted in Lucius Malfoy ending up in a cell at Azkaban for life. Narcissa Malfoy's had been fought by Susan Bones in against. Draco must have thought it perfect for her being the one to bring out his parents. She had expressly asked to fight Lucius's case as she had a personal vendetta to take care of. She vividly remembered the night she had returned to her home after the windup of fifth year. It had been recruiting season for Voldemort and his Dung Eaters army.

FLASHBACK

It was 7 in the morning. A certain dormitory in the dungeons was almost empty except for two witches sitting on a four posters.

"Come on Daph, we are gonna be let. The Breakfasts already started, and I am famished." Tracey whined for a hundredth time while in process of making her best friend to head to breakfast. "Listen if you don't come, I am seriously going to leave you here." She threatened, but nothing to avail. "What happened? Why that dead look? Come on cheer up it's time to go home." Tracey tried another futile attempt to liven Daphne.

But she didn't budge from her bed, "Trace, I saw a dream today." She whispered lightly.

"What of it?" Tracey said in boredom.

"A nightmare." Daphne muttered.

"Come on since when you got senti over a nightmare. Now don't tell me you wet your knickers." Tracey mocked playfully but when Daphne seem to ignore her mocking and stared aimlessly with a hollow look, she knew it was serious.

"Ok Daph, I am all ears."

Daphne was silent for time then a dry whisper croaked out of her mouth, "I returned home with Tori in tow. The front door of the manor stood tall as always. We went over to knock the door but no one opened it for a long time. We banged it for like 15 minutes then I blasted the doors open. We were already panicking from lack of response. We entered the main hall and saw everything was in its place as if not even air may have been disturbed. We called out for mum and daddy but no answer came. I told Tori to stay downstairs and went towards the master bedroom on the second floor. There I saw….saw…" her voice was already breaking as she was sniffing and quivering. "I saw the room in its most pristine state with a couple lying peacefully on the bed. I dreaded going near to the couple as I feared what I would see. But a faint call came to me, my mum was at her weakest, I rushed to her and saw that her skin was dry, pale and her lips were turning blue. She called me again and I was by her side on the bed holding her hand. I called out for Tori to come fast.

She and dad were counting their last breath, they had been poisoned. Mum told me that their time was up and I was to become the new heir of Greengrass. And now I had choose wisely who to follow. Choose for both Tori and me.

Trace they were dying in front me and I couldn't do anything. I and Tori just kept crying and crying." Her tears were already flowing down her cheeks.

Tracey went and hugged her tightly, "Hey, don't worry it was a nightmare and nothing more. Today you go home and write me a letter tomorrow morning that reached home safe and sound and had lavish dinner with entire family and slept with a prince charming dotting your dreams." She soothed. Daphne nodded a bit and slowly dissolved her pain.

It was past 4 P.M. They were on the King Cross'. Her mom had already told them to come on their own as they wouldn't be able to manage, at least on time. Daphne motioned for Astoria to hurry up and follow her. Astoria was a fourth year then. She bade her friends goodbye and hurried up by Daphne's side. Daphne took out her Greengrass manor port-key and they zoned out of station.

They were at the Greengrass floral gardens which was dotted with her favourite Azalea, Rhododendrons, and Ferns. They headed to the large front gate up the cobblestone path. She reached the knocker and hesitated, it felt just like her dream.

"What is it Daphy?" Astoria asked in concern, after so many years she could at least read her expressions where others failed to notice.

"N..Nothing" Daphne knocked the doors and waited and waited and waited. 15 minutes passed and she was still standing there with her hand on the knockers. Her fear was strengthening. She took out her wand and cast mild Bludgeoning spell on the doors. They slowly and silently entered the foyer. Just as in dream the foyer was in its most usual state. She looked around to check anyone hiding. Then she told Astoria to stand there and stay on guard, and proceeded to the master bedroom; she found nothing wrong on the way. She was outside the door, her pulses were running fast. She took a few deep breaths and opened the doors slightly. She kept opening it little by little and dreading what she will see inside. Just as her dream the room was in its most pristine form, a couple was lying peacefully on the bed. Her skin color changed drastically to chalk white. Her hollow eyes were staring blankly at the couple, her mother and father. She opened her mouth to say something but her dry throat didn't allow any voice to come out.

"Da…ph…ne" an uncertain whisper floated through the air to her ears.

Just like her dream it was her mother's call and she rushed to her side and called out for Astoria to come up fast. Her mother's skin was dry, pale and her lips were turning blue. Daphne took her hands in hers.

"Daph…" cough, "Daph listen carefully…" wheeze, "I am sorry child but our time is up..." heave, "We had to choose our side and we chose what we thought was right." pant, "Now in a year you will be officially of age. In the coming war you will be asked to choose your side on the behalf of House of Greengrass." cough…pant, "I believe in you that you will do what is right. Just make sure that Greengrass must be known for their achievements and not for their infringements." Sebastian Greengrass her father, smiled through heavy breadths.

"No…no…no…father please don't do this to me. You are the one who has to guide us. I am not ready." her eyes red and blurry and her tears were already flooding her tear ducts.

"Daph…my princes…we were there till we could. Now it is your journey ahead please listen to your father and choose wisely, you have to choose for both yourself and Astoria." Jeanette Greengrass looked past Daphne to her almost carbon copy. "Tori come baby, come to mama."

Astoria ran to her open arms and threw herself lightly in it, not caring whatever was being said. All she wanted was stay in her arms forever. Jeanette slowly moved her hands through Astoria's head while Sebastian was patting her lightly.

"Daph…" Jeanette whispered her last of strength, "you are the elder. Promise me whatever happens you will protect both of your lives and honour. No compromises."

Daphne promised with all her strength, "I shall."

"Now both of you be a good a girl, we will keep an eye on you." Jeanette smiled serenely.

Daphne didn't want this, she didn't to become head of the house, she wanted her parents back.

"Father…who did this?" she had a guess but she wanted to confirm.

Sebastian stared into her eyes, assessing her thoughts, "You know them." He nodded his approval of what Daphne wanted to do.

The Greengrass family was known as neutrals among Death Eaters families and was detested for it. But there was an exception; it was well known that Malfoys had their eyes set on Greengrass riches and more. They had tried to instigate a marriage contact with the Greengrass' but Sebastian had always curbed these advancements. This had caused a feud between them. This had now grown from a simple feud, now it open war. "Remember, Daphne" heave, "One should attack only when retaliation is impossible." cough, "You can't fight on your own, you need an ally. Be subtle and tactful at whatever you do."

"Remember us children for all we could do for you. Remember we always and will always love you." They both said in unison.

With this both Sebastian and Jeanette held each other's hand and breathed their last breath while looking at each other. Daphne and Astoria stayed all night with their parents, one crying herself dry other simply staring their last loving smile.

After this for their sixth and fifth year they had shifted to Tracey's. Daphne had decided what to do but didn't how to do. She just had to wait for the right moment.

FLASHBACK END

9:20 A.M

She was at her desk and fiddling with her wrist watch. She came out of her reverie and looked around to find she had reached her office.

One thing in so many years after war that ministry had adopted which was one of the ingenious inventions of Muggles was intranet; this had reduced use of inter-floor paper planes thus effectively reducing paper waste. And it was faster way of communication. They had muggle style touch screens on their desk which ran on runic induced electricity, brainchild of none other than Hermoine Granger. The structure was basically same as any MNC (as most muggles call the work place), there was a database which would keep records of their daily tabs on their work schedule on daily, weekly, monthly and their personal order. And it provided inter-communication facility. The database was magically connected (equivalent of muggle WiFi) to all screens and all schedules except personal were available to all employs.

She checked her schedule:

9:30: Wizangamot review case of Andrew mass murder of Little Munching.

12:00-2:00: Lunch Break

3:00: Appointment- Madam Marchback concerning repossession of property.

4:00: Audience requested by Wizangamot for evening session.

Luckily nothing of her schedule was too important to miss. Even though it wouldn't matter after what was going to happen today. She knew somewhere she would be caught at some point, but this of no matter of concern as she had to do it no matter what. She called her assistant at the front desk, "Lucy, cancel all my appointments, as I will be too busy today."

"Yes ma'am" was the polite reply.

"Thank you".

She reviewed the list again. The minor house ledgers were easy to get all she had to do was get permission from her boss to review their cases and get a copy of everything involved during the hearing. She knew Draco basically wanted to acquire all the monetary fund from these accounts that ministry was using. But it wouldn't help as not much was left of them. And she knew there were more than just money in the vaults of Blacks and Sinclair and other major Death Eaters, many things that even the ministry didn't know about.

She came out of her office and straight away headed to Rickmund's office. He was the advisor of head of jurisdiction section of DMLE as this post was basically of Chief Warlock of Wizangamot. But Rickmund's permission would do. He was around here since Fudge's time almost 20 years of experience. She reached the door of his cabin, and knocked gently. Her position in the department gave her the benefit of meeting with people like these without prior appointment or notice.

"Come in."

"Morning, Rickmund." She greeted him as usual. Over the years she had come to know people of her department quite closely, so they were past formalities. She also through her work and commitment had gained his valuable trust. He wasn't a shrewd man but deceiving him wasn't a good idea.

"Morning, Daphne" he was in his chirrupy Wednesday morning mood, "how's it going? Heard you were called for that review of Andrew case?"

"Yeah, but I am dropping it." She said wearily, "Some other work popped in. As a matter of fact I came to you for getting a permission to review some older cases. Here…" she had made a separate list of the Minor Noble houses, "I need to just look up some details of their cases."

"Why, they are, I think, these were Ex-Death Eaters. Right?" he asked evenly while simply looking at her.

"Yeah, that they are, I just wanted to review some points and clauses used in the cases. I just needed to research some notes for my reference." She replied vaguely, hoping that he would buy it.

"My dear, but you yourself fought some major cases. What more reference would want?" he was giving her a bemused look.

Daphne racked her mind to make some more excuse, but was interrupted by a hearty laugh from her senior.

"Oh Daphne! You should look at yourself. It was as if you were asking access to dark secrets of major Death Eaters."

She smiled along him, "Like I would even dream of it."

"Bah, don't worry girl. I will sign a permission note for you. Go research whatever you need." He took out a blank paper and wrote the permission note and handed it to her.

She took the note and after thanking him, she calmly walked back towards her cabin. She changed her track and straight away headed to Record room located on level two, with Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services. It was a library for all kind of data related to the jurisdiction, laws and ministry functioning related data. She reached the gates and handed the permission to security present there. He allowed her to proceed.

Inside she straight away headed to the ministry functioning related section. There she found the updated ledgers of all Minor houses. She shrank them and kept in her pocket. No information on Blacks', Peverell's, Sinclair's, Avery's, Gaunt's, Lestrange's and some more. She had expected this from Black's, Sinclair's, Avery's and Lestrange's, however she didn't know anything about Peverall's and Gaunt's. She headed out of the room and nodded to the guard that her work was done, and bee lined for her office.

9:45 A.M

She reached her cabin and dumped all the ledgers on her desk. She drank heavily from the orange juice thermos she had brought along. She rested her head against back rest and thought on how to negotiate with Draco. Even a thought about him simply magnified her headache. So she simply cleared her mind and relaxed.

After about five minutes she was ready to converse with 'Shit Face'. She took out the mirror and looked carefully at it. It entirely resembled just a plain purse mirror. But instead of reflecting anything it was showing only black. But she knew that it was still with Malfoy. She applied the sound barriers on the walls and door.

"Malfoy, are you there?" she asked starkly.

For some time there was no response, and then some movements could be seen. Apparently a black cloth was covering the mirror. Draco's face came into view, "Hello, Greengrass. That's quite early for you to contact, I am impressed if you have finished through at least one list." His arrogant pig-smirk still plastered on his face.

"Listen I obtained all the ledgres that I could in my power. Obtaining anything of the Blacks is impossible. I hope you remember that Harry Potter is Head of the House of Blacks. So if you want anything of Black family's talk to him. As for the Lestrange's and Avery's it is not possible for me to even refer them without getting permission from either Chief Warlok or Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or Head of Auror office. And I couldn't find anything on Peverells and Gaunts."

"Daphne…Daphne…Daphne, I didn't expect you to be the one full of excuses and no work. I think you are not giving it your best shot. Okay I will help you a bit wait…." The mirror suddenly went black. After some moment the Draco's face came into view field, "I hope this gives you enough motivation." He turned the mirror and a king size bed came into view. Astoria was lying right in the center shackled by her limbs. She was still in her previous night's party grab. Her chest was slowly rising and falling. She looked just sedated as Daphne couldn't see any visible marks of physical abuse.

"She has been like this ever since she was brought here. Until 8:10 P.M, I take the responsibility that she will remain just like this. No one will even enter this room. But after that I won't know anything that happened here. I hope now you will try your best. Hurry up second hour's almost up and there's a lot more to do. Adieu Daphne." He nodded and the mirror went black.

"Arghh….. Fucking ferret" she threw the mirror in a corner of the room, but the mirror was unbreakable. This was not how it was supposed to go. The ferret had an upper hand and she was the helpless lamb and it was eating her from inside. All she could do was follow his instructions and keep an eye for loopholes to strike back. Her wrist watch told her it was already 5 to 10. She had to hurry, and she knew that if she got caught it was all over. This was becoming worse than a nightmare.

She could only think of the guard of record room having some information on where to find these files. She made herself invisible and headed towards the record room again. Luckily not many people were there in the lift. So she easily got to her destination within time. The guard was already bored and tired of sitting there. She had a simple plan, make the guard drowsy enough so that he is half asleep then with leglimency get the information and then use a mild obliviation.

She pointed her wand towards him and whispered, "Somnum" she chanted it over and over until the guard was stooping heavily on his chair. She once again checked if someone was nearby and slowly went closer to him. She pointed her wand in between his eyes and whispered, "leglimens". She sifted through his mind as fast as she could without missing a beat. After 2 minutes she finally found what she wanted. Information on all of the major Death Eaters was kept in a room. And the room was of all places in The Department of Mysteries. All she had to do was when you reach the circular room, ask for the hall of classified files and records and then enter when the door presents itself to you.

'This seems pretty simple. Almost like Hogwart's Room of Requirement.' She shrugged and quickly left the corridor before anyone came to check on the guard.

10:05

She was facing the entrance door to the circular room. Just as it had in the guard's memories, it swung open and she marched forward. She was standing in a large, circular room. Everything in here was black including the floor and ceiling — identical, unmarked, handle-less 12 black doors were set at intervals all around the black walls, interspersed with branches of candles whose flames burned blue, their cool, shimmering light reflected in the shining marble floor so that it looked as though there was dark water underfoot. She focused her thoughts on the hall of classified files and records and waited.

There was a great rumbling noise and the candles began to move sideways. The circular wall was rotating. For a few seconds the blue flames around them were blurred to resemble neon lines as the wall sped around and then, quite as suddenly as it had started, the rumbling stopped and everything became stationary once again. Now instead of 12 there were 13 doors present. 'Damn which one is it now.' She tried to remember anything special about the door that the guard knew. She had seen in one of his memories where he was being instructed on working of this place.

'The door generally door appears on the right side of the room from entrance.'

She quickly headed to the right side. There were three doors equally spaced, from which she had to select. She tried the door right in front of her and found it locked and so were the other two.

"Great, that's all I needed. A bloody magically locked door." She harrumphed. She took out her wand, pointed to the central door and muttered the only spell that came to her mind, "Specialis revalio". Nothing happened. She tried again but still no reaction. She was ready to blast it open.

"It needs a key to open."

A voice came from a few feet behind her. She hadn't sensed anyone entering the room and she knew that no one was there besides her earlier. She felt vexed and cheated at being caught so easily and so fast; it was as if today entire world was against her. Still she wouldn't give up a chance to escape. She turned around to face the person. Standing there was an Auror who had constantly surprised her through his acts in past six years. He had a good tall physique of 5'11". With rippling muscles in right places, he was not the person anymore you would want to take on one on one, especially after he had been under the tutelage of Alastor Moody himself. His chubby face had chiseled into a quite handsome one. He even had a small scar just below his left eye giving the tough guy look. His slightly dark brown hair was short cropped and did complement his face. His dull grey eyes were staring her steadily. And he was slowly munching a fruit that she had come to hate since morning.

"Morning, Neville." She greeted him evenly she lowered her wand.

"A very good morning to you Daphne." He nodded towards the door, "You wanted to go in the classified room?"

"Yeah I …I needed some information. Just for my reference purpose." She said sincerely.

"Oh, sure I can get you in. Just need to refer your permission first you know all for security measures." He extended his hand towards her.

Daphne didn't know what to do, from where would she produce a permission slip right now?

"You do have a permission slip, right?" asked Neville. When Daphne didn't answer he sighed, "Come on Daphne, I hope you didn't forget that. You can't get in without it."

Daphne sighed in defeat, "No Neville, I don't have it."

"What's the matter Daphne?" he asked bemusedly.

She looked at him calculating whether telling him would be favourable or not. She knew retaliation at this point would be simply a pain in arse. But even though Neville had become one of her good friends he was still not that close. "Sorry Neville, none that I can tell you."

"I see" he paused, "but Daphne you will have to come with me. I hope you know the repercussions of what you were trying to do. But I think we can help you out, I as a friend at least have the right help you Daphne even if you don't trust me that much."

"No Neville it's not that. I just can't speak of it." She reasoned.

"Is it a, don't involve an Auror problem?" he asked knowingly. She nodded reluctantly.

"Then I know just the one who can help you. And I know you know who I am talking about." He grinned.

'Like there are any better options available.' She thought sarcastically. It wasn't like she didn't want to ask that person for help, she even thought of asking him, but the problem was would he help her after what she had done to him. She had regretted doing it every waking moment. Even Astoria thought what she had done was stupid and inexcusable. Now the past wasn't relevant, what was relevant was whether he would help her or not, even if for Astoria's sake. But she needed help to fight Draco back.

"I don't know Neville, will he help me?" She asked despondently.

"You leave that to me Daphne. Just be honest with him for his cooperation." He gave her a warm smile. "Okay you better become invisible again, and follow me. We don't want people to see you. And as precautions I must inform you that since you tried an illegal entry in a highly classified room, you are already tagged by magic of this place so please don't try to escape; it will simply aggravate the problem."

She nodded and became invisible again. Then Neville led her out of the place.

Time was 10:15 A.M

/DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDGGGGGGGGGGGG

CHAPTER ENDS

Somnum: got to sleep (latin)

A/N Next update will be Chapter 9 of The Bond. And I hope I get more than just five reviews for this long chapter. I have a lot of my midnight oil for this.

So READ ENJOY and REVIEW…

So that's it until next time…