An Enigmatic Mystery
Summary:
Unspeakable Daphne Greengrass is betrothed to Harry James Potter, a person she barely remembers from her time at Hogwarts. On meeting him, she hates the polite, reserved, respectful, bespectacled boy who appears to be nothing more than a Healer. Breaking past the many masks he wears, she rips apart his persona of normalcy only to fall in love with the fiery passionate person she finds inside. Facing Dark Lords, meddling Ex-Headmasters, corrupt politicians and the mysterious vigilante, "The Hood", her life had never been more complicated.
Warnings:
Violence, War, Dark Magic, Death.
Neville Longbottom - Boy Who Lived
Pairings: Harry/Daphne
Rating: M
Chapter 1: Prologue
"I'm sorry Daphne"
She stormed up the stairs, her blond hair flying wildly as the scowl edged on her face became more prominent. The nerve of her father, to say that he couldn't do anything. There had to be a way. Betrothals were so out of fashion. They had been extinct for the past few centuries and now suddenly she was contracted to marry some idiot whom she had never met. It had been three weeks since her father had informed her about the Contract. She hadn't paid it much attention, trusting that her father would handle petty issues such as this. He always did. And now, her dad had suddenly dropped a dragon on her saying that he couldn't do anything in his power to break the thrice damned contact
Daphne Greengrass was a nineteen year old prodigy who worked as an Unspeakable at the Department of Mysteries. She had not been named the most talented witch of her generation for nothing. She could pick up spells at a rate that had left the professor's of Hogwarts gaping. Her natural affinity for magic drew the attention of Croaker, the head of the Department of Mysteries as soon as she had graduated from Hogwarts.
Daphne had planned on taking up the reins of the Greengrass business in succession to her father. Her dad owned three Apothecary shops in Diagon-Alley and one in Knockturn Alley. Other than that, he had deals with foreign companies regarding architecture. Their own mansion was an exotic mix of French, German and British architecture. The exterior garden's of the Greengrass mansion had struck envy into the hearts of even the wealthiest of pureblood's such as the Malfoy's. The Greengrass's were pretty wealthy in the large the circle of purebloods, thanks to their own intuitive mind and knowledge. Her father had a seat in the Wizengamot, a family vault full of gold and a very successful business and the most loving family.
But, after a personal visit from the head of the DoM she was wearing the Unspeakable robes the next day and taking the vows of secrecy a week after. Three years of training later, she was one of the top ranking Unspeakable's in the British ministry. Few people could best her in a fight. She was fiercely independent to the point that she had Hexed nearly every male at her workplace for volunteering to accompany as her protection detail for missions. Being forced to marry did nothing to quell her anger.
Ever since the Dark Lord's 'return' things had been going downhill though. The incessant pestering of Lucius Malfoy to join the noble cause, the Apothecary getting damaged in a Death Eater skirmish, the Zabini's, a neutral family aligning themselves with the Dark Lord, more complicated Wizengamot politics had made her father a very busy man. She rarely if ever saw him these days, and now this contract stupidity had been added to their pile of shit.
Daphne used her hands to cover her face. Life had been good until a few days back. Why did things have to go downhill suddenly? She couldn't help feeling guilty for running off from her father, while he had still been talking. But she had been so angry that her rational thinking had been nullified. Her father was not really at fault here.
Daniel Greengrass was the most loving father that one could come across. Her father had always put family before everything, his unconditional love for his wife and daughters taking place before everything else. The marriage contract was just another problem added to his list of difficulties. Daphne sighed and reigned in her anger at the new turn in her life. She had kept the issue at bay, reasoning to herself that he would somehow find a way, loophole to get her out of it. He always did. She was therefore thoroughly crushed when he mentioned that it was ironclad. She plopped down on her bed, her Sunday ruined with the thoughts of her falling into a restless sleep.
It was three in the afternoon when Daphne walked back downstairs where she saw her father pouring himself a glass of firewhisky. Daphne frowned and walked swiftly plucking the glass from his hand, just before it touched his lips, a disapproving expression on her face. Her dad sighed and plopped down on the couch eying her with a sincerely regretful look that made her heart twist.
"I really am sorry Daphne. If there was anything th-" he started only to be silenced with a glare on his daughters part.
"It's not your fault dad. If there was even the slightest possibility for a way out of this, then you would be on it. I'm sorry for my rude behavior Dad" she relented.
"It's okay dear. How can I stay mad at my favorite daughter?" he gave her a heartwarming smile.
"Don't let Astoria hear that dear" came the voice of Elizabeth Greengrass as she walked into the room, a fond smile playing on her face. She took a seat next to her husband and both of them stared at Daphne.
"No, thankfully my other angel is too busy preparing for her N.E.W.T's" Daniel replied with a chuckle.
Daphne picked up the prophet. It was as usual laid out with a boisterous campaign, a photo of Scrimgeour and Longbottom in a united stance with a bunch of the new Auror recruits at their front.
Boy-Who-Lived - Senior Auror
In an interesting outplay of events, Neville Longbottom, the boy-who-lived and the Prophecy child passed all expectations yesterday when he dueled and came out victorious against Senior Auror Wilkins. The duel was intense lasting for about thirty minutes before the young hero came out on top. It is a notable point to on observe that Lord Longbottom, aged nineteen was able to defeat a Senior Auror with only two years of training, as opposed to the usual four years.
"With Neville leading our Auror forces, people will be much safer. It is only a matter of time before these Dark Times are over. I encourage the people to have faith in the Ministry as always" Minister Scrimgeour was available to comment.
The young hero commented on his faith in the Ministry and thanked Minister Scrimgeour for his support and training.
Lord Neville Longbotttom, who is currently dating the Holyhead Harpies Star Chaser, Ginny Weasley also announced their engagement during this boisterous occasion. His fiancée however was unable to comment due to her match with the Tutshill Tornados.
Death Eater Attack – Page – 2
The engagement of Lord Longbottom – Page 5
Daphne couldn't help the unladylike like snort that escaped her mouth. The duel was probably rigged. Admittedly Longbottom had shown some aptitude for defense while at Hogwarts. However Herbology was the only subject he excelled at. Transfiguration and Charms, she had first hand witnessed him copying off Granger's notes and his Potion brewing skills were downright abysmal on his lucky day.
Just because he ran that stupid club called Dumbledore's Army during their fifth year, the students were looking at him as though he was going to become the next Light Lord. She was pretty sure that she could best him in a duel. She was after all an Unspeakable and the training that the people went through at the Department of Mysteries could make the Auror training of the Ministry look like a walk in the park.
Her dad was scanning through some letters that had arrived early morning while her mother was sipping her Tea gazing outside the window. Their manner was pretty lush with greenery thanks to the constant care and maintenance of the house elves. Daphne sighed at the blatant nervousness her father was exhibiting which was pretty obvious with the way his eyes darted to her person every few seconds.
"You can tell who he is. I promise I won't freak out" she said in a bored tone. She needed to know. Better get the annoying irritation out of the way, rather than slowly opening the matter bitching and moaning all the way.
"W-What?" Daniel stuttered.
"Name dad. Please, give me the name of the idiot I'm supposed to marry" Daphne didn't bother curbing the irritation in her tone.
"P-Potter. Harry Potter" Daniel said as Elizabeth went back to her cup of tea, her eyes carefully watching her daughter.
"Who? Wait … isn't that the guy who dropped out during fifth year?" Elizabeth and Daniel looked at each other in surprise.
"He never came back for our sixth year at Hogwarts" Daphne clarified, recalling one of the many rumors regarding said boy. It was started by Lavender Brown, who claimed that the Potter Heir had dropped out of school so that he could train under the Dark Lord for the wars to come. The Potter's were traditional Light Wizards, a fact that most of the school was aware of.
"Well, I don't know Daphne, but he's a Healer at St. Mungos" Daniel said.
"He didn't even complete his Hogwarts education and he's a Healer. Wow, thanks dad. I'm forced to marry a loser who doesn't even have seven years of basic Hogwarts education" Daphne sneered.
"Daphne Elizabeth Greengrass-" her mother shouted.
"He probably failed his O.W.L's. Yes, that must be it. That's why he didn't turn up during our sixth year" Daphne said ignoring her mother, shaking her head in hopelessness.
"-stop this slander this instant. You haven't even met the boy and you're already badmouthing him" Elizabeth reprimanded.
"Don't judge people before you have met then sweetie, the young man was after all very much well mannered" Daniel added.
"Please dad … Wait, What?! You've already met him?How come I didn't know?" Daphne exploded.
"Sorry dear, but it would have been impractical to take you with us, as your reaction clearly proves" Elizabeth said smoothly.
The daughter-mother duo made eye contact, making Daniel gulp. Daphne glowered at her mother who sported a calm look. Daniel had faced people twice as powerful as himself in every way and never had he been more intimidated than by his princess and wife.
"I'm sorry Daphne but we had to meet with him first, as Lord Potter and Lord Greengrass" Daniel said apologetically.
"When?" she asked.
"Last night, we wanted to discuss if there was a possible way to dissolve the contract" Daniel hated disappointing his daughter.
Daphne sighed. She wanted to hurl things but there was no point in taking out the anger from the unfairness of her life onto her parents. They after all had nothing to do with the bloody contract.
"How was the contract formed in the first place dad? And how is it that we just now found out about it?" she queried instead.
Daniel sighed. "The Contract was activated when young Mr. Potter took up his lordship, assuming his rightful place in the Wizengamot, which was almost month ago"
"The real problem is that the conditions have never been met before which is a crucial factor in making a contract visible, unless you know exactly where to look for. An heir from House Greengrass and House Potter have never been of the same age, which is one of the critical points of the contract. It was written some seven generations back to ensure that the two families remained allies" Elizabeth continued.
"Without a Lord Potter, the contact was still invisible since James Potter died before he assumed his Lordship. It activated the second young Harry assumed his Lordship. As I said earlier, he is not to blame Daphne. I hope you understand that" Daniel said. He would do anything to ensure his daughters' happiness. They were his golden gems. But this was obviously out of his domain.
Daphne simply growled. "So how long do I retain my freedom?" Daphne didn't mean to be harsh, but for heaven's sake, this was her fundamental right that was being overruled.
Daniel flinched, "A year" he replied in a low voice.
"Just perfect" Daphne grumbled.
"If there had been a Lord Potter, the contact would have activated the second one of you turned seventeen, but now since both of are of age and there is a standing Lord Potter … Please Daphne, this way at least you're nineteen and not seventeen, you gained an extra two years" Daniel realized with a start that it was wrong thing to say.
"So? Two years, that makes it okay to marry this guy?" Daphne snarled. Elizabeth shot him a glare.
"How long has he been a Healer?" Daphne suddenly asked.
"He said that he started at St. Mungos a week ago" Elizabeth told her daughter.
"Did he at least explain why he dropped out of Hogwarts? You need to be decently good enough in Charms if you want to be a Healer. And frankly I think I would remember him if he had shown any talent" Daphne looked at her parents.
"Ah, actually we didn't know that he was in Hogwarts only for five years, so we never bothered to ask him" Daniel said.
"Looks to me like you don't even care if he's a Death Eater or not" Daphne said sarcastically.
"Daphne!"
"Did you at least do a background check on this guy?"
"Actually yes and it was quite uninformative. The ministry archives seem to hold little to no information on Mr. Potter for the last four years. His last records are of his O.W.L.S, in his fifth year. Other than that, I couldn't find a spot on where he has been or what he has been doing" Daniel said. He was quite the politician, being one of the most respected in the Wizegamot. Drifting through the files of one Harry James Potter had revealed very less. The archives of the ministry was difficult to access but it gave away a lot. Daniel had been disappointed at the little to no information it had held regarding his future son-in-law.
"He must have gone abroad" Daphne said quickly.
"That is a likely scenario" Daniel conceded after a few seconds. If that was true, then such info could be quite difficult to access. The other European Ministries didn't have personnel that could be bribed or negotiated with. Britain too had been like that, once. Two Dark Lords in succession had wiped out any semblance of order at the ministry.
Even now Lord Voldemort was striking panic into the hearts of the people. The only person in the ministry fit enough to oppose him was Amelia Bones Head of the DMLE, a woman he held in high regard. Other than that, it was the Longbottom boy, the Chosen One whom he had read, recently was promoted to senior Auror. The problem was that as a single man it was difficult to make a difference, a reality that people seemed to never understand. They expected either Lord Longbottom or Dumbledore to defeat Voldemort while they themselves weren't willing to contribute to the war.
The Light Lord Albus Dumbledore and his Order of the Phoenix had been the arch nemesis to Lord Voldemort since the first Wizarding War. The vigilante group always managed to clash with the Death Eaters in almost every place all over magical and muggle Britain. Death and casualties were heavy on the side of the Order since the fought with 'good' 'Light based spells' against the Dark Magic wielded by their foe. It was foolishness in Daniel's opinion. In some cases you need to fight fire with fire. While he didn't openly oppose the Dark Lord, he held no sympathy for the man's cause. The pitiful state of their society was entirely due to the actions of Voldemort with the blame partially resting on Albus Dumbledore, who had done nothing to prevent the outbreak of a second war during the peaceful fourteen years.
Suprene Mugwump, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Daniel had never witnessed a person waste the power behind those titles as Dumbledore did. So much could've been accomplished, yet nothing, absolutely no progress had occurred in the stagnant society of magical Britain. Gone were France and Belgium, far into the future that with the current climate it would take more than a miracle for Britain to catch up. America was even further out of their reach. Leaps in the advancement of magic was being done in the other countries, Daniel couldn't help but feel for his mother country.
Muggles were dying left and right, the ministry lacked a proper Auror force, corruption had never been higher in the British Ministry, Muggle-Borns were fleeing the country, useless laws were being proposed … Daniel shook his head in resignation. He hated being right, it would take a dozen miracles for Wizarding Britain to get out of the current mess.
"Anyways dear, don't you think that it's time you got ready?" Elizabeth asked her daughter sweetly.
"Ready? ready for what?" Daphne asked. She frowned when her dad immediately took up the Prophet using it to cover his face.
"Your date, with your betrothed" Daniel peeked over the top of the paper.
"What!? You set me up a date with the guy without even asking me? Unbelievable!" Daphne shouted, her pretty face flushed in anger. She couldn't even comprehend what her parents had done.
"Oh, hush honey. The sooner the two of you get to know each other, the better. No come on, let's get you all pretty" Elizabeth said, forcing her daughter to get up and ushering her away upstairs, not giving her a chance to protest or think.
Daniel let out a breath of air, he didn't know he was holding. He had half expected a duel to break out in their living room. Thankfully Daphne had been shocked into submission. He chuckled, she was just like her mother. Contrary to how they had been acting, both he and his wife had felt bad for arranging the date for their daughter. But it was a necessary thing, seeing as Daphne would never allow the boy to speak a few words, let alone ask her on a date before Hexing him. Thanks to their youngest, both Greengrass parents were very well aware of what happened to those who asked the 'Ice Queen' on a date. And frankly, it had terrified him, enough that he never inquired about his daughters love life. Elizabeth had been disapproving but, then again their daughter got that fiery temper from her.
While what they had done may have been wrong, in the long run, Daphne would have a much happier life even if all his best efforts to break the contract had been rendered useless. The damn thing was ironclad.
He sat at the top of the building. A predator's point of view.
His prey, Sebastien Mulicber.
Scum, was the single word that appeared on the predator's mind. The mousy pathetic wizard was glancing here and there, looking back every few seconds to ensure that he was not followed. Pity, that the scumbag was drunk.
He jumped landing gracefully onto an adjacent building, his target completely oblivious to his presence. He ran, jumping again, to the next building, a hood pulled over his head protecting his identity from watchful eyes.
The impossibility of jumping between two buildings that were nearly fifteen meters apart would be lost on his prey, Mulciber who was busy trying to get home in his drunken panicked and pathetic state.
The coward slipped into a dirty alley, probably to Apparate away unseen, so that no one would be able to follow. Apparition was a flawed method of travel, when not properly used.
The hooded figure pounced from the top of the building using his magic to slow the descent, just as its prey turned on the spot awkwardly trying to apparate home. The 'Crack' associated with Apparition never came, instead it was a 'Crack' related to the breaking of bones as the shoulder bones of Sebastien cracked under the force of landing of his attacker.
Collapsing in a heap, the injured drunken man crawled towards the wall, resting his back against strong stone behind as he pointed his wand roughly at the hooded figure. His drunken state was affecting his aim quite a bit. But Mulciber knew that aim was not needed much for the spell he was about to use.
Avada Ke-
The wand laded a few feet away from the pureblood on the ground, courtesy a swing of the leg from the hooded figure leaving him with a broken wrist to add on top of his earlier injuries. Mulciber screamed in agony.
"W-Why y-you mudblood? Don't y-you know w-who I-I am" the man growled despite being wandless and drunk.
The answer he got was a whispered, Legilimens and the sight of an angry pair of vivid glowing eyes beneath the hood before he lost consciousness.
Daniel sighed as he finished answering the last of his letters. He looked at his watch, a brand new gift that his daughter had gotten him a few days back for his birthday. It was seven in the evening. His son-in-law had said that he would be there to pick Daphne up at half past seven.
While he was not happy with recent events, he was thankful that his daughter had been betrothed to such a kind and polite young man. He wasn't a pureblood as Daniel would've preferred, but he was a Potter. And Potter's had always been powerhouses in the past, though with the boy's current occupation it would seem that his mother's side seemed to be showing. No matter, Daphne was a powerful witch and the balance would be perfect for the future generation of Potter's.
It could've been worse, such as Nott or Goyle or ... Malfoy. Daniel's face lost all traces of emotion as the name popped into his mind. The bastard had been trying to arrange a marriage contract between Draco and Daphne for years, long before the children even went to Hogwarts. It only became worse when Draco developed a huge attraction for his daughter while Daphne had wanted nothing to do with the spoiled brat. The rejection during the Yule Ball of Hogwarts had sent Draco running to his daddy to get him the girl he wanted.
Lucius had approached him at the end of Daphne's fourth year at Hogwarts, a new found arrogance on his face. Daniel however had been adamant on his daughter choosing her own partner, Dark Lord returned or not. Slowly his relations with the Malfoy Lord had deteriorated from civil conversation to outright threats from the other side. Daniel Greengrass had seen his fair share of the ruthless enemies to hold his own against the Malfoy's.
However the next visit had been for a completely different purpose. The Dark Lord wanted him to join the Death Eaters. Daniel had been very firm in saying that while held no love for muggles that didn't mean that he wanted to kill them and end up in Azkaban. The memory of that visit however still sent chills up his spine. Brave man he may be, but he knew Voldemort to be ruthless. The bastard would stoop as low as to threaten his family to recruit him. The fact that one of his daughters was still at Hogwarts and not under the ancient wards of Greengrass manor, had been his weak point. Thankfully, however no such threats had been issued. They had been left alone and Daniel hadn't been more relieved.
So lost in thought was he, that he didn't notice his daughter and wife descending the stairs until they were right in front of him. His jaw dropped seeing his daughter fancily dressed. She looked like one of those princesses from the fairy tails what with her porcelain face and bright blue eyes. Hell, she could be used as a model to make those kind of dolls.
"You look beautiful Daphne. I'm sure that Harry will be stunned" Daniel said with a smile. "Though I have to wonder, why it took you almost three hours to get ready" Daniel continued.
"Oh no Honey, we just needed some alone-time for a little bit of girl talk. Also we wanted to knock Mr. Potter right off his feet" Elizabeth said in happy tone.
Daphne scowled, turning her face up in the air with a sniff.
"Now, Now, darling. You would look much more prettier without that ugly scowl marring your face" Elizabeth chided, using a sponge to wipe her daughter's cheek.
"I can't believe that this is happening. The two of you setting me up on a date without my consent" both parents cringed, "and its unbelievable that I'm actually going along with it."
"I'm sorry Daphne, but I really want you to get to know him. The longer you put something like this off, the more awkward it gets" Daniel reasoned.
"Besides, the young man did question us about your consent. He was worried that you may be feel forced to accompany him" said Elizabeth.
"Damn right, that's exactly how I feel right now" Daphne muttered.
Seeing the glare her mother was sporting, "Fine dear Mother, I'll try to be polite. But I swear if he puts one finger on me, I'll Hex him into next week."
"Now, now, no need to jump to conclusions" Daniel was getting nervous with how his daughter was reacting, "I'm sure you'll both have a great time."
"Right" came Daphne's sarcastic reply, "Where exactly are we going anyway?" she asked after a moment.
"Sunshade Restaurant, Diagon Alley"
"What!? But you need to book three weeks in advance get a reservation there on top of which the place is bloody expensive" Daphne couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.
"Language Daphne, and yes, your dad booked that place on the day he learned of the Betrothal Contract. He figured that it would do as a good first meeting place in the case that he wouldn't be able to dissolve the Betrothal. Also, you do know that money is of no issue to us right" said Elizabeth.
"Anything else that I need to know?" she asked testily.
"Nothing, other than another new problem that has arrived" Daniel replied a bit uneasily.
Both Greengrass woman looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Daniel sighed, "Lucius has written to me, again" he saw Daphne stiffen, "saying that his 'Lord' requires some potion supplies."
All three of them were silent for a minute.
"You told him beat it, right dad" Daphne asked after a few minutes. Daniel chuckled at his daughter's choice of words, as Elizabeth glared at their daughter. His daughter was cold and calculating most of the time, sporting an edge of ruthlessness that made men and woman alike wary of her. But here, inside the confines of their home, the true Daphne came out. Brash, speaking her mind without caution and projecting a warm atmosphere in general. He hated the Ice Queen persona that his daughter had created.
"Not as crude, but I've said that we wished to be left alone in this war. I told him in no uncertain words that when we mean neutrality, we stand by it" Daniel replied.
Daphne gulped, her thoughts racing. Her family was neutral, but was she? The work she did, could it be considered neutral. She shook away the dread that threatened to fill her kind. Her family would be safe for as long as no one knew the job she did as an Unspeakable. Magical Oaths were in use, no one would know as long as she was careful on the field.
"Is there something you wish to tell us Daphne?" her mother's narrowed eyes were looking questioningly in her direction. Damn, she forgot just how perceptive her mother could be. No matter how much she kept her mind blank, her mother always seemed to know how she was feeling.
"Nothing mum, just thinking"
All three of them got up at once when the bell rang.
"Stay here, mum, dad. I'll get it" Daphne said.
"Daphne" she turned around, "Please don't Hex the boy. I like him well enough" Daniel begged.
"I'll try" she said with a smirk heading for the door.
A/N: How's that for a first Chapter guys?
Review on your way out please.