Chapter 3:
At the sound of door opening Harry looked at the door and here he saw The Greengrass family. A handsome man with black hair in his mid 30s along with a beautiful woman with blond hair also in her mid 30s and a cute girl with blond hair who aged 11 were standing there. For a moment, Harry was thinking about the best way to approach the Greengrass family and at the end, he decided he should show some signs of his newly found pureblood heritage.
"Lord Greengrass it's a pleasure to meet you in person, I hope our houses will found common purpose and we will be able to build up a productive alliance between our houses." He bowed to Lord Greengrass as a sign of respect to Lord of An Ancient and Noble House; he also formally offered an alliance with House Sayre.
Lord Shawn Greengrass was shocked at the formal addressing of him by an 11 years boy. He thought as Nelson family was a small pureblood family with only 160-180 years old history and as a non-traditional and non-residential British family; the boy would not know about British wizarding etiquette. He was also shocked how clams the boy was; normally an 11 years boy would be nervous as hell when he would meet with strangers alone in a room full of goblins.
Nonetheless, he was deeply pleased for getting an alliance offer from Ancient House of Sayre. Ancient House of Sayre by virtue of being an Ancient house would get influence in wizengamot. With the inclusion of House Sayre in neutral fraction, he hoped that they would be stronger rivals with both light and dark fraction in future.
He also recognized that by allying with House Greengrass, the boy also brought himself under protection of House Greengrass.
Last of all as an Uncle figure to the boy, he was pleased the boy was well mannered, resourceful. He felt sad for the boy who became an orphan at the age of 11. Even the law did not required, he would take guardianship of that boy because he knew that boy was the last alive blood relative of his wife's paternal house.
In pureblood culture, family was very important and that includes one's extended family too. He realized that Athena Greengrass was somewhat pleased after getting to know, one of his blood relative and getting the chance to become an aunt figure to the boy.
He was also hopeful that, after getting a cousin both of her daughters would have a chance to become less introverts. Harry had potential to become an older brother figure for Astoria.
In the case of Daphne, it would be complicated, because he was already seeing that boy as a potential match for his eldest daughter. Though he would not influence them in that matter, he would not let his daughter suffer from a loveless marriage.
"It is also a pleasure to meet you, Heir Sayre; I think both of our houses can be benefitted from a productive alliance between us." Shawn accepted the formal offer of an alliance between House of Greengrass & House of Sayre.
Harry's assumption about Shawn Greengrass was nearly cent percent correct, that man was a political animal; he would lead his fraction forcefully and would not hesitate to utilize any chance of increasing his family's political power. However, at the same time that man was a family loving man .He loved his wife and his daughters.
Harry knew Shawn Greengrass would treat him as a nephew, and Harry could certainly say Shawn would be an improvement from Vernon as an uncle.
Harry was happy that, he would get House Greengrass political protection and when he would become Lord Sayre, Greengrass would be his number one ally.
After Shawn, Harry shifted his attention to his wife Athena Greengrass. Harry took her hand and kissed on her knuckles.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too Lady Greengrass, you have to forgive me because I can't find any word in English dictionary that could do justice to describe your beauty." Harry complimented Athena.
Athena was observing Harry from the moment they entered into the room; she was surprised to find that boy knowledgeable about British Pureblood culture. She found that boy knew mannerism.
Athena felt sometimes over the fact that her paternal house had no existing member in UK besides her. She was somewhat glad that they would be magical guardian of that boy. She knew even if the law did not tell her to become guardian of the boy , she would still apply to become Hadrian's guardian because , he is her only blood relative from her paternal side .
The boy would be a handsome man once he would become adult, that boy was blessed with handsome male facial feature of House Sayre but with one exception of his deep green eyes, and she suspected it might come from Nelson family's gene. He was behaving like a charmer.
Athena could clearly say that that blonde hair, green-eyed handsome boy who is an heir of a rich pureblood family would become many little witches' dream man. She would be surprised if she did not get some marriage contract proposal for her nephew. However, Hadrian now her family's responsibility and she would not allow anyone to take advantage of that poor boy.
She also realized that, she would be an aunt figure in the boy's eyes and Daphne & Astoria would have a cousin now and it would help them to grow. However, she would keep an eye on the relationship dynamics between Daphne and Harry.
"It is also my pleasure to meet you young man, you are a young charmer, aren't you? " Athena replied.
Harry smiled after hearing Athena's remark; she would be a great aunt figure for him compared to Petunia.
At last he gave his attention to the cute girl named Daphne, green eyes met with blue eyes, he lowered his mouth to kiss knuckles of Daphne.
"I am very glad to finally meet you Heir Greengrass; I hope we will become great allies within our student life and after that." Harry commented
Daphne was also observing the young Sayre heir and her cousin very closely from the moment she came into that room.
Daphne was planning to play in Slytherin politics with her allies, the sudden appearance of Sayre heir who was same aged as her would clearly add a new dimension in that whole process.
She read the House Sayre's history , almost all of them were placed into Slytherin , and she could tell from the way her cousin talk with her parents that Hadrian Sayre would be a potential Slytherin first year.
She was expecting Hadrian would be an ally to her in Slytherin politics due to kinship and alliance between their families.
She was also happy that she would have a cousin now; it felt weird as a pureblood person for not having a cousin who was closely related.
Hadrian would live with his family, so he would be a part of her immediate family. No doubt, Astoria would be thrilled to get an older cousin who would live with them; she would probably treat him as an older brother figure.
But Daphne was not comfortable about Hadrian as brother figure, she did not knew why , maybe she found that young Sayre heir extremely cute with his blond hair , green eyes , high check bone and charming smile , suddenly she found that, young Sayre heir was making an eye contract with her .
Stop Daphne, she scolded herself for thinking like a hopeless romantic. She should not behave like an average 11 years boy or girl, she was an heir, and she had responsibility to her family. She would have to separate different aspects of her life.
Nevertheless, she conceded the point that Hadrian Sayre was an interesting character. She would keep her eye on him.
"I am also like to work with you to strengthen the bond between our houses." Daphne responded
Harry looked at the Greengrass heir with interest. If he guessed right, her family trained her in pureblood politics. She would expect him as ally in Slytherin politics and Harry would be her ally in their common interest to reduce influence of dark fraction in that house. He was also interested in the role of her cousin, as he would live with her, he knew he would be part her immediate family. Harry did not know the experience of living with family but that type it would be different.
Hadrian's eyes caught Daphne with her blond hair and baby blue eyes with a cute face. Now that complicates things in Harry's mind, he had a mission to complete, he had a vision for Wizarding UK, He was ready play politics with other players but with along with all those important issues in his mind he found his cousin Daphne as extremely cute in not so innocent way.
"Now the formality is over, you could address me as Uncle Shawn and you are welcome to the family." Shawn took Hadrian into a manly hug.
"Ok, Uncle Shawn, but I insist you also have to call me as Harry." Harry smiled and returned the hug.
"Harry, I am very happy to find you, you are now part of our family." Athena added.
"Thanks, Aunt Athena, your words mean a lot to me. " Harry responded.
"I am also welcoming you Cousin Harry, I hope we will build a good relationship as family members." Daphne replied more calmly and emotionlessly than her parents did.
That was interesting Daphne Greengrass was trying to portray water down version of her ice queen image, Harry thought.
Nevertheless, Harry would see how long she could maintain her ice queen image; Harry wanted to build friendship with Daphne along with his cousin status. Because a good friendship is the base of every important relationship, if he wanted her loyalty, then he had to earn her trust and it was only possible in friendship.
In Greengrass Manor:
Harry landed gracefully on the ground. Years of practice had made him to learn how to land properly on the ground when you were transporting via sidelong apparition.
An excited house elf had come to receive them. He was a younger and slightly shorter elf than Harry's favorite house elf Dobby.
"Batty, that is Hadrian, my nephew. You and other house elf would treat him with respect as a member of our family." Shawn introduced Harry to the young house elf.
"Welcome Master Hadrian, Batty would try to help you, whenever you asked him." Batty told Harry.
"I would remember you, whenever your service would be required. " Harry flashed his smile to the young house elf.
After that the Greengrass family plus Hadrian Sayre entered into manor. A beautiful manor reflected rich history of Greengrass family, the portrait of past Lord and Ladies from Greengrass family was hanging on the wall.
"Now Harry it is time to meet with your younger cousin and our younger daughter Astoria Greengrass. " Athena told him about the little girl who was standing beside her father. Astoria Greengrass was the mini version of her elder sister.
"Hello, Cousin Harry, welcome to Greengrass manor." Astoria welcomed him shyly.
"Oh! Thank you, my charming and most beautiful cousin." Harry praised her.
Harry saw the look of irritation on Daphne's face surely describing Astoria as his most beautiful cousin did not impressed Daphne.
Daphne understood Harry was just praising her younger sister, but did he have to add 'most' before describing Astoria as beautiful.
It seemed like her newly arrived cousin was trying to play a mind game with her, however, Daphne was confident about her beauty and she was more than just a beautiful face, she was intelligent, cunning, talented witch who had a determination to rule the country.
"You have to try harder Harry to get under my skin ". She told herself in her mind.
Soon Harry showed his room by a house elf. The room was medium sized not too big or too small. After that, Harry started to think about his next plan of action while sitting on the bed.
Despite a brief description from fate, he still did not know many things about that universe's magical UK, so Harry decided library of Greengrass family would consume significant amount of his time for next few days.
Harry knew because of his experience from his home universe, he would be miles ahead from his fellow 11 years students; it was an unfair advantage in favor of him but one thing Harry learned from his experience that life was full of unfairness. He would use his experience and power to gain influence and to fulfill his mission. That time Tom would be defeated more easily, he promised himself. However, before reappearance of Tom which would happen approximately after few years as fate told him. He would shift his focus on studying and controlling Slytherin house politics for now.
Harry was sure that Daphne would soon introduce him to her potential ally Tracy Davies and Zabini, in his home universe both Davies and Zabini were neutral in the war. He was thinking how to approach them; he knew both of them would judge him before allying with him.
He was thinking about Hogwarts, it was his first real home, where he learned about magical word. The secret passages of Hogwarts were his source of adventure, the chamber of secrets was still a mystery to him. He decided that time he would visit the chamber properly, he did not believe that Slytherin would only hide his pat snake in that large chamber.
He was also thinking about being parselmouth. He did not want to reveal of that skill to anyone for now. He would reveal his skill when it would be necessary. He was planning to become first in his class, he did not want to hide from limelight anymore, and he would use limelight on him for his advantage. He would break the record of both Tom Riddle and Dumbledore in exams.
He was thinking about teaching stuff when house elf Batty appeared in his room and said
"Master Hadrian, Master Shawn is waiting for you in the dining room "Batty notified him
Soon Harry came into the dining room, every member of Greengrass family were already present there.
"Hello Harry come & join us. I hope you are pleased with your room." Shawn told Harry
"Yes, I am very much pleased with my room, thank you very much Uncle Shawn."
Harry expressed his gratitude to him.
"There is no need to say thanks Harry, you are family now." Shawn assured Harry.
"So, Harry, tell me are you excited about Hogwarts. " Athena asked Harry.
"Yes, Aunt Athena, I am very much excited about Hogwarts. It would be a great place for learning and making important connection which would be helpful for me in the later stages of my life." Harry responded.
"Yes, it would be a great place for that, what is your favorite subject Harry." She again asked Harry.
"I have no clear favorite in that matter, but I like DADA little more. " Harry replied with smile while observing Daphne who was listening to their conversation.
"What is your favorite subject Daphne?" Harry suddenly asked Daphne.
Daphne was clearly shocked when Harry suddenly asked her.
"I prefer Charms and DADA little more than other subject."
Daphne replied with confidence.
"So, Harry, we are thinking that we will go in Diagon Alley after tomorrow for buying Hogwarts supply, do you want to go with us." Athena asked Harry.
"Sure Aunt, I will go with you, I am sure it will be a great experience." Harry replied with enthusiasm.
"Uncle, Shawn I am counting on you for the support of my house's noble house status." Harry told him.
" Harry I don't think there is any reason to worry , your house is now third richest house in the whole country and if you give a certain a money for donation , I think your house would easily get Noble status . " Shawn assured Harry.
"Uncle Shawn, I also want to ask you for something else." Harry told Shawn in a serious tone.
"What is it?" Shawn asked Harry.
"Uncle Shawn, I want to apply you as my reagent in Wizengamot." Harry replied
"Harry, are you sure about that, it will be a honor for me but you should not hurry about such important decision." Shawn remarked.
"Uncle you are the only person in UK who I can trust with this kinds of responsibility. You are my family and besides our houses are allies, so I think it is a correct decision." Harry assured him with smile.
Next day:
Daphne's POV:
I was sitting on my friend Tracy's bed. I came here early in the morning. Yesterday was a very eventful day for my family and me. My second cousin Hadrian Sayre was a interesting person. His sudden appearance would make things more interesting in Hogwarts. Still I did not know many things about my cousin .We did not talk much yet.
I was planning to know him better, because he was my family now and he could be a great ally for me. He was a well-behaved boy and he knew about the tradition of pureblood society. He usually acted much more maturely than anyone did from his age. Last night he was talking with my father about currency manipulation in muggle economy. I did not know how an 11 years old boy could know so much about it.
I was planning to talk with him soon about our alliance in Hogwarts, but today I came here to inform my best friend about latest development.
"So, Daphne tells me about your cousin." Tracy had asked me.
"How do you know?" I was clearly surprised after Tracy asked me about my cousin.
"Daphne, every influential pureblood, and half blood family now know about your cousin Hadrian Sayre. Ancient house Sayre's reappearance already creates a great amount of interest among them. Many are speculating that House Greengrass will now lead neutral fraction more strongly against dark and light fraction in wizengamot with the help of House Sayre."
Tracy informed me.
"Yes. I also think our neutral fraction would be stronger with the inclusion of House Sayre." I told her.
"You should tell me more about your cousin. My father told me that, already many pureblood families are planning to send wedding contract to marry their daughter with your second cousin and I can understand why they are doing that. As a super rich young pureblood heir of an Ancient house who is an orphan is a very demandable candidate in pureblood marriage market. "Tracy commented.
I did not know why but I did not like the idea of wedding contract for Harry from greedy pureblood families.
"Father will never approve any of them and I think Harry will also reject any such contract." I inform Tracy.
"I know your father being the magical guardian of your cousin is preventing many families from sending wedding contract. Many of them are speculating that, your father will never agree with any of the marriage contract when he can simply create a marriage contract between you and young Sayre heir who also happen to be the only alive close blood relative of his wife."
"My father will never force me or Harry into a loveless marriage." I strongly protested.
"I know Daphne, but many people don't know that and they think your father must be a fool if he doesn't utilize the opportunity to make Harry marry you. "
Tracy told me.
"My father won't take unfair advantage of Harry for his gain. " I responded strongly.
"Ok, now tell me did you inform your cousin about our strategy to compete with Nott and Malfoy? " She asked me.
"I will inform him today and tomorrow we will visit Diagon Alley to buy Hogwarts supply, you and Zabini can join us and we can discuss more about that." I suggested.
"Oh! I am dying to meet with your cousin; I heard that he is very cute with his blonde hair and green eyes. "Tracy exclaimed
"Now Tracy please become serious and tells me about your visit to France." I told her.
Chapter end
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