Hey everyone,
I'm going to be honest, it's getting harder and harder for me to come up with topics to discuss in the Writer AN's. Because of this have I decided that, from now on, bar a few of my stories I will probably use the same style as with Venquine Mates, where I just jump into the chapter number and title right from the start.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990


Chapter 22
Worrying Over Summer Events

12th of July 1996
Greengrass Halls
Daphne's POV

It really wasn't the best idea of Lea and the others to leave without waking Harry up after cleaning his heart. He has been worrying ever since he woke up and while those loyal to him and I have tried our hardest to keep him busy, did this become harder once school ended, even though Harry did agree to come home with me.
I know part of me would probably feel insulted that in a mansion as vast as my family's Harry still finds the time to not be distracted and to worry over those that are now traveling across England in search of Heartless that are known as the containers keeping parts of the soul of the only Nobody to have ever walked this world.

Merlin had visited just a few days ago and had shown Harry where each of his mates lived and he and his loved ones will move to as, while the mates were gone, did Harry, Lord Gryffindor, Dumbledore, the Heads and I discuss the plan that had been set up by Ventus, Neville and Harry on the day of the Mates' arrival.
The headmaster had been shocked to hear that Harry and his beloved would be moving out of their own world and to a new one, yet he had understood that Harry would want to be where his mates are – which is of course impossible now – yet he and the teachers had raged up a storm when Harry told them that Hogwarts would move too.
Yet Harry had not been willing to hear any of it and he had told them how they were living in a world where technology was getting better every day and how a passageway in a place as busy and popular as King's Cross or Charring Cross Road is a very dangerous thing and how these portals would only help keep up the Stature.
The boy had fully proven both his intelligence as well as his level of knowledge about both his mates and their abilities as well as the current Muggle Society, life and how technology got more and more involved in that and the fact that there could soon be a form of viewing that can't be Obliviated had been what had convinced the teachers.

However, Harry had also given in and promised not to send Hogwarts away until all students, their parents and the staff were used to traveling by the portals and in return Harry promised to help his mates find a way to put up permanent portals between popular magical hang outs and their homes and then something even better.
He had told us that he couldn't really promise us anything, but he would try and see if he could convince his mates to teach the teachers how to summon these portals. He had also met with the Minister and, while Fudge was suddenly a lot more cooperative, had he got the man up to speed and asked about a new Department.
This one would be like a Sub-department to the one keeping an eye on Muggleborns using magic and would keep an eye on all magical parents so that even the parents could learn how to use the portals, yet not get the belief that they can use it for their own amusement or anything, something Fudge was willing to agree on.

Yet even that agreement, the discussion, the further planning, the exploring of my family manor and the trip with Merlin seem unable to permanently squash my partner's anxiety over his mates and what's even worse is that, other than giving them titles, Harry has yet to really seal the bonds with any of them.
The reason for this being even worse is because, had Harry been fully bonded, he would have probably been able to either physically, emotionally or mentally connect with any of his currently traveling mates and so far, the only thing that really keeps Harry from freaking out is the knowledge of their experience with this problem.
Just the fact that they knew exactly who to call when they discovered that they had a soul of another contained within the scar of their mate had proven that they had tons of experience with Heartless and the tale they told us of how they had once been Nobodies themselves gives me confidence they can, at least, keep Voldemort at bay.

Yet while part of me is glad that Harry doesn't have this bond yet as it might mean that he could sense it when they are endangered by either the Heartless or the protections surrounding them, do I also hate to see my fiancé and beloved mate anxiously try and keep himself calm by reading a book without his eyes even passing the page.
Harry has been in the library a lot, believing he can find some kind of book in our massive collection that can help keep his calm, but so far this theory has been proven a failure and I can't help but grimace whenever I see Harry sigh, put his book down and gnaw on his bottom lip while looking for yet another book.

Yet then a saving grace enters the library as Sirius Black walks in, having been invited alongside Harry as my dad recognized the bond shared between my fiancé and his godfather and the man sighs and asks: "Harry, why are you doing this?" Making us both look at him as if he has suddenly gone insane and he says:
"Instead of roaming this castle, emptying this library even before your own birthday and all out driving yourself into the Closed Ward before Christmas, why not work on your physics and looks, your heritage and power and give your mates like a reward for their hard work and their soon-to-be return to your side?
They're already completely gaga over you, but – well, maybe you should work on giving them some incentive to complete the bond once they get back to you." And while Harry looks at his godfather with his eyes wide, do I feel like slapping myself on the forehead as that idea is genius – just for being so freaking simple.

A week later

"How can ANYONE change that much physically in A WEEK?" Goes through my mind as I look at how Harry walks down the staircase to the main floor of my family mansion as the boy now holds himself with all the grace and respect that should befall only one who has as many incredible titles to himself as my fiancé.
Harry's entire form, the look in his eyes and his stance prove that he has the courage of the Lions, the Intelligence of the Ravens, the dignity of the royal line of Arthur, the deathly strength of Death himself and the personal pride of the Potters – and all of that is shown whether he walks, sits, stands, looks around or talks.

Sure Harry's body is still meager looking and mum's slowly increasing diet is definitely helping matters in regards to his previous malnourishment and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his former relatives, but just by the way that he dresses, behaves and shows himself does it almost seem impossible to still see that.
Harry has also come in contact with Andromeda Tonks who has not only helped him over the slight trauma that he got when he had a terrible vision of his godfather being tortured, she has also helped and is still helping him overcome all the parts of his past that could be considered an obstacle to a healthy, happy future.

And now the boy is invited to the Longbottom Summer party, which is an annual celebration of the Longbottoms and their long line of existence and he seems fully ready to prove himself both an Heir to the royal House as well as a proud member of High Society and the next Lord to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter.
Sirius will be escorting him and myself to this party and while I have no doubt that Harry would have loved to use this incredible dance to formally introduce all of his mates to High society, do I just feel glad that the boy has now fully thrown himself in all kinds of activities that keep him from drowning in his worrying over the others.
I can't say I'm not worried myself as the lot of them have definitely grown on me, yet the knowledge that this is a quest for items that have been hidden for years if not decades keeps me from worrying too much as I know I can't just go and expect them to come out those doors at any given moment, no matter how strong my desire.

Then Sirius, who is our escort and supervisor for the evening, walks down the stairway himself, dressed just as regally and powerful as his godson and asks: "Are you lovely teens ready to go?" The both of us nod and Harry quickly inspects his hands and the lapel of his robe where the Lordship rings and badges shine brightly.
Then the boy and I both take a hand of the man, the hand holding mine also holding the slip of parchment that is both the invitation as well as the Portkey, one that had been delivered by House Elf due to the fact that the Dark Lord is indeed a known returned threat and Augusta had been adamant not to have uninvited guests come over.
Harry has, over summer had small sessions of practicing with various methods of traveling that he was either unknown about – such as House elf travel – or had experiences with that left him quite undignified and both his arrival by Floo Powder and Port Key have improved marginally thanks to just six hours of practice this week.

The Port Key activates, the world around us disappears in a swirl of blending colors and blinding lights and yet, when we arrive, is Harry the one helping me make sure that I keep to my feet and not show my privates by how I almost fell, an act for which I thank him with a grateful smile and loving kiss to the cheek.
We then leave the small foyer hall in which we arrive and once we do, does Sirius look at the parchment, humming as he says: "Convenient. The foyer is the only place in Longbottom manor that doesn't have Anti-Port Key wards up. The Port Key disabled itself the minute I walked through that door. Very clever."
And while the two of us nod, do I personally feel glad that the magic of Longbottom Manor didn't make the paper burn up or vanish when the magic got disabled. Then we pass through a slim hallway that makes it so that Sirius has to walk in front of us before we reach a large, well-muscled man that asks: "Invitation?"

Sirius hands him the paper and the man asks: "Lord and Lady Greengrass?" To which I answer: "My mother and father are at a conference with other Neutral Aligned Houses that which to remain such and are discussing what they must and can offer to which side in order to remain safe while keeping to their Neutrality.
They have therefore entrusted me and my fiancé, Lord Harry James Potter-Gryffindor-Ravenclaw-Peverell-Pendragon to the care and responsibility of Lord Sirius Orion Black." The man nods, his eyes widening behind his – I now recognize – Armani sunglasses when he hears the amount of titles my fiancé carries with him.
"Just Potter, please. Lady Longbottom has agreed that I can start introducing myself as Head of each family over the course of the following parties and dances." The doorman nods again and says: "These are in order. My colleague on the other side has been informed and he will announce you when you are ready to enter."
This alone makes me smile as it proves that Lady Augusta knows and understands how hard this is for Harry as it is practically his debut ball – one he should have attended around Christmas in his first, not summer after his fifth – yet Harry gives a firm nod back at the man, his eyes hard, strong and proud, proving he is indeed ready.

The three of us then pass the almost transparent curtains and instantly a voice at the other side of the balcony that has a staircase leading down into the ballroom shouts: "Presenting Lord Sirius Orion of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and his two plus ones." Which draws everyone's attention as he says:
"Heiress Daphne of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass and Lord Harry James, here to represent the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter." And while I can see many of our own school mates share confused and wondering glances, do I take Harry's arm as he and Sirius lead me down the stairs.

Many elder members of House that are both Aligned and Neutral to the agendas and beliefs of House Potter are observing us with careful – some slightly hidden angry – looks, yet Harry proves that he is not just a Lord of a House that has actually exceeded many of them, but also that his years of fame have made him immune.
His chin is held up just high enough to prove he has dignity, his eyes prove both an intelligent gaze upon the world and a hardness that comes with experience, his stance proves his whole week of training and healthy exercise and his pace proves that, while uncaring, he is willing to have the world take a good look at his person.
Pride, intelligence, strength, health, indifference and respect. Harry, just by walking down the stairs, proves he is the embodiment of every line that he actually descends from and many of those around us seem to notice this as well as their tentative, calculating gazes turn respectful and – dare I say it – even hopeful with some.

Yet there is one thing about all this that amuses me as Harry had walked down the stairs of my family manor in the same way only yesterday and I had been completely in awe at how he did so, yet he had been completely obvious with the image he portrayed and had asked me if I was alright once he had reached me.
And I have no doubt that, while determined to make a good first impression, my fiancé has no idea of how quickly he has earned everyone's respect, yet then the ice gets broken as, at the bottom of the staircase, we meet Neville who has a friendly, respectful smile on his face and his Heir badge on his lapel as he asks:
"Are you trying to make this party about you instead of the opening of the Summer Ball Season or something?" Yet while Harry is obviously confused, does he only raise an inquisitive eyebrow and then Sirius says: "Forgive my godson, Heir Longbottom, he is apparently obvious to what his newly created image causes to the crowds."
And while this would have probably made old Harry turn red awkwardly, does the new Lord Potter only press his lips together in discomfort as Neville laughs and says: "And how long has he been training on this image, if I may ask Lord Black?" And while I have no doubt that we have the whole hall's attention, does the man say:
"One week." Shocking both Neville as well as several others as gasps can now be heard from several corners of the hall and with that do I know one thing for certain. Harry James Potter may have had his début ball at a very late date, but he is definitely a person to be respected for several reasons and he has just earned High Society's respect.

Then Neville bows to us and welcomes us formally, the three of us bowing back in respect and after this, while the man remains close by, does Sirius allow us to mingle with those that are of our own age and it takes us only ten minutes to find people we have both grown close to during our years as Hogwarts students.
A few of these people are Hannah Abbott, who my younger sister has taken a liking to ever since her own start at Hogwarts, and Susan Bones, whose Aunt I am sure has been cooperating with Augusta to provide protection around Longbottom Manor – and probably all other locations for the rest of the Summer Ball Season.

Both of the girls had been almost swooning when they saw Harry arrive and the first thing Hannah had spoken off was how jealous she was of me for having such an incredible man to call my own, Harry again twisting his lips to show his slight discomfort with this and me making it easier on him by saying I didn't just have him to myself.
From there, as if the ice had been broken, conversations had flowed easily, an adult or two coming in to speak with Harry and ask him a few questions every now and then and one reoccurring one was: "What exactly did the announcer mean representing?" Yet Harry had proven both his respect and his Marauder Heritage and answered:
"Forgive me, but in name of my father and the legacy he had while my age, would I prefer to keep this reasoning hush-hush until the next dance. Once that commences, will you catch a glimmer of the reason, I can assure you." And the way that he spoke and smiled while saying this had excited the ones asking as they nodded and left.

Hannah had been amazed the first time and Susan had asked: "And you learned to walk and speak like that in just one week?" To which Harry shrugged and said: "It was that or endless, needless worrying over those out there trying to protect us." And the two had nodded, both of them catching the glimmer of concern shining in Harry's eyes.
The conversation just happily continues, even with the few adults sometimes jumping in to either ask the same question or join in on a topic the girls, Harry and I are discussing, yet every now and then, when there are not adults asking us questions, do one of our other school mates join our conversation or ask the girls if they could borrow us.

Harry, obviously, minds neither of the two and while I can clearly see his eyes analyzing each teen that does this and confirm them to be either a Potter House supporter or one neutral to House Potter and their agenda, does he keep his powerful Lord persona up the whole time, even if his voice remains friendly and respectful.
Unfortunately are there also a few Neutral Houses that have spawned less than respectful Heirs and these two, once or twice, attempt to steal Harry away, yet one of them proves that – what happened with the DA when it was betrayed was a permanent betrayal of not just the club itself, but of the person and Harry.

Cho Chang and Mariette Edgecombe, who is Cho's plus one, walk over and Cho, to the shock of the girls and the faked indifference of Harry and myself, drapes herself over Harry in such a way that her cleavage is almost pressed out of her dress and hanging over his shoulders as she giggles and says: "Harry, there you are, honey."
Yet Harry keeps his gaze on the table Hannah, Susan and I have moved over to while talking and he says: "Heiress Chang, Heiress Edgecombe." His voice suddenly void of the friendly respect it held when talking with the two Puffs and this is instantly picked up by all five of us as well as several of those around us.
Yet while Chang's arms tighten around Harry's waist just above his waistband that has the logo of the Potter House embroidered on the front for all of the world to see, does she then recover and ask: "Are you that bored that you speak with such indifference, honey? Or are you just trying to fool around with your sweet fiancé?"

And while it's plain for the world to see that she doesn't mean me when she says fiancé, does a feral grin suddenly adorn Harry's face as if he had been waiting for someone to pull Cho's stunt and the grin is actually enough to make Chang let go off Harry with a worried look, yet Harry's face follows her as he says:
"Why Heiress Chang, you are as smart as your dress enhances your Asian looks. You are indeed right. I have been playing around with my fiancé, but that is only because I wished to wait for the perfect moment. And what do you know, you just presented it to me. May I offer you my deepest gratitude for this deed of yours."
And while the girl lets out a worried: "You're welcome." Do I suddenly wonder what it could have been that I have been missing over the last week as Harry then turns to me and takes my hand in his, the touch alone making my heart flutter as it is one of revered respect and the utmost gentlest of care before Harry says:

"Daphne Greengrass. Heiress to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass and Descendent of Sir Lancelot. Your name does both your beauty pride as well as shame, yet you have done things to and for me that – I know if you continue them in the future – will make me happier than I could ever be.
You are everything I had ever hoped and dreamed of, everything that will make sure I can be who those that love me want me to be and most importantly, you are everything my parents hoped I could find in my life when they gave theirs for mine. You may not be meant to be my queen, but you definitely have my heart.
And so, from the bottom of my heart, the core of my magic and the depth of my soul, do I – in name of the legacy I will represent at the Abbott Dance of the Evening Summer Sun – ask thee here and now; Daphne Greengrass, will thee do me the honored pleasure of uniting thy future with mine and will thy – be my bride to be?"

And while, throughout his speech, more and more of those around us had become quiet, making those around them be quiet as well and while practically the whole ballroom is now looking at us, do I feel rooted to the spot by shock instead of humiliation as I had never expected Harry to make a move as romantically perfect as this.
Nor did I ever imagine the ring that the boy suddenly shows me, which is made of pure gold with a pure dark onyx stone at the top – one obviously to represent the Peverell House – and with gorgeous white crystals and crystal blue sapphires running up to the stone from both sides, where they bend down like a scythe.
The whole thing gleams in the light emitted from the ballroom candles and torches and proves that Harry has really been preparing for this as it looks to have been cleaned recently, yet it is this fact that proves my fiancé's preparations that bring me out of my stupor and make me act as unladylike as possible as I shout: "YES!"
Applause and cheers of fortune and happiness thunder around us, making the candles and torches flicker and twist and causing for bits shadows and light to dance around the room as practically all of the guests – both those aligned, neutral and against House Potter – cheer for our official union and shout their happiness for our bond.

Yet suddenly, just when Harry has slipped the ring on my finger and is in the motion of kissing me on the lips, does one of the dancing shadows in the center of the room deepen before changing into a very familiar portal, one large enough that it makes me and Harry share a silent look that says: "They're back, finally."
And indeed, as quickly as the portal appears, as quickly does it vanish and in its stead are all seven of Harry's mates; Terra, Aqua and Ventus along with Lea, Ienzo, Even and Aerith. Yet the one thing that makes even more people than before gasp is that each of them are covered in dirt, grime, filthy water and mud all over.

To make matters worse is Ventus' hair now almost muddy colored, does Aqua hold up the top left side of her outfit with what looks like a small chunk of ice, has Terra seem to have lost the armor that was previously on his right shoulder and arm as well as the suspenders covering his brown shirt, which looks to be badly ripped.
Lea also has a lot of dirt and grime in his hair that apparently weighs it down a lot, Ienzo's eyes are now both visible as his hair seems to have been caught by fire or something and finally Even is actually hanging onto Aerith's shoulder, while the slightly older woman no longer looks like a friendly elf, but a war-hardened one.

All in all they look as if they have just gone against Voldemort's very army and come out as victors, but only by the skin of their teeth and instantly Harry and I are on our feet and rushing over to them, me rushing for Aerith and her injured partner and Harry almost flinging himself into Lea's arms and fussing over the man's hair.
Both of them grow loving smiles on their faces as they see us approaching and while Lea tries to hide a wince as Harry flings himself at him, does he stall any possible questions by kissing the boy straight on the lips, proving the whole crowd that he too is bonded to Harry and the fiery red hair making it obvious he is the Potter Mate.

I myself draw out my wand as I had still worried that those who were aligned with the Longbottom House, but not the Potter would attempt an attack on my beloved and thank my mother for all her years of training in Healing as we both believed that Harry would spend an entire life going through dangerous adventures.
I quickly start casting all kinds of diagnostic and healing charms on the two and while I do so, does Neville approach and say: "Here, this is no place for such a battle-frown." And from the corner of my eye do I recognize the potion in his hand as a Calming draught, making me smile at the Longbottom Heir as Aerith takes it.
Yet while she gets a more relaxed visage on her face and while I turn my focus on Even and work on what makes him lean on his friend, do I then suddenly notice something moving from behind the two and I tilt my head before my eyes widen as I see a pair of amber brown eyes staring back at me that could be mistaken for red.

"Aerith, is – is that?" To this Neville looks at where I am, his own eyes widening, yet none of the mates allow us a chance to voice our shock as Terra steps forward and says: "Honored Witches and Wizards, please forgive our sudden, unannounced entrance, yet we have returned from a mission set out on us by Headmaster Dumbledore."
This silences the muttering and questioning whispers that had started to buzz around the hall and the man says: "As many of your kids have probably already informed you has the Heir of Slytherin performed various rituals that created beings we believed only common from the homes that we have travelled from.
We have set out on a journey to find these beings, collect them and then, with the help of our friends Sora and Riku, contact the one who's name many of you fear and which we, out of respect to you all will not utter. We have destroyed these beings and Sora and Riku have destroyed the creature born from these beings.
Their Keyblades –." Here Lea, still in embrace with Harry, summons his own as well as Terra, Aqua and Ven, even though the last does wince as he holds his blade above his head before Terra goes on: "Were able to slay what we call both the Heartless and the Nobodies and from this destruction came the resurrection – of Thomas Riddle."

And with that do they all move to stand sideways from how they stood before, allowing a perfect vision into the center of their group, where a man who is shockingly enough only one year older than me, who has very short cut brown hair and brown eyes that look around tentatively, while his lean body trembles in fright.
The sight of the boy, who supposedly grew up to be the craziest, murdering monster our world has ever known, proves that what Terra has said is true. The one – the Nobody – once known as Lord Voldemort has been destroyed and so have his Horcruxes also known as the Heartless, allowing new life to the Heir behind the Monster.


Wow, that was wicked!
I'm going to be honest, I was kind of planning on really going deep into Harry's worry for his mates and then his training to prove his worth to said mates, but then suddenly the idea of the dance came, from which sprouted the idea of Bashing Chang and the proposal and then came the idea of the arrival of the mates.
So all in all, this chapter pretty much wrote itself, yet at the same time did it also give me a perfect chance to continue the story as I can now go over the various dances that will be held during the season and through those I can depict several occasions and events that will allow Harry to grow closer with his chosen mates.
However, next chapter will mostly be about how Thomas Riddle proves that he is no Voldemort, how he desires to fit in and how guilty he is of all his Nobody has caused in his supposed name. Sooooo – the Tom Riddle you saw in the Cannon Chamber of Secrets? Yeah, don't expect that guy to show up next chapter.
Okay enjoy,

Venquine1990
PS. I already gave way to next month's chapter title. Anyone care to guess?