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November 28, 1998

Sunday Morning

Nearly a month had passed since Harry's visit with Kingsley that had resulted in Daphne being offered a position at the Ministry and in that time, seemingly nothing had happened. Vane hadn't tried to entice him or bully the girls he was closest to any more than she'd done earlier in the year, his friendships with Dunbar, Bones and the rest were just fine and everything else in Hogwarts seemed… peaceful. It was very weird, the lack of events and happenings for nearly the entire month.

Really, the only problematic part of his life at the present time were personal matters the likes of which every person had to deal with, if only with his being slightly more complicated than the average bloke on account of his company and the lack of Neville nowadays; the boy had left Hogwarts without so much as a conversation explaining his reasoning, only that he needed to do so and that if Harry needed him, he knew where to find him. Luna was gone too, Harry realised that not too long after but she was unreachable. Daphne's owl couldn't find her — he bet Hedwig could have done so, but she was gone and he wouldn't be getting a new one for quite some time. It didn't feel right even a couple of years later.

He really couldn't believe that his only problems were witches, family and soon enough, work. Kingsley and he had gotten Daphne's job proposal finished up very quickly, ensured that Harry's own office was ready to receive him and the next batches of problems were ones that he was aware of. The information could be shared with Daphne too, which he did so if it the matters were important enough and much in her favour, she was always ready to work or offer support with whatever he did. She was an ideal partner, one that wasn't afraid to voice her opinion and one that remained able to switch her mannerisms depending on the situation they found themselves in.

Delphini and Tracey were two people he figured wouldn't make great Ministry employees, but he reckoned he could get them jobs too, should they want one. Obviously, both of their families were wealthy just like Daphne's, but the lattermost girl had wanted to begin a political career that would pay well and allow her some sway in the reforms that would be upcoming. Traditions were important to her family and many of those that remained, but the influx of Muggleborn could see that changed if some of the Wizengamot seats were spread out amongst the more influential people, as was suggested due to the many openings.

Reckon Hermione could get one if she wanted, but by the time she's back, they'll like all be full. It's probably for the best knowing Ron, I don't think he'd be in favour of having their lives be public knowledge.

Harry sighed and set down his toothbrush. He then rinsed his mouth out, pulled on his Hogwarts uniform — the top half of it — and exited his private bathroom. Not more than a minute later, he was in the main common room for the eighth-year students and greeted by the only other person awake this early in the morning; Daphne.

It wasn't remotely uncommon for the girl to be up this early in the day, especially after the news of her job and the work she'd have to do whilst in that position. She was heavily invested in ensuring it went well, going so far as to read many a book written by former aids to higher-ups for tips whilst also browsing books on economics, conflict resolution and more. Her drive was beyond even his and he only hoped that she could keep that up for years to come. Kingsley wouldn't want to retire with how much good he's already done and together, with Harry, it was likely the two of them could alternate power for sixteen years, if not longer. That would see all corruption rooted out and peace finally restored in their homeland.

Harry could already imagine the birthrate rising again, enough so that the population not only grew but flourished under the peaceful conditions in which nobody needs fear political violence or regular, uncontrollable crime the likes of which was still running rampant in Knockturne Alley. It wouldn't be solved overnight, it would be hard-fought, but it was beyond possible.

"You look like you didn't sleep all that well," Daphne said, stealing him away from his thinking as she turned her head to look at him from her spot on the couch. "Luckily for you, there were no more messages in the night that need reading. Minister Shacklebolt has reported a lull in activity within the Ministry for the next week on account of a ball for Pureblood families, one that traditionalist Half-Bloods were invited to."

He had been right, Daphne was wide awake whilst he had only been up a good fifteen minutes and Merlin, did it show. "Wicked, we could do with a week to catch up on the points that we care about and I'm sure Delphini and Tracey would be happy to see us not working for a change. Actually, wait, you'll probably have to go to that gathering, won't you? I imagine Delphini and Tracey will have to too… ah well, I supp—"

Daphne's unimpressed snort cut him off as the girl looked him up and down. "You're right in the fact that the three of us will be attending the ball, but there's one issue with that, Harry. It's a pretty horrible one for you, might I add."

"What's that?" He asked curiously as she stood up from her seat and moved towards him, cutting him off from his course towards one of the single-seat couches he had hoped to fall into.

With a smile on her face, Daphne closed the distance so that she could rest one of her soft, manicured hands on his face. "Each of us are meant to take a date with us, one worthy of attending the event in the hopes of a future match — you've made three very traditional friends, all of whom are Slytherin witches with Pureblood looking to continue their family lines, you are aware of that, aren't you?"

"Goodness, I thought Delphini could be naughty sometimes," Tracey's voice suddenly said, tired-sounding and from the direction of the girls' dorms entrance. "Good morning, Harry and Daphne, especially you Daph. I didn't think you'd already by tryna get Harry to take you to the ball, but luckily there's a second one for me too, huh?"

Tracey's tone was suggestive and based on Daphne's expression, she understood exactly what the other girl had meant. Sometimes, Harry felt lucky when he was behind on the more juvenile jokes that Tracey cracked and at the same time, strangely excluded on account of her humour being far crasser than even the Gryffindor blokes he'd bunked with.

"While it may seem to you that I was hitting on him in a way that's far less subtle and more seductive than ever I would act, in reality, I was attempting to play coy with me. It worked, his cute expression is all the proof I need of that," Daphne patted his cheek and stepped back, her hand pulling on his closer one so that the two of them moved towards the couch that she had previously been sitting on. "Fun in the morning is pretty enjoyable because the two of us are oftentimes working on account of our jobs as soon as we're out of Hogwarts. It wouldn't do if we were out of touch with the current political happenings, in fact, why don't we find a position for you within the Ministry too? I seem to remember something about a 'Minister' Davis and what better time to start working towards that goal, than now?"

"Yeah, nah," Tracey said with a shrug and toothy grin as she plopped down on Daphne's lap, the larger girl forcing a breath out of the smaller girl.

Lest the two begin an early morning argument or scuffle, Harry spoke up. "We don't exactly have much in the way to do today, so why don't we head off to Hogsmeade? I'm sure a full English breakfast followed up by some shopping would be an enjoyable day, yeah?"

Merlin knows I hate shopping, but I best get the three of them appeased and happy before something inevitably comes up, Harry thought to himself the same thought that had been on his mind for the past few days. Peace never lasted, least of all in his life, and before the next problem came about he'd want to make sure that there were plenty of brownie points in storage.

"You're going to take all three of us shopping… really?" Daphne asked, doubt evident in her tone as she leaned forward with one hand on the arm of the couch and another holding onto Tracey's left forearm.

Tracey didn't seem to mind that she was essentially being held still and so she chose to wiggle in her Daphne-made seat until she was in a better position to see him as they spoke to one another. "I coulda swore you hated shopping, you know. Guess I was wron- nah, never mind, I know I'm right. You prolly have some ulterior motive like spending time with three hot witches or dodging something. Maybe you're hoping we forget about this ball until the last minute so you can come up with an excuse or vanish the night it takes place. Daph?"

"Whilst usually I'm terrified of agreeing with you on any matter, this time around, I would say that you're likely correct. Harry's attempting to buy us off so that he doesn't have to go to some formal dance where many a witch will demand his attention," Daphne sighed and arched one brow at him as her hand tapped travelled up Tracey's arm to tap the larger girl on the nose. "It'll be up to us to defend his honour and beat back the many dozens of witches who attempt to take him for their husband."

"Ohhh, Harry guarding, I can do that. Do you think we should just take turns snogg— that's where you draw the line?" Tracey huffed at Daphne on account of the girl's eyes turning to her instead of Harry, narrowed as they often were on account of Tracey and without their formerly teasing glint.

He thanked Merlin, Morgana, and whoever else he could for Tracey. Not only could she distract, disrupt or otherwise end a conversation better than anybody else he'd ever known, but Tracey would also let stuff slip that he wasn't supposed to know over and over again. It was like the girl was placed on the planet for the sole purpose of making his life far far easier and he loved every second of it.

Tapping at the window garnered the attention of all three students and stopped their playful banter. It was Daphne's owl with the morning post, there were two other owls behind hers too, one of which belonged to Tracey whilst the other looked like an official Ministry one. He hadn't the faintest clue what the lattermost of the three would be doing here this very morning, as Kingsley only ever used his own instead of the Ministry-trained ones. The older man claimed security issues and corruption even within the training of the owls, which was a peculiar if also startling and sad thought.

"Dibs!" Tracey called out as she ran towards the door, nearly tripping twice on account of her previous seat in Daphne's lap but somehow managing to stay upright despite that until she found herself right before the window and upon opening it, all three owls jumped inside until they rested on the ledge. "Thank you, thank you, and thank yo— ouch! Hey, no biting you little monster!"

The third owl of the three, the one that belonged to the Ministry, hadn't allowed Tracey to take the mail from its beak. Stubbornly, the large creature set its eyes upon Harry and Daphne, and then it impatiently flapped its wings, sending the other two owls away from it so that they weren't struck. That was all the intelligent creature needed to do so that its point was made; Harry or Daphne would have to take the letter, not some strange, overly energetic girl.

"I'll get it," Harry said when he connected the dots and made to stand. "I'm guessing it's something rather official from the Ministry and not solely Kingsley, probably a department head if I were to guess. What're you thinking, Daphne?"

Daphne stayed seated primly, her hands neatly folded in her lap as she watched him remove the piece of mail from the owl's mouth. When she saw him do so without much fret before the owl turned and took its leave, she raised one of those perfect blonde eyebrows. "If I were to guess, I'd go with what you said. It's very likely a department head hoping to find themselves in our good graces on account of the reforms Kingsley and you have begun to push. With the news getting around regarding my hiring upon our graduation, I can only imagine they're seriously worried on account of my lineage or the political sway it'll afford the Minister. My family played both sides throughout the war and tried their hardest to remain with the non-aligned faction, small as it was, so this is bound to draw attention."

"Morgana, can you sound anymore like my nan?" Tracey asked with a huff as she waddled happily over to the couch, plopping down beside her friend and dropping a few pieces of mail into her lap. "Your mum wrote you two letters, your dad wrote you one and there's a couple others from different parts of your family — tell your Aunt Valia that I'd like to visit her in Sweden again, pretty please!"

"I feel like I should be vaguely annoyed with how often you interject into my personal affairs, but at least you didn't try and read them this time around, so some progress was made," Daphne said, sighing as she pocketed the pieces of mail and shot an expectant look at Harry, then to the small piece of parchment in his hands.

"Right, let's figure out what they want with us," Harry said for Daphne's benefit as he tore off the seal and opened the envelope to see the parchment within. "To the Honourable Harry Potter, saviour of the wizarding world and man-who-won — they're coming off like they want something — we would like to inform you that there will be an unscheduled Wizengamot emergency meeting on the upcoming first of the month for a vote of no confidence against Minister Shacklebolt and his picked cabinet. The grounds on which this vote will take place are as follows; the Minister has unjustly removed nearly two dozen Ministry officials with charges of corruption, bias, unlawful behaviour or inappropriate conduct. Evidence provided has been fabricated and of the current Wizengamot members, nearly one-third are under investigation, pending suspension or removal. This letter finds you in the hopes that you agree with us and if so, we would like to put forth you as the replacement for Minister Shacklebolt with conditions that are, as of yet, undecided. Yours respectfully and most honourably, Seventeen Wizengamot members."

I just had to think positively, huh?


"It's not like it'll pass," Daphne finally said nearly twenty minutes later and after she'd read it the third time, the piece of parchment being discarded to the coffee table in front of her couch. "They would need a super-majority last I checked and whilst that hasn't proven impossible thanks to particularly poor Ministers in the past, Kingsley is too politically connected with your supporters included. Should it be close, enough that there's a genuine worry, I could speak with my father and stress the importance of his staying in power until the time comes that you'd like to make your bid for power."

Harry shook his head with fervour, his hands waving equally as much as he looked like the epitome of an Italian as they were portrayed in Muggle films. "No no no, no. I never want to be the Minister, this new post of 'Deputy Minister' is already far more than I would have cared for and once everything isn't barmy and those corrupt people are dealt with, I can promise you this, I'll be stepping back and living a private life. I'll leave the politicking to you, Daphne, Merlin knows you've got the mind for it."

"You have the connections for it," Daphne retorted with narrowed eyes and a huff. "But fine, you'll probably change your mind in the long run anyhow. Until that comes about, we can settle for getting this dealt with. Those that want Kingsley removed aren't likely who we think they are, by the way, so you can be sure that finding support for him will prove… difficult, to say the least."

Ahead of Daphne this time around, or so he liked to think, Harry nodded. "You think it's the 'light' side like I do, don't you?"

"Without a doubt," Daphne answered, rolling her eyes as Tracey plucked the letter, started to read it, and then tossed it back on the table with an uninterested shrug as she sagged into the couch. "Should it truly be them, Kingsley or more likely, you, will have to approach families that historically are far from friendly with the Potters or those with your beliefs. Should you like and quite frankly, even if you don't, having one of us three girls along with you would do much to show them you're not wholly progressive. Their biggest fears are easy to manipulate, as V-Voldemort did."

"You said the name!" Tracey whooped, fist-pumping once before she sagged back into the couch… again.

"I did," Daphne said with a roll of her eyes despite the bit of hesitation that had been heard when she'd said Voldemort's name. "He's dead, Harry saw to that and now there's no longer a reason to fear him. Those who would fight for him, they're all gone — dead or in Azkaban — and the few that remain on the run are far too few to accomplish even a tenth of what his goals were."

"Thank Merlin for that. Could you imagine how boring and terrible everything would be if he would have won? Hogwarts sucked when it was under their control!" Tracey said, kicking at the air with her feet as she thought of the Death Eater's occupation of Hogwarts. Her status had likely afforded her much reprieve, her house as well, but everybody had suffered to some degree under their control.

Harry shook his head lest he gets distracted in the past, as the way forward was not remotely safe enough to let it run its course without his interference, as today had proved. "If you think you, Delphini or Tracey are necessary for those talks, then I'm for it. Whatever gets people to see sense," he paused to run a hand through his hair, a few of the longer strands getting in front of his eyes on account of his last haircut being a month or two ago. "It shouldn't be too difficult, should it? I mean, if it weren't for our joint efforts, many of them would have gone to Azkaban and, if not them, close relatives of theirs. That has to count for something when they pause and look at the other side considering they were the ones calling for their heads."

"You're likely very right. Many of those you'll try to win over will see the greater evil in their historic opponents but some, possibly as many as a quarter, will take this as a sign of weakness and seek to exploit it for personal gain. Politics such as these will always be incredibly troublesome, as unfortunate as that'll be for you and the Minister," Daphne said, shrugging when Harry motioned for her to continue on.

"That's it? They'll risk their family for political or monetary gains?" Harry all but demanded, his tone slightly more hostile not due to Daphne, but because of the truth her words likely had within them.

"It's how the world goes round, so goes the saying," Daphne said as she plucked the letter back up from the table, neatly folded it and floated it right on over to him. "Should you like, I could compile a list of names, addresses and other information regarding those you'd likely need to speak with. The centre is something my father can handle, the boost in the economy and the lack of an anti-neutral stance has won Kingsley favours with no enemies made in the process."

"That would be wicked of you, please," Harry said as he made back towards the boys' dorms. "I think I'll go ahead and get to writing a message for Kingsley, tell him what I was sent and warn him about it. The last thing he needs is added stress, I'm sure, but this isn't something I should hesitate to reach out to him about."

Tracey responded before Daphne could, though the latter girl was more than likely just going to acknowledge his words with a simple remark of her own. "When you're both done with this, why don't we go and speak with Professor McGonagall about a trip to the Ministry for just us? You two prolly wanna talk to a few people and I wouldn't mind visiting my dad while he's at work…ohhh, maybe we could get him to help you with all this political stuff too."

Harry and Daphne blinked at one another; Tracey's idea wasn't a horrible one, for a change. As eighth years, they had no previous precedent and McGonagall, well, the Head Mistress afforded them many rights that not even seventh-year students were granted on account of the majority having fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. If he wasn't mistaken, she had waived their tuitions and pulled a few strings of her own to see them properly taken care of upon graduation; Professor Dumbledore would have been mighty proud of her.


"Alright," Harry said as he returned to the common room. "Daphne, Tracey, let's ge- oh. Hi, Delphini… do you know where the other two went?"

Delphini nodded once after she got up from her seat and started towards him with as coy an expression on her face as he'd ever seen from the unique-acting girl. "Daphne went for a shower, and Tracey did the same so that she could have Daphne take care of her hair. Any chance to avoid doing something herself, regardless of what it is, she'll take — it's rather impressive and I'm thankful for it. The time is given to us to practice snogging and I'm very confident in my abilities thanks to Tracey's lecture on the subject."

He blinked at her a few times whilst she continued her advance until finally, he got out his question with her only a few feet away from him. "Tracey gave a lecture on snogging? I thought that was a joke, your kiss was good enough on its own."

Delphini shook her head, her eyebrows nearly knitted together. "Nuh-uh. Kisses are supposed to have tongue and panting after them, not to mention touches across portions of your body that make it feel like bugs are trying to burst out of you. It's in my notes, I can show you if you'd like, but my homework needs to be done before I do so."

"Homework?" Harry asked, figuring he already knew where this was headed but he wanted to hear her say it nonetheless; it's not like he minded either, the girl was fit — even if she was Voldemort's daughter — and definitely very… forward, in her affection and desires.

"Tracey told me that if I'm to know I'm doing it right, I'd have to find a boy to practice with and unless you'd like me to go and snog a random peer for practice, you'll have to be the one who aids me in my snogging mastery. It shouldn't be too unpleasant for you, I hope. Though I do suppose I should make sure I have your permission, Tracey did mention randomly snogging the boy you like doesn't always go as planned on account of their feelings and potential for dating other witches," Delphini looked confused again, but she shook her head and took one teasing step closer to him, one of her hands tapping her lips. "Please? I'll not shove my tongue all the way down your throat, I was warned that was especially unpleasant."

"It is!" Tracey's voice came from the doorway, her hair in an elaborate braid as well as still slightly damp despite the magic that she could use to dry it out.

Pleased with the fact that she remembered that fact, Delphini turned back towards him with a smile on her face. It was still coy, but more heavily-lidded and eager-looking than it had been before. "It would appear that I was correct, now, if you don't mind my teacher watching, I would like to kiss you now."

Tracey clapped a few times, grinning maniacally until she jolted forward with a frown-pout mixture. "Daphne!" she exclaimed, huffing and rubbing at her rear as she moved closer to Harry, so close that she was nearly right beside Delphini now. "That hurt, you know. I expected nicer from you!"

"You're an idiot. We have work to do, serious work, snogging and your attempts at corrupting Harry can wait a fair bit of time," Daphne said as she fully descended the few steps and came into view of Harry, the girl dressed beautifully and formally, her hair the picture of what you would see in Muggle films from decades ago.

"So… we're ready to take a trip down to Professor McGonagall, then?" Harry asked, swallowing and making sure that he didn't get too distracted on account of the three beautiful witches before him; battles, combat and Voldemort were things he'd grown accustomed to, but the company of three witches at the same time was very difficult to deal with regardless of how long he'd known the three of them.

"I would expect we are," Daphne answered with a look shot at the other two girls, each one lasting a second or so and filled with intent as well as another flash of emotion he was too dull to pick up.

"Le—"

Tracey cut him off with a raised arm in the direction of the door as she started towards it in nearly a jog. "To the Floo!"

Delphini, of course, took off as quickly as she could in her fairly formal attire which left Harry looking at Daphne, the two of them both shaking their heads.

"It was your idea to bring them along," Harry said teasingly as he started towards the door, walking towards the centre of the room first so that he could be a fair bit closer to Daphne.

"You're the one who befriended a trio of Slytherin girls. I would have figured with your extensive history, you'd understand that once a snake wraps itself around you, it loathes to let you go," she answered, void of eye contact or any easily comprehensible tone.

Merlin, he thought as he walked on with her, the silence save for the other two girl's shoes clacking in the distance unnerving, I'll never understand witches, now will I?


"You know, we might be the only students in all of Hogwarts at this point in time that have the password to enter the Head of Hogwart's office without them being present. It would seem you're quite the wizard to know, wouldn't it?" Daphne asked, one of her hands brushing his as she'd begun to do in recent times.

Harry, in response and with so many people around them in the atrium, opted to nod awkwardly. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He hadn't opted to react in that way, but his body had done so for him so that he wasn't too winning with the witches, though he reckoned that would never be an issue.

"Professor McGonagall was very nice to do so, I suspect she knows the issues we're currently facing both in school and outside of it," Harry eventually answered as he smiled and wave to a group of passing magicals nearly twice his age, possibly more. "You know where we're headed, don't you? I mean, Kingsley's likely already gotten our letter but we're not really here for him even if he will probably call on us once word gets back to him that we're here."

"I'm gonna go find my dad and see if he knows anything about anything," Tracey said from his other side before Daphne or Delphini had the chance to answer his question. Almost as soon as she said just that, she was off, lost to the crowd as they reached nearly where the front desks were for common help or general information. He suspected Tracey would appear whenever she felt like it, but knowing her, they'd probably have to go and find her before they made their eventual return to Hogwarts.

"She moves quickly. I wish everything functioned as she did," Delphini commented as her friend left her with Harry and Daphne, her words likely very purposefully said on account of her now taking up Tracey's old spot on his side opposite of Daphne.

"Yes, I'm sure the world would be a better place if everybody were half as impulsive as Tracey is," Daphne said, sarcasm filling her tone so heavily that the girl could likely fill a cup to the top with it before she returned to Harry's question, seriousness injected back into her voice. "We'll head to the chambers of those we're hoping to speak with and hopefully find a few of the members lingering for a conversation. Should we be fortunate enough to do so, we'll make our first conversations with those we deem salvageable. Again, all that needs doing is keeping fifty per cent on our side, even forty per cent would mean a victory, but that's not ideal."

Less than half of the Wizengamot in our corner would make life hell, especially if Kingsley wants to start removing some of them, Harry agreed mentally, not daring to speak the words publically lest somebody overhears them.

"Let's get to the elevator then," Harry said with a nod towards the newly refurbished aforementioned means of transportation. There were three more of them in addition to the original ones even if the traffic within the Ministry was still lighter than it used to be on account of the many people who had fled or been killed. That problem wouldn't last twenty years from now, not if the birth incentives and peace lasted, hence Harry's reason for joining the stupid world of politics… the latter, of course, the former he didn't care for all that much.

Not more than a minute later, the three found themselves in an elevator with two other people who worked at the Ministry based on their clothes. Neither of them turned towards Harry or struck up a conversation with him or the girls. Both looked wrapped up in their work and he was thankful for it. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss politics or the war and those were usually the only topics that ever came up in his presence.

Nearly ten minutes later and with the three of them being the only people in the elevator, they found themselves at their destination and better yet, at the door that led into the private offices each Wizengamot member was afforded. Most of them preferred to use their home offices, obviously — who wouldn't — but still, many of them kept some form of presence within the Ministry itself for the sake of ease. It was here that Daphne, using her familial connections since her father held a seat and Harry's prestigious, nearly godlike reputation, that they hoped to gain access to all those with whom they had a chance to curry favour.

Some of them, as they mentioned earlier, would be easy to sell whilst others would demand compensation in one way or the other. Smartly, Daphne opted to start with those she thought would be very open to the idea or those who would hope to earn a better reputation with Harry himself, as many people seemed to think he would eventually make some form of play towards power on account of his Deputy Minister position under Kingsley… when he finished Hogwarts.

"The Carrows?" Harry asked curiously, his brows furrowed as he read the name on the door. "I thought the Carrows were locked up, save for the twins who went to Hogwarts with us. Is this a different part of the family or is this one of the seats that needs filling up?"

"Neither," Daphne said as she looked towards Delphini, an expression on her face that essentially meant 'you answer the question' as the former girl began to dig through her satchel for a folder or journal of some sort.

Delphini turned Harry with one of her hands so that he was pointed directly at her and away from Daphne. "You said you knew of Flora and Hestia Carrow? The two unique girls a year below us in Hogwarts — they're often cited as being extremely weird and strangely forward in what they want."

Perfect. Their relatives of Delphini, at least I should know how to deal with them if those are the two behind this door, Harry thought with a bit of a stupid grin coming onto his face.

"I've heard of them, but I've barely interacted with them. Only at Professor Slughorn's gatherings, if I remember right," he answered when he noticed Delphini staring at him, content to do so as her eyes went up and down his body in a deliberately forward sort of way that made him feel like he was being stripped within her mind; knowing how gifted her parents were, he reckoned that such a thing was possible.

"Wonderful. Since you know them well enough, I'll tell you that they've picked a person to sit in for them until they can share the seat and he votes exactly how they'd like to. With that being the case, anything we speak with him about will make its way back to the pair of them," Delphini smiled and pressed her lips right against his, her tongue swiping his bottom lip for a split second before she pulled back to shoot a wink at him. "Tracey told me that positive reinforcement works wonders for the memory."

Daphne groaned from behind them, one hand on her hip and the other holding a book as she stared at the pair. "Anything Tracey says should be taken with a glass full of salt. She's purely in it for the romance she can leech off of you and please, if you're done attempting to seduce him whilst he's distracted, we have nearly a half-dozen people to speak with today. All of them combined will undoubtedly chew up a great portion of our time, not to mention we have our project upon returning to Hogwarts that we, as well as Tracey, need to finish for the sake of our mutual issue."

"Mutual issue?" Harry asked, not recalling a project or recent issue at Hogwarts.

"We made a friend who enjoys being dramatic," Delphini said with a smile that reminded him very much of Bellatrix, the glint in her eyes and the easy way she faked such a beautiful, seemingly-true smile causing a bit of nervousness to rise in him as she continued. "Our friend needs a reminder, but don't worry, you'll see what it is later. If you're good."

"Uh-huh," Harry said slowly as he looked between the two girls, then at the door once more. "Are we going in then? I don't suppose we'll have to say all that much to the man if he's as responsive and friendly towards us as you think he'll be."

"It wouldn't hurt to be prepared, hence my presence and why I mentioned having one if not more of us alongside you. As for the Carrows, I do imagine they'll be very agreeable on account of your assistance that was earlier provided at no cost — not many families with old blood enjoy being beholden to somebody," Daphne shot him a stern look when he opened his mouth to say that they weren't beholden to him which made him realise she had very quickly and accurately guessed what his response was going to be; 'they don't owe me anything', he would have said.

Delphini walked between the two whilst they shared their little moment, one of her hands lightly tapping Harry's bum 'accidentally' and not a second later, she knocked on the door. The response from the man within was almost immediate and as such, the three found themselves headed into their first meeting of the day. Harry could only hope it went exceedingly well for even with Andromeda's political lessons, he wasn't exactly proficient when it came time to anty up in the political games.

"Lord Sardonin," Daphne started, a small curtsey given to the man as she smiled up at his taller figure. "It's very nice to see you, my parents wish you well and hope that you'll stop by in the coming months. They've a surprise for you, as do my sister and I, in thanks for your earlier generosity."

The tall, fairly hefty-looking man with a balding head grinned at Daphne before his eyes went to her two companions, they were equally as kind towards Delphini but a fair bit more suspicious towards Harry and when he spoke, his eyes stayed on the lattermost of the three. "Tell your parents that I'll make time in the next few weeks, so long as it works for them — I hope all's been well with your sister too, please, never hesitate to reach out, least of all for her sake. I'd like to fancy myself as a pretty wonderful, cool uncle and speaking of which, please do introduce me to your company. I'm most intrigued as to how you pulled him along."

Harry didn't feel all that disrespected when he was referenced as him, if anything, it made Harry stand up straighter despite the still six to eight inches height difference between him and the other man. "Harry Potter, please to meet you, Lord Sardonin," Harry greeted after a step forward and with his hand outstretched.

I'll never understand their love of titles like Lord, Lady, Heir or Heiress. We're not centuries in the past, you gits. Speak like normal people, even the old-timey Muggles are decades ahead of you, Harry rambled internally as the man rounded his desk and drew closer to him, until finally, one of his larger hands took ahold of Harry's outstretched one.

"I know who you are, Harry Potter. I doubt there's a person alive in our grand nation and all of her commonwealth that doesn't know of your name. Had I not been in this position, I would have thought you more arrogant and pompous, possibly even gloating. Still, truthfully you have my thanks," the man shook Harry's hand tightly, the force nearly enough to cause pain before he withdrew and clapped Harry on one of his shoulders. "My nieces have you to thank for their freedom, wealth and livelihoods. Whatever favour you're hoping to call in, so long as it's within my power to grant, is yours."

I guess Daphne really did start with the easiest one, huh?

"Thank you, Lord Sardonin, I—" Harry started only for the man to wave him away with one hand and say something quickly, lest Harry continued on.

"Armedis Sardonin, at your service. These old titles from an era long since passed are only good with strangers, those you dislike or the most formal of events. Between friends, business partners or anybody else with whom doesn't belong to the three aforementioned groups, first names are perfectly fine," Armedis said with the same grin that he'd given to Daphne moments earlier now directed towards Harry. "If you're here regarding the Minister, more importantly, the vote that will soon transpire, know that I as well as the few that I speak regularly with, are against it. We'll not remove a man from office who's shown us such kindness despite overwhelming outcry from the public that we lose everything."

Harry nodded a few times to himself as he comprehended those words and once they fully settled into his mind, he nodded some more. It had gone smoothly, very smoothly, enough so that he was worried simply because of that. Anything that went as good as that did, never usually ended all that well for him in the long run. There would always be some sort of problem that arose along the way and whilst he was used to dealing with the Voldemort variety quite easily, he most certainly wasn't adept enough to deal with ones that took place in political chambers.

He was very thankful right then and there for his three Slytherin friends. Hopefully, the four of them together could see this problem resolved and before too much longer, have the war pully put behind them as they went forth to deal with new problems… mainly of the romantic nature that he'd soon have to deal with. Harry wasn't half as stupid as the witches thought he was, he knew the time would come when he'd have to pick a witch and stop letting the others kiss him.

"-e're grateful that we can count on your support. Before we take our leave, would you mind letting us know whom would be a waste of time and who amongst you are already very Pro-Minister as well as Pro-Harry? It'd save us an enormous amount of time," Daphne requested, her voice exceedingly sweet-sounding and more girlish than was usual of her.

Harry sat back as the man went on to answer that question and a few more before he asked one of his own. One that Harry was immediately very interested in, as Daphne seldomly spoke of her personal life save for the occasional mentioning of Astoria. The man before him, Armedis, seemed very concerned regarding Astoria's health and whilst that seemed normal initially, the constant questions regarding it made Harry understand that there had to be some sort of underlying problem, otherwise it wouldn't be gone over from so many angles.

Once this political upheaval was dealt with and so long as Vane remained a non-problem, Harry resolved to aid Daphne with whatever it was that was currently hurting Astoria. It wasn't lost on him that he'd also have to stay fairly close to Delphini even though he didn't see the reason to keep an eye on her anymore — one could only keep a secret for so long, he knew, and as such, it was important to him regardless of the fact that she didn't pose a threat to the world that he continued building a friendship if not something more with her.

Needless to say, he would be busy for quite some time.