Harry Potter and the Secret Serpent

Chapter 1

Disclaimer:

This fanfiction story is a work of fiction and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any entities associated with the Harry Potter series. The characters, settings, and events depicted in this story are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. All rights to the original Harry Potter books and related materials belong to their respective owners.This book is a second book in my series. Don't read it before reading my first book, Harry Potter and the Unleashed Power.

Prank war, Contract, McG

Once they were settled in the comfortable sitting room of Potter Manor, with Flopsy bustling around in the kitchen preparing a meal, Sirius and Remus turned their full attention to Harry. Their eyes held a mix of pride, concern, and disappointment.

"Harry," Sirius began, his voice stern. "Your grandmother told us about what happened at Hogwarts. We're proud of what you did, but we're also extremely disappointed that you didn't tell us anything, not even a letter telling us about Daphne's kidnap. We understand that there was no time and you were in a hurry. You could have just called Flopsy to tell us and we would have apparated there."

Remus nodded, his gaze as serious as Sirius's. "You should have come to us, Harry. We're your family. We're here to protect you. We would have come right away, we learned that you went after Daphne only when Minerva owled us."

Harry shifted uncomfortably on the couch, suddenly finding his shoes extremely interesting. "I... I didn't want to worry you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I thought... I thought I could handle it, I did."

"You did Harry, we also know that your previous guardians didn't care whether you shared anything with them or not," Remus told him. "But, It's different now. You shouldn't have to deal with these kinds of things on your own."

Harry looked up at them, his eyes reflecting his remorse. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have told you. I promise, next time... next time, I will."

Sirius and Remus looked at each other before sighing, their features softening. "We just want you to be safe, Harry," Sirius said, ruffling Harry's hair affectionately. "That's all that matters."

Harry nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "I know," he said. "And I'm grateful. I really am."

After a moment of silence, Harry glanced nervously between Sirius and Remus, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve. "There's... there's something else I should tell you," he said slowly.

Sirius and Remus exchanged another glance before turning their attention back to Harry. "What is it, Harry?" Remus asked concern etched on his face.

Taking a deep breath, Harry reached into his trunk, pulling out a small, red stone - the Philosopher's Stone. He placed it on the coffee table between them.

For a moment, neither Sirius nor Remus said anything. They simply stared at the stone, their faces pale.

"Is that...?" Sirius began, his voice barely a whisper.

"The Philosopher's Stone," Harry confirmed, nodding. "I... uh... sort of nicked it from Quirrell. After the fight," Harry explained, a sheepish look on his face. "When I was looking into the Mirror of Erised, it just appeared in my pocket. And it's been there ever since."

Remus looked from the stone to Harry, aghast. "You... you took it?"

Harry nodded, his gaze steady. "I did. And I lied to Dumbledore about it."

Sirius let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair. "Merlin's beard, Harry..."

"I know it was wrong," Harry said quickly, guilt gnawing at him. "But I didn't trust Dumbledore. And I thought... I thought it might be safer with me."

There was a silence, a heavy quiet that filled the room as Sirius and Remus processed the revelation. Eventually, Remus sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"We're going to have to figure out what to do with this," he said, looking at the stone. "This... this is serious, Harry. Very serious."

"I know," Harry quickly responded. "I didn't know what to do with it. But I thought... maybe we could figure it out together?"

Sirius reached over to ruffle Harry's hair, a small smile on his face. "You've got guts, kid," he said. "Just like your parents. We'll figure this out. Together."

Remus nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "The first step would be to ensure it's safe. This is something that Voldemort would definitely be interested in. Let's talk about this later. "

For the next few days, the Potter Manor was a battlefield. It started when Sirius cast a jinx on Harry's toothpaste. When Harry squeezed the tube, it exploded in a shower of multi-colored sparkles that stuck to everything they touched. Harry blinked in surprise, staring at his sparkly reflection in the mirror before bursting into laughter. From the doorway, Sirius was laughing so hard he could barely stand.

"Got you, kiddo!" He managed to gasp out between peals of laughter.

Two can play at that game, Harry thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. By the time the sun had set, the prank war was in full swing.

Then, Remus was reluctantly drawn into the fray when he walked into the living room, only to be hit in the face by a flying pillow. When he turned to find the culprit, he found Harry and Sirius grinning at him from behind a hastily erected pillow fort.

"Sorry, Moony," Sirius chuckled, not looking apologetic at all. "Wrong place, wrong time."

Remus sighed, but his lips twitched in a smile. With a flick of his wand, the pillow fort collapsed, revealing two very surprised faces.

"Hey!" Harry protested. "We worked hard on that!"

"All's fair in war, Harry," Remus retorted with a grin.

The pranks grew more elaborate as the war raged on. Siruis's hair turned a vibrant shade of pink, thanks to a potion Harry slipped into his shampoo. In retaliation, Sirius enchanted Harry's shoes to quack like a duck with each step. Remus found his reading glasses charmed to make everything look upside down.

Suddenly peaceful lull of Potter Manor was suddenly shattered by a loud bang. It echoed throughout the sprawling mansion, rattling the pictures on the walls and sending the house elf, Flopsy, scurrying for cover.

In the hallway outside the kitchen, Harry, Sirius, and Remus stood, grinning wildly. Harry held a small, enchanted firework in his hand - the source of the explosion. Sirius and Remus were covered head to toe in vibrant, multi-colored dust, laughing heartily as they tried to dust themselves off.

"Alright, Harry," Remus said, wiping a streak of blue dust from his face. "You got us good this time."

Harry chuckled, dropping the spent firework to the floor. "Well, it's only fair. You did start the prank war, after all."

Sirius snorted, trying to shake the dust from his hair. "True, but we didn't expect you to retaliate so... dramatically."

As the day continued, the prank war escalated. Remus charmed all of Harry's clothes to turn pink whenever he wore them. In return, Harry replaced Sirius's wand with a rubber chicken. When Sirius tried to cast a spell, he was met with a squawking noise, much to Harry's amusement.

Later, Harry found all of his quidditch gear floating in mid-air in his bedroom, spinning in a slow circle. Sirius and Remus sat in the corner of the room, grinning smugly. In retaliation, Harry conjured a small army of gnomes that chased Remus and Sirius around the manor for an hour.

The manor echoed with laughter and good-natured teasing as the war continued, the tension from earlier dissipating under the light-hearted atmosphere. One night, after an exhausting day of pranks, they sat in the living room, sharing stories of the Marauder's pranks at Hogwarts, laughing and reminiscing. Harry listened, his heart full. Despite the circumstances, they were making memories, memories filled with laughter and joy.

This was what a family felt like. And Harry knew he wouldn't trade it for anything.

At the same time, In Hogwarts, Dumbledore had called for an emergency staff meeting. All the professors gathered in the staff room, curious about the reason for such urgency. The summer had only just begun and most of them were in the midst of their vacation plans.

Dumbledore began, his face serious, his blue eyes having no twinkle as usual. "I have summoned you all here today because there is a matter of grave concern that I believe must be addressed," Dumbledore began, his voice echoing throughout the empty hall. The professors leaned forward, anticipation in their eyes.

"Professors," he began, "I regret to inform you that I have certain concerns about Harry Potter's behavior."

There was a moment of stunned silence. Many of the professors shared confused glances, while others appeared deep in thought.

"Albus," Minerva McGonagall interrupted sharply. "I fail to understand. What behavior are you speaking of?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "There are signs, Minerva. Signs that Harry may be straying towards the darker path. I also understand your sentiments. But we must consider the signs. The power he demonstrated at such a young age, his disregard for certain rules, and... the murder of Professor Quirrell."

This statement caused a gasp from several of the professors. Snape, sitting in his usual gloomy corner, merely raised an eyebrow.

"But he was defending himself and another student," argued Flitwick. "And Quirrell was hosting You-Know-Who!"

"Albus," Minerva began, her voice ice-cold. "You're speaking about my grandson, who has consistently shown bravery and nobility. The boy who, just a few days ago, risked his life to save our school. That's the child you're accusing of turning dark?"

"Indeed," agreed Professor Sprout. "The boy has a heart of gold."

Dumbledore tried to reason, "Minerva, the evidence—"

"What evidence, Albus?" she snapped, cutting him off.

Before Dumbledore could respond, Snape finally spoke up. "The Headmaster is right. We should not ignore the evidence."

Several professors turned to stare at him in shock. Dumbledore himself looked taken aback.

"But," Snape continued, "we should also not ignore the facts we know. Potter may be reckless, he may be prone to rule-breaking, and his arrogance often mirrors his father's. But he is not his father, nor his mother, and certainly not Voldemort. He saved Miss Greengrass and defeated Quirrell when he could have run away. That's not the act of a dark wizard."

For a moment, silence filled the room as the staff took in Snape's words. Snape, defending Harry Potter - it was almost unthinkable.

Filius Flitwick nodded in agreement. "I concur with Severus. Harry is undoubtedly mischievous and has a penchant for rule-breaking, much like his father, but to call him Dark is an unwarranted stretch."

"Severus is correct," Minerva stated, her eyes meeting Dumbledore's sternly. "Harry has shown nothing but bravery, loyalty, and a desire to do what is right. These qualities are far from being 'dark'. He's a child, Albus, not a pawn in your game."

There was a finality in her words, and when Dumbledore met her gaze, he seemed to understand that his concerns had not been accepted. Dumbledore sighed, realizing that he had misjudged the reactions of his staff. He had hoped they would trust his judgment, but it seemed that he would need to provide further proof.

"Very well," he said, holding up a hand to forestall further argument. "We will revisit this issue at a later date. You are dismissed."

As the professors filed out, the expressions on their faces varied from confusion to outright anger. Dumbledore watched them leave, his mind churning. He would have to tread carefully in the future, he decided. And Harry Potter... Well, he would need to be watched closely. Very closely.

The echo of Minerva McGonagall's parting words still hung in the staff room as she stormed out, her emerald robes billowing behind her. The disappointment and anger she felt towards Dumbledore were immense.

Without any delay, she apparated straight to Potter Manor. The grand house was lit with warm lights, a beacon in the night. She had been there many times even before Harry's birth, a frequent visitor who was always welcomed with open arms. Knocking briskly on the grand front door, she waited for someone to answer.

The door swung open to reveal Sirius, his eyes lighting up in surprise at seeing her. "Minerva, what a surprise!" He exclaimed. "Do come in."

McGonagall stepped inside, her stern face softening. "Thank you, Sirius. I hope I'm not imposing. I need to stay here for a while," she stated bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest. "If I spend one more minute in that castle with Albus and his ridiculous theories, I swear I'm going to hex him into next Tuesday."

"Nonsense," Remus chimed in from where he was lounging on the couch, a book in his hands. "You're always welcome here. No worries at all."

Sirius led her to the sitting room where Harry was engaged in an animated conversation with Flipsy. The sight of her grandson brought a small smile to her face. At her entrance, Harry jumped up and hurried over to her.

"Grandma!" He greeted her, giving her a tight hug. "What brings you here?" he asked, concerned.

McGonagall took a deep breath, calming herself before she spoke. "Dumbledore," she began, scowling, "has this absurd notion that you're turning towards the Dark. I couldn't stand to be in the same room as him."

Harry's eyes widened, the air around him started to crackle with his anger and he immediately started protesting, "But I'm not-"

"I know, dear," McGonagall interrupted, patting his arm reassuringly. "The other professors know it too. Albus is letting his past cloud his judgment." She looked around at the three, her gaze softening. "So, if it's alright with you three troublemakers, I'd like to spend the summer here. Away from Hogwarts and its headmaster's misguided theories." she declared, much to everyone's surprise.

Sirius grinned, clapping his hands together. "The more the merrier, Minerva! I'm sure Harry will be glad to have you around. And Remus and I could use an extra hand in our prank war. Are you any good with dung bombs?" And just like that, it was settled. The Potter Manor was going to be a touch more bustling that summer, with Minerva McGonagall's firm but loving presence adding to the mix. Little did they know then, that this would turn out to be one of their most memorable summers yet.

The following morning, breakfast at Potter Manor was a warm and noisy affair. The aroma of sizzling bacon, toasted bread, and fresh coffee filled the air. Laughter and light-hearted banter flowed freely between Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Minerva. The old manor seemed to come alive with the sound of their cheerful chatter.

A tawny owl suddenly swooped in through the open window, carrying a letter attached to its leg. It flew straight to Harry and dropped the letter in front of him before fluttering off. Harry looked curiously at the elegant handwriting on the front of the envelope. It was from Daphne.

"What does it say, Harry?" Sirius asked, looking over from his plate piled high with bacon and eggs.

"It's from Daphne," Harry said, breaking the seal on the letter and quickly reading the contents. His brows furrowed as he read, his jovial mood from a moment ago replaced by concern.

"Everything alright, dear?" Minerva asked, noticing Harry's change in demeanor.

Harry nodded, folding the letter and tucking it into his pocket. "Daphne needs me to visit her immediately. It sounds urgent. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Without another word, he stood from the table and left the room. His breakfast lay forgotten on his plate. The remaining trio watched him leave with worried expressions.

"He'll be alright," Remus said, his voice reassuring. "He's stronger than we give him credit for."

"He certainly is," Minerva agreed, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Still," Sirius said, pushing his plate away and standing up. "I don't like this. I'm going to check on him later."

And so, they were left to worry and wonder, their jovial breakfast replaced with a tension-filled silence.

When Harry arrived at Greengrass Manor, the place was quieter than usual. He walked through the grand entrance, his footsteps echoing through the hall. Daphne's frail father greeted him warmly, but there was an undercurrent of worry in his eyes.

He directed Harry to the parlor, where he found Daphne sitting by the window, her shoulders slumped, and her usual spark seemed to have dimmed. "Daphne?" Harry asked, rushing towards her. "What's wrong?"

She turned, and Harry was taken aback by the look of exhaustion and frustration on her face. "Harry..." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know what to do."

Her voice was filled with desperation, making Harry's heart clench. He pulled a chair closer to her and reached for her hand, which she willingly gave. His thumb traced reassuring circles on the back of her hand.

"Hey, Daph. You can tell me anything. What's going on?" He gently asked, looking her straight in the eyes, offering all his support.

Daphne wordlessly gave him a scroll, Harry opened it and started reading,

Malfoy Manor

Wiltshire

England

20 July 1992

To the Greengrass Family,

c/o Greengrass Manor,

St. Anns Hollow.

Greetings Lord & Lady Greengrass,

We hope this letter finds you well. We write to you today with a sense of great concern and disappointment regarding your recent decision to reject the proposed marriage contract between our son, Draco Malfoy, and your daughter, Daphne Greengrass.

As you are aware, our families have a longstanding tradition of fostering strong alliances through marital arrangements. The union between Draco and Daphne was thought to be a harmonious and strategically advantageous match for both of our esteemed wizarding families. However, to our profound dismay, we received communication from your family expressing a rejection of this alliance.

Such a rejection not only undermines the tradition and values cherished by our respective families but also threatens to disrupt the future prosperity and security that this union could bring. Therefore, in light of the significant consequences that arise from the denial of this union,

We hereby request that the Greengrass family present themselves for a trial before the Wizengamot to explain the reasons behind your decision to refuse the marriage contract. The Wizengamot will serve as an impartial forum to examine the circumstances surrounding this issue and determine the appropriate course of action.

We remain hopeful that this situation can be resolved amicably and in a manner that upholds the dignity and honor of our esteemed families. Please be advised that our legal counsel has been notified of the situation and will be preparing for the trial proceedings.

We eagerly await your prompt response and look forward to the opportunity to address this matter formally before the Wizengamot. We sincerely hope that we can resolve this matter amicably and with the best interests of Draco and Daphne in mind. We await your prompt reply.

Yours sincerely,

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

(On behalf of the Malfoy Family)

" What bull," Harry exploded. " I...

Daphne looked up at Harry and interrupted him, her eyes red-rimmed as though she'd been crying. "It's my parents," she managed to say, her voice just above a whisper. "They received a summons from the Wizengamot. It's about the marriage contract the Malfoys sent. They're demanding an explanation for its rejection. If my family can't provide a solid reason, they might force us into accepting it."

Harry felt a wave of anger rise within him. The audacity of the Malfoys, threatening Daphne and her family like this, was simply unacceptable. He took Daphne's hands, looking her in the eyes, "We'll sort this out, Daphne," he said firmly. "We won't let the Malfoys get away with this."

She looked at Harry with watery eyes, her voice a mere whisper now. Her fear was palpable, and Harry felt his protective instincts kick in. He tightened his grip on her hand, reassuring her that he was there for her, no matter what.

Once Harry had managed to calm Daphne a bit, he made his way to Mr. Greengrass' study. The older man was seated behind a large mahogany desk, his brow furrowed in thought as he stared down at a large, open tome.

"Mr. Greengrass," Harry greeted, and the man looked up, a tired smile playing on his lips.

"Harry," he replied, gesturing for Harry to take a seat. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course. I wanted to talk to you about this trial." Harry's green eyes flashed with determination. "There has to be something we can do."

Mr. Greengrass nodded, leaning back in his chair. "The Malfoy's are attempting to weaponize an old law that states if a marriage contract is rejected without cause, the other party has the right to claim reparations. In our case, they are demanding Daphne for the reparation. They've manipulated the law in such a way that if the contract is not accepted without a valid reason, they can claim my family's wealth and Daphne as reparation. It's an archaic law and rarely invoked these days, but it exists."

Harry frowned, frustration stirring within him. "So how do we fight it?"

Mr. Greengrass sighed, leaning back in his chair. "We can challenge their claim in the Wizengamot. We'd need substantial proof to sway the council in our favor. A new marriage contract with a family of equal or higher status could also invalidate their claim."

Harry nodded, his mind whirring with possibilities. He didn't like the idea of Daphne being forced into a marriage she didn't want. He would do whatever it took to stop that from happening. "We'll need to gather our allies. And we'll need proof of the Malfoys' unsuitability."

Mr. Greengrass smiled, gratitude etched on his face. "Thank you, Harry. It's heartening to know we are not alone in this battle."

Harry left Mr. Greengrass's office, his mind heavy with worry and his heart filled with determination. He found Daphne in the manor's lush gardens, her gaze lost in the colorful maze of blooming flowers. She looked up as he entered, her eyes filled with worry. "Harry," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I am so sorry to pull you into this..."

"Daphne," he began, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes, a beautiful sea-green color, met his, filled with a storm of emotions. "I promise you, I won't let this happen. We will find a solution." Daphne was about to respond but Harry raised his hand to halt her words. "This isn't your fault, Daphne," he reassured her, his voice calm and steady. "I care about you, and I'm not going to let the Malfoys or anyone else harm you or your family."

Her eyes welled up with tears. "But how can we possibly..."

Harry moved closer, holding her gaze with a serious expression. "We have options, Daphne," he assured her, "and I am prepared to fight this."

"But the Malfoys... they're so influential..."

"We have an influence too," Harry said, reaching out to grasp her hand in a comforting hold. "I promise you, Daphne, we'll get through this. I will do everything I can to prevent them from taking advantage of your family. You have my word."

Tears welled up in Daphne's eyes as she looked at him, fear and relief battling in her gaze. "Harry, I... I don't know what to say," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You don't have to say anything," Harry said, his voice soft but firm. "We're in this together. Your fight is my fight. And we're not going to let the Malfoys or anyone else push us around."

With that, Harry gently pulled Daphne into a comforting hug. As they stood there, surrounded by the beauty of the Greengrass gardens, Harry couldn't help but feel an even stronger resolve. He was ready to fight. For Daphne. For the Greengrass family. For justice.

When Harry returned to the Potter Manor, his brow was furrowed, his hands clenched into fists. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Sirius noticed the change in his demeanor.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Sirius asked, looking up from his newspaper.

"I... need to talk about something," Harry said, his voice almost a whisper.

Concerned, Sirius put the newspaper down, Seeing his troubled countenance, Minerva McGonagall, who had been sitting in the lounge with Remus, set down her teacup. "What happened, Harry?" she asked, a note of concern in her voice.

"Daphne and her family...they are in a tight spot," Harry confessed, his voice heavy with concern. Harry took a deep breath and explained the situation, detailing the Malfoys' manipulative ploy and the precarious position Daphne's family found themselves in. His voice cracked with frustration and worry, the weight of the situation pressing down on his young shoulders. His fists clenched and unclenched as he recounted the details, as his family listened with growing concern.

When he was finished, there was silence in the room. Minerva was the first to break it. "I've heard enough about Lucius Malfoy's underhanded schemes," she declared, her eyes hardening. "As a Rosier by birth, I hold the seat in the Wizengamot, and I promise you, Harry, I will use that influence to help Daphne and her family." Seeing Harry's startled expression, she elaborated, "Harry, the Rosier seat in the Wizengamot is currently vacant and as the Rosier family matriarch, it is my right to claim it. I believe it is high time I did so. Daphne is a bright, strong young witch, and she should have the right to choose her own path, not be forced into one by a bullying patriarch."

Sirius, hearing the conversation, chimed in, "Harry, you are also an influential figure, remember? As the Heir to the House of Potter, Black, and, the Founders, you have a lot more clout than the Malfoys. that gives you six seats in the Wizengamot. We'll put up a good fight, won't we? Together with Minerva, we will stand strong against the Malfoys."

Harry felt a surge of gratitude towards his family. With their support, he felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. He was not going to let the Malfoys destroy Daphne's family. Not on his watch.

The next morning, just as Harry was finishing breakfast, a tawny brown owl swooped into the dining room, carrying a letter addressed to Harry. Recognizing it as Daphne's owl, he quickly untied the parchment from its leg and unrolled it to read her neat script.

"Harry,

We need to talk. Tracey and Neville are also joining us. Please come over to Greengrass Manor at your earliest convenience.

Daphne."

The brevity of the note made Harry anxious. It seemed that Daphne had some plan in mind, but he was unsure what it could be. He looked up from the letter to find Sirius and Minerva watching him with matching expressions of concern.

"I have to go to Greengrass Manor. Daphne has asked Neville, Tracey, and me to come over," he explained, folding the letter and slipping it into his pocket. His mind was racing with potential scenarios.

His grandmother simply nodded, pressing her lips into a thin line. Sirius clapped a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You can handle it, Harry. We'll prepare for the Wizengamot meanwhile," he said, his eyes serious. "Remember, we are with you, no matter what."

With his family's support bolstering him, Harry quickly got ready to leave. He was nervous but also determined. Whatever Daphne wanted to discuss, he was ready to face it, for her and for the promise he'd made to her family. He was prepared to stand against anything that came their way.

As Harry walked into the Greengrass manor, he was greeted by the sight of Daphne, Tracey, and Neville sitting around a table in the library, a room filled with dark oak bookshelves, overstuffed chairs, and heavy silence. The tall windows let in enough light to cast long shadows in the otherwise warm room.

"Thanks for coming, Harry," she said, her voice steady despite the storm in her eyes. "I... I have something to tell you all."

Harry felt a knot of apprehension tighten in his stomach but nodded for her to continue. Tracey and Neville seemed equally tense, their eyes locked on Daphne as she began to explain.

"Father... Father has been trying to find a legal counsel for the fight with the Malfoys, but he's run into some trouble," Daphne began, her eyes moving from one friend to another. "It seems Malfoys has bought off every legal counsel he approached. Without a lawyer willing to represent our case, we can't put up a good fight against the contract." her voice shaking slightly, "My father... he's considering accepting the contract."

A cold feeling washed over Harry. The Malfoys were trying to corner the Greengrasses into submission. Harry felt a new wave of anger towards them. He didn't know how far Draco was involved in this, but he couldn't deny the part that Draco's father, Lucius, was playing.

Tracey looked aghast at Daphne's words. "That's... They can't do that!"

Neville was grimacing, his fists clenched. "This is an abuse of power... it's wrong."

Harry could only nod in agreement. This was not only a matter of the Greengrass family's honor, but it was also a matter of basic rights. No family should be forced into accepting a marriage contract out of fear and pressure.

"We'll figure something out, Daphne," Harry said, his voice firm and resolved. He remembered his conversation with Sirius and Minerva about his own influence and seats in the Wizengamot. He may be young, but he wasn't powerless.

"We are with you in this, Daphne," Neville added his hand on Daphne's in a comforting gesture. Tracey also reached over, her face determined.

Seeing her friends stand by her seemed to ignite some hope in Daphne. She nodded at them, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Everybody was silent after that, Everyone thinking differently but Harry after some time turned his attention back to Daphne. "Daphne, I might know someone who can help us."

Her eyebrows shot up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Who?"

"Amelia Bones," Harry said. "She is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's known for her fairness and integrity. I think we should speak to her. She was our legal counsel during Sirius and Dursley's trial."

A wave of relief washed over Daphne's face. "Do you really think she'd be willing to help us?"

Harry nodded. "She has a strong sense of justice. If she gets to know about Malfoys' dirty tricks, she won't ignore it."

After a moment of silence, Daphne stood up from her chair, determination etched on her face. "Alright, we should tell her about this as soon as possible."

Daphne led Harry, Neville, and Tracey out of the library and to her mother, who was sitting in the living room, looking worried. "Mum," she said, drawing her attention. "We need to go to the Ministry. We need to speak to Amelia Bones."

Mrs. Greengrass looked surprised but seeing the determination on her daughter's face, she nodded. "Alright, dear. Amelia is an old friend of mine from Hogwarts. She was always fair-minded, even back then. I'll arrange for our transportation right away."

Within the hour, Daphne, Harry, Neville, and Tracey were on their way to the Ministry of Magic, ready to seek help from Amelia Bones. The group arrived at the Ministry of Magic, with Mrs. Greengrass leading the way. Daphne's mother had some connections, thanks to her pureblood status, and they managed to navigate the labyrinthine Ministry to Amelia Bones's office without much trouble.

When they arrived, the office was bustling with activity. Secretaries darted to and fro, filing reports and organizing piles of parchment. In the midst of the chaos, a stern-looking woman with a monocle sat at a large wooden desk. This was Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, one of the most powerful witches in the Ministry.

As they approached, Harry cleared her throat. "Madam Bones, I apologize for the intrusion, but we have a matter of great importance to discuss with you."

Bones looked up, her gaze scrutinizing. "What is it ?"

Harry introduced Mrs. Greengrass, Neville, and the girls. Then he went on to describe the situation they were in, from the proposed marriage contract to the fact that the Malfoys had practically monopolized every potential legal representative.

Bones listened carefully, her brow furrowed. When Harry finished speaking, there was a pause. Bones took a moment to digest the information before speaking, "This is a serious allegation, Harry. Mrs. Greengrass, Are you sure about this?"

"We're very sure, Madam Bones," Mrs. Greengrass chimed in. "I can vouch for everything Harry said. The Malfoys are threatening to declare a trial for not accepting a marriage contract without reason. And they're trying to manipulate the system to make sure that we lose."

Amelia's eyes shifted to Harry, her expression slightly softening. Then her brows furrowed. She looked at Daphne, who had been quietly watching the proceedings. "Miss Greengrass, is this what you want?" she asked.

Daphne shook her head vehemently. " Madam Bones, I want nothing to do with the Malfoys."

Then Amelia stood, walked around her desk, and looked directly at Daphne.

"Miss Greengrass, it is evident to me that you are being unfairly pressured. Such coercion to fulfill a marriage contract is not in keeping with our laws or our societal norms. If you are willing, I would be glad to act as your counsel against the Malfoys," Amelia announced, her voice ringing with resolve. Relief coursed through Harry, Neville, Tracey, and especially Daphne. Mrs. Greengrass thanked Amelia profusely.

After a day, Harry was sitting in his room, going through a book about wizarding laws when a sharp knock at his window interrupted his reading. He looked up to find a tawny owl perched there, holding out a leg from which a letter hung. He recognized the seal of the Longbottom family.

Swiftly, Harry moved to the window, let the owl in, and untied the letter. It was from Neville.

"Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well. I spoke with my Gran about the situation. She has agreed to form an alliance with House Potter, and she also wanted me to tell you that she's ready to support the Greengrasses in the trial. She has quite the influence in the Wizengamot, as you know. Also, Tracey told me her family is already in the alliance with Daphne's and both of them are going to join the Potter-Black alliance soon.

Let's hope for the best.

Neville."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Harry's lips as he put down the letter. His heart swelled with gratitude for Neville and his Gran, and newfound hope lit in his chest.

At dinner that night, Harry shared Neville's letter with Sirius, Remus, and Grandma McGonagall. "An alliance with the Longbottoms can only strengthen our position," Sirius nodded in approval, his eyes shining with an unspoken pride at his godson's budding leadership.

"But," he continued, "As the head of the House of Potter and the House of Black, you will have to be the one to invoke the alliance charter. It's an old and formalized magical procedure, Harry. It will bind our families together, offering mutual support and protection."

Harry felt a mixture of surprise and apprehension. "And how do I do that?" he asked, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Well," Remus began, "You would need to pen a letter, using the traditional phrasing, and then send it with a family owl. It would be best to use Hedwig. She's a strong familiar and would lend weight to the message."

"I can help you draft the letter if you'd like," McGonagall offered, her eyes soft but proud. "My own family has invoked similar charters before. There's a very specific format that needs to be followed."

"Thank you, Grandma," Harry said with a nod. "I think I'd like that."

Several days passed following their visit to Amelia Bones. The quartet continued to meet at the Potter Manor and the Greengrass Estate, preparing themselves for the impending trial. It was a tense time, filled with research, strategy planning, and above all, shared support.

One afternoon, as Harry sat brooding over a chessboard in the parlor, an owl swooped in through an open window, carrying a letter. It bore the seal of the Greengrass family. Harry broke the seal and quickly read through the note. It was from Daphne.

"Harry,

The trial has been scheduled. It will be held at the Ministry in one week's time. Amelia has been preparing our case, but we will need all the support we can get. I know you've been doing everything you can on your end, and it's appreciated more than I can say.

Until then, let's keep up the fight.

Daphne."

Harry let out a sigh, folding the letter and placing it on the table beside him. The date was set; the countdown had begun. The time to rally their forces and prepare for the looming battle had come.

To be continued...

Please Review

A/N: Hey Guys, It's me. As promised here is the new book of my series. Please let me know if you have any requests regarding the story. Your reviews give me the strength to continue the story. Thank you.