forgive me friends, I wasn't able to publish in a while... I finally graduated from university and with a lot of action in my life.
It was kinda hard to use my imagination...
However please enjoy XOXO(✪ω✪)/
Chapter 19
"Mademoiselle!... Mademoiselle!" a faint voice called.
Daphne snapped out of her comfort zone looking around at the voice that called her.
"Mon dieu! Je suis désolée Madame Dauphin, I did not hear you," Daphne apologized to the French fashion designer.
"Ma chère, I asked if this length is good for you," the Dauphin and dressmaker said with a fair smile on her lips.
Daphne looked down at the hem of her deep emerald gown and smiled politely at the woman and said softly, "C'est magnifique, merci beaucoup Madame."
She remained composed while the woman finished her final touches on the dress, her gaze on her reflection in the mirror. She looked down at the small tattoo on the skin of her right wrist.
Her gaze got heavy at the memories of the last gorgeous and fair days.
Just seeing it made her lips quirk with a smile.
Two days ago…
"Paris!?" she hissed showing her irritation "Harry, why are we in Paris?" she repeated.
Harry backed a step holding his breath, looking for answers.
"I already told you."
"No you didn't. All you said was that you couldn't handle the house and wanted to leave. I expected some park in London not…, " waving her hands at the Eiffel Tower, "this!"
"It was the only available option!" he snapped.
People started looking at the couple as they argued making a scene.
"Th–" she swallowed her anger, taking a deep breath and studied his body language. 'What happened to him, even his aura is darker than usual?'
Harry's eyes burned a hole in her soul, something had happened to him that made him look disappointed and vulnerable.
Harry turned his face a little so that she could see only his cheekbone and the profile of his lashes. He didn't want her to know he was about ready to break down again; she would ask questions, and he would have to explain. He couldn't explain anything right now...and he couldn't explain why. He couldn't explain what he was feeling. He just wanted to breathe. He was far too emotional right now and he could hardly handle it.
"I had a talk with the director of Gringotts," he said huskily. Merlin, he hoped she would just take the answer and go with it.
"Oh?" Daphne took a step closer to him and he lowered his face, clearly conveying that he didn't want her to read him. She bit her lip and pressed lightly, "What about?"
For a fraction of a second, Harry considered telling her everything that had gone wrong in his morning at that point. But the thought was yanked back the minute it emerged and he kept his mouth shut.
Daphne frowned at his silence as well as his tense posture. It was obvious that something aside from just a mere talk had left him extremely upset—he seemed in worse condition than before. Strangely silent and withdrawn, like he was trapped in his own mind. He wouldn't look at her, but she could see the slight tremble of his hands and hear the raw emotion in the few words he spoke to her. Daphne couldn't imagine anything that would cause him to act like this unless it pertained to the latest devastation in his life, so she went ahead and assumed the most obvious choice.
Shuddering, she averted her gaze when she realized she was having an unhealthy amount of eye contact. With a sigh she moved her body to stand next to his 'I will not ask him anything, let the time do its own magic…'
She wrapped her arm around his elbow and made her way toward the park of the Eiffel Tower.
She hadn't dared to talk any further with silence lingering between them as they walked through the park enjoying the view and calm.
Usually it was Harry who was the more talkative between the two and she listened, but this time things seemed different to her.
She looked around the street, the snow in Paris was melting and was not as thick as in London. Even the cold wasn't that harsh unless the heat of Harry's body kept the cold at bay, warming her.
Their steps were matched and equal.
Harry knew her enough to realize that she gave him freedom to speak or keep quiet, he had known for long as they knew each other that she always listened even when sometimes she pretended not to. After all they are so much alike then they believed.
"You know...Paris is more beautiful during the night," Daphne said in a low voice.
He glanced from the corner of his eye to see her smiling at him , the smile that said 'I'm here with you.'
There was a pause. A long one. He stood out there with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Dumbledore let me live in with the Dursleys on purpose," he let out finally as they stepped in front of the iron building, his eyes didn't meet hers but looked up to the giant Tower instead.
"He… He hid from me, myself," Harry said with anguish.
Daphne said nothing but instead glared up at the building, it was typical in her world to face disappointments.
He shoved out of his pockets a black leather book, Daphne's eyes hooded, acknowledging very well the book, she felt magic coming out of it.
Harry sighed at her expression "You do know what is this," he guessed as he gazed down at her.
She snorted, "You're not going to use it, are you?"
"No,I won't," he whispered and sat down at a bench and she followed his lead.
Harry made it through the doors of Gringotts with Tonks and Dumbledore, but his mind was in Grimmauld Place, to his wife that she seemed worried about him for a reason.
He stepped in front of the head table, "I was summoned to meet the director, my name is Harry Potter."
The ancient goblin didn't react at first.
"I'm here on your invitation," Harry sighed, leaning on the goblin's desk. The rest of the bank continued to work quietly around him.
"Invitation?" said the goblin, a flat-faced thing with a permanently bland expression.
"I was summoned by you." Harry said slowly, as the goblin was clearly a bit slow-witted.
"Who are you?"
"I just told you," Harry said with a smile, "You require identification, yes? What will it be? A drop of blood? A signature written with a blood quill? Perhaps an examination of my magical signature?"
Tonks hit his elbow, "Do not mess with them Harry, control your temper."
Harry rolled his eyes, annoyed.
"Your wand please," the Goblin said.
Harry handed over his wand.
"Name?" asked the goblin, still studying the wand.
"...Harry Potter," Harry darted a quick look around to see if there were any other tellers open, since this one didn't quite seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. There were none.
"Ah, Mr Potter," the goblin said at last, handing the wand back. "What can I do for you today?"
Harry clenched his jaw. "I was summoned here.
"Of course, right this way please," the goblin led him to an older goblin that came in his way.
"Mr. Potter, we finally meet at last," the old goblin shook Harry's hand.
"H-Hello Sir," Harry stutterd at the friendly greeting.
"Hello! Call me Ragnok, I'm the Director of this humble Bank," Ragnok greeted, "follow me, please."
The Goblin guided him to a room in the back.
Harry walked with both Tonks and Dumbledore but the goblin stopped them.
" I am afraid that only is required." The goblin pointed at the two. Tonks glanced at Dumbledore who nodded.
"Of course," Dumbledore nodded smiling.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Ragnok motioned with his hand to a chair that had appeared opposite of the ancient goblin's office. "Sit down, and make yourself comfortable."
Ragnok sat, snapping his finger which caused a series of files and parchments to appear.
"Emm, let's see," fixing his glasses Ragnok hummed as he scanned down the paper in front of him.
While Harry was trying his best to keep himself calm, this was the first time he had been summoned urgently to Gringotts.
Ragnok put the parchment down and stared at Harry.
"Mr. Potter, this morning there happened some changes in your vault management."
'Vaults!?' Harry was confused.
"Forgive me for getting straight in conversation, but do you know anything about the Potter Golden vault?"
"The Potter Golden Vault? No sir, I don't," Harry said.
Ragnok shook his head"tut tut, I was afraid of such a thing, will you please follow me," the goblin said, moving from his chair to another room in the back of the office.
Harry kept staring at the office, when the two stepped inside another room that seemed to be a meeting room.
What surprised Harry was the amount of men in formal robes that were filling most the chairs.
When the men saw him they stood bowing their head greeting Harry.
He was totally confused 'what was going on?'
" may I introduce you to the members and lawyers of The Golden Apple enterprise," Ragnok said as he sat.
A man rushed to his side to shake his hand " , an honor to finally meet, my name is Edmond Knightwalker, the head lawyer of the Potter family and their affairs." The man seemed to be in his sixties, with grey hair and blue eyes.
"Let me introduce you to my team, this one on the left are the lawyers of your family, Dunclaw and Khan".
The two men stood bowing their heads; one was a man in his forties with dirty blond hair and the other was probably in his late sixties wearing what it seemed to be a formal Indian suit.
They both shook his hand.
"Now on the right are the partners of the Golden Apple enterprise, Madam Annette St Claire and Mr. Xiang Ming,"
"Dearest God! we have been waiting for so many years to finally meet you, my deepest condolences for your family," the woman with brown hair in a red suit greeted him with teary eyes.
He only nodded.
"I, Xiang Ming never expected to live till this day and meet you, I'm honored," the Chinese man was wearing a formal muggle suit and seriousness filled all his aura , he bowed his head to Harry.
When Harry sat at the head of the table , there was a pause as everyone studied each other with serious expressions.
" , it seems that you have no idea of what's going on, so allow me to explain in the place of everyone," Edmond began with a friendly smile.
"Let's start with what the Golden Apple enterprise is: it is a wizarding and Muggle international company with many departments, it is more like a potions and portkeys company for wizards and also an airline for muggles. Let's say that it's a secret company that your grandfather had created as a hobby but turned into a huge success. Till now no one knows that it is owned by the Potter family," Edmond finished, chuckling.
Harry's eyes widened at what he heard. My family had an airline and portkeys company!?'
The woman leaned to the table and started talking, "We later bought a share in the company from your grandfather, to help him in extending his work, as his students we wanted nothing but to help him as he was getting old. Besides, your father wasn't great at potions," she smiled at him.
"However the success didn't last long when the unfortunate tragedy happened to the Potters," Edmond sighed sadly and everyone looked down.
"Is the company bankrupt?" Harry asked.
"No! Dear… well–," Annette glanced at the lawyer.
Edmond coughed and continued.
"The will was clear that you would run the business when you come of age but until then your father James will continue. In case something happened to them while you were still a child, you would be in the care of Black and he would run the business instead. Yet for the past decade and a half, after the tragedy fell upon the Potters and Sirius Black was imprisoned for his crimes and betrayal, someone else decided to stop all the business and freeze all the accounts and vaults until the heir came of age. No one heard your parent's will," Edmond eyed him carefully.
Harry was memorizing all their talk as he was handed a contract from Xiang Ming about the ownership.
He could feel the anger and surprise rising inside him, why didn't he know about this? Why didn't anyone let the will be heard nevertheless and why did no one tell him any of this?
Harry clenched his fist inside his pockets, knowing that his guess could be indeed correct.
'Don't!'
Harry's eyes went open , when Daphne's voice reached his ears.
'Never show your opponents any weakness, any reaction, one wrong move and your enemy will be able to anticipate anything from you…it's always about making sure to surprise them.'
That was Daphne's first lesson to him when they started training, to always hold himself. It was the hardest lesson she ever gave him.
"But if my calculations are correct, I am not of age yet," he raised a brow with his eyes on the parchment, he was reading the contract before him.
"Well, we got higher orders to open the vaults again," Ragnok said.
'Higher orders?'
"You said something about someone else freezing the business, who? The one who gave you higher order or...Dumbledore?" he asked firmly, cutting off the Goblin.
" ."
"Answer me," Harry sneered, knitting his eyebrows.
"No and yes. He may have frozen all your inheritance but it wasn't him who opened it again." Mahran Khan finally spoke.
"The Potters for generations were very secretive about their relations, they are one of the oldest wizarding families in the world. Sure they were well respected in the past but slowly had lost their power in the society. We are mostly the keepers of their belongings and vaults and nothing more Mr Potter. Dumbldeore on the other hand saw that it would be fitting to stop everything as your guardian," Edmond said simply.
"Why would he do this?"
He sighed, massaging his temple. He wasn't angry, but instead disappointed for being kept in the dark. Dumbledore should have told him about this at least four years ago, he could have understood, he could have been prepared. Now that it happened suddenly he was nothing but disappointed. Why did Dumbledore keep it from him?
"What's the catch, I mean what can I do, I am still a student?" Harry asked.
" , since the accounts were frozen we need your approval as the owner of the Golden Apple to reopen it," Annette answered and pointed with her finger at the contract where his name was written.
"If you sign it, of course," Annette assured him, "you will still be the owner just like your parents were before you, and we will work in your place. We will report to you everything just like the old days," she smiled.
The two seemed desperate to open the company again, but not for more money but for a passion toward their job.
"Very well, if my grandfather trusted you, so will I," he smiled asking for a quill to sign. Once he signed it the two partners started to discuss the company with him. Harry of course was trying to get along with it, he knew nothing about management and marketing so he trusted the Potter's lawyer and the partners to do what they deemed was right.
"So, you are telling me that I have a company and my personal vault…," he said, a bit stunned.
"Indeed ," Ragnok told him, chuckling.
"Being the only Potter heir, that vault you currently use is just a tiny account Professor Dumbledore wanted you to have during your growing," he indicated with his hand at the vault statement that appeared in front of Harry.
Harry was shocked to find that Dumbldeore was sending money from his vault to the Dursleys since the day he started living with them and yet he had seen none.
In that moment both Annette St Claire and Xiang Ming stood up.
"I believe this is a very private matter so we will take our leave, once again it was a pleasure to meet you and we can't wait for us to work together," Xiang Ming extended his hand for Harry to shake.
"I am happy that we are finally back into the business, thank you Mr. Potter," Annette shook his hand, "Your grandfather was like a father to us and we will honor his memory by carrying his work forward."
With that, his new partners left so he turned his attention to the lawyers who remained seated as the others left the room.
"Excellent, now to business; Mr. Potter, or would you like to be referred to as Lord Peverell?" Edmond chuckled.
"Mr. Potter is fine." Harry sniffed, still not believing anything.
"Excellent, Mr. Potter, we currently have the will of a Mr. James and Lily Potter née Evans. It was made only to be heard once, following which it would be destroyed. Back in August of 1981 it was never heard because the main beneficiary, yourself, was not available. Unfortunately this information was supposed to stay secret from everyone, even your guardians."
Harry was a bit irritated about what else he was about to discover yet.
"If you check this file you will read about all your properties," Ragnok waved his hand at the file that had appeared.
Harry scanned the series of vaults that belonged to the Potter family, now belonging to him, and his eyes went wide at the huge amount of money he owned.
There were even Muggle bank accounts, he even had a share in the Daily Prophet, not to mention the series of houses and apartments.
"You're a very rich wizard, , and Gringotts will be very honoured to keep doing business with you."
Harry leaned back in his chair. That explained a lot.
His family was part of Sacred Twenty Eight, they had direct relations with the royals. Otherwise how could his father promise Daphne's mother to help her when she needed him? That was the first thing he discovered when he had married Daphne, perhaps her family was part of this business, but wait a minute, what would they benefit from these?
He brushed his hair anxiously.
Dumbledore?
"You said Dumbldore?" he asked them.
"When you father died, you were supposed to be raised by Sirius Black or Marlene McKinnon but they both were unavailable, and Dumbldore said he had the best family that could raise you and we agreed since he was the keeper of the Potters in those dark days…so he wanted to freeze all your accounts till you grew up, but he refused to apply or hear the will," Edmond finished and moved toward him.
"Mr. Potter, the thing is that the Headmaster of Hogwarts placed you to live with your Muggle relatives and put the wards around the house that you have lived in to keep you safe."
Harry chuckled darkly "Safe? From whom?"
"Was he sane when he put me with those savages?"
"This order was placed by him for a reason," Dumbledore had isolated Harry from his rightful inheritance, which was a shock. What if he was raised properly in the wizarding world?
" ," Harry spoke, with a deathly quiet voice, "You said I was supposed to be raised rightfully by Sirius Black but how could I be if the will was never heard?" Knightwalker looked somewhat afraid.
Harry's magic pouring off of him was a site to see.
"There was another will specially for Sirius Black but was mysteriously destroyed,"
"Destroyed!?"
Edmond nodded "It was heard once then somehow it got lost or destroyed."
"Who heard it?"
Harry felt a sensation of betrayal, he rubbed and massaged his forehead, closing his eyes.
Who could destroy such a thing?
"Mr Knightwalker, I want you to be honest with me." he asked softly as if he already knew the answers to his questions.
"It was Albus Dumbledore and Sirius Black…"
"Was there any true evidence or witness to defend Sirius Black?"
Edmond shifted in his seat "Mr Potter, all I know was that there was no trial."
Harry closed his eyes even tighter. It was like a slap in the face. There it was the proof that Sirius was left on purpose in the prison.
"I want to read my parent's will." He needed to know the truth.
"Very well."
Few seconds later, Ragnok placed the crystal in the center of the table and it began to play. Two forms, a man who looked almost identical to Harry and woman who looked like she was in flames because of her red hair, and her eyes were truly like his, they began to speak:
"We, Lily Evans-Potter and James Potter, being of sound mind and judgment hereby make this, our last will and testament."
James started the will first:
"First off, we name Sirius Orion Black, Harry's godfather as his guardian. If Sirius is incapacitated we wish for the following people to care for him in this order: Marlene McKinnon, Frank and Alice Longbottom.
If we are dead, then Peter betrayed us. We had Peter be our Secret Keeper when we cast the Fidelius Charm on our home in Godric's Hollow. Sirius was a decoy; if he has done something rash, please send a copy of our other will to the Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, attention Alastor Moody or Amelia Bones."
At this point Lily wrapped her hand around her husband's just like Daphne usually did when she wanted to comfort him ,and she spoke:
"To our beloved son Harry James Potter, we leave you everything we have. Mahran, who is our financial manager, has a complete list of assets.
Harry, you are the last remaining member of our family. Because of this,"
Lily stopped looking down as she wiped her tears.
James spoke instead smiling proudly at his son:
"I name you Head of the House of Potter. In case I won't be there to guide you, you have our family Grimmoire it will teach you everything."
While Harry was looking at the crystal, Ragnok moved toward him, holding in his hand a tiny black wooden box with the crest of house Potter on it, handing it to Harry.
James was still talking meanwhile:
"Your mother was mad at me when I told her of my little dare with the Vasilian family but she eventually ended accepting it, I knew that they were at their word.
So what does it mean to be the Head of the House of Potter? Well it's a lot of work and responsibility. You are now considered an adult. Yes that means no more underage restrictions on magic. "
"Wait what?" Harry shouted.
Lily meddled this time: "This isn't a problem since you are the only Potter left. You must also approve the bonding of any house elves to the house of Potter. They are free to wear clothes and you are to treat them with dignity and respect or else I'll haunt you till your dying day."
Harry chuckled at his mother who seemed to be a version of Hermione.
James coughed: "Where was I? Oh yes, you also have the power to disband marriages, declare contracts null in void, make someone a member and disown a member of the House of Potter. You also have a seat on the Wizengamot. Finally as the head of family, you control all wards and properties owned by the House of Potter.
As for your mate whomever she is, there is a law of our ancestors that she has a monthly allowance and a share from our company, However it is up to you to give her a personal vault as Lady Potter and your first wife. She is lucky to have a handsome man like you.
Lily meddled again and her hair seemed on fire : "Of course she is lucky! She better treats my son well or I will hunt her down!"
Harry couldn't hold his laugh back as the young couple before him argued.
"But– " Lily's face turned serious, it caught Harry off guard.
Daphne simply looked up at the sky above them, a gentle breeze blowing through her silky, light blonde hair. After hearing about Harry's rendezvous, she had not been stunned by how the world works, there was always treason and there were always disappointments.
"Woah...such a headache," Daphne said softly.
Meanwhile at Grimmauld Place…
There was no peace in Grimmauld Place, the quietness that had lingered for over a decade and a half in was broken, even the shouting of Walburga's portrait didn't reach that level, the woman herself was quietly listening to the argument above her, the ruckus and roar of an angry dog upon a very old warlock.
And specifically inside the room of a teenage boy, the same boy that had been earlier in it with his wife.
"WHERE IS HE?" Sirius yelled.
Albus Dumbledore for the first time had taken a step inside Harry's room. He stood, facing the window inside the room with his gaze on the snowy streets, listening to what was happening, sending his Order members to look urgently for the vanished boy.
"Rage won't do you any good, Sirius," Mad-Eye warned the animagus.
"My question is towards your old man, step aside Mad-Eye," Sirius hissed, glaring daggers in the direction of Dumbledore.
"He wasn't quite himself since Arthur, you knew that!"
When Harry returned from his meeting with Ragnok, he hadn't himself. Dumbldore could sense something was wrong but he did not dare ask the boy, the pit of mistrust between the Headmaster and his student was getting larger with each day.
He barely kept his observations on the boy, knowing that Minerva and Severus were keeping eyes on him inside Hogwarts and Remus with Tonks were always there in Grimmauld as well. He worried less for the security of the teenager...trusting his Order members with the boy's life.
Worrying about what was the plot of Tom Riddle and trying to gather allies, he was simply busy until the morning of Christmas.
When the meeting was over in the bank, Harry gave them a simple smile and said that Ragnok wanted to discuss something about his grandfather's old company since he was the last of his family and nothing more. Looking in the boy's eye he could read something else but he had to get along with it.
But now Harry wasn't in his room and Sirius was going to explode in anger.
"Sirius, I assure you, we will find him. If Harry wanted some fresh air he could have asked me and I–," Dumbldore was cut from his talk by Padfoot.
"No! You don't have the right to say that you allow him, you are nothing but his school headmaster here," Sirius sneered pointing his finger and blaming Dumbldore.
"Pad…," Remus squeezed his friend's shoulder to keep him calm, he and Hermione had just arrived from their quick trip to find a huge argument in Harry's room. Hermione was leaning against the wall outside the room listening to the argument with a knot in her stomach.
Sirius released himself out of Remus's grab to finish his talk less loudly.
"The only problem here is that Harry put his trust in you and you disappointed him, like you did before with … me," he finished the last word in a tone that barely reached a whisper, agony filling it.
He let out a groan and moved aside asking everyone to leave Harry's room.
Dumbldore moved from the window to walk out when something caught the corner of his eye, down at the feet of the table by the window. With a wave of his wand, the object flew in the air to him and he grabbed it before Sirius realized it, putting it inside his robe's pocket and moving to the exit, taking one last glance at the room.
Grey clouds were filling the sky above the city of Paris, telling every citizen of its upcoming downpour.
While most people would be grabbing their umbrellas and winter coats to protect them from the upcoming snow, near the park of Eiffel tower a teenage couple were resting on a bench.
Daphne had always loved these days. She could feel the peace along with the skies, her troubles washing away with the overflowing snow and clearing up her mind of anything negative, leaving it open much like the sight of a green meadow covered in shiny rain droplets after the skies had cleared, leaving behind a beautiful wonderland.
Daphne sniffed the air, enjoying the overwhelming scent of fresh rain then turned to her upset man.
"So you are upset because of the hidden heritage? Or the will thing?" she raised a brow, smirking.
"What? Yes, no but…" Harry's words was swallowed by the sight of a happy family walking across them
'It must be nice,' Harry thought to himself as he eyed the happy family of three, completely oblivious to the dangers that skirted by them every day, 'to be able to make life look so simple, so easy…'
This morning had been too much for him, money, heritage and life was taken from him, by orders of who, Albus Dumbldore.
Ever since Harry had met the man, Dumbldore had been one of the few real constants in his life. For Christ's or Merlin's sake forming a bond that was stronger than just a student and teacher. Dumbldore was more than just a teacher to him; he was the grandfather he never had.
And even more than that...he was a warlock. A legendary fucking warlock that beat Grindelwald and was feared by Voldemort.
He knew what he needed to do: he needed to get out of this dark haze fast and begin training again. But his heart simply refused everything around him. Everything seemed darker, less significant than the gaping hole that was left in his heart.
He felt a squeeze on his hand, of course how did he forget, he was not alone anymore.
Daphne was staring at him with a sad smile, she had moved closer to him and pulled herself to his chest.
How could he forget about her?
He pulled her toward him, there were no words, just a sweet embrace between the two, filling the void in him, protecting themselves from cold.
She moved away and put her warm hands that seemed not feeling of any cold in his cheeks to keep him facing her.
"Listen, you are not the boy that lived under a cupboard, not anymore," Daphne smiled, her words were not emotionless like previously.
Harry finally smiled "Yeah, you are right… I'm not him anymore," he stood up finally stretching his arms.
He offered his hand and she gladly accepted it, hand in hand they walked.
"Wow, Paris is beautiful!" he wondered.
"Your first time huh," Daphne smirked.
"With my beloved one," he told her.
"Very lovely, so tell me Mr owner of The Golden Apple, what's your plan?" she asked as they walked through the beautiful streets of Paris.
"Since Dumbledore thought that everything is moving according to his plan, why don't we let him?"
Daphne raised a brow at him then turned her gaze towards the shops.
"What I mean is, I will not use any of the wealth I have until I came of age and I, to take away any suspicious idea, I told him that my grandpa's company is back to business… that's all," he explained glancing at her.
"I see, maybe that's better," she answered but deep down she felt a bit guilty
Some part of her knew that she had a hand in this game too, the vaults and company was all open again because of her, she realized and kept quiet, part of her wanted him to know everything, part of her wanted to tell him about his father's deal with her mother to let him go free and marry Lily.
The knights were not just a robe of honor, but a law of life, for a person to forget its father, to forget its mother ... to be a knight, the throne will become his family and sword, to the throne his life becomes and to it his shroud...In other words If the knight is told Die by the king, he will die and if he is said Live, he lives. The knight's life becomes his ruler ... the robe is black for two reasons, the first of which is that the color of blood does not appear on him at all and that was because too much blood will be shed, and the second because it swallowed everything. The black robe was and is still a hole that swallowed the wearer's feelings and made him a ruthless deadly weapon.
But James refused it for Lily, he simply wanted a pure life.
She remembered her last reunion with Eva in October.
"So you tell me, is he good with you?" Eva smirked.
Daphne glanced at Eva and turned to her husband, who was talking to his godfather cheerfully.
"I don't know, I mean, we haven't reached that stage yet. We barely knew each other," she responded in a faint voice, mostly sad.
"You don't trust him yet, you have every right," Eva shrugged, siping some from her tea.
"No! this is not what I meant, my brother thought it appropriate. I mean he's from a respectable family according to what I know his lineage is due to a very ancient family, even though he is not that wealthy," she answered,playing with her fingers.
"Ah, why didn't you say that before?" Eva gasped.
"What?" Daphne asked sharply.
"No one has told you yet, I mean, he asked us not to inform you of anything," Eva muttered.
"Speak up," Daphne eyed her.
"Well...well... years ago, when his family died, he was given a small monthly salary to support him until he grew up," Eva told her as a matter of fact.
"I do not understand yet, what do you mean by this statement …"
Eva sighed, then continued, "Harry has lived since he was an infant with a muggle family. Before entering Hogwarts, he was not even aware of who his parents were nevertheless who he is."
"What? Listen, I am satisfied with what God has written and planned for me. If he wants me to live poor, I am satisfied," she answered the woman.
Eva burst out laughing and then whispered, "Do you think that we will allow the daughter of the ruling dynasty to live in poverty? Your brother has ordered us to take the necessary arrangements. Once the marriage is consummated, all Harry's family's safes will be reopened even Eros has dedicated your dowry and will be added to his wealth…"
"Hey, these things still happen," Daphne interrupted her about the dowry thing.
"Well, who knows," Eva waved her hand bored.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Y-Yeah," she stuttered before answering. Then went back to her world, thinking of the limited answers to her questions, two wills one had been heard and the other had been destroyed mysteriously.
As if someone knew that the second will could be main and convince the ministry of Black's innocence.
Dumbldore had freezed the Potter vaults and Berz was the only one capable with such a priority to unfreeze it back.
'The question is, what was his achievement from all this?'
"How about a tour in Paris?" she suggested distracting herself.
"Well, I don't know Paris babe," Harry smiled ashamed for not being able to let her have what she wanted.
She wrapped her hands around his arm. "Leave it to me, also I will explain everything as we walk, " Daphne answered cheerfully, and dragged him down the street,
Daphne showed him every corner she knew in Paris in half a day, trying to take away any sign of sadness.
When they finished they ended up standing in a shadowy alley, trying to gather some energy after a long eventful day.
Daphne stared at him 'how could you lie to him while he is nothing but a sweet miracle sent from God to take all your sorrow,' her inner self was scolding her, she was falling in grace of love.
When he turned to look at her and found her staring at him, he gave her that sexy smirk that he had learned to play on his lips.
And he succeeded in that mission, making her face turn fully crimson. The day had started heavenly and had been almost ruined by the wonderful goblin's Christmas gift but she had the magical ability to cheer him up everytime.
He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her towards him so that she was flush against him.
She looked down at his chest, it was too warm, too perfect to let out of it, was it always warm? She kept thinking.
Harry placed his forefinger under her chin and pulled very gently to make her look at him. Ice met emeralds.
"Tell me what you are thinking Daphne?" Harry rumbled, his voice low only for her ears.
He leaned in close to her ear turning her head to the side, "Tell me…," he growled low in his chest and it made her shiver.
Daphne's face flashed and her eyes heated with desire.
She leaned in response to his palm that was resting on her cheek and replied almost in a moan "You…"
"I've never seen you be like this with anyone, Daphne...I didn't think you would ever get close to someone like me even with all of… this, " Harry said meeting her eyes.
"You do things to me, Harry. Things I never thought possible, let alone with a Gryffindor," she said with a gentle tone.
"Show me that smile, that it's only shown to me only…"
And she submitted easily to his demand.
She reserved such an expression for Harry, and Harry only. After all, she still had the reputation of the stoic, callous, cold-hearted witch to uphold. She couldn't very well go around flashing a smile at everyone. It would be out of character. But, when she was with Harry. She laughed and smiled. Something that she had grown to enjoy and look forward to.
Daphne noticed him gazing at her and smirked, "You like what you see?" she teased and he blushed. Even after all that was going between them he sometimes went soft which in turn earned him a chuckle from her.
Without Daphne realizing, Harry leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
She was surprised for a few seconds but relaxed as she moved both her hands to his face and deepened the kiss. A soft moan escaped her lips which made Harry growl deep in his throat.
Still kissing him, Daphne let her hands roam down his neck, to his chest. She started to push his denim jacket open so she could feel his sculpted muscles better.
Harry fisted Daphne's hair gently and felt his heart quicken as he kissed her deeply. He felt himself start to lose control.
On instinct, he nuzzled into her neck which made her giggle. He had come to enjoy that sound just as much as he loved her smile.
"Sortez d'ici, bâtards!" a man shouted behind them , making them laugh and run.
"How did we end up here?" Harry's said , catching his breath.
"Huh?" she turned breathlessly towards him, facing a tattoo shop.
Harry hadn't confessed to anyone but when he spent this summer with Sirius he admired his tattoos and dreamed of having one when he got older, but facing a shop now was so tempting and he wanted nothing but get one done.
"Do you want to go in?" Daphne asked curiously.
"Well… I," Harry rubbed his neck nervously.
"If you want one it's fine," she smiled.
"What about you?" he blurted.
Daphne was shocked of his sudden question, hesitant about the tattoo at first, Harry could tell. When he asked why Daphne looked at him with uncertain eyes and tried to explain it in small words.
"My tattoos have always been for other people. I didn't even have a choice with it."
She rubbed absentmindedly at the burning scar that wound its way up in the back of her neck. Harry grimaced; he had never liked the scar either but he had learned to accept it.
"When I got the symbol it wasn't my choice, but it was my greatest honor," she continues. "But I will never have it again."
"Why would you think that!?" Harry got confused. Daphne squirmed in her place.
He patted her shoulders and smiled "Your body is your own to do whatever you want with."
"Well that's what I think with mine, Daphne," Harry told her, " you can watch," he winked at her.
"I don't care what you do," she mumbled and Harry only laughed.
Daphne had perhaps figured out that Harry was going to be a great leader. Everyone knew him, she already loved him, he was polite with everyone. Sure he had a bit of temper but for someone like him, he had a bright future and she was happy that she could be part of it. He wouldn't be a leader who got bogged down by politics—he would be a leader who led.
What Daphne hadn't realized was how attractive Harry would be in that leadership role. He was attractive because it was powerful. Harry gave orders and was respected and stood taller than before and he hadn't even been inducted as a real leader yet.
But his secret organization of students, Dumbledore's Army was a real proof of his ability.
Hand in hand they moved together into the shop. Sleek black couches and two chairs were positioned around a knee-height table in the front room. Beyond it was a large aquarium, lit up and full of vibrantly hued fishes of all colors of the rainbow.
The music was loud to Daphne when she asked Harry he told her the name of the song. Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" played over the speakers.
This wasn't what Harry had expected a tattoo parlor to look like. The music fit with it though.
The desk, just beyond the aquarium, was occupied by a hulk of a man with bright red hair and biceps the size of small tree trunks. He looked up from the magazine he was reading as Harry approached the desk. He could see how someone might find him intimidating.
"Comment puis-je vous aider"
"I want a tattoo," Harry said bluntly.
'Il veut un tatouage'
It sounded awkward, and he silently cursed himself. Dammit!
"D'ACCORD. Avez-vous des idées de ce que vous voulez?" (Okay. Do you have any ideas as to what you'd like?)
Harry had expected this. The parlor's prices were not high, but Harry figured that for something that would be on his body for the rest of his life, he needed to be careful with his choice.
He took care of his body religiously through rigorous fitness, so he wouldn't botch it up by choosing a shitty tattoo nor the shop.
"You don't have to do it," Daphne whispered.
"Actually I do, you said to me once that scars are marks of survival isn't?" he smirked.
Daphne nodded.
"What about a tattoo to be a memory instead of a reminder," he suggested bravely.
"Okay," she smiled.
The man interrupted pointing at the back "Michael est libre dans le dos."
A man with white hair, clearly unnatural for his age, waved him back, having listened to the conversation. He was sipping a water bottle. As they approached the man who was named Micheal, they couldn't help but notice all the tattoos on his arm.
"Hey, je suis Michael," the man said, his voice just slightly tinged by a Russian accent.
Micheal stood for a moment and reached out his right hand for a quick shake. This was the first time since entering the shop that Harry had felt distracted. He tried not to space out, because wouldn't that be embarrassing?
"He is greeting you, say 'Je suis Harry'," Daphne whispered to his shoulder.
"Je suis Harry," he answered.
"Et toi petite fille?" He glanced at the Daphne.
"Moi? Daphne…" she replied with hesitation.
Harry felt suddenly anxious, Why was he beginning to feel nervous? It wasn't a bad nervousness though. It was...exciting.
"Asse-toi," Micheal said, gesturing to a small, ordinary chair by his station. It was likely there for any guests his customer might have.
"Que voulez-vous obtenir?" the man asked.
"What do you want to get?" Daphne translated.
"Well… " Harry didn't think about that as he stared at his wife who was busy watching the designs.
He thought for some time 'a reminder…a memory… An eternal mark…' Harry finally had an idea.
"I want a moon, a black dog and a stag running in a field of lilies, can you do it?" he requested and Daphne translated again for him.
"Okay he has to draw it first," the man stood up to bring a pen and draw his client's design.
"I have time…," Harry gave the man a warm smile
"We do?" Daphne raised a brow.
"Aye, the Portkey won't open until midnight and that means we still have four hours and half to that," he sighed, glancing at the cloak on the wall behind her.
"You thought of everything did you?" she smirked.
"You had affected me love," he said, kissing her on the lips for distraction. "You did not tell me that you spoke French, let alone how well you mastered it. Hermione spoke for weeks about her trip to France." Harry chuckled.
"I'm not a brag, like the Gryffindor bookworm," she narrowed her eyes at the mention of Granger, she didn't hate her but she didn't like her either. Sometimes she could be an annoying girl.
The man returned with a drawing in his hand, Harry loved the design immediately.
"How big are you thinking?" Daphne translated again after the man.
"Ah…" Harry answered, lifting his arm up to touch his chest with this palm. "On my left rib cage just upon my heart,"
"Do you want color?"
Harry shook his head.
"Alright shall we begun it will take some time,"
"Hmmm…"
Daphne sat in the front, grabbing a magazine of design, reading with boredom while Harry was getting his tattoo.
What made this idea pop up suddenly as she stool a glance at his relaxing position, she smirked, knowing internally that he was nervous.
The tattoo artist turned to the jet haired boy and beckoned him to come over.
Harry went and sat on the table and stared blankly ahead as the needle pierced his skin over and over.
Daphne said nothing and went to look at other designs, trying to keep herself distracted until he was done.
When and as soon as the needle hit his skin he loved it—loved the feeling of the pricking needle and the way Micheal told him to breathe evenly, even though he didn't understand French but he knew the meaning, in and out, not squirming too much. He sort of loved the way Daphne watched him the whole time behind the magazine and called him an idiot when he smiled and said "ouch" at the same time.
"How many languages?" Harry asked without looking at her, breaking the silent in the air.
Daphne raised a brow, her eyes still on the magazine, "Few."
"And what are they?"
"French, Italian, Turkish, Japanese, Spanish, Russian and Arabic."
His eyes went wide, he didn't realize that his jaw had dropped at her reply, which earned him a smirk from her.
"But you, considering the last developments in your life, you have to start learning, there are spells but nothing better than learning."
"Alright," Harry agreed.
"Et toi, tu n'en veux pas?" the man from the waiting room spoke.
Daphne blinked, surprised. she smiled then, a real one, because it took her off guard.
She shook her head and watched Harry from the corner of her eye, "Non...c'est pas mon genre."
"Ah bon!?"
"Une petite tentative ne fera pas de mal." (A little try won't hurt.)
Harry heard Daphne laugh with the man, he was not worried.
And yet, something about seeing Daphne laugh so easily with another guy sparked a heat in Harry's blood. The sting on the back of his shoulder pricks and sends adrenaline through his veins. He could barely control himself until he and Daphne were back at his room and then he would undress her in a rush to get her in the bed.
"Qu'est-ce que tu penses?" (What do you think?) the man asked.
She glanced between Harry and the guy and she finally gave in, "Je ne sais pas pourquoi je le ferais mais j'espère ne pas le regretter." (I don't know why I'm going to do it but I hope I won't regret it.)
She took a seat in the station next to Harry and smirked.
"I see you've changed your mind,"
"Unfortunately, I did."
"Où? Princesse" (Where? Princess) the man asked.
"Mon poignet droit," (My right wrist.) Daphne replied.
"Qu'est-ce que tu veux?"
And she whispered not to let Harry know.
He already knew he was going to love her tattoo not to mention his (he was always planning on getting it anyway), and as soon as he stood and watched it in the mirror, just on his left side, right above his heart, he did.
It was told to him to cover it for an hour and that it will probably be sore for a few days.
Harry paid the man while his wife seemed to thank the other man and walked by his side.
"What did you get?" he asked as they walked out of the store.
"No, let it be a surprise…" seeing the pout on his expression she continued "consider it my birthday wish," Daphne caressed his cheek.
"Your birthday wish?" Harry pouted when Daphne only laughed and said, "My charming prince I haven't told you because I know you will try to do something for me but…," she paused and sighed happily, "you already gave me the best gift last night and this is my reward for you."
"Daphne,when is your birthday?" Harry demanded of her.
"December 31st," she let out breathlessly.
Meanwhile in Hogwarts, the headmaster was resting on his chair in front of the fire, watching the blazes until a knock reached his ears from the door.
"Come in," he sighed standing up and moving to his office chair.
Severus Snape appeared behind the door and made his presence known, "You wanted to see me headmaster."
"Yes my friend, forgive me for ruining your evening with such an urgent request," Dumbledore nodded.
"If you were the friend you purport yourself to be, you shouldn't ruin my relaxing time," Severus ground out.
"Oh No! Perhaps we should talk another time," the old man responded, sounding slightly amused.
"I'm already here, stop wasting my time Headmaster" Severus raised a brow.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Then let us begin," he said, waving his wand to refill two glasses.
The Headmaster conjured a comfortable chair for Snape and sat back.
"A sudden turn of events happened today my friend," Dumbledore said in a very serious tone.
Hearing the change in Dumbledore's tone, Snape looked up to the kind old face. "What happened? You know I'm working my best to be in his favour again!"
Dumbledore chuckled, "Of course I do, but right now my fears are not of Tom...it's Harry."
"Potter?" Snape was surprised.
Dumbledore nodded his head. "I was not very present this year, Have you seen or noticed something strange this year?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, except for his silly club and his mood swings every five seconds, but this is adolescence isn't it?" Snape rolled his eyes, bored and annoyed that the Headmaster annoyed him in such an hour to speak about Potter.
"Young people go through a phase like this huh," Dumbledore chuckled then paused, "No, not that, I mean something else because, my friend, it seems Harry is a lot smarter than what we've been thinking,"
Dumbledore took a black hair bow out of his pocket and let it float with his wand to Snape.
"What is that?" Snape raised a brow.
"I found it in Harry's room in the morning." Dumbledore answered.
He sighed before continue "I cast a spell on the hair that clung to it to identify to whom it belonged,"
"With all my respect Albus you called me in this late hour to discuss Potter's love life," Snape rose up from his chair to the door.
"It belonged to one from your House Severus," Dumbledore said, making Snape pause in his track.
"What did you just say?" he turned dangerously to the old man.
Disregarding the question, Dumbledore said, "It seems that water has being running under us the whole time."
"Who?"
"Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass."
Severus Snape was shocked and surprised, Daphne… the brilliant student of his that lived in the shadows. He knew since the first day she made it to Hogwarts that she was ahead of her own age. Granger may be the brightest witch of her age for a girl who was raised by Muggles. But Greengrass?
She always knew the answer to every question and the solution to every puzzle, but she remained silent.
One day he asked her out of curiosity, and she answered him, "What is the point of showing what others do not have," since then the conversations became longer between them so that he enjoyed her extensive knowledge, until that fateful day came.
She was trembling in fear at his door, her face pale as if the soul had been taken from her. She asked him for a medicine that would remove the pain. When he tried to help her and take her to the hospital, she begged him not to do so and said: "Make them shut up. The voices in my head, Make them stop."
She fell crying in front of him, seeking a safe shelter.
On that day he submitted to her desire, she was weak in front of him, her father told the school staff that she was weak and sensitive, but he did not expect this weakness, then she swore him to confidentiality about her problem. He had sought to find any medicine for her, since that incident Daphne had become involved in any activity in order to keep herself distracted.
She was no longer studying seriously, but rather getting along with the rest.
Snape let out a bark of laughter startling the Headmaster.
"My student would never associate with a Gryffindor, nevermind Potter, you don't know her, she is called the ice queen of Hogwarts by students for her cold behavior, not just with other houses but even her own. Your spell is mistaken, Albus."
Severus waved his hand to the man about to make his leave.
"That's why I called you."
Severus dragged his attention back to the Headmaster. "I need you to train Harry on Occlumency," Dumbledore said.
Severus stared at the old man, his face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Tell your wolf to do that."
Dumbledore settled back into his chair, as if satisfied to have caught Severus' attention,"Remus could be gentle and kind," he responded.
Severus regarded him suspiciously. "You don't want me to train him, you…," Snape's eyes widened as his jaw fell "You want me to rape his mind," he said woth disgust.
Dumbledore sighed. "Somehow his mind is well shielded, I tried but I couldn't risk him knowing that," he admitted. "Let us say, rather than rape his mind, train it."
Reenergised by sheer irritation, Severus pushed himself up and began to pace, firing comments and questions like offensive hexes. "Do you realise that you make less sense with every word you utter?" he demanded.
Dumbledore chuckled a bit then his eyes shot at the master of potions with such seriousness.
Severus Snape sat back again with his eyes on the warlock as he started explaining his change of plans.
"I want to know everything about the Greengrass heiress and her motivations. I expect no less from you Severus."
What do you think... Can you guess what was Daphne's tattoo?
P.S Harry didn't as you noticed tell everything about the will to Daphne... What did Lily said to Harry?
What will Harry do?