Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

-oOo-

This time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: A magical date and a ferret…

-oOo-

Chapter 4

-oOo-

February 4, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry was just finishing his dinner when the two girls he had been thinking about since waking came into the infirmary. Hermione gave him a big smile while Daphne looked unsure. Harry had awoken a little after noontime to find he was the only one in the infirmary, both girls having gone to classes for the day. The matron had looked him over before allowing him to get dressed. Dobby, his faithful friend, had brought him a change of clothes.

Being ordered to take it easy, he had settled in to read through the letters again. As he feared, they were just the same as yesterday. Somehow both Hermione and Daphne were betrothed to him. Not that Harry found himself that distressed about it... on the contrary, he was hoping that Hermione and him would be married someday. He knew that he was only seventeen and she was eighteen, but in all his life, she had been the only one to unconditionally stand by his side, whether he needed her or not. Sirius had been the second one, but there had been times he had seriously let Harry down, like the night he chased after Peter Pettigrew instead of taking Harry. Even so, he knew Sirius had loved him and it had gutted Harry when he lost the only man he had considered a father figure.

As much as Harry might want to someday be married to Hermione, his few hours of weakness had condemned her to him, no matter what. The declaration in the Gringotts' letter that Hermione was now the heiress-presumptive of the Potters had significant meaning to magic. He knew. He read the books that Andi had given them on the Wizengamot, the Ministry and how magic recognized marriages, betrothals, bonds and the progeneration of house lines. If magic recognized her as the heiress-presumptive, it meant they were betrothed, destined to be married. This was a betrothal ordained by magic. Like a prophesy.

Harry had thought he had had enough of prophesies, contracts and forced magical non-sense for a lifetime.

He knew she would understand what this meant. Madam Pomfrey had told him that Hermione had read them.

They had learned of life debts and had talked about how Hermione might repay the one she had from the night he had saved her from the troll, but he wanted her to have a choice. He wanted a choice. So much of his life had been decided for him until that night he had found a way to banish Voldemort to the realm of death, or so Dumbledore had told him.

Even less of a choice was the blonde next to Hermione.

The night of Imbolc he had enjoyed Daphne just as much as Hermione. Truth be told, he wanted to enjoy it again. Both young women were sexy, especially when on his cock...

He shook his head to clear the image. He wouldn't deny he hadn't had dreams, but after experiencing one of his dreams with two girls, he knew his dreams were so far below any expectation he could have had.

The nightmare was the betrothal contract sitting on the table next to him. The contract bound Daphne and her sister to the Blacks, to marry the best possible heir of the house and to birth the next generation. Daphne would be his wife - he would never abandon her to lose her magic or worse - in the coming year or so. She didn't have a choice. Well, she did, but Harry knew no witch would willingly give up her magic. It had made him sick to his stomach to understand she was essentially his property. She couldn't do anything without his say. That was something he found unacceptable, but knew many pureblood women were stuck that way in their marriages.

He watched them slightly sway their hips as they walked over to him. "How are you feeling?" Hermione asked, coming to his side and giving him a chaste kiss.

"Alright," he said, knowing she hated when he said he was 'fine'. "How are you?"

"Doing well," Hermione said, taking his hand and sitting at the edge of the bed.

Harry turned to Daphne. "How are you, Daphne?"

"Doing well, my Liege," Daphne replied, bowing her head slightly.

Harry sighed. "If you call me 'my liege' again, we are going to have issues. I read through the contract, Daphne. I expect you treat me like anyone else. I figure, after the other night, we would get to know each other. Maybe as friends, then as something more?" Harry requested of her.

Daphne relaxed. Hermione gave the girl an encouraging smile. "I told you so."

Daphne gave a nervous giggle. "I couldn't take the risk. You know why?"

"I know that you are both my betroths. What about your sister?" Harry asked.

"Father sent us a letter this morning. We have both been transferred to you. Will you want Astoria too?" Daphne questioned. He could see the fear in her eyes.

Harry shook his head. "No. I think two girls are going to be more than enough for me," he said with a small smile, hoping to ease the tension.

Hermione smiled, but Daphne still looked apprehensive. "Father would like to meet with you this weekend to get to know you and finalize the date," she told him.

Harry snorted. "Nothing like the present to take care of things. Are you two really alright?"

"We are fine, Harry," Hermione told him.

"You are alright with this?" he asked the girl he knew he loved.

Hermione gave him an encouraging smile. "Yes. Don't give me that look. You can't tell me that this isn't any boy's wet dream?"

Harry smirked. "Maybe, but you know what others may say."

Hermione put a hand on his cheek. "Harry, I am fine with this. Daphne is a really nice person, not to mention sexy."

Harry's eyes went a little wide a Hermione's comment.

Daphne giggled again. "Now you are just being mean to him."

"Maybe, but he's cute when he looks like that. Daphne and I had a long talk yesterday, Harry. We both know the price magic will demand to break that contract. I don't want to see either of you hurt," Hermione told him in no uncertain terms.

Harry looked at her for a long moment, then to Daphne, who still hadn't approached closer than ten feet from the bed. "You are alright with this?"

"I'll admit this was not the plan the other night, but I am not disappointed. You are rather handsome, and Hermione always talks highly of you. It also gives us a path to free my sister. That is the biggest thing I wanted," she told him.

Harry could see the sincerity in her face. Daphne had tricked them to save her sister. It was an act of bravery and unselfishness he could relate too. He would do anything for his friends, and soon to be family. He patted the bed to indicate for her to join Hermione and him. Daphne came over, her apprehensive look lessening. "You would accept me?"

When she sat, Harry took her hand. "I think I should ask if you would accept me. I don't want to force you into anything. Neither of you. My life hasn't been all roses, and I don't know if it ever will be. You both being bound to me is probably one of the most pleasant things to ever happen to me."

Daphne gave a shy smile. "It was rather pleasant."

Hermione took Daphne's other hand. "More than pleasant."

They all sat there in silence for a moment. When Harry broke it, he put the question out that had been bothering him all afternoon. "What do we do now?"

"You talk with Daphne's parents. We decide on a date for the wedding and go from there," Hermione said rather simply. Harry rose an eyebrow at her. Hermione blushed some. "Of course, I hope we do more of what we did the other night. And at some point, I would like my own wedding."

Harry swallowed before smiling. Daphne squeezed Hermione's hand. "I want you to marry at the same time I do. If we are going to be in this together, then I want us to do this together."

Harry nodded to the blonde. "I'll go with what my girlfriend says."

Hermione gave him a look. "Your girlfriend? I thought I was your girlfriend?"

"Well, the Black girlfriend. You are the Potter girlfriend," he said a little cheekily, earning him a laugh from Daphne as Hermione playfully hit his arm. "Oi! Abuse!"

"I'll show you abuse, Potter," Hermione threatened with no heat to her words.

The clack of boots on the flagstones interrupted them. "I would hope you don't abuse my patient, Ms Granger," the matron said in a severe tone.

"I would never, Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said rather innocently.

"It depends on the type of abuse," Daphne said with a wink. Harry had images of a naked blonde making him beg... he had to shake his head. Daphne's smirk had him thinking she knew part of what he just imagined. Merlin, how was he going to survive two women?

The matron had a slight uptick to her mouth, as though she wanted to smile. "Yes, well, nothing like that will happen in my hospital. Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," Daphne replied.

"How are you feeling, Potter?"

Harry rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck from side to side. "Well, thank you."

She clicked her tongue before running her wand over him. After a moment, she nodded in satisfaction. "Your magic levels are not back up to par yet. You will need to avoid casting for the next two days. Besides that, you are healthy. Can I trust you two to escort Potter out of here and not put him through anything strenuous for the next two days?"

The eye she gave both girls had Hermione blushing and Daphne taking on the emotionless mask he usually saw her in. Even so, there was a slight tinge to her cheeks. "I will make sure my betrothed is well taken care of," Daphne said.

"I'm sure you will, Ms Greengrass," the matron said with a wink. Daphne's neck coloured now. The woman chuckled as she walked back to her office.

Harry got out of bed. Hermione stood and took his hand. Daphne was standing a few feet away. Harry wasn't going to have that. On an impulse, he reached out and pulled her in. Daphne moved, her eyes growing wide as Harry pulled her against him and leaned his head down. She didn't resist his lips meeting hers, leaning into him and pressing into the kiss. It wasn't long, but when he pulled back, there was a small, satisfied smile on her face. "What was that for?"

"If we are going to make this work than you are both equal to me," Harry told her.

Hermione, stepped in, pulling his face to her to give him a kiss. "I agree," she told him before putting a hand on Daphne's cheek and turning the girl to give her a kiss too. Harry let out a soft groan. Both girls seemed to smile at that. "I think he likes us kissing."

"I caught that when he was dreaming yesterday," Daphne said, leaning it to peck Hermione.

"Bloody hell," he muttered.

"Language, Harry," Hermione corrected him.

"So, Hermione, where in that plan does your father try to kill me when we tell your parents?" Harry questioned, putting an arm around both girls' shoulders.

"Bloody hell!" she exclaimed.

"Language, Hermione," Daphne chastised with a grin.

"Oh, shove it," Hermione told the blonde.

"As long as Harry is doing the shoving," Daphne replied.

He groaned again, his pants starting to get tight.

-oOo-

February 6, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

"POTTER!" an angry voice yelled out.

Harry's face scrunched in anger. He was walking in a group with Hermione, Daphne, Neville, Susan and Hannah towards the third floor and charms. Today they had decided to go the slightly long way to go past the courtyard to enjoy the above freezing temperatures that had settled in this week. He was happy to be walking with the group he was with. In the last few years, since Ron was no longer around, Harry and Neville had become friends, and the people Neville was friends with often hung out with them. Harry was pleased that they all accepted Daphne with no questions. He couldn't say the same for others, mostly some in Slytherin and Gryffindor.

"POTTER! You stole my women!" the voice exclaimed over the ground of the inner courtyard. They were all on their way to charms after Neville, Hermione, him and Susan had come from DADA.

"Excuse me," Harry said to the group.

"Harry, just let him be for now," Hermione told him.

Daphne stepped in closer to him. He could tell she was afraid of the angry Malfoy stomping across the courtyard. Any other day Harry might look at the greening grass and the melting ice as unusual at the start of February, but he was eyeing the boy that had just pulled his wand instead. Like a bull to a matador, Harry stepped before the girls. "Get lost, Malfoy!"

"You stole Greengrass and her sister. How dare you!" an irate Draco screamed at him, the boy's wand coming up and sparks shooting out. Harry had never seen the blonde ponce so upset. It just made Harry very protective of his girls. Yes, he now looked at both Daphne and Hermione as his girls. It wasn't in a possessive way, but they did belong to him, as much as he belonged to them.

"I would watch what you say, Malfoy. Daphne and her sister are now under the protection of the Regent of House Black. Do you really want to go against me?" His voice was low and dangerous. It was dangerous enough that the two goons that usually bracketed him were still back across the courtyard. Actually, Crabbe and Goyle hadn't bothered them since Tuesday night.

Malfoy was beyond angry though. Spittle flew from his mouth as he yelled at Harry. Harry's wand was ready to react. "Bloody, fucking twat! You kill my father, steal my inheritance and now you steal my betroths. If you don't give them back to me right now, I'm challenging you for the regency of the Blacks. This is a matter of blood!"

There was a pulse of magic at his words. Daphne gasped behind him. Most of the others were stock still as magic grew around them. Harry's eyes narrowed. His eyes took on a slight glow as he drew on the power around them. It was like the other night; except this time his body could handle the increase in power. "This is a matter of blood. I will give you one last chance to back down and walk away. I doubt your mother would want me to declare you blood traitor, Malfoy."

Through the boy's rage, Harry saw a quick flash of fear and possibly apprehension of what he was doing. Sirius had hoped that Narcissa and her son might be reformed. Narcissa Malfoy had not threatened him or done anything against him since that day her husband died. Harry wasn't personally responsible for Malfoy senior's death, but he had defeated his master, causing the death of anyone that was marked by the bastard. If Harry were to declare Malfoy blood traitor for going against the Regent of House Black, the one that held the reigns to part of his blood, it would give Harry cause to cast the ferret out of the Blacks. It would also label him as one of the people he hated most.

Andromeda had been tutoring him in all this since he had adopted her, and his distant cousin Nymphadora, back into the House of Black. That was another request of Sirius. It was something Sirius had wanted to do but couldn't when he was still a wanted criminal.

It took maybe two seconds before Malfoy's anger came roaring back. "I call a challenge for the Regency of House Black. I name Harry Black, Regent of House Black, as betrayer of the charter and intent of the blood. I will give you the standard hour to prepare."

Harry stepped up to Malfoy, letting the boy's wand poke him in the chest. "You are an idiot, Malfoy. You are challenging the Head of House Black, the head of your mother's blood. You do not get to dictate the terms. I have two meetings in Hogsmeade tomorrow. I expect I shall be done by three. We will meet at the style at the end of town. Out of respect, if you do not show, I will beat you bloody and then cast you out of the house as oath breaker and blood traitor. This is only out of respect for my godfather's last wishes and the way your mother has treated me over the years."

"Screw you, Potter. I'll kill you tomorrow," the boy snapped. "I'll take Daphne and Astoria and they will learn to regret crossing me."

Malfoy's magic felt unhinged. Harry's magic responded, reflecting the sparks that suddenly leapt from Malfoy's wand at his uncontrolled anger. There was now a smoking hole in his shirt where the Black's magic had protected him. As Regent of the Blacks, Malfoy wasn't supposed to do any harm to him until this duel was started. It would also protect Malfoy from his magic. It didn't stop Harry using muggle means.

Harry enjoyed the satisfactory crunching sound as his fist made contact. Even better was to see Malfoy's eyes roll back into his head before he fell over. Harry leaned over with the force he had put into his punch, before taking a stumbling step. Even with his workouts, Harry could tell that his hand was hurt, but seeing the crumpled form of Draco on the ground was worth it. The blood coming out the ponce's nose was totally worth it.

"Mr Potter!" Professor McGonagall called out. The gathered crowd was talking loudly as an angry Scott's woman stepped over to him. "What are you doing?"

"Knocking out Malfoy," he said rather nonchalantly. Daphne snorted while Hermione gave him a reproachful look.

"I see that! Twenty-five points from Gryffindor. Now tell me why," she demanded, looking at the crumpled heap at his feet.

"He has issued a formal challenge for regency of House Black and then threatened my betrothed," Harry told her, standing tall. This caused as much a stir as the confrontation did. He saw a few rush away, probably going to tell others what was going on.

Professor McGonagall looked a little shocked. "Malfoy challenged you? Not on Hogwarts grounds, surely?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, at three, at the style on the edge of Hogsmeade. If you would be an impartial judge, I am sure Mr Malfoy would accept that as well," Harry offered. Her reaction was just what he thought it would be.

She looked shocked for a moment before bristling, "I would never. I do not condone such actions. Wizarding Duels are serious matters and shouldn't be talk about so glibly."

Harry huffed. "Believe me, professor, I don't think this a laughing matter. He has challenged my blood as Regent Black. My grandmother was a Black and puts me one seat ahead of Malfoy. I have a meeting with Lady Malfoy tomorrow, if she cannot convince her son to drop the challenge, I will not be held responsible for what happens."

The two of them stared each other down for a moment. When the bell tolled, she let out a huff. "Twenty-five points from Slytherin for starting this row. I hope you know what you are doing, Mr Potter. Crabbe. Goyle. Take Mr Malfoy to the infirmary. Everyone else, to class now. You are all tardy."

The courtyard became a flurry of activity as everyone made for their classes.

"You are to get to class too, Mr Potter," McGonagall told him before turning on her heels.

Daphne took a step towards him as he shook his hand. He was sure he had a knuckle or two that would need some healing, but at the same time, he was sure he had broken Malfoy's nose, if not his cheek as well.

"You accepted a challenge from Malfoy?" Daphne asked.

Hermione huffed. "I don't like this, but did Harry have any other choice? Harry, are you going to set any rules for this? I think Malfoy will try to kill you."

He looked to Hermione, trying to keep his wince down as Daphne took his hand. "I know. I am only going to say no Unforgivables. He is all words."

"You broke a knuckle," Daphne told him. Harry looked down to his hand. Daphne had her wand out. "No one has ever stood up for me like that before."

Harry ran his other hand through his hair. "I would have tossed the tosser if Sirius hadn't asked me to give Narcissa and Draco a chance. Sssssss," he hissed in pain when she cast something over his hand. He felt his bones pop back into place and his broken skin mend. When she was done, he stretched his fingers a few times. It was sore, but not broken anymore. "Thank you."

"Don't hit anyone else for a few hours and it should be back to normal. Will you be able to beat Malfoy?"

Hermione came in, taking Harry's other hand. "Malfoy won't know what is about to hit him."

Harry chuckled. "I don't think he knows what hit him this time."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Not funny, Harry."

"I thought it was a little," Daphne said with a slight smile.

"If you don't get to class right now, I'll dock twenty points from each of you," Professor McGonagall called from her classroom.

"We have to go," Hermione told them, pulling him, and Harry pulling Daphne.

-oOo-

That night...

The week had been remarkably busy, and this was the first time he really had a chance to relax. Wanting to spend it with Hermione and Daphne, he was surprised when Hermione had told him to go for a walk with Daphne. She could have him when he got back.

Not having many places to go, Harry started to head for the seventh floor.

"Where are you taking me?" Daphne enquired.

"Some place special," Harry told her. Hermione and him had had an extended conversation last night about how they wanted this relationship to go. Alone time with each other was going to be necessary, as well as together time. Harry found himself looking forward to both, even if he was unsure if it was the magic or honest attraction to the newest young woman in his life, and the fact Hermione was so accepting.

"What kind of special? I hope it's better than a broom closet," she told him.

Harry laughed. "I promise it's better," Harry assured her.

"It better be," she responded.

As the week had gone by, Daphne had started to act a little more like he knew her too. Aloof to most. Mean to those that annoyed her. Obviously scared of Malfoy. Getting her up here was as much about getting her away from Malfoy as it was getting to know her better. Tracy was keeping an eye on Astoria tonight, but the younger Greengrass already seemed to be surrounded by a group of, well not fully friends, but associates? Some she obviously thought of as friends, but Harry had the feeling the Greengrasses had a bit of influence that could rival Malfoy.

When he had her stand right before the painting of Barnabas the Barmy, with the trolls being a bit off tonight, Daphne arched a brow at the painting. Harry had never seen clubs in the trolls' hands before, nor Barnabas running around avoiding them. He wasn't sure what had happened, but the trolls looked intent on crushing their teacher tonight. "Do they usually try to kill... ah... Barnabas," she asked, looking at the plaque.

"HELP! I swear I didn't let the chickens loose in here!" the painted wizard was yelling. Harry hadn't noticed the chickens. He wasn't sure where they had come from either, never having seen the birds in any other painting.

"Poor man. Right, stand right here," Harry told her with a smirk on his face.

She put her hands before her, standing tall. She was in a nice dress under a cardigan. As she stood tall, she made sure her chest was out. Harry tried not to feel distracted at that. Daphne gave him a small smirk as though knowing the effect on him. Even with her being more of the Daphne Greengrass he had come to expect over the years, she didn't treat Hermione or him like that. "Is this how you want me to stand? Am I pretty enough?"

Harry gave her a once over. "You'll do," he commented, earning him a glare. Harry started to walk back and forth, his eyes not really leaving her. If he hadn't dated Ginny, and now Hermione, he might be totally tongue-tied.

"You look very beautiful," he told her honestly.

The smile she returned had his insides fluttering. "You clean up nicely yourself," she replied. Harry was in a nice pair of slacks, a green, long sleeve silky shirt and a vest. He was told to dress a little more formally for Daphne.

As he completed his third pass, an elaborate set of doors appeared behind him. Daphne looked a little shocked. "What is that?"

"Have you ever seen a movie before?" Harry asked her.

"Is that a muggle thing?" Daphne asked, reaching a hand out to take the one he was holding out to her.

"Think of a play that goes like a wizarding picture with sound," Harry told her. "I thought it so cool to see this one party and ballroom."

Harry pushed the doors open. Daphne gasped as she looked around. Having grown up with magic, she could honestly say she hadn't seen anything like this before. The doors opened onto a large circular floor with intricate gorgon knots, runes and a crest in the centre. It was all white. White, elegant chandeliers hung all over the place. Strings of pearls hung from the chandeliers. Glass looking bubbles the size of apples floated everywhere. Staircases came off in random areas. Some going up to other platforms, some curving into a space she couldn't see where they went, and another circled around and down. She looked over the circular floor she was on. Below them was a similar platform. Then another. And another. She couldn't see a bottom and felt a sensation of vertigo.

Harry took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling. Both her arms wrapped around the one on her waist.

"What is this place?" Daphne asked, a sense of wonder as she looked around.

"It's called the Room of Requirements, but tonight it is an area where a Goblin King held a masquerade for a beautiful woman. I thought it was a fun place and thought it would be nice to see you here," Harry told her, pulling her back. She turned to see him in a black suit with a white shirt. It was stylized, pointed in areas and covered in what looked like black diamonds. He grinned at her as he reached for a black mask on a table that hadn't been there before. "I thought it might be fun for us to take our masks off tonight."

A table appeared at her side. She started when it suddenly appeared under her fingertips. Looking down there was a white mask covered in gems on a stick. Where Harry was black, she was white. Even more surprising was that her dress and cardigan had been changed to an elaborate white dress with gold braiding, gems and silver woven into it. She looked like some fantasy princess.

"What do you say, Ms Greengrass, would you have this dance with me?" Harry asked.

She looked up at him. "How did you do this?"

Harry laughed. "Magic."

She would have rolled her eyes, but she felt too caught up in the moment, taking up the mask. She put it to her face as he extended his hand again. Some type of classical music started up in the background. "If we weren't already bound to be with each other, I would be very tempted to claim you anyways."

"I wasn't this smooth last year, but I like to think I've learned quickly," he replied.

She laughed in joy as he pulled her and spun her. Harry dropped the masked to take her up properly. He still remembered the lessons from his disastrous Yule Ball and the New Year's dance that Hermione had taken him to. That had led to their first kiss. As the music slowed, Daphne moved in, her mask falling to the floor and her face telegraphing the fun she was having. When her front came to rest against his, her eyes became half lidded and her mouth opened a little. Harry leaned his head down, lightly brushing her lips.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?" she asked when he pulled back, a needy and breathy quality to her voice.

He moved back in, this time giving her a real kiss. They had pecked each other this week, but nothing more than that. He was still unsure, but with Hermione's blessing, and urging, Harry was going to let himself fall for this beautiful blonde, and hope she fell for him. Harry didn't want to have one marriage that was full of love and the other not.

He tried to put this into his kiss. It was slow at first. Daphne was a little hesitant, even as her body leaned into him. As their lips moved together, there was more of a surety that they were physically attracted to each other. Harry was the first to let his tongue ghost over her lips. Without the magic of Imbolc, they were being more explorative, making sure that they wanted this.

Daphne did the same with her tongue over his lips. After a few, she pulled back. It wasn't a breath-taking kiss, but it had been genuinely nice. She leaned her forehead against his. At this close range he could just barely make out the details of her dark blue eyes. "How was that?" Harry asked.

She gave a very satisfied smile. "If I didn't know better, I would think you actually like me."

Harry pulled back enough to really look into her eyes. As some point his hand had found her waist as her hands were on his chest inside his fancy jacket. "Daphne, I know we don't have a choice in this, but I meant it. This is going to be something we are all equal. I feel incredibly drawn to you. You are a beautiful woman. But I want to get to know who you really are. I want this to be more than some contract. Hermione does too. I know this is about the three of us, but I want us, me and you, to have something special too."

Daphne's eyes became watery as he talked. It took her a moment to respond. "Do you really mean it?"

"I never say things I don't mean," he assured her.

Her eyes searched his. "You know that most marriage contracts are just business deals? This one we are bound to is just that. The Blacks and Greengrasses will become allies and share certain key businesses. You don't have to fall in love with me or anything. I only need to give you two children."

Harry shook his head. "I won't ever trap anyone like that. I find myself wanting more and I hope you do to. We are in this together."

"And Hermione? I can tell you love her," Daphne said, sounding very unsure.

"I want to love you too," he told her.

Daphne looked a little shocked for a moment. Harry wasn't expecting her to run her hand up, around his neck and pull him into a kiss that was totally searing. They were rather breathless this, her hands had made a right mess of her hair and he been running his thumbs along the side of her bust. She put her head onto his chest. "I want to go further, but I want to talk to my parents first. There are rules we should follow," she got out.

His chest was still heaving, enjoying her own body recovering. "I'll do what you want."

She pulled back, a radiant smile on her face. "Thank you." Daphne pecked him. "Can you walk me back?"

"Will you be safe?"

"Malfoy and his lot won't dare touch me. My father holds interest in their export business, and he won't risk the duel tomorrow. If he attacks me or my sister, you will have rights to demand a forfeit from him," she told him.

"I don't care about that. I just care that you are safe," Harry told her, though forcing magic to judge the ponce as soon as possible had merit.

Daphne gave him a small kiss again. "You keep talking like that, and I might believe you that you want to fall for me."

"I think I already am," Harry replied, earning him another kiss.

-oOo-

Next time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: The Blacks, Future-In-Laws and the Duel.