Chapter 5 - The Do's and Don'ts of Godparenting
After his little shopping excursion Harry had grabbed a quick bite at the Leaky Cauldron before flooing directly to Grimauld Place. The absence of the Fidelius Charm on the house made it so much easier to access.
However, Harry had seen to it that the additional protective enchantments around the place more than made up for safety. Call him paranoid but he had seen enough in his young life to yearn a safe abode. 'Constant Vigilance', Moody's voice rang clear in his head eliciting a chuckle from him.
Putting his purchases more or less in a questionably 'arranged' manner in his bedroom he sat on the comfortable couch across the room and started ruffling through some correspondence left on the table by Kreacher. Most were letters from well-wishers which he gave a quick glance and arranged in a stack for a standard reply to be sent later.
Delving deeper into the pile he found a few books he had ordered a few days ago. One was a text on Elite Transfiguration and the other on Complex Charms. Both books were compiled works of celebrated Witches and Wizards on advanced spells on the two different fields respectively.
Harry had noticed the sudden ease at which transfiguration and charmwork came to him after the battle to the point where even the most complex of spells in his knowledge became surprisingly easier to perform irrespective of the wand he chose. However, he had to admit that the Elder wand packed relatively more power behind the spells he cast with it.
This had got him interested in pursuing a self-paced learning of more advanced charms and transfiguration spells. Recommendations from Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick had eventually led to the point where he was holding two brand new texts from Florish and Blotts Owl Order Service in his hand right now.
Setting aside the books Harry continued with writing replies to some of his letters that he got from his friends and acquaintances.
It may have been to do with the sheer number of the letters that he received that when he was finally done he found himself to rushing to a quick shower and dress-up so as to not be late for the Weasley dinner. Luckily, by the time he was done he still had some time to spare. Deciding that he would rather be early than late he proceeded to the set apparition point at the back garden before disappearing with a slight pop.
-/-/-
Change is an inevitability that everyone has to face throughout their life. Most are flexible enough to adapt to it, some welcome it with open arms while some work tirelessly to counter it only to admit defeat and accept it albeit begrudgingly.
However, even in this ever changing world there are a select few things which a person wishes to stay the same always and in some cases they do. As Harry stared at the Burrow from the spot where he had apparated to, he could not help but classify this, in all sense peculiar dwelling, to be one of those never changing things that a person wishes for.
And it was not just the building itself. It was the atmosphere, the homely feeling that one was engulfed in as soon as they had crossed the ward line. Harry for one would always wish for the Burrow to remain as it is both in sight and in feeling. Even through the darkest of times during the war this was one place where one could come and just try to empty their mind off the impending doom and circling destruction.
Harry supposed the feeling had something to do with the people who lived here. The people who were as close to him as his real family would've been had fate permitted. The people who loved him, teased him, gave him an earful when he was being a self-sacrificing git and most importantly treated him like an equal.
Harry was brought out of his musings from a slight pat on his shoulder.
"Amazing right. It indeed gives the true definition of the word home." Harry turned around to see Neville as he finished his statement.
"Indeed. Sometimes I just wonder how things would've been. You know. Coming home to your family, your parents, your siblings. Would there be a similar feeling?" Harry sighed. "Maybe I will never find out." He added with a resigned note.
"I can feel you there mate." Nevilled replied. He had a perceptive look about him as he continued.
"But don't you realize that the fact that you actually acknowledge that feeling when you come here contradicts your last statement. You already feel this Harry. You have a family and you have your friends who would give their life for you. And I am sure the future Mrs. Potter would give you all the homely feeling you can ask for." Neville added the last bit with a smirk before stopping suddenly, his face adorning an expression of guilt.
"Wow Nev. Since when did you get so insightful." Harry questioned with a slight look of contemplation at his friend's words.
"Well we were all forced to grow up a tad bit faster. Listen Harry, there is something I needed to talk to you about. It's just… I don't know how to say this." Neville stumbled on the last bit unable to come up with whatever it was he wanted to say to Harry.
"Woah Nev. Breathe! Calm down." Harry said trying to calm his friend before continuing.
"As it is I am quite sure what it is that you want to talk to me about. And hear me well when I say this, you Neville Longbottom do not owe me any explanation or apology. Ginny and me. We were never going to work out anyway." Harry paused with a sigh and continued.
"It's not that I don't care for Ginny. I do! But I suppose it is not in a way I initially thought I did. You know? Does this make any sense to you?" Harry asked.
"I suppose so. It's like your expectation from life has changed from what it used to be right?" Neville replied posing a question of his own.
"To be really honest with you Nev, before this I didn't have any expectation from life at all. Ginny for me was place for solace. The moments spent with her gave me a semblance of normalcy. I could forget the war, the pressure, everything in those moments." Harry stopped letting Neville comprehend his words before continuing.
"Recently, I think it was during the time I was on the run, I realized that it was the feeling of normalcy that I yearned for, not Ginny. I spent hours watching her, you and our friends on the marauders map when I realized that my concern for her safety was the same as my concern for the rest of you. I did love her, but as a friend." Harry stated.
It was as if a burden that he wasn't even aware was present had been lifted from Neville's heart. He had come prepared for the worst. He would easily have sacrificed whatever he felt for Ginny in order to see Harry happy.
Ginny and him hadn't really acted on their feelings for each other aside from a couple of moments where they just held hands in silence both scared to talk about it but both quietly savoring each other's company.
Harry's gesture in the entrance hall had sort of indicated towards something like this but he was never one to test his luck. Now, however he felt perfectly at ease upon hearing what Harry had to say.
Neville was brought out of his train of thoughts by Harry speaking again.
"I had a chat with Ginny last week. We discussed the situation at length. I would urge you to get your head out of your ass and ask her out already you git." Harry joked.
"Look who is talking." Neville replied with a roll of his eyes.
"However, I hope I don't have to show you what happens to those who hurt the people I care about. I think I can expect you not to put your toe out of line Longbottom." Harry stated in his best attempt at trying to sound intimidating but failing miserably.
"If that's supposed to make me tremble in fear then you have another thing coming Potter." Neville replied with a smirk.
"Well a guy can always try." Harry defended with mock pout.
"On serious note, I do care very deeply for Ginny. We are still in the early stages of whatever feelings for each other and I don't know where this will take us but trust me when I tell you that I am willing to walk the mile. I will never hurt Ginny, that much I can promise." Neville stated with a serious face without any hint of uncertainty.
"I trust you Nev. And I am happy for you two. Now, I suppose we make a move or else knowing Ron's appetite we would have to go to bed hungry." Harry joked.
They didn't have to worry as there was still some time to dinner when the two friends entered the Burrow smiling.
Dinner was as usual a lavish affair with a plethora of mouthwatering food set-out in the magically extended dining room. All the Weasley's were present and for a moment the absence of Fred was obvious. But one thought at how the prankster would have been furious to have sad faces on his expense made his physical absence bearable.
Aside from the Weasley clan, the other attendees included Hermione, Luna, Andromeda and Teddy, Angelina Johnson, Neville and Harry.
Everyone shared stories and jokes and there was an air of happiness and laughter laced with a tinge of sorrow, which was expected. Harry felt that Fred would've been honored to be remembered like this in a fun filled atmosphere. It was a fitting remembrance for a person whose life's goal was to make others laugh.
The night progressed into some shared anecdotes and experiences each one of them had with Fred and unsurprisingly laughter rather than tears was the main reaction to these. Ginny and Neville seemed to be more at ease with each other which led to a few raised eyebrows and in Georges case a couple of teasing remarks.
Harry spent most of his with his Godson who adored Harry and amused him with his developing metamorphmagus abilities.
Andromeda was the first one to leave and Harry left the group in the living room to assist her with Teddy to the floo. Watching the peaceful look on Teddy's face as he slept with his head on Harry's shoulder Andromeda couldn't help but smile.
"He adores you." She said.
Harry smiled in return and said, "I just hope I can do justice to the faith that Remus and Tonks placed upon me."
"Hush. You already are doing a better job than could ever be expected." Andromeda said.
"I am glad you feel that way but I have a long way to go still." Harry replied.
"I am sure you'll pull in through. I do have a small favor to ask of you though." Andromeda paused and continued after a look from Harry prompted her to continue.
"I have some people coming along to see me tomorrow about something I am not yet aware of. So I was wondering if you could come along to watch Teddy while I attend to my visitors. Only if you are free." She added the last bit to make her point across that it was totally voluntary.
"I would love to. I actually wanted to come along today but I remembered his appointment at St. Mungos. I might've dropped by anyways tomorrow as it is." Harry replied with a genuine smile plastered on his face.
"That's great then. I will see you at 10." Andromeda stated before getting Teddy off Harry.
"See you tomorrow. And you too little fella." Harry said kissing the boy's forehead.
Stepping into the fireplace Andromeda and Teddy disappeared in a flash of green while Harry made his way back to the living room.
As the night progressed one by one each attendee of the dinner left saying the farewells to all present. Harry was the last to leave. Hugging Ron and Hermione, hi-fiving George, giving a quick nod towards Ginny and saying his farewells to the rest of the Weasley family save Bill and Fleur, who had already left earlier, Harry made his way to the apparition point and disappeared into nothingness.
That night as he lay in bed replaying the events of the day one thing that stood out for him and was a cause for a slightly upsetting feeling inside him was his rendezvous with the Greengrass women. He couldn't quite comprehend why Daphne Greengrass had given him that look.
The more important question was that why had it affected him so much. He was no stranger to receiving glares and remarks and mostly they never affected him.
No matter how hard he tried the answer to his musings it evaded him like a snitch on a stormy day. Hell he was Harry Potter wasn't he? If anyone had experience in catching snitches in stormy conditions, it was him.
Resolving to catch this snitch Harry turned off the lights and went to sleep. Suffice to say, he didn't have a very good night's sleep.
-/-/-
To say that she had slept very badly was an understatement. Daphne had hardly caught any sleep the previous night with that constant feeling of helplessness and emptiness ever present inside her. Nothing seemed to be working to ease her out of her dilemma.
The visions from the battle haunted her constantly and kept her on edge most days. Then there was that warm feeling that her whole existence craved and yet she loathed to admit it. The warm feeling that she only got when 'He' was around.
'Aaarrghhh', how she hated that feeling of powerlessness when he was around. And yet she felt complete in that very moment however averse to admitting the fact she was. He was inconsequential. She had never given that boy a second thought before.
He had just been another dispensable fixture who shared her timeline of existence, nothing else. Yet now she owed him. Maybe that was the reason for her uneasiness. She was not someone used to be in someone else's debt.
She had already come to that conclusion yesterday. Daphne had resolved to treat him indifferently. Any conversation between them would only happen in the most formal settings. The most an exchange that would happen between them would be formal greetings if they ever crossed path and the situation demanded.
This was the reason she had behaved the way she had towards him at Twilfit's yesterday. After all, she glared at any guy who happened to throw her a smile as wide a smile as Potter had dared. For a moment she had felt triumphant at his shocked expression but the moment of glory was short-lived because at the very moment she saw it. It was in his eyes.
Hurt. Pain. Agony.
In that moment her condescending look faltered and her eyes lost its icy tinge. But he didn't see that. He had already lowered his eyes. She breathed a sigh of relieve. It was a close call. She had to make sure that she didn't lose her resolved around Potter. Then again the chances of her and Potter crossing paths was very minimal.
"Ready for today?" The question from her father standing at her bedroom door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Yes. I think I am as ready as I ever would be. Obviously, this situation is new to me I think I will be able to do it justice. I suppose it can't be harder than caring for a monstrous Blast-ended-skrewt for my 5th year creature's project." Daphne answered absently.
Cyrus Greengrass had a very amused look at his daughter's comparative assessment of today's proceedings. He smiled slightly.
"Well don't be long. We are expected there by 10 and it's already 8.30. I'll be waiting for you at breakfast." Cyrus was just about to turn around when Daphne asked.
"Are they aware of the purpose of our visit?"
"I didn't divulge the reason for the meeting to them. I am of the thought that it is your story to tell." Cyrus remarked before making his exit.
Cyrus Greengrass was a man who believed that everyone should fight their own battles no matter how big or small. And that is the mentality he had ingrained in his daughters. Daphne was no stranger to her father's view on this and thus had been expecting something like this.
Rest assured she was no pushover herself. She was as prepared for this meeting as she could ever be. This was something she had to do on how own. Today's proceedings would determine the cause of action for the future. Well no use wondering over the future just yet. One step at a time. With that thought Daphne got up to get ready for the day ahead.
-/-/-
The house at 36 Rowe Street in Leicester was standard by comparison to other houses in the locality. It was a decent double storey building with a wooden gate. In fact nearly all the houses in the street were of a similar style and built.
If not for the sign in front of the gate with the number 36 in large fonts, the house could easily have been confused with any other one on the street. As it was, Daphne and her father found little difficulty in locating the house.
Walking up the drive Cyrus gave a polite knock on the front door of the house. It didn't take much time for the door to be opened which clearly indicated that they were expected.
"Cyrus! It's been a long time." The woman at the door started.
"And you must be Daphne." She continued turning towards Daphne.
"You have surely grown up to be a beautiful young lady."
"Ahh. Andromeda! Indeed it had been a long time. My sincere thanks to you on agreeing to meet us today." Cyrus replied.
"Well, when Ophelia relayed your request for a meeting I sure was surprised as to what this was about. However, Ophelia sounded quite serious so I agreed. You would find me most interested in what you have to say." Andromeda replied.
"Well as a matter of speaking, it is not me who has something to say." He gestured towards Daphne.
"I am sure Daphne would be most well equipped to enlighten you in this matter. As for me, I have no intention of intruding on the discussion hence I'll leave the you to it." Cyrus finished before turning and walking towards the gate.
"I suppose you should come in. I prefer most talks over a cup of tea." Andromeda said with a smile.
-/-/-
By the time Daphne was finished with the reason behind her visit both the women were teary. Daphne, since she was reliving her own ordeal and Andromeda, as it reminded her of what she and Teddy both had lost to this bloody war.
Coming out of her melancholy, Andromeda looked towards Daphne with warm look. One so young should not have seen the horrors of war. And yet there were others, Harry for one who had seen much worse. The war had snatched a normal childhood from the whole lot of them making them grow up and mature before their time. She let out a sigh.
"When Ophelia requested this meeting I seriously had no idea what the purpose for it was. Had I known that you were seeking permission to meet my Grandson due to the reasons you just stated, I would have been at much more ease. I had been wrecking my brain ever since Ophelia made the request as to what the reason was." Andromeda said chuckling.
Andromeda's reception of her and the way she talked made Daphne relax further. Surprisingly Daphne had been feeling quiet good as soon as she entered the house. There was something about this place which seemed to take away the emptiness she had felt.
Maybe it had something to do with the way Andromeda had received her with warmth. Or maybe it was the prospect of meeting Professor Lupin's son. She felt that buzzing inside her soul and suddenly the darkness was not so frightening anymore.
"So would it be possible for me to meet him and probably spend some time with him today?" Daphne asked.
"I don't see any reason as to why not. But you might have to share his company with his Godfather. You see, when I agreed to this meeting I had no idea that it would be regarding Teddy so I asked his Godfather to sit for him while I met you." Andromeda said.
"I don't mind as long as he doesn't have any objection. I would not want to intrude in their bonding." Daphne stated.
"Nonsense. He wouldn't mind at all. Hell I would think that both Teddy and him would do well with some feminine company. That boy is so focused on others and their wellbeing that he seldom takes out time for himself." Andromeda muttered the last bit under her breath so Daphne couldn't properly make out what she was talking about.
Andromeda led them up the stairs to a door located furthest right along the passage. Andromeda gave a knock and the door opened with a click swinging the whole way. Inside the room the atmosphere was one of pure awe.
The room itself was illuminated only with the lights of thousands of bright glowing stars and moons hovering below the ceiling. Numerous flying toy dragons and monsters were having mock battles throughout the room. Little conjured fairies were singing and dancing under the moons and stars.
Lying on a couch with his back towards them was a black haired young man with a wand in his hands. Floating slightly above him on a small fluffy caved baby mattress was a 2-month old kid whose full attention was on all the wondrous happenings around the room.
The feeling inside Daphne intensified. The whole setup was so heartwarming. The display of magic so casually was not lost on her. Maybe they had obtained some permanent rune stones for the room. Yes, that seemed likely.
"You spoil him you know" Andromeda stated rhetorically.
"How am I supposed to create something like this to entertain him when you are not around?" She asked.
"Well that just makes it more appealing to him doesn't it? This way he will always look forward to seeing me and maybe I would not lose my importance in his life."
The boy turned around and Daphne's mouth hung open in shock as the very person that she was determined to avoid at all costs was standing right in front of her. Daphne's brain seemed to have stopped working and the feeling inside her intensified tenfold.
"Harry, I assure you that you would always have an important place in Teddy's life. Stop worrying that he will outgrow your company." Andromeda said.
Harry meanwhile had seen Daphne standing with a blank expression and was looking at her trying to place the reason for her presence and her shocked expression. So engrossed he was in his assessment that he didn't respond to Andromeda's statement.
Seeing no reaction to her statement, Andromeda looked towards Harry and found his gaze locked on her visitor. Upon seeing an expression of shock on Daphne's face with her eyes fixed on Harry, Andromeda was further amused. This was an interesting turn of events.
Eventually, it was her clearing her throat that brought the other two out of their little exchange. Daphne, meticulously tried to school her features to the usual tinge of indifference, succeeding with some difficulty, while Harry, with little success, tried not to blush and stutter.
"Harry! This is Daphne Greengrass. But I suppose you already know that." Andromeda added the last bit with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. We were in the same year at Hogwarts. However, we became formally acquainted just recently." Harry replied.
"Well in that case I am sure you wouldn't mind Daphne keeping you and Teddy company for a while for reasons I believe she will be able to fill you in on." Andromeda said.
Harry had a very confused look on his face.
'Why on earth would Daphne Greengrass, the prodigal princess, her haughty Highness, the-girl-who-doesn't-speak, the lady with the icy glare, of all people want to give him and Teddy company.'
It just didn't make sense. Harry was brought out of his musing by Andromeda.
"Can I trust you to take care of Miss Greengrass as an esteemed guest to my home?" Andromeda asked.
"Of course. She is welcome to stay as long as she wants. Teddy on the other hand would be a difficult customer. You have seen how he is with girls." Harry answered.
"Oh I wouldn't worry much about that Harry. Weren't you bragging to Neville that you could write a book on the Do's and Don'ts of Godparent over dinner yesterday? I am sure you can share some of those prolific tips with Miss Greengrass." Andromeda said with a laugh.
Harry turned red in embarrassment that his little boasting at the dinner table hadn't gone unnoticed.
"I suppose I could." He said with a bashful smile.