Warning: This story will contain scenes of violence, bad language, and maybe other themes that some audiences may find unsuitable. You have been advised.

"Regular speech or spell"

"Parseltongue"

Text

'Thought'

Chapter 13:

It had been a week since the Order of Slytherin had fully settled into their new home, the castle of the same name, and quickly everyone seemed to adjust, though some more than others. Their days after unpacking were spent devoting themselves to knowledge and training, preparing for the war that loomed over their heads. They did manage, though, to find time to relax and explore, treating the castle much differently than Hogwarts, a home rather than a school.

Constant communication was kept up between their ally, the Order of the Phoenix, but the castle's location was kept a closely guarded secret even from them. Slytherin house-elves were continually popping back and forth with messages from each, allowing other messages to not be intercepted.

The castle's Lord, when not joining his friends or dealing with his allies, was disappearing, however, from view from most in the castle. Only Rhys and Seamus seemed aware of his movements but refused to reveal them, even to Daphne herself.

"Where are you disappearing off to, Harry? And why have you sworn Seamus and Rhys to secrecy? It's not like you to hide things from me." Daphne confronted her partner that night.

Harry chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "Well… I guess it has come time to tell you. Tomorrow to welcome us all home, I have planned a celebration, a feast and dance."

Daphne looked up at him. "This was kept a secret from me why then?"

"I have a surprise for you along with it tomorrow is all. I promise you that the secrecy will be worth it." Harry hugged her tighter.

Daphne pursed her lips for a moment before finally relenting and embracing him back. "Fine, but if I find out this is just you trying to cover your own arse, I will hex you."

Harry laughed. "I may have grown up a Gryffindor, but I am not that bold. I promise you'll find the secrecy worth it tomorrow evening."

"Fine. I trust you." Daphne shook her head.

"Thank you, love." Harry kissed the top of her head.

True to his word, the feast was thrown in the grand dining hall with the entire Order of Slytherin in attendance along with the Greengrass family, Remus, and Sirius. Harry and Daphne sat side by side at one end of the table, breaking some traditions, but no one was bold enough to rebuke the Lord and his partner. When dinner had finished, Harry stood to give his speech.

"Everyone, may I please have your eyes and ears?" He spoke while clinking a spoon against his goblet loud enough to ring out across the room.

All in attendance immediately halted in their conversations and turned their eyes to Lord Slytherin.

"Thank you for your attention. I also wish to give thanks to each and every single one of you. Without you, none of this would be possible. I would not be residing in this seat, and Castle Slytherin would still be in stasis, hidden from the world possibly until the end of time. To the members of our Order, we have done many great things together. We have eliminated the threats against us, and, finally, are able to stand together with no pretenses. Each and every single day I find myself lucky to have you by my side. We will grab glory unlike that which has been seen in millenia, and we will change this world for the better as we do so. Voldemort, the false lord, will fall. The Ministry, in its corrupt state shall fall. Together, we are unstoppable!"

Every member clapped and cheered, unable to remain seated in excitement at his words. Their normal regality changed for that moment.

After a solid minute of this, however, Lord Slytherin motioned his hands down, indicating that he had more to say. Seeing the motion, the room silenced itself once more, and its occupants sat, excluding their leader.

"To Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to have you here with us. I know that this is far from what either of you envisioned for me, and that means all the more that you have chosen to stick by my side. I look forward to making up for the years that were taken up for us." Harry smiled and raised his goblet in a toast, followed by the rest of the room.

"It is my pleasure, pup. There's nowhere else I'd rather be." Sirius raised his goblet back, tears in his eyes. Remus beside him already had one running down his cheek.

"I now would like to turn my attention to the Greengrass family." Harry turned to face the three not sitting beside him. "Your family more than any other I would say is responsible for the return of my name. For so long, you have each done your duty in protecting the line which has now come to me. For as long as the Slytherins exist, I promise our unending support in return for this loyalty and kindness. May the day never come when we find ourselves in a similar situation once more."

Lord Greengrass stood, dressed in his fancy wizarding robes and bowed to the younger lord in respect. Lady Greengrass, Astoria, and Daphne followed in turn.

"You are too kind, Lord Slytherin. The Greengrasses will forever stand by the side of the Slytherins until the end of our days as well. May your family prosper." The Greengrass patriarch bowed and sat along with the rest of his family.

"May yours as well, Lord Greengrass. Now, finally, before we commence the rest of the celebrations of the night, I have one last piece of gratitude to express. Daphne Greengrass." Harry turned towards her.

"You are more to me than I could ever describe. You are cunning, fearsome, kind, and I cannot think of anyone else who I would rather have in my life. You are the one I trust most, and there is not a single day in this realm or any other that I can imagine you not by my side." Harry's regal manner seemed to crack for a moment as he gulped. "I am grateful to have you be my future Lady Slytherin. Even if you were not my betrothed, I would wish for you to be the one. That is why…"

The man kneeled down and removed a small black velvet case. The room stared in shock and awe.

"I, Harry James Slytherin Potter, ask you to be my wife. Daphne Greengrass…" He opened the case to reveal a shining ring. It held a flawless 3 carat diamond at its top with small emeralds embedded in the sides of the platinum band.

"Will you marry me?"

A wide smile grew on Daphne's face and her eyes began to water.

"Of course. Yes. Of course, yes."

Cheers began to rock the hall, and a matching smile grew on Harry's face. He then removed the ring and slipped it on Daphne's left ring finger. Finally he stood and hugged her close as she jumped into his arms. In front of the entire hall, he swung her, their lips interlocking in passion. Finally, he put her down.

"I love you." He smiled, as if nobody but the two of them existed.

"I love you too." She smiled back then glanced off to the side without turning her head.

Lord Slytherin understood her meaning and turned back towards the rest of the room.

"Thank you, everyone for all that you do and being here with us tonight. Now, please." The table cleared in an instant. "Have fun."

Another moment later, the table teleported to line the side of the room, and other smaller round tables appeared on the other side of the hall in a cluster. As everyone stood, their chairs popped under the small tables. Harry and Daphne moved off to the side near the large table everyone had previously sat at. They were quickly joined by the rest of the Greengrass family.

"That was quite a shock to see you so passionate, Daphne." Her father spoke, and she blushed.

"I-" Daphne began but was cut off by Anton.

"It is great to see how happy he makes you. If you are happy, I am. Though, you will always be my little girl." He then turned to his future son-in-law. "Again, thank you for discussing everything with Iris and me before this, Lord Slytherin, and… thank you for the happiness that you bring my daughter."

"Wait, did you ask for my father's permission, Harry?" Daphne turned to him in shock.

It was Harry's turn to blush as he nodded. "Well, I believed it was the right thing to do." He scratched the back of his head.

"It was unnecessary but appreciated." Anton nodded back.

"It is a gorgeous ring as well!" Astoria added.

Daphne blushed and began to open her mouth but was interrupted by Tracey jumping into a hug with her.

"Merlin, congratulations! I'm so happy for you… future Lady Slytherin." The chestnut haired girl nudged her longtime friend after calling her by her future name.

Daphne managed to untangle herself from Tracey's arms and smile. "Thank you, Trace."

"So how long do I have to wait to be your maid of honour?"

The gathered group gaped slightly at Tracey's question, and the couple shared a look.

"Trace, we literally just made the engagement official. Do you really think we have any of the planning done yet for the wedding?" Daphne shook her head.

"Also, who's to say I wouldn't be the maid of honour?" Astoria chimed in, resulting in a sigh from her older sister.

"Well I have been her best friend since we were little." Tracey retorted.

"And I am her sister. Your point?" Astoria crossed her arms.

"Enough, you two. Daphne will let us know of any decision she makes when she makes them." Iris chided, finally stepping in. Daphne gave an appreciative nod at her mother.

"She's exactly right. As much as I'm sure they appreciate both of your… passion, whenever they decide to marry, the decision is theirs and theirs alone." Anton backed his wife up.

"Thank you, Lord and Lady Greengrass. I appreciate your kindness." Harry bowed his head slightly.

"You are welcome, Lord Slytherin, but I must ask if you do have any thoughts on the timing of the wedding. As you yourself have said, we are at war." Lord Greengrass turned the conversation.

"I do have some thoughts, sir, but I would be remiss to voice them without first consulting Daphne." Harry turned to his future bride and smiled. "I value her opinion greatly."

Anton chuckled. "I am confident you will make a good husband to my daughter. You already seem to have learned an important lesson about marriage."

Iris shook her head. "Come, Anton, stop teasing the man, and let these two enjoy themselves. Let's go talk amongst the others." Anton seemed to hesitate for a moment but nodded his head and started to follow after his wife.

"You too, Astoria!" Iris called behind her without turning around.

Astoria's head sank a little but she quickly followed. "Yes, mother."

Daphne chuckled and shook her head. "Well, at least you have an idea of what to expect from your in-laws."

Harry laughed. "I guess so. It could always be worse. You haven't even met yours-" He paused in realization.

Tracey looked at him oddly. "Are you okay, sir?"

Daphne shot her friend a look. "One moment, please, Tracey." She then grabbed Harry and went to leave but he stopped her.

"I'm okay, thank you, Tracey. It's nothing. Just an unpleasant memory." He faked a smile and looked over at his love. "We can talk about all of this later. I promise you I'll be fine until then."

"Fine, but you shouldn't force yourself. If you need a minute, that is not weakness. That is being human."

Tracey started to open her mouth but was interrupted by more of their comrades wishing to offer their congratulations. Finally, after managing to thank everyone for their congratulations on the couple's engagement, Harry led the way to the makeshift dance floor. Daphne held onto his outstretched arm.

Lord Slytherin then nodded to the assembled group of house elves who served the role of bards. With his silent command, they began to play their first tune of the night, a slow tune that was similar to a waltz.

The couple then began to dance, the eyes of the entire room on them, but the couple's eyes only locked to each other. The room seemed to melt away. The couple only had their attention on each other with the music to keep them company. They seemed to sense the others on the floor joining them, but still, they felt alone in the best possible way.

"I truly love you, Daphne. Thank you for being here with me."

"I love you, too." She smiled widely. "There's no place I'd rather be."

The hours passed, and the dance continued. Music filled the hall, and people celebrated. Finally, the main couple, though, excused themselves and let Rhys handle the rest of the guests, slipping out before Sirius once more cried about how happy he was for them.

"That was nice." Daphne smiled. "It almost felt as if we already won the war."

Harry chuckled. "I definitely would not be opposed to holding more of these once all of this is finished. I felt all my cares slip away."

"Speaking of cares…" Daphne prompted.

The lord gulped. "I was hoping you had forgotten about that."

"Mmhmm. You know I wouldn't." Daphne shook her head. "But let's wait until we're in your chambers. This is no place to discuss it." She looked around the corridor. Despite their security, she knew he would prefer privacy.

Finally, Harry opened the ebony door and held it for his lady before entering himself. They found themselves in the entrance hall of his magically enlarged room. They quickly made their way to the right and his private study and sat down, though not before Harry snapped his fingers.

"Yes, milord?" A house elf bowed.

"Would you mind bringing me a bottle of wine for me, please? As well as, one or two glasses, love?" Harry turned to his future wife.

"Two glasses, please." Daphne nodded at the elf, who in return bowed and popped away.

After just a few seconds she returned and set the bottle and glasses on the desk. "May I grab you anything else?"

"No, thank you. That will be all." Lord Slytherin nodded his head as he began pouring his lady's drink. The house elf bowed once more and disappeared.

"Thank you." Daphne grabbed her glass from Harry's outstretched hand before the young man began pouring his own drink. "So, what's going on?"

Harry finished pouring and took a sip, sighing either at the question or the feeling it gave him. "I know I've told you much about the family I have that is alive."

"Yes, the… Dursleys." She hissed the name.

"They were one of my greatest frustrations before you found me, and if I'm being completely honest… what they did still bothers me. I know I am in such a better place, but that doesn't mean I can forget or even forgive all they've done. Some scars don't fade so easily… And now that we're going to be married…"

"It reminded you of what they gave you instead of what they should have." Daphne helped.

Harry nodded. "I wish I could have some in-laws for you to meet. Blood. That's something I can never give you." Tears were starting to well up in his eyes.

Daphne sat her glass down and sat in his lap, hugging him closely. "It's okay. I love you for all that you are, not what you can give me. Besides you have Sirius and Remus, now. I'm pretty sure they qualify as family. You saw how much the old dog was tearing up seeing us together."

The young lord managed a chuckle. "He was a little pitiful wasn't he?" His smile fell quickly, though. "It's not fair that they just get to go about their lives after all the damage they caused."

The future lady Slytherin's eyes lit up at that, an idea clearly in her mind. "Well, who's to say that you and I can't pay them a little visit? I would love to meet your family if it means so much to you, and we can ensure that they understand the gravity of the mistakes they made." She smirked.

Lord Slytherin looked up with a smile and kissed her. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Trust me, you deserve the world as well, love."

Two nights later, two shadows appeared on the front lawn of 4 Privet Drive Little Whinging, Surrey. The light seemed to instantly fade from the nearby lights all at once, hiding their figures even further.

Wordlessly, one unlocked the door with a flick of their hand while the other pushed it open without touching the wood. They entered as quietly as ghosts, closing the door behind them and locking it. They exchanged a nod and made their way through the house.

Finally, the three residents of the house awoke, tied to chairs in the middle of their kitchen. They couldn't tell what time of day it was. Each of the windows were completely black, blocking any hope of seeing out, and anyone looking in would only see the everyday movements of the family.

"What is this?" Vernon feebly struggled against his bonds.

"Dad, what's going on?" Dudley whimpered.

"Shh, it's okay, Dudleykins. Everything is going to be alright." Petunia said sweetly.

"Now, now. You shouldn't lie. Then again, I suppose pieces of shite like you can't help it." Lord Slytherin finally spoke.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Vernon tried to sound tough but couldn't help but quiver.

"Is that any way to say hello to your family?" Harry chided as he walked in front of them, his robes bowling about him similarly to his least favorite Hogwarts professor.

"It's you, freak! I should have known!" Vernon scowled. "I knew we should have let you die on the streets. After all we've done for you, and you finally show your true colours. I knew-"

Harry's right fist, adorned with his lordship ring, connected against the fat man's face, sending him reeling back in his chair. The imprint of the ring stayed behind on his cheek and blood immediately started pouring down his nose.

"You, monster!" Petunia screamed until suddenly she found her voice was gone, and Daphne was standing beside her with her wand brandished.

Lord Slytherin smiled. "May I introduce you sad dickheads to my wife-to-be, Daphne Greengrass?"

Daphne smiled and waved her fingers playfully. "And although Harry here has told me oh so much about you, so I know you are acquainted, I do want to make sure you're aware of who exactly he is now."

"What is he?" Dudley whimpered.

"Oh, just the lord of the ancient house of Slytherin and the leader of the Order of the Basilisk, who's main goal is currently the destruction of a dark lord who, if he had his way, would kill every single one of you muggles." Daphne leveled her icy eyes on Harry's cousin.

"What? A lord? That frea-" Daphne hexed Vernon before he could complete his sentence, sending him flying back into the wall.

"You're pathetic. You have caused this man so much pain. Tortured him, belittled him, made him feel as if he was nothing, and still dare to act with such impudence? This man here saved millions of lives when he was just a year old and lost his parents in the process." Daphne spat on Vernon. "You disgust me."

Petunia kept trying to talk but no sound would emerge. Finally, Harry returned it. "What?"

"What are you going to do to us?" Petunia cried.

Daphne and Harry shared a look.

"We could do whatever the fuck we wanted to each one of you. The windows won't reveal anything to anyone outside, and the entire house has been silenced from the outside. Nobody would know until it was too late for you three." Harry smirked seeing their three faces fall further in fear.

"I'm sorry; I'm sorry, Harry. Please don't hurt me. I'm so sorry!" Dudley wailed, his head bowing as tears fell from his face onto the kitchen floor.

Harry walked over and knelt down in front of his cousin. "What are you sorry for?" The lord tilted his head.

"Everything! I'm sorry for everything!" Dudley refused to look up.

Lord Slytherin shook his head. "Tut, tut. That won't do, Dudleykins. What exactly are you sorry for? Are you sorry for all that you've done? Or are you sorry that your actions finally have consequences?"

"I'm sorry I hurt you, bullied you, got everyone to join in! I'm sorry I made your life a living hell! You didn't deserve it! I just always thought when something went wrong it was your fault!" The boy wailed.

"And why did you think that?" Lord Slytherin asked calmly.

Dudley froze, his eyes wide in realization.

"What? Why did you think I was the cause of all of your problems, Dudley?" Harry asked, his tone hardening.

His cousin muttered inaudibly.

"What?" The lord in the house asked again.

"Mum and Dad…" Dudley finally answered in shame.

Harry's eyes widened for a moment before his face seemed to darken, and he stood. "Love, would you mind taking him out?"

"With pleasure." Daphne nodded and lifted the chair with a flick of her wand as if she was carrying nothing at all before the two left their sight.

"What's she going to do?" Petunia asked, fear written all over her face.

"Like I said." Harry paused, and the sound of a spell could be heard along with a short scream from Dudley that was quickly cut. "Taking him out." Lord Slytherin enunciated every word, and Petunia began sobbing. Tears were streaming down Vernon's face.

"I'll kill you, boy. I swear I'll kill you like I should the day you came to our door. I'm going to strangle you until the light leaves those cursed eyes. The same eyes as your slag moth-" Once again, Vernon was cut off due to a spell, but this one was Harry's own. A large group of small snakes appeared and wrapped themselves entirely around the fat man, forcing him to choke on his words in fear. Harry's magick seemed to roll off his body around him.

"Finish that sentence. I fucking dare you." His emerald eyes locked with the blue ones of his uncle.

Vernon made no move to speak. "Why? Why would you treat a child so poorly just for being different? Your own blood?!" Harry turned to his aunt at his last statement.

Petunia looked down in shame, and Harry sighed before a red spell rocketed out of his wand and into his uncle, his snakes dissolving back into the air. Vernon merely collapsed against his bonds.

"What did you do?!" Petunia wailed.

"What do you think I did, you munter?" Lord Slytehrin spat.

"You killed Dudley and now, Vernon! Now you're going to kill me!" His aunt continued to wail.

"So what if I did? What could any of you do to ever repay me for the cruelty you inflicted upon me? I was your slave. I cooked, I cleaned, I did every mangy chore you could come up with in exchange for a cupboard under the stairs, hand me down rags, and not even a single word of nicety! Why, Aunt Petunia?! What did I ever fucking do to you to deserve that?! What did a mere boy ever do to you to earn such disdain?!" Harry shook with anger as he got his breath back from screaming. "I had nobody. You were all I had. Because of you, even when I managed to find someplace better I wasn't able to recognize when I was taken advantage of. I need to know. Why?" His voice softened as he spoke his last sentences.

"Because I didn't want you! Because you were just a reminder of Lily, with those eyes of yours. Oh, how proud our parents were when they found out! And what of me?" She scoffed. "You were nothing but a reminder of a ghost, and you're still nothing. Go ahead! Kill me! Prove my point, you bastard! You and every other witch and wizard are the same. Power hungry lunatics. Well, what are you waiting for? Get it over with!" She glared right into his eyes.

"Daphne." Harry called. "Could you come in here, please?"

Daphne came back into the kitchen, and to Petunia's shock, Dudley was in the air still in his chair but silenced. The boy's eyes were locked on his mother in disbelief.

"Feel any better?" Daphne hugged her future husband's side after setting Dudley back down.

Harry smiled lovingly at her. "Much. Thank you."

"Wait… what? You didn't…" Petunia was in shock.

Harry waved his wand and Vernon's broken nose righted itself and the bleeding ceased. "Kill any of you? No. This was punishment, not pure vengeance. Now, your son will forever know exactly who you and your husband are, and not because I said I word to him. Both of you said enough. I have my closure now. I regret that the family I start won't have any other of my blood to meet, but I know now that it is a privilege that they won't meet you."

"The three of you will wake up in the morning very much alive, but I doubt you'll ever forget this. I hope you don't. We could have killed you a thousand different ways, but you're not worth it. You're not worth all the pain you've caused him." Daphne added before leaning up and kissing her love. "It's almost poetic. He will know more love than you probably ever will despite your best efforts."

Harry smiled and held Daphne close for a moment before looking over to Dudley. "I can't forgive you for what you did, but I have no reason to bother with you." He turned to face his aunt. "Any of you, anymore."

With another two flashes of red. The two remaining conscious Dursleys were stunned. True to their word, Harry and Daphne returned the three to their beds, and removed the barriers on the home. The only evidence of their visit was the smashed cupboard under the stairs, the pain in Vernon's body, and the shame shared between Petunia and her son.

AN: Hello, again everyone. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. A bit different from the other's, I'd say. I felt like some ends needed tying up before we continue on Harry and Daphne's journey as Lord and Lady Slytherin. Please feel free to show your support in whatever way you can.

As Always,

Occidere Prima Vel Occidi