Harry put away his advanced charms book and stretched for a moment. This was the last class for the week and he was really relieved. Had he forgotten over the summer how hard school was or was the fourth year that much harder? Well, it was only a year before their OWL year, so it was possible. Still, when he thought about all the essays he was supposed to write this weekend Harry felt the dread creep in already. He groaned a little, making Hermione chuckle.
"Groaning is not becoming for a Lord, you know? You would get an ear full if I were to tell Miss Black." She nudged shoulders with him and he chuckled himself.
"You wouldn't dare. That would be too hard a punishment, Miss Granger." He said winking at her. Hermione laughed and put the strap of her bag over her shoulder. Her bushy hair flung over her shoulder, she grinned in response and nodded.
"It would so be nice to me, for now, Lord Peverell." She called walking on. Harry and Ron smirked at each other and followed their friend, waving at the small form of Professor Flitwick. The short man, who was speaking to Hannah Abbott waved back at them with a smile and resumed his conversation. The three friends walked down the hallway towards the Gryffindor Common room. Ron brushed Harry's shoulder with his own.
"Don't you need to meet Malf...Miss Black at the entrance mate?" Ron caught himself there just so. He still had problems comprehending that Malfoy's mother was now part of his life and Harry's family and still thought she was up to no good. Yet he had learned ever since that visit to the burrow to keep his opinion to himself. Even his mother, someone who was quite firm in her beliefs about Slytherins and the Malfoys, in particular, had said he should give her a chance. Ron had no idea where this came from but for once he kept his mouth shut.
Harry nodded, before waving at the book bag.
"In about twenty minutes. Enough time to put away my bag and change into some more relaxed clothes on. Also, I wanted to pick up Gryf, he's been in the dorm since morning. I bet he is grumpy." Harry laughed a little. The small snake, while being rather quiet had the mentality of an old man mixed with a young child. He liked things to be taken slow and all but was curious. Ron shuddered.
"Man, it still creeps me out when you talk to that snake. I mean, you are a good guy but you sound so sinister when you do, just creepy mate."
Harry groaned again. "Thanks for the endorsement, Ron." With a chirp Dawn's head popped out of the pouch, looking around. She had been asleep most of the time and Harry knew she would be full of energy in the middle of the night, keeping him awake. His dorm mates would love that. Still, he reached up with a smile and stroked her beak.
"Hey there you, slept well?" He asked with a smile. Dawn cooed at him and send waves of comfort, which made him smile brightly. Harry didn't notice the admiring smile on Hermione's face while she watched him interact with his familiar. Harry snorted in good nature when Dawn got hold of his index finger with her beak and was pulling. While she grew little her strength increased considerably. It was one of the signs that she wasn't just a normal young bird but a magical being. It was still playful, but Harry had felt the strength in Fawkes talons and he knew Dawn would be equally strong one day. Yet he smiled, she was still a hatchling and a cute one as well, not even a month old. Harry stroked her head with his free hand for a moment. Hermione turned a frown at Ron.
"Yes Ron, don't you think Harry got enough grief for this two years ago? Leave him alone." she snapped at him, making Ron shrug a little.
"He knows what I mean." He defended. Harry sighed nodding.
"It's okay Ron, I don't mind." Harry mused, not really interested in focusing on Ron's blunt way. Ron was like that, blunt but honest and loyal, something Harry really appreciated. What were some inconsiderate comments when the other always had your back. Harry smiled a little and spoke the password when they reached the Fat Lady. Harry quickly crossed the common room and climbed the stairs to the boy's dorm. He placed down his school bag and slipped out of the normal school robes. He then opened the lid of his trunk and climbed down in the room down there. He was barely down here, no need to be going down much, but as he looked at the bed, he thought maybe tonight, it would be a good idea to sleep down here. Since Dawn would be awake half the night because she slept all morning, he wouldn't disturb the others at least. The trunk was silenced so there was that advantage. It had been for nought in the end but Harry had looked into silencing charms, yet it was particularly would probably get it, she was always good at this but asking her to come to the room to cast the spell every evening or even ask her to learn it made Harry a little uncomfortable. So trunk it would be. With a smirk he picked up his informal Peverell robes, dark blue with the Peverell symbol largely displayed on his back. Following a little curiosity, he walked over, testing the softness of the bed by pushing into it. At least it seemed comfortable, very much actually. Nodding he climbed back up the stairs, careful not to bump Dawn's pouch into the steps.
When his head stuck out of the trunk he saw Ron who was just looking through the door into the bathroom. Hearing the noise of Harry stepping out of the trunk the redhead turned his head with a frown.
"There you are, mate. We were searching for you."
Harry pointed at his robes in a simple move. "Wanted to change ya know?"
Ron looked up and down shortly, then he nodded. "Oh okay. Look, mate..." He looked at his best friend a little uncomfortable. "Sorry for being a prat back there about your whole parselmouth thing and Gryf." He blurted it out more than anything, making Harry smile. The dark-haired boy waved him off.
"No problem Ron, really. But thank you anyway. No hurt feelings." Harry meant it, nodding at his friend once more. Ron's face lit up and he grinned.
"Good. I know I can be a prat and all. But still." He looked over to the clock at the side of the room. "You have to go, mate if you don't want to be late and I don't think M..Miss Black is the forgiving type when it comes to something like that." Both students chuckled a little and Harry nodded, walking to the door.
"You are right there, Ron. But still, it is family, so you keep up, am I right?" Harry waved at his nodding friend and was about to leave the room when Ron spoke to him in a low voice.
"Harry?" He said, not really looking at him. Harry stopped sticking his head still through the door, rest of his body outside already.
"Yeah?"
Ron looked at him with a strange look, somewhat between pity but also friendship. "I'm glad you have finally found a family. Even...Even if it is Malfoy's mother." Harry looked a little uncertain at his friend about this. For one it was unusually insightful for Ron, who normally was more thick-headed. Also, the last bit was a little strange backhanded compliment he didn't know what to make of. In the end, he went with Ron's problem expressIng himself at times.
"Thanks, buddy. It's great and believe me, Narcissa isn't all that bad when you get to know her properly." He said it with a slight grin. Ron tilted his head, not completely believing this but for his best friend, he would try.
"Sure, now off with you." He said, giving his best Molly Weasley impression, making Harry laugh when he ran down the stairs. He walked through the common room at a quick pace when a voice from the side stopped him.
"Harry!" Called Ginny out from the side, waving him over. Harry followed, after a quick look over to the portrait hole.
"Hi, Ginny. Is this urgent? I have to meet Narc...Miss Black downstairs due to house business." he quickly blurted out. It was a little strange interacting with Ginny ever since Narcissa's comment. He had no idea why but he felt really uncomfortable sometimes, especially when they were alone. She was far friendlier than before and he had no idea how he should react to that. It wasn't bad necessarily, yet he felt uneasy when it happened and he felt uneasy right now, but he was too nice to tell her to stop. Ginny's face fell a little but she shook her head.
"Oh. Yeah, later is good as well, just wanted to talk to you, Harry." She said with a smile. Harry blinked. Did Ginny just bat her eyelashes at him? He scrambled a little for words stepping back.
"Y-Yeah, that's okay. Have to run Gin sorry." He blurted out quickly and made his exit with a wave. He bolted out of the portrait hole and sped through the castle. Suddenly there was this big urge to place some distance between himself and the Gryffindor common room. With rapid footsteps, he descended the main staircase, his dark blue robe billowing behind him. He spotted Narcissa instantly when he stepped out of the main entrance. She was standing a little way down the slope on the grass, looking out at the Forbidden Forest. Harry quickly approached, trying his best not to run.
"Narcissa!" He greeted her when he was only a few steps away and she turned, probably hearing his steps. She smiled a little bit and bowed her head slightly.
"Lord Peverell." Her greeting was formal since they were in public, even though no one would be able to hear her. She waved over the lake.
"Would you consider a walk with me Lord Peverell? We have a fair bit to discuss." Her tone was well-modulated and bare of emotion. Harry nodded and started walking next to her. While he had considered offering her his arm, he thought he would look ridiculous doing so. Narcissa was a lot taller than him so it would have looked weird. Instead, he scooped Dawn out of her pouch and handed her over to Narcissa with a smile. The Phoenix chirped happily when she was cradled by the Black woman and Narcissa lost the fight of keeping a small smile of her face. For a while they just walked, Narcissa stroking the small creature while Harry watched the Lake. The water was calm and dark, flat like a mirror. Just a few ripples due to a little bit of wind but that was it. There weren't a lot of students outside of the castle, most were preparing for the Hogsmeade weekend. It was a little unusual since this was the first weekend of the term but Professor Dumbledore said he had his reasons. Not that Harry minded, he liked visiting the village, even if this time was more of a business thing than fun.
"So..." Harry said after a while when it was certain that they were far enough away from everyone. "How was your business with Professor Snape?" Harry knew Narcissa hoped to get a little information from the man due to the fact that he was Malfoy's godfather. Narcissa hummed for a moment before she handed the chirping Dawn back to the boy, who in return placed her in the pouch.
"It went quite well. Let's just say that I enjoyed the talk with good old Severus far more than he did." She ended the sentence in a way, Harry knew meant he wouldn't get more information from her about this. "But that is not the main reason why I'm here. I'm here because of tomorrow."
Harry stiffened a little when she said it, before nodding slowly. "The meeting with Lord Greengrass. I understand Sirius showed you the letter like I asked?" Harry asked carefully, his gaze wandered over the plain water surface. Narcissa nodded unseen by him.
"Yes, he has. So I know what you and the young Greengrass Heiress discussed between the two of you." Narcissa fell silent for a while and Harry groaned inward. he turned this into a lesson about politics that was certain. Then he sighed, looking over to here while they still strolled along the water.
"And how do we stop it?"
Narcissa pursed her lips and shook her head. "Wrong question, Harry." She just said, while still walking. Harry frowned, now looking at the floor like he often did when thinking. What was it he really wanted to know? Sirius wouldn't pressure him into a marriage, he just wouldn't. So...
"How do we stop this without antagonizing Lord Greengrass?" Harry said after a moment, while his fingers glided over the front of his robes. The wind was a little cold autumn was in full swing and he knew it would turn rainy and windy quite soon. Scotland was that way. Narcissa raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"Better. You have to know what you want in order to put motion into place. So we want a happy Lord Greengrass out of this. While I would say accept the contract, it would help you a lot, Sirius has been very adamant that there would be no betrothal contract in your life. He has this romantic idea of a marriage of love."
Harry nodded with vigour and smiled. "In that my godfather and I are very alike. I want to decide about my partner myself and more importantly, I want whomever I marry to do it for me too, not for being Lady Black-Peverell, nor being the wife of the boy who lived." Narcissa snorted a little making him raise his eyebrow.
"You disagree?" He asked interestedly. He was interested in her reasoning. Narcissa looked out into the forest while she answered.
"The basic concept yes. I think marriage has more important building blocks than love, love gets cold, a contract is stronger. Even though I am the prime example that it is flawed that way as well. Yet I snorted more do to the fact that when you will marry you will be an adult and if you still have the name boy-who-lived it would be rather unbecoming for a Lord of two noble Houses, but that is a problem for another day. Let's return to our current one. What do we do about Lord Greengrass?" She mused. Harry realized she wanted him to come to the conclusion himself. He thought long and hard. For about four minutes none of them said anything. Then the boy slowly spoke.
"Well, we want him not to be offended because Sirius wants to work with him. It has to be something important because for him to be so insistent on the life debt means he views it as very important. We didn't just save Daphne but also him and his second daughter. It should be something considering their house, not a single person, a reason more why a contract wouldn't be a good choice in my opinion. Maybe something that connects our houses without me marrying her?" The last sentence was said in a way that could be a question or a statement, vague, while Harry peeked at Narcissa. The taller lady nodded with a small smile.
"Very well done Harry. Well done indeed. The thing you would seek is a formal alliance. It would bind our two houses by oath together, at least until all the current members of the house have died out. A union would be a different thing, it would form an alliance for as long as both houses exist but that is very rarely used. I think only House Goyle and House Crabbe are in a union at the moment. A vassalage bond like both houses have to house Malfoy shouldn't be considered, House Greengrass is our equal and we should treat them as such, so an alliance would be best. To break this bond is very serious, basically political suicide if you don't have a really really good reason."
Harry interested in what she was telling him, turned his head, watching her. "What would be considered a good reason?"
Narcissa thought for a while, her brows slightly frowned. "In the last war, House Abbott broke their ties with House Rookwood due to their allegiance to the Dark Lord. That was accepted as an acceptable reason for most people. Well and those who did scorn Abbott for it, well you can imagine why they did it." Harry nodded, he could think of a reason. Most likely, they were followers of Tom or very sympathetic to his world view.
"This would be Padfoot's decision, in the end, am I right?" Harry asked, halfway around the Lake. Narcissa nodded, waving her hand while talking.
"Yes, in the end, he is the Lord of our house he has the final say. But I think he will be very agreeable with this suggestion because you know him and his enthusiasm for the planning part of politics. He will be happy with someone else thinking about this. He has gotten really good at sneaking out of his office." She had a little bit of a disapproving scowl on her face.
Harry laughed a little because he could totally see Sirius trying to wiggle his way out, sneaking on his toes to get past an ever-vigilant Narcissa.
"Is there something else I need to know? Will there be a contract or something?"
"Something. It would be a magical oath but that will be between Lord Greengrass and Sirius. There is not much formal protocol and none of it is something you need to know at the moment, but keep an eye out. Life-debts are rare and seeing how it is done properly is a good lesson for you Harry." Her voice turned a little stern at the end and Harry nodded quickly like he been scolded just a little bit. He knew he had gotten better but his manners were still lacking. Not like Daphne Greengrass who just knew what to do all the time, who had learned this until it was second nature. For a while, they just walked.
"How is school?" Narcissa finally asked. Harry smirked a little while Dawn chirped, feeling his happiness at these words. Never before had been asked this in that way, like a parent. He knew he latched onto Narcissa quickly, but it just felt nice.
"It's okay. The new class about Wizarding society is really interesting. we worked through transportation and communication in the last lesson. I mean I know about floo, the Knight Bus and so on but really how many ways there are to get somewhere or communicate. It was really interesting and I want to look into flying carpets. I know they are forbidden in England but still, it would be fun I think. Also, Professor Cambridge talked a little about how these were made and I only now realize how many things work with runes. I never knew the importance of them. I wish I would have taken that subject instead of Divination, Runes seems interesting and in Divination, I only ever hear about what horrible things that will happen to me in the future. This week I learned that I should keep away from graveyards because someone with a knife will attack me in one." Harry snorted it out, laughing a little. Every week a new stupid threat for his life in the opinion of his not so treasured Divination professor. Narcissa smirked a little. She wasn't all too keen about Divination herself. A lot of hoax in her opinion so much hoax that you couldn't find the real seers underneath of it.
"The new defence teacher is strange. Not bad but tense. He looks like he expects to be attacked at every moment. We haven't learned much yet, he used this week to test our skills, seeing how far we are. Like dodging and cursing and all. He did a written test about dark creatures and so on. It would be okay if he wouldn't shoot random hexes at us when we least expect it, only to cry 'constant vigilance' after that. I think he expects us all to be attacked at all times and wants us to be ready. Ron said he was a brilliant Auror so maybe he is right but Ron also said that he is a little paranoid." Narcissa pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. She had her own opinion about Alastor Moody. In her mind, he wasn't someone who should teach children. Someone who hexed his own door to bite everybody who came to the house and fight things wasn't a great role model. Yet he was proficient in practical defence and could also form a full sentence, so he was better than two of the three past teachers. For all Narcissa disliked Remus Lupin, at least the man was competent in teaching. If he had been on his guard like he was a know it all, maybe he wouldn't have what Sirius called his 'furry little problem'.
"I hope not too nasty of spells." She wouldn't but it past Moody to cross the line, but Harry shook his head.
"No mostly stinging hexes and stuff like that. I heard in the older classes he does more but that was Fred and George so...take it with a grain of salt." Harry said with a smirk. He couldn't imagine a teacher shooting cutting curses at students, even in the higher classes. They finished their round around the lake and Narcissa stopped.
"All right. I will let Sirius know what you think, he will probably call you about it this evening. The meeting is at one pm, at the Three Broomsticks. But I won't hold you, you will probably need to get ready for a date on your weekend." An ever so slight smirk appeared on her face and Harry turned a little red.
"I don't have a date." When she only raised her eyebrow Harry continued. "I wasn't sure how long the meeting would take and yeah so..." His voice trailed off. Narcissa smiled shaking her head.
"Don't worry, the meeting won't take too long." Her gaze turned away from Harry, looking at the castle for a moment over Harry's shoulder before turning back. They started moving towards the castle. Narcissa had used Professor McGonagall's floo when she came so he would use it to get back.
"So, if you want to you can bring a date. Just tell her right off the bet that you have a meeting that will probably last from one to two pm and it's fine." Harry nodded when she said that while his mind started working. Did he want a date? Yeah, kind of he wanted, but who would really go with him? On a rational level he knew he was the boy who lived and the youngest living Wizengamot Lord and Heir Black, the girls would probably line up, but those were the girls he didn't want to go with. He wanted a girl that ignored all that, but then it was only plain old Harry and who would want him? He wasn't tall or good looking or smart, just a simple boy. Someone like Cho would never consider him, he thought with a blush when he realized how quick he could think of someone he would love to bring. Like his thought had summoned her he saw her black hair when they stepped into the main hall.
Harry let out a strangled sound something the socially fine-tuned Narcissa didn't miss. Her eyes followed Harry's gaze and she smiled, before stopping beside Harry.
"Ah, I see. Well, Lord Peverell, I think I will find the rest of the way by myself." She leaned closer as she was petting Dawn goodbye and whispered.
"Most woman like a bold man. Just go over and ask her." Then she stepped back from the flabbergasted Harry and curtsied before the boy.
"A good day, Lord Peverell. We will see each other tomorrow." She said with the same emotionless voice she often used in public. Harry nodded, still rapidly blinking.
"Good day, Miss Black." He mumbled. She turned and walked away, and for a moment his eyes followed her. Then he looked to the side seeing Cho again and his throat shut close. What should he do? He could just leave. Go back to the Gryffindor Tower, no one would ever know. He could go there and say nothing about it. Also Ginny wanted to talk to him and he would need to do that sooner or later. Maybe now was a good moment. Yes, this was the best moment for it.
Just go over and ask her.
Narcissa's whisper lingered in his mind and when he looked over to Cho a third time he saw her looking back at him. His cheeks turned red but she smiled and waved at him. You can do it just do it. Just walk over and do it. do it. Just do it. Harry took a deep breath and walked over before he could change his mind. He felt clumsy and stupid but this was it. Her smile brightened when he came closer and she was just so beautiful and oh god was he really doing this? He felt like the way took an eternity but at the same time, he suddenly stood in front of her with no recollection how he had gotten here.
"Hey, Harry." She smiled at him while she greeted him and Harry again smelled a slight scent of Jasmine and rose and he felt like his throat fought the idea of talking.
"H-Hey, Cho. H-How are you?" He pressed out, feeling his hand sweat. Dawn ruffled a little in her pouch but kept away for the moment. Still, a soft coo came out of the fabric. Cho didn't seem to mind as she smiled and nodded.
"Oh yes, thank you. I'm really well, thanks. How about you? How is your Phoenix?" She asked, looking at him with those beautiful eyes that just pulled his soul out of his body making them float. It took a moment before he realized he needed to say something.
"Go-ood good, yeah me too. I mean, I'm well and Dawn is doing well too...slept most of the day but then she is still a hatchling. Most likely she will be awake the entire night pestering me to play with her and all." He realized he was rambling and his mouth slammed shut. Cho giggled slightly in her wonderful beautiful heaven like giggle and smiled at him.
"That is very good. That she is fine, I mean." For a moment there was this awkward silence between the two of them and then Cho smiled again, while Harry rubbed the back of his neck. From somewhere inside his Robes Harry heard Gryph grumble. Cho didn't seem to mind the silence.
"You looked like you came over for something specific Harry?" she asked. Someone like her would probably have no problem to talk to anyone. He could just walk up there and talk to them as easy as that. Harry noticed he lost himself in thoughts.
"WouldyougotoHogsmeadwithme?" He mumbled, stammered hastily out, red as a beet. Cho giggled a little again making his heart fall. She thought he was a joke.
"Sorry, could you repeat that slowly?" She asked kindly and friendly, Harry felt his heart, which a moment slammed to rock-bottom return to nervous fluttering.
"Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" He asked in a slow manner, trying not to stumble over his words. Cho looked at him, for a moment she said nothing and his mind sprinted to all different directions, from hope to fear to depression to hope again in under a second. Then she smiled.
"I would love to." She said with a smile and it felt like someone had lifted Hagrid from his shoulders. "I just have a thing with my friends from 12:30 to 14:00. It's silly but we always agreed to have a get together as friends like a tradition. Would that be okay for you?" Her voice was so sweet Harry almost missed the content of her words and would have just nodded. He also remembered something himself.
"Actually that is perfectly fine because I have a meeting of House Black business at one o'clock for an hour. So I don't mind at all." He couldn't keep the smile off his face nor did he try. Cho bounced slightly giving him a great smile.
"Ha, what are the odds. All right, shall we meet here after breakfast tomorrow?" She asked him, correcting the placement of her bookbag strap. Harry smiled nodding. Cho grinned and stepped back a step.
"Lovely. I'm sorry, I have a study group in five minutes but it was fun talking to you. I look forward to tomorrow."
Harry grinning as a fool nodded. "Me too. Have fun see you tomorrow." He waved a little and she waved back.
"Bye Harry." "Bye Cho." He watched her for a moment, looking after her, not sure if this had been real or not. He had a date with Cho Chang. He couldn't believe it.
A date with Cho Chang!
Suddenly he realized that he was staring into an empty corridor since Cho had already rounded a corner. He turned, still a huge grin on his face and started making his way to Gryffindor Tower with a spring in his step and Jasmine and rose in his nose.