Chapter 29

Here in Greengrass Castle

Daphne Greengrass was happy to be home again from America. Just after dinner, her Mother and Father had told her that they wanted to talk. When Daphne arrived in the room where her parents were waiting to talk to her, she could see her parents' uneasiness by which she was alarmed something serious had happened.

Daphne "Mum Dad tell me what is it that you wanted to talk to me about and why are you two looking so serious tell me what exactly is this about Mum Dad?" she asked confused.

Cyrus Greengrass took a deep breath. "Before I tell you, you need a brief lesson in history. Almost two hundred years ago, a son of one of the cadet branches of the Potter family, teamed up with others who wanted to see the family's destruction and killed all the members of the cadet lines. This incident is commonly known as the Potter Massacre. But he was unable to destroy the main line, the reason is not really known as details are sketchy and the Potters are notoriously known for being secretive, so no one knows what happened. It was several years later that William Potter, the great-great-grandfather of your friend Harry made a contract with your ancestor Steffen Greengrass. It said that if either of the families did not have a male heir, then a marriage contract would be enacted so that no one takes advantage of either family's immense wealth or political power. And this contract has come into effect now. There is an unbreakable marriage contract between you and Harry Potter" he said softly.

Daphne stared into space as millions of thoughts went through her head. Anger, hurt, betrayal, fear were the primary ones. She was betrothed to Harry? And from the looks of it, he knew and didn't tell her about it! She swallowed as tears filled her eyes. She had always wanted to make a name for herself. She was a natural when it came to Potions and Charms and she had always dreamed of being a very successful enchantress, inventing new magical devices and earning recognition all over the world. She had also thought she could take over her family's business one day and also her father's Wizengamot seat so as to enter politics. And now, she was betrothed to her best friend. Yes she did like him but he didn't tell her about the contract. She hated him and She didn't respond to her Parents as she ran to her room, and cried. She cried for the future she could never have.

At 5 PM the next evening, Harry and his Grandparents flooed to Greengrass Castle. As they stepped out of the fireplace, his Grandfather automatically flicked his fingers and the soot disappeared.

Elizabeth Greengrass was waiting for him. Dorea handed her a bouquet of lilies and said, "These are for you, Lady Greengrass. I thank you for welcoming us into your home."

"You're welcome Lady Potter. This way, please" she said, taking them to the drawing room.

Charlus saw the Greengrass Lord as he entered the room he said, "Lord Greengrass, it's a pleasure to meet you again. Thank you for inviting us to your home."

"The pleasure is mine, Lord Potter. Please take a seat" he said gesturing to the couch. Harry and his grandparents sat down, and Lord Greengrass began as he turned to Harry .

"I'll come straight to the point. I've been told by my account manager at Gringotts that you know that the contract is unbreakable unless we have a male heir. And I was worried when you told me to not tell daphne about the contract but I was happy and shocked to have a letter from Lord Potter to reveal the contract to daphne but nonetheless we wanted to get to know you and for you to become comfortable with us."Harry nodded slowly. He could understand that, but there was one question which was prevalent in his mind.

"Lord Greengrass, how did Daphne take the news?" he asked softly. He really felt bad about the whole affair. From their experiences in the last few years, Harry knew that Daphne was a very ambitious girl and had big dreams for her future. She probably thought they were crushed and he wanted to set her straight.

Cyrus looked at Elizabeth and the woman continued saying "Not well, Scion Potter. She hasn't spoken to us since last night."

Harry nodded grimly and asked, "May I speak to her? And please, call me Harry."

The adults looked at each other and nodded, and the older woman showed Harry to the garden where Daphne was sitting under a tree, reading a book. Harry slowly approached her, and sat down next to her and said, "Hey Daph."

The girl's demeanor didn't change, but she turned and gave him her already famous icy stare and in her cold voice said, "Scion Potter" and went back to her book. Harry could see that her eyes were bloodshot, either from crying or lack of sleep he couldn't say.

So he began. "You know, when I was growing up and before I found out I had a great control in my magic ,by which I was announced squib and was about to be thrown out by my family but I don't know why they decided to keep me for a year or two where I was ignored ill fed by my own parents but one night like all nights I was sneaking into the kitchen to have some food when I overheard a conversation between the so called leader of light and my parents were discussing about." Harry took a deep breath and saw that she was looking at him curiously. He continued to tell a part of his life which only his grandparents knew till now.

"It was then that I found out that they were discussing to have ritual to take away little bit of magic which I had and give to Thomas who would kill Voldermort when he would return I heard this when I was a 5 year old boy who had only 1 thing in his mind to run to his Grandfather who cared about him and loved him I rushed to the floo and went to Potter castle I found out that my grandfather was in meeting in Lord Black, Lord Malfoy and Lord Greengrass I didn't think anything and rushed there and hugged him refused to let him go and found out that my Grandmother who was supposed to be dead was there when I told him everything I found out about my parents plan about me that's when I saw the mighty Charlus Potter why he was even feared by Grindelwald he didn't think about anything Idiot Gryffindor he was as my Grandmother called it and rushed to potter mansion where he hit dumbledore with Blood boiling curse and warned my so called parents to leave me alone from then onwards I lived in Potter Castle I understood why my so called parents didn't like me it was because they thought Thomas deserved everything in the world because he killed Voldermort I vowed to be more powerful and greatest than their golden boy ever could be my grandparents were there for me everytime I needed them I vowed to make them proud and show my so called parents what mistake they had done so what if Thomas was trained by the almighty Albus Dumbledore I was trained by Charlus Potter and soon time passed like this and I went to Hogwarts were I had good adventures with great friends like you I also found that my brother and Parents were under Dumbledore's control last year so my grandfather brought them out of his spells and potions. I thought everyone expected me to be normal with them but no my grandparents only told me to be civil with them that's it but you know even my Parents never forced me or made an excuse of potions and control placed by dumbledore to make our relations better instead they took all the blame upon themselves and are trying their best to build a good relationship with me" Harry stopped there was silence for few minutes

"You know the only good thing which happened in my life was that you came into my life and we became good friends I realized I did like you but even more than friends which I couldn't name it, when I understood that I loved you I never got the courage to ask you out but about six months ago, I found out about a marriage contract where I was to get married to you, whom I had liked very much. I decided to hide the contract from you so that I can ask you out at least in 2nd year but no I couldn't but yesterday I felt how it felt to be manipulated and kept things hidden from us after which I decided to tell you about the contract." Harry took deep breath

"Daph If you're worried that I won't let you achieve your dreams of being a successful business woman which you told me was your dream then please don't worry about it. What both the Potters and the Greengrasses have in common is that we're damn good at the businesses we undertake. I would never hinder your growth, Daph If you want to be a part of politics, you can sit in my seat on the Wizengamot when the time comes. If you want to be an enchantress like you told me before, then I would be the first person helping you. I would never hinder your growth Daph, never." There was silence between them again

"The truth is that I wanted us to fall in love and marry not by this bloody contract so what do you think we can keep the contract aside and we can you know ...

Daphne's face was pale and she was crying silently. She reached out to him and gave him a soft but firm hug. Daphne was surprised Harry had talked his heart out and told her the part of his life which even Rigel didn't know. Then Daphne took Harry's hand and said "Sure Harry I would love that" She smiled

Daphne said, " Come on, let's go inside. It's freezing. I don't know what I was thinking when I came out here."

Lunch was a joyous affair. All the Adults were happy that the kids had worked out their problems. Astoria was busy chatting away. After lunch, they proceeded to the Drawing Room where they sat and talked. Two hours later, Harry was signaled by his grandmother it was an agreement made between Harry and his Grandmother who had agreed to ask Daphne's parents permission about Harry presenting her a ring. He got up and said, "Daphne, I have something for you. I can't believe it slipped my mind."

He took out a small box from the inside of his robes and opened it. Inside it was the most beautiful ring Daphne had ever seen. "This is for you. This ring has been in my family for centuries. The large center stone is a rare blue diamond, and there are several small white diamonds surrounding it, encrusted on a platinum band.

It was given by my ancestor Hardwin Potter to his wife Lolanthe Peverell in the early fourteenth century. From what I've read, she was a spell crafter and enchantress, and it is said that she herself had enchanted this ring with protection spells and such. That's why I want you to have it. What do you think?" he asked nervously.

Daphne stared at the ring in the box. Her voice shook as she said, "Thank you for thinking of presenting me with something so special, Harry. I'm honored."

Harry took out the ring and looked at her father. He smiled and nodded, and Harry took a deep breath and put the ring on her left ring finger. The ring flashed and resized to fit her finger. Daphne immediately grabbed her betrothed and hugged him. Astoria squealed in delight as she asked her older sister to show her the ring. Daphne smiled and showed it to her sister and mother. Cyrus took Harry aside and said,

"Congratulations Harry. I can see you're trying your best to keep my daughter happy. Do that and we'll have no problems with each other. But if you break her heart, you'll have to deal with smiled and nodded.

"Rigel me told he will be coming here today but i don't know why he is not here" Daphne said as she talked to Harry who was sitting next to him at which harry Grinned widely

"You will find it out tomorrow" Harry Said it with a grin

Charlus thought about something and said, "Now that the contract has been enacted, you both can tell us when you both are happy to announce this to the public."

Cyrus nodded " I'm already sure Lord Nott would be pissed when gets to know about the contract. But I do have to say that I'm relieved. It looks like William Potter and Steffen Greengrass really did know what they were doing" he said grinning.

Harry later got to know that Lord Nott had been trying to force a marriage contract between Daphne and Theoder but Cyrus had not accepted it he had tried to delay this as much as possible but he was relieved when he got to know about Potter Greengrass contract it would have been very difficult for him to stop Nott to force a contract on them but now with the support of Potter family he could easily reject it it was not that Greengrass family was not powerful Greengrass family was head of neutral faction in Wizengamot but they were not as powerful as Not as Nott family was head of a part of the Dark faction. Harry and his Family left to their home after a long chat he also told to Daphne that he was going to Pottersville to train under Potters Army his grandfather suggested that Daphne should go to Pottersville and get a secondary wand done from Smith wandcrafters at which cyrus Greengrass agreed and Charlus invited Greengrass family to Potter Castle the next day so that Daphne could meet Harry's parents.

Next day the greegrasses arrived at Potter Castle and soon they met Black in which Rigel had Pink coloured hair and surprisingly the Black scion was a wearing muggle cap to the disgust of the elder blacks and amusement of everyone else and Malfoy family who considered Harry their own and they also met James and Lily who were Happy to hear about the contract they were sad that they were not informed earlier but they were happy that they were informed after what they had did done to harry even if they were under control of dumbledore but it was unimaginable damage was done they were trying to heal and reconcile with their son they were truly happy for their son. They were happy to meet the Greengrass Family and their Daughter in law whom they had heard from their younger sons friend Hermione granger ranting about about how she is coming after Daphne Greengrass in year ranking but they were happy to meet Daphne who was Smart intelligent and she was nothing which Hermione had ranted about. Soon the adults were in their discussion about revealing the union after a long discussion they decided that they would announce it in September body of wizengamot yes Charlus had left the decision to Harry and Daphne but Cyrus had again today got a letter for Marriage contract from Lord Nott and it was not good to go against House Nott they were dangerous as they did control a part of the dark faction and had minister in their pocket but other part of dark faction was controlled by Malfoys and Malfoys were a ally of House Potter or atleast Malfoy scion was brother in all but blood to Potter scion which was well known in Hogwarts that Potter scion ,Black scion and Malfoy scions were brothers In all but blood.

Soon it was decided that in September body of wizengamot alliances would be made in wizengamot if Greengrass had an alliance with Potter in wizengamot openly as it was tradition to keep both the family relations a secret but the present circumstances did not favor couldn't make an alliance in wizengamot with Greengrass in wizengamot openly but they could support them secretly but Black family had no fears it was also decided that Sirius will make an alliance with Greengrass family in wizengamot by which Notts would not dare to try their dirty tricks against Greengrass family after all it was well known in the world that Potter were very ruthless if there was any matter concerning their family which now included Greengrasses no one would like to make an enemy of House Potter.

In the Next few days Harry and Thomas celebrated their birthday with their family and friends.

Harry ,Rigel, Draco and Thomas left for Potters Castle in Dover to train under Potter army for the rest of the holidays were spent in training and Harry missed Daphne even after he did talk to her daily via Mirror but he missed her. Surprisingly Thomas had gotten on well with Draco and Rigel as he had left his ego of Boy Who Lived so they got on well for annoyance of Hermione and Weasel. They were not allowed to go home till the end of the training even though no one was allowed in the camp to meet them. Soon they had to start their 3rd year at hogwarts.

Review please and I know I said I will not be updating till I finish editing all old chapters but I am not in a mood to edit all the old chapters right now. I am getting ideas for next chapters so I am not in a mood to edit all old chapters. Instead I am at the end of 3rd year. What do you all say? Shall I upload it?