Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
Chapter 3
22 Mar 2024
-oOo-
August 10, 1996
London, England
Tabitha Greengrass was not a woman to upset. She grew up a Bones. The daughter of the brother to the Lord Bones, she learned about her family next to her older sister and brother. Amelia had always been a firebrand, and the fact she had been able make her way to director of the second most powerful office in the ministry had been a small miracle.
Unfortunately, that also meant she was a target. A large target. A target that had finally run out of luck seven days ago. That meant she was now escorting her niece, Susan, to the bank to take over the headship of the House of Bones. Like her sister, Tabitha would act as regent until Susan turned seventeen next summer.
Susan was still looking barely held together. She had been in the house that night, just barely able to escape as Amelia held off the Death Eaters. Though, Tabitha figured things did not go to plan since Susan escaped and Aurors showed in time to drive Voldemort off, but not before the Dark Lord had lost four of his Death Eaters. She didn't feel bad that the Avery line was probably dead now. Her birth house was now reduced to the redheaded girl next to her and herself.
They didn't say a thing as they walked through the silent street of Diagon Alley. Signs of the war were already starting to show.
"Aunt Tabitha, have you heard about Daphne?" Susan asked.
The two girls had grown up as best friends, and still were, from what she could tell, but she knew that Daphne being in Slytherin had stressed that relationship.
"We received a letter yesterday," she said in a hushed whisper, not wanting others around them to hear.
Susan nodded. "Hannah and I knew she was seeing someone, but she wouldn't say anything about it."
She hadn't really talked much with Susan, as she had stayed at the Abbots until contacting her today to move in with them. "Then you know more than most of us. Astoria suspected as well."
"I didn't know it was Harry though. He was always so quiet, even though he got into trouble all the time," Susan said. Tabitha was loath not to find this information out, but this was not the place, even if it was obvious the girl needed a distraction from what they were doing.
Susan seemed to get that she shouldn't say anything else as they started up the steps to the bank's doors. Goblin guards were outside the doors. Tabitha could remember them being here during the last war but hadn't been for many years now. They eyed them as they walked in.
The bank was not busy, and they were quickly shown into a private meeting room off the main lobby. Susan had withdrawn into herself again. Tabitha put a comforting hand on her forearm. She wished Daphne was here to soothe her cousin. She just wished Daphne was here.
A moment later, a goblin came into the room. She sat tall. Susan did her best to copy her. The goblin looked rather disinterested as it put a few folders and two boxes on the table then sat in the taller chair across from them. "Thank you for being so punctual to our letters. Lady Greengrass and Miss Bones?"
"Yes, account manager. Are we the only ones for the will?"
"There are others, but per Madam Bones request, Miss Bones is to be offered to be Head of House and emancipated at the earliest possible opportunity. The requisite five days have passed since Madam Amelia Bones stopped breathing. She is considered deceased by magic and the old ways. Does Miss Bones wish to be Head of the Bones and emancipated?" the goblin questioned.
Susan sniffed but kept herself together. She cast one quick look to Tabitha before saying in a steady voice, "I will become Head of the Bones, but I wish Lady Greengrass to be my regent until I come of age," Susan said.
"Very well," the goblin said. He slid one of the boxes towards Susan. "Here is your family's ring to denote your status. You are only applicable for the heir ring until such time you choose to be emancipated or are considered to be of of-age by magic and the Wizengamot." He turned to complete a few forms.
Susan reached for the box, her hands shaking some. Inside was the head of house ring and the heir's ring. Susan took the heirs ring and when she put it on her finger the rune work glowed white. The goblin slid over a small stack of papers. "If you would both sign the indicated spots. Miss Bones is now the titular head of house until she comes of age. Lady Greengrass, you are her regent."
She nodded and took up one of the black quills in a holder. She may not like blood quills, but it was necessary. A few minutes later, the goblin took the parchments. "It will cost four galleons and seven sickles to file the paperwork. Are you paying or would you like a draft to your vault?"
"We will do a draft, but only after any other business is handled," Tabitha told the goblin.
"Very well. As the Head of House, you are eligible to review and execute any wills before they are read in public. Would you like to review it now?"
Susan sniffed. "I will take it. Do I have to act on everything today?"
"No. The reading has been set for September fifth, to meet the minimum thirty days of probate. Probate with the ministry is waived because there is an heir and head," the goblin told her. He slid a folder to her after taking the other parchments back.
"I would like to review this with my aunt and solicitor," the girl said. Amelia had trained their niece well.
"That concludes the banks business with you, Miss Bones," the goblin indicated. They both moved to get up, but the goblin said, "Am I to assume we are not to discuss the business with House Greengrass I sent to you this morning?"
She stopped while halfway up to look at the goblin. It took her a moment to realize something important was going on. She sat back down. "I was unaware of any business with me or my husband."
"The owl was sent out at start of business today. It has been the required fifteen days since the signing of the contract. By law and treaty, we cannot hold it in probate any longer and must seek ratification of the Lord or Lady of House Greengrass."
Her brow rose. "You must excuse me, account manager, but I am unaware of any contract or what you are talking about."
The goblin opened the last folder on the table, looked at it, then slid the whole thing over towards her. "The regent of House Potter has offered a betrothal contract to Miss Daphne Greengrass. Miss Greengrass has accepted, as is her right being sixteen, and now the Lord or Lady of House Greengrass must agree to the contract before the month waiting period is concluded. A counteroffer can be made, but the Regent Potter has expressed the contract is to be accepted as is."
Susan gasped next to her. Tabitha's eyes widened and she grasped the side of the chair. Her mouth moved a time or two, before she found her voice, "I'm sorry. Did you say my daughter has accepted a betrothal contract?"
"That is what this is. Account Manager Rotgut, the former manager of all Black accounts, oversaw the drafting and witnessing. I was asked to present this to you since I already had an appointment," the goblin said.
"Aunt Tabitha, Daphne is marrying Harry?" Susan asked. The girl's eyes were as wide as hers.
Tabitha pursed her lips. "It would appear so. May I take this to review with my husband and solicitors?"
"You may, Lady Greengrass. I will have a copy for you in a few minutes. Regent Potter has agreed to pay for any cost associated. I am required to inform you by treaty that such betrothals are considered magically binding. Miss Greengrass has expressed she will accept this betrothal. If there is no contest or Miss Greengrass's head of house does not act on it within the next thirty days, then anything Regent Potter is offering you will be given to Miss Greengrass as a dowery instead of to the family."
She nodded her head, knowing the laws and treaties around such contracts. For an heir and regent of an ancient house to offer a betrothal meant the clock was ticking. After a month, Daphne would be free to do what she wanted for a year and a day before another betrothal could be offered since she expressed she wanted this union. "Come, Susan," she said, taking up the folder. Susan took her folder.
The goblin slid the second box over towards her. "Lady Greengrass, per the contract, Regent Potter would like to offer you the betrothal rings. He recognizes this is not the normal way, but said it is up to you to offer them to your daughter. There is a letter in the box. If you refuse, return these rings."
She looked at the box. She couldn't understand why her daughter wouldn't be wearing a betrothal ring if she had accepted this. Susan voiced her thoughts, "Daphne isn't wearing a betrothal ring, and she is betrothed?"
"I did not say that. The Potter betrothal ring is being used," the goblin informed them. "These are the rings of the Blacks, the house the betrothal is being offered through."
Her mouth felt dry. The Blacks had even more political sway than the Potter name. To reject this may make waves her family wouldn't recover from…
-oOo-
The same day…
Marseille, France
Daphne was leaning against the railing of the back veranda. She was looking down at the narrow cobbled street below. It was relatively quiet in the warm midday sun. Today she was in a dress, preferring that to the Muggle shorts and t-shirts she had been wearing. Daphne had started to like the world Harry called just the normal world, but there were still things she knew would take a while to get used too. The amount of flesh on display and the clothing was one of them. The long, thin summer dress was something she felt more comfortable in, being more like the robes and dresses she had grown up with.
She scowled.
Part of why she wanted to get away was to leave behind the narrow, small world she had grown up in. Harry may tease her about being a princess, and from him she liked it, but she didn't want to be a pureblood princess anymore. She didn't want her whole life to be mapped out for her or for her father to tell her who he wanted her to marry.
They were young, but what she had seen of Harry Potter since last October had her knowing she was in love with him and wouldn't want to leave him.
She reached into the open neck of her dress to pull out a long silver chain. When they had gone to Gringotts, they needed to hide what they were doing. Coming home for a few days with a ring on her finger would have ruined everything. They needed to wait for Harry to turn sixteen, which was why they waited until August to leave.
She knew that Harry wasn't totally committed to leaving when she first suggested it, but after being ignored by his friends, and after Sirius was killed at the ministry in June, he had decided he needed to leave.
Thinking back to that fateful night, Harry had come to find her after their last exam anxious about a vision from Voldemort. They had been working on occlumency, trying to fix what Snape had done to him, but somehow the dark wizard had broken through. He was frantic to get to the ministry to save his godfather. She had barely been able to convince him to try the mirror that he had before Harry went racing off to save Sirius. When Sirius didn't answer, she helped him get into Umbridge's office and watched with tearful eyes as he went through the flames. She had convinced herself she would never see him again until his patronus had found her in the middle of the night.
Daphne had been confused. The magic felt like Harry, but instead of a large stag, there was an ethereal dog that looked awfully familiar to her animagus form. When she followed the dog to the Chamber of Secrets, she found him just collapsed into himself on a couch they had dragged down there. She put his head into her lap and just ran her hand through his hair the rest of the night. The only thing he had told her was that, "Sirius is dead."
She would find out with most everyone else the basis of the fight the next morning. The papers were littered with pictures of the catastrophe. As much as she wanted to know what happened, Harry only told her a week later, the night before the train left Hogwarts.
Voldemort had broken into the ministry. Harry had found his way to the Hall of Prophecies, found the orb, then a fight broke out when he was confronted by eight Death Eaters. He wasn't as skilled as them, but between his year as a Triwizard Champion and their training last year, he had managed to hold them off and survive until Sirius and Dumbledore's people arrived. The fight between Dumbledore's group and the Death Eaters had not gone well. Two Death Eaters, three Aurors, Sirius and someone else called Diggle had all been killed.
When Dumbledore had portkeyed Harry into his office after the battle, the man had lain the weight of the world onto her boyfriend's shoulders. Not wanting to die like everyone else he had loved, Harry asked her to leave this time. She had been asking him to do that since Easter because of the way Umbridge and the ministry were treating him.
Thinking back to the day he had asked her to leave, he had said that he didn't want to lose anyone else. He didn't want to lose her. She wasn't totally sure if he knew what he was asking of her, but she had agreed.
The next few weeks had been busy. Daphne had had to gather most of the supplies they would need since Harry couldn't really leave the prison of his relatives. She wanted to kill them when she had realized what his life was like at the Dursleys. Only the fact that they needed to slip away unseen had kept her from doing so.
Luckily, she had been able to get some help from a few that cared about Harry, mainly the twins. She had gotten to know them over the year as they had helped Harry and her with some of the more advanced spells from the NEWT curriculum. She soon came to realize that Fred and George were perhaps some of the most advanced students in the school, even if their grades didn't show it. Professor Lupin had unfortunately been in the shop one day, which turned out to be a godsend when the twins had convinced him to let Harry get out some.
One of the few days he could escape his jailors, they had gone to Gringotts. There, they had gone to their vaults, cleaned them out and then met with some account managers. She had been surprised to understand he had somehow been in contact with Gringotts when it seemed none of his other letters either made it where they were going, or no one responded to him.
In that meeting, he presented her with the ring she was now twirling in her fingers. The silver ring was flat on the top edges with an inscription. At the peak was two griffons holding up the Potter Suit of Arms. The ruby eyes of the griffons looked up at her as she studied the crest. It was her crest now. Being the betrothed of the Regent Potter-Black meant she was a Potter in all but name and bonding now. They had thirty days before they could officially bond. Today would be the day her parents found out about this. She wasn't sure if she was nervous or not.
Would she be exiled from her house, or would they accept the betrothal that Harry had come up with? Would her parents accept this as Harry was giving up his titles and everything so that he couldn't be dragged back to England? It was important they bond before the next Wizengamot meet. At that time, the two houses would be dissolved, and they would lose the protections of the betrothal being signed by an heir and regent to two ancient houses. Her father could easily break the bonding if it was made after they weren't protected by the old laws.
As she looked at the ring, a blonde woman leaned against the railing a few feet away. "Why do you not wear that?" Appoline asked.
Daphne smiled. The woman had been exceedingly kind to them and acted like she would have liked her mother to act at times. "The betrothal isn't legal yet. It wouldn't be right," Daphne said.
Appoline looked at her. "Are you not committed? Or are you embarrassed? Do you not want to be bonded to Harry?"
Daphne looked up, giving the woman a sharp look. "I would do anything for Harry and will never leave him. Until my father signs the contract or the forty-five-day waiting period is up, I can't be officially Harry's." She looked back down at the ring with longing. She wanted everyone to know that Harry had chosen her. She had been chosen. Not sold or bought or bargained for. Harry had given her a choice and clearly wanted her. She was not embarrassed. She was committed, heart and soul.
Appoline kept studying her. "It is not against tradition to wear a gift freely given to you. It doesn't matter what it means. If it has importance to you and Harry, then that is all that is important."
Daphne took in a long breath. Wasn't the reason they left was to get away from the insanity of where they grew up? It felt like an act of defiance to unclasp the necklace, take the ring off, and with a trembling hand, put the ring onto her fourth finger of her left hand. There was a warmth that had her smile.
Appoline looked satisfied and then looked out onto the street and houses across the way. "Have you and Harry thought about what my husband asked last night?"
Daphne put the necklace into her pocket and then started to spin the ring on her finger, pleased to have it there. "Harry and I did. We don't want to cause any issues for you. I see that a bounty is now being offered."
Appoline scoffed. "That is the temper tantrum of a fool. Jean-Paul is going to talk with the minister today. He is the Director of the International Diplomatic Department. They are not going to accept the fugitive status of either of you."
"It is not just the ministry. Now that everyone knows, you know that Dumbledore and You-Know-Who will be looking for Harry," Daphne said.
"And you will be protected. Fleur starts at the Second Gnomish Bank of Switzerland on Monday. You will go with her, open your accounts, and then there are ways to leave Europe from there. Our family has holdings in Morocco and Algeria. You can go there and then decide what to do then," Appoline told her.
Daphne picked her eyes up from her ring. "Appoline, why are you helping Harry and I like this?"
Appoline gave her a gentle smile. "I remember being young. I remember how young love is. I once ran, only to return years later. If I had had support, I don't know if I would have gone back to my enclave. But I would not have met Jean-Paul and had my daughters if I had not. I see the way Harry looks at you. Even if I didn't have a debt to Harry, I would help you."
They were looking into each other's eyes. "Thank you," Daphne said at length.
"You are welcome. If you want, Esme will have lunch ready soon and I expect Harry and Fleur to be back shortly," Appoline offered, indicating a table in the shade of the building.
"Is Gabrielle going to be alright?" Daphne asked. She had not been pleased at the younger girl's infatuation with Harry when they had first arrived, but the poor girl kept making a fool of herself every time he was around her.
Appoline gave a knowing smile. "She will get over it. Harry is just the first man to catch her fancy. There will be others."
Daphne nodded, though she could understand the young veela's infatuation. Daphne had never really felt this way towards anyone like this until Harry and knew she would never get over it. They sat and the little house elf that had no qualms about telling her masters off when needed, put a pitcher of fruit juice and a carafe of wine onto the table.
Appoline had a short conversation in French with Esme before the little elf went back into the house. "Fleur told me about your animagus forms. That is an accomplishment for ones so young," Appoline said. She didn't seem to be looking for more information, but Daphne gave a shy smile.
"Harry's father and his friends learned to be animagus about the same age. Harry wanted to have something in common with his parents. I knew my family had books on it. It took us seven months to get it, and we only managed our forms shortly before school was out," Daphne said.
"Still, at your age, that is impressive. Fleur and my husband were impressed with Harry from the Triwizard Tournament. That is the type of talent that should not be wasted. If you wish, we can protect you to finish your schooling at Beauxbatons," Appoline offered.
Daphne shook her head. "We shouldn't stay long. Harry is anxious. I don't know if he will wait for Monday." Which was only two days away.
"And you?" Appoline asked.
Daphne shrugged, a habit she had emulated from Harry to annoy her parents and was now becoming normal. "I will go where Harry goes. I also agree with him that we cannot wait. If the ministry, Dumbledore, my parents or You-Know-Who finds us, they will take us back or kill us. They may even hurt you and your family. I don't want to see that happen."
Appoline nodded. "Then let us help you."
Daphne inclined her head and poured some of the wine into a glass. Appoline didn't say anything, just indicating for Daphne to fill hers as well.
-oOo-
That night…
Ottery St. Catchpole, England
Ron and Ginny sat on the stairs just out of sight of the kitchen. They were both worried about Harry and wanted to hear what the Order had to say. Their mum hadn't tried to see if they were there yet, so they were being a silent as they could be.
"Kingsley, you said you have news?" Dumbledore's voice came up the stairs. Years ago, Bill had done something so that you could hear everything in the kitchen if you sat on these stairs and they had all used that at times.
"Quite a bit, actually. The goblins sent a few things through the Goblin Liaison offices. Notices of auctions for Grimmauld Place, the cottage in Godric's Hollow and more than a dozen properties between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley," the deep voice of Kingsley said.
"He can't sell Grimmauld Place! What about the Order? That is supposed to be a safe house," their mum complained.
"It is Harry's property. I don't understand though how he is able to do this. I have not been contacted as his guardian to authorize any of this," Dumbledore stated.
"There were more notices. Today was the end of the fifteen-day waiting period for them to also submit official emancipation papers, head of house for the Potters and Blacks and this," Kingsley said.
There was a general stir, but no one said anything for a moment. Ginny leaned over. "Can you see what they are looking at?" she whispered.
"You know we can't see anything from here," Ron whispered back.
"Albus, what is it?" Ron thought that to be Hestia.
"Was this validated with the Contracts Department?" Dumbledore asked.
"It is just waiting acceptance or rejection by Lord Greengrass," Kingsley said.
"Albus, what is it," their mum queried.
"Molly, you are sure that Ronald and Ginevra knew nothing about Miss Greengrass this year?" Dumbledore asked. Ginny took in a sharp breath, as though she understood what was going on.
"I have talked with them and Fred and George. They only knew that Harry had become rather reclusive. Ron said Harry wasn't really talking much with him or Hermione. Why?" their mum questioned.
"It would appear that Miss Greengrass and Harry were closer than expected. Kingsley, please let me know if this changes," Dumbledore said.
"Albus, what is that?" their mum asked.
"A betrothal contract. Harry and Miss Greengrass have accepted the terms. There are thirty more days to have it rejected by her father," Dumbledore said. There was utter silence. Ginny let out a soft sob.
"That would go along with what I saw at the bank today. Lady Greengrass came in with Susan Bones. She left not looking pleased. I was also able to find out that Harry closed all his vaults and only has an account to handle the selling of the properties that were sent to auction," Bill said.
"Harry can't be gone. Albus, where is he! He's only a child," their mum screeched.
"Molly, it will be alright," their father said.
"Is there any hint of Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"We have found nothing," Moody said. "Albus, I think we should consider he left the country."
"He wouldn't do that. Where would he go?" Dumbledore asked. "Harry only knows Britain and doesn't speak another language."
"Doesn't mean he couldn't still run," Moody said. "There are a lot of places out there that speak English."
They heard the door burst open. There was a bit of commotion before they heard Tonks, "I just came from the Underage Magical Office. Harry had an owl redirect on him from Fudge and no one had opened the box since Fudge was tossed out of office."
There was a large commotion. "Harry didn't get any of our letters? What about what he sent us?" Ginny asked, her eyes wide. "Merlin, he probably thought we abandoned him again."
Ron had a pit in his stomach. He had sent Harry anything.
When it silenced enough, they heard Moody, "The lad was cracking, Albus. These letters sound desperate for any communication."
"This one is asking Hermione to write him, or he knows their friendship is over," Kingsley commented.
"Albus, why would this happen? These letters go back to almost Christmas. Some of them are to Sirius," their mum said.
There was a silence for a moment. Ron swallowed. Ginny shared a frightened look at him.
"These were too Harry. I know where Hermione is," their father said.
"Where?" a few asked.
"Her parents have moved and forced her to go. She is in Australia now. These last two letters sound desperate and ask Harry to come get her," their father said.
"You don't think he knows and is on his way to save her?" their mum questioned.
Dumbledore's calm voice wasn't reassuring. "If Harry is traveling with Miss Greengrass, I highly doubt he is off to Miss Granger. These letters from Harry don't suggest he has many feelings for her anymore. Alastor, I must ask you to track down Miss Granger and just see if she has heard from Harry."
"Aye, I can do that. Albus, I can tell you though, if Potter has left and is heading towards Australia, he hasn't done it by any magical means. Even if he was emancipated, the detectors in the Underage Magical Use department would have picked him up leaving the country if he portkeyed or took other magical transport," Moody said.
"And what about the betrothal?" his mum questioned. Ginny let out a larger sob and then got up. Ron moved to follow her before stopping.
"If Harry has decided to marry her, there is little we can do. If he was coerced, we have thirty days to find him. I will petition the Wizengamot to protest his emancipation. The boy is clearly distressed right now and needs our guidance," Dumbledore told them.
Ron frowned. Hermione and him had abandoned Harry last summer. Harry hadn't really forgiven them, but by Christmas they were friends again. Apparently not best friends anymore. He would never have suspected Harry to be with Daphne Greengrass. Besides being a snake, she was one of the best-looking birds in the school, and even though Harry was the Boy-Who-Lived, he would have thought a pureblood princess like that to be out of his league. Ron knew he wouldn't even attempt something like that.
There was an equal amount of jealousy and admiration for his friend. Though, that jealousy was overshadowed by concern. If Harry had run, he obviously didn't want to come back. Ron didn't like it, but if his friend felt that way, it was his responsibility to help Harry. He needed to warn Hermione somehow.
The meeting was starting to go in circles over everything that had just come out, so Ron went to find Ginny. He may not be the most caring of people, but he knew when his siblings were hurting, and Ginny had had a crush on Harry for years. All the times she had been upset with him for being so blasé about Harry this summer made much more sense.
-oOo-
That night…
Wiltshire, England
Lucius sat in his study, a half full sniffer of brandy between him and the three men he had found.
The one farthest to the right was short. Far too short to not either be a half-goblin or half-elf. By the pointed nature of his ears and the large nose, he was thinking that one of his ancestors had an unhealthy fetish with a house elf.
The one in the middle was tall and thin. His white face and red eyes denoted that he was a creature of the night. Lucius hated vampires more than half-breeds, but when needs must, you did what you had to.
The last of the three was ragged looking with threadbare clothes. The man hadn't washed in a bit and smelled. His fetid yellow eyes showed a werewolf that had fallen on challenging times and needed a pack. He had found it in the two companions that made up this motley group of mercenaries.
"You want them dead or alive?" the vampire asked.
"Alive. In one piece and undamaged. If they are seriously harmed, I will half you pay. If either of them dies, my lord will find out about it," Lucius said threateningly.
"Are we allowed to have any fun?" the werewolf ask, a malicious grin on his face.
"Undamaged," Lucius stressed his point. He passed over a mirror to the vampire. "If you find them, you are to contact me immediately. I will come to you as soon as I possibly can."
"This is not our normal job. It will cost you," the vampire stated.
"Ten thousand," Lucius offered.
"Fifteen, and five more if we are able to get them undamaged."
"If you can find them and bring them back in the next ten days, I'll double it," Lucius told them.
The look of greed that passed between the three had him nervous about the results. Lucius was convinced that the two teens were on the continent. He had called on every resource and informant he had in the last two days and the last time anyone had seen Potter was before the end of July, and Greengrass about the same time. With the news he got from his informants in the ministry today, he was sure the negotiations with the Greengrasses were at an end. He wanted to kill them, but if he didn't have the eldest daughter, it wouldn't do them any good. They wouldn't be able to get the wealth of the family, which is what he needed to hand over to his lord.
The three stood up. "Ten days. Fifty thousand," the vampire said.
Lucius snarled at the audacity of the creature, but he was desperate. "Fine. The bounty drops by five thousand each day over that."
"Fifteen minimum. We will contact you once we know where they are," the vampire said, taking the mirror and then walking out of his study. Lucius would normally see them off the property, but with so many others in his house, it didn't really matter anymore.
Lucius downed the brandy in his glass before pouring more into it. He got up and looked out the window at the dark lawns and garden. Only the eerie white of the peacocks could be seen in the darkness.
-oOo-
August 11, 1996
Rotherham, England
"Grover, I don't care what you do, but you will fix this!" her mother declared angrily.
"I am trying, Tabitha, but you are telling me not to destroy this contract!" her father yelled back.
Astoria had never heard her parents argue like they had in the last ten days. She had thought Daphne ran away for a few days to make a point and would be back by now. She had also thought that Harry Potter had just been a name to rile her parents. She had known Daphne was secretly seeing someone, but Harry Potter? Astoria had assumed it to be one of the well-connected Ravenclaws, maybe even a Hufflepuff, but the Gryffindor Golden Boy!
After seeing how her mother had come home yesterday in a temper, and Susan telling her about the betrothal, Astoria had come to realize that Daphne wasn't doing this just to gain more freedom, or maybe to have their father rethink the negotiations with the Malfoys.
No.
Daffy had meant what she said and wanted out.
She must also really like Potter.
"I told you when we married you would never sell our children. You promised me! You promised me that our children, our daughters, would have a choice, like we did. You know my father would never have agreed to our betrothal if you had tried to buy me like the Malfoys are. How can you even think to associate with them? You know they support the Dark Lord. The man and his followers killed most of my family! I will not associate with any of them," her mother yelled.
Susan was sitting next to her on the stairs and gave Astoria a worried look.
"Then you are condemning us all! You think I want to ally us with the Malfoys and those Blood Supremacists! Our family is being threatened, Tabitha! I have been approached by several of the Dark Lord's followers and warned if we don't' support them and ally with them then we will pay in other ways. You know what that means!" her father yelled. Astoria could hear the worry in his voice. "I need to protect you, our daughters and everyone else that depends on us!"
"Grover, I will never submit myself to that band of psychopaths. I will fight you tooth and nail to ensure my daughters and niece never associate with them. Daphne has obviously thought the same and found a way out of this. You will talk to the papers. You will talk to your contacts on the continent and stop this campaign of blaming Potter for this. You know our daughter would never let herself be dragged off if she didn't want to go. You will find a way to get her back or for us to leave England. I will not risk this family, and to be aligned with the Potters and Blacks is one of the strongest positions we could have," her mother stated.
"If I sign this, I sign our death warrants," her father angrily retorted. "I will get Daphne back and he did kidnap our daughter!"
There was a resounding silence for a moment. "Grover, if you persist in this path, Astoria, Susan and I will leave and I will try to find my daughter on my own. You will do nothing to stop me if you want this family to survive. If you remember, it was my father, the Lord Bones, that gave your father the funds to expand your family business. I can call in those shares."
"I won't allow you," her father commanded.
Astoria took in a sharp breath. She had never heard her father like this. She and Susan jumped when they heard a slap. This time her mother's voice was deathly calm. "You will not tell me what to do. I am Regent Bones, not just your wife. I have the power and authority, and if Susan decided she wants to become regent, then I will advise her to do the same. You have until tomorrow to call off your dogs for kidnapping Daphne. If she is not home, or you have not signed that betrothal in the next ten days, we are leaving. I want my Daphne back and you will make it happen."
Her father didn't say a thing. The clack of her mother's boots had them scrambling to get up. They had only managed to stand and turn when her mother walked out of her father's study. The door slammed closed behind her. They stopped when her mother cleared her throat. Slowly she turned. Susan did the same. They both looked like young girls caught at something they shouldn't have been doing. Her mother looked at them.
"You heard?" she asked.
Astoria firmed her face and stood tall, her chin up and acting like the lady she should, even if she was only fourteen. "We heard you and father arguing and came to investigate if everything was alright."
Her mother rose an eyebrow, her emotionless mask up. Her eyes drifted to Susan. Susan was standing tall but squirmed after a moment under her gaze. "We were being nosy," Susan admitted. Astoria cast a quick glare to her cousin. There were reasons Susan was a Hufflepuff, not a Slytherin.
Her mother snorted in apparent mirth. "I see why you were not a Slytherin like myself and my sister. I would like you to pack your school trunks and no more than one other. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Susan, if you agree, I am going to submit an application to Beauxbatons in case we need to leave. Astoria, I do not want you to tell anyone about this. I also don't want you associating with any family we know is associated with You-Know-Who and do not leave the house without Minsy or Quentin. Susan, please make sure one of your house elves are always within call. If either of you feel threatened, return here or to our house in the Lake Region. I do not want anything happening to either of you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mother," Astoria said, feeling genuinely concerned.
"I'll do that, Aunt Tabitha. Do you mind if I go see Hannah?" Susan asked.
"Please ensure you are packed first. I would like you back for dinner tonight. Don't mention anything about what we found out at Gringotts yesterday or what is going on in this house," her mother demanded.
"I won't, Aunt Tabitha."
Her mother nodded and then went past the back stairs and towards her private potions lab and greenhouse. Susan and Astoria shared a look. Susan had tears building in her eyes. "I can't lose you, Aunt Tabitha or Uncle Grover. I want Daphne."
Astoria reached over and took Susan's hands. Astoria hadn't really mourned for Aunt Amelia yet. Maybe things with Daffy were affecting her more than she thought. "You won't lose us. I'm sure we'll find Daffy soon."
Susan gave a watery smile. "She hates that name."
Astoria gave a cheeky smile back. "I know."
"Is Aunt Tabitha really serious about leaving?" Susan enquired as they started up the stairs, still holding hands.
"I am going to pack by trunks. If mother says we will, we will," Astoria told her. She knew once either of her parents set their minds, they could be extremely stubborn and usually did exactly as they said.
Susan nodded. "I haven't really unpacked yet, but I have all my stuff."
"Do you want help figuring out what you need and repacking?" she asked.
Susan took in a long breath and then let it out. "No. There are things from Auntie that I will need to go through and would rather do that on my own."
Astoria squeezed her hand. "If you change your mind, I'm not going anywhere today."
"Thanks, Stori," Susan said.
"It's what family does, Susie."
A few minutes later, Astoria closed her door and let the worry finally show. She looked around her room. Even with an expanded trunk, she would never be able to fit everything, and she wasn't sure if they had any multi-compartment trunks.
Going over to her closet, she pulled out her school trunk. "Minsy?" she softly called out.
A moment later the house elf popped into existence next to her as she took everything out of her school trunk. She was fairly sure she hadn't done this in the three years since going to Hogwarts. "Misses Astoria call?"
She smiled at the small elf in a dress that had obviously been made either out of an old curtain or blanket. "My mother wants me to pack a trunk for traveling. Do you know where the travel trunks are?"
"They alls being in the attic. How many yous be needing? Minsy can get them."
"I would appreciate that. Do you know if we have any with large expansion charms or multi-compartment trunks?" Astoria questioned.
"Minsy does not know. Minsy can check," the elf said, grinding the ball of her foot into the hardwood floor.
"Please do. I will need two trunks, preferably multi-compartment trunks. Please do the same for my mother and see if Susan needs another," Astoria instructed.
Minsy nodded and then snapped her fingers.
Astoria turned back to her school trunk. She had a feeling she would not be going back to Hogwarts and would need to pack accordingly.
Daffy wanted change and change was definitely happening.
-oOo-
Next time on Dear Order: Some hunters find the trail, while some meet dead ends. All the while, Daphne and Harry enjoy their freedom.