Disclaimer: All characters, proper names, and the world belong to J.K. Rowling
III. Chapter: "Women of the Greengrass Family"
Holding onto her father's arm, Daphne matched his stride. Moving between levels of the stadium to get to their seats in the special guests' section would have seemed virtually impossible to the average person. The sea of wizards and witches, waving their wands and hands in excitement, resembled a living obstacle course determined to keep participants from reaching the finish line at all costs. However, Daphne and her father were not average. People moved out of their way, some casting all sorts of glances: from curiosity and admiration, to hungry desire and envy—both from men and women—to hatred and fear.
In Daphne's case, she received glances filled with desire and envy, which only confirmed her belief that she still had much to learn. It wasn't that she was unaware of her beauty and body—she knew very well that appearance could be a weapon as well. So every morning, she spent a great deal of time making sure she looked nothing less than perfect. A slim figure, perfectly rounded breasts, shapely legs and buttocks, tall stature, and a pretty face were the ideal gifts from her mother, bestowed upon her from birth. She knew how her schoolmates or random people on the street would turn their heads to look at her, especially in her more curvaceous areas. And it wasn't just men; occasionally, other girls—usually a few years older than her—would do the same. Daphne was well aware that her body was both an asset and a weapon that should be used wisely.
Despite being aware of her body and appearance and how they affected others, Daphne wanted much more. She wanted to be respected in higher circles, and perhaps even feared, for her intellect, cunning, and skills—just like her father.
Daphne felt the power of her father's authority as it seemed to permeate the crowd. His every step, every slight gesture, was like a command that no one would dare ignore. This was a strength that Daphne had been learning since childhood, a strength that was the foundation of her own personality. In his presence, the world seemed to yield; the crowd, which for others was an obstacle, became merely a backdrop for them, an insignificant detail on the way to their destination. Daphne knew that she was part of something bigger, that her place was not in the crowd, but above it.
When they reached the entrance to the VIP area, Jack released his daughter's hand from his arm. His gaze, directed at Daphne, was hard to interpret—it had a weight to it, almost penetrating, as if he wanted to look deep into her soul. Yet, despite all its intensity, there was something unsettling in it, something Daphne hadn't noticed in her father before. Or at least, that's how it seemed to her. She tried to endure his gaze, even though she felt how much it cost her.
After a moment of silence, Jack informed Daphne that he needed to meet with the official guests from France. He also told her that Marry and Astoria, her younger sister by a year, were already in their seats and waiting for her. Without further explanation, he turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction, disappearing into the crowd. Daphne watched him until he was out of sight. When she finally turned away, she noticed that the fabric of her dress had wrinkled. Displeased, she smoothed out the creases, then headed toward the entrance, still feeling the lingering shadow of her father's gaze.
Holding her head high, she made her way toward the entrance. Despite the noise all around her, the sound of her heels was distinctly audible in her ears. Just before the gate, two Aurors, performing security duties, stopped her. "Another nuisance," Daphne thought with irony, "is today the day that all of Daphne Greengrass's life will be made difficult?" The question remained unanswered.
"Stop, we need to conduct a search before you enter and check if you have any dangerous items with you," said the Auror on her left, blocking her passage with his body. The second Auror, standing on her right, had already scanned her body from head to toe. He approached her, putting on gloves, ready to begin the personal search. Despite her rising inner anger, Daphne willed herself to refrain from casting a dreadful curse on him. The very idea of that lecherous Auror touching her made her insides twist.
Harnessing her characteristic charm and intelligence, Daphne maintained a calm and composed demeanor. She took a deep breath and addressed the Aurors with a well-practiced, authoritative tone. "Gentlemen, surely you're aware of my father's position and the sensitive nature of his work. Conducting a personal search on his daughter in such a manner could be considered a breach of protocol and an unnecessary embarrassment. A lady should be able to preserve her dignity, even in a situation like this, don't you agree? "
She continued, her voice smooth and persuasive, "I trust you understand the importance of maintaining discretion and propriety, especially in the presence of esteemed guests. I assure you, I have nothing to hide and am under the direct protection of my father, whose authority extends to ensuring such procedures are carried out appropriately." Her argument, combined with her confident stance and the strategic mention of her father's name, seemed to sway the Aurors. They exchanged uncertain glances, their resolve wavering. Recognizing the potential repercussions of proceeding with the search, they reluctantly decided to forgo the personal inspection. With a nod, Daphne walked past them, her demeanor exuding both grace and authority. As she entered the VIP area, the sense of her father's influence seemed to clear the path for her, confirming that her intellect and composure had effectively navigated the obstacle.
She didn't have to search long to find her mother and sister. Both women occupied the highest seats, offering a perfect view of what was happening on the stadium field. It seemed the dance group's performance hadn't ended yet, which oddly enough, brought Daphne some comfort. The dance of the beautiful blonde, whom everyone talked about without restraint, had a soothing effect on her. Daphne slowly approached the empty seat next to her mother and sat down. On the other side, her sister Astoria was engaged in a quiet conversation with their mother, covering her mouth with her hand, making it impossible for Daphne to understand what they were discussing, even from up close.
Marry Greengrass sat upright, her head held high, radiating dignity and elegance. Daphne had inherited her raven-black hair and emerald eyes from her father, of which she was always proud, but the rest of her appearance was undoubtedly thanks to her mother. Often, when the two went shopping together, shopkeepers couldn't resist asking if Daphne was Marry's younger sister.
Marry had hair of a light blonde shade that, in the right light, appeared almost snow-white. Her eyes were as blue as a cloudless sky, and her face radiated with serenity and beauty. She was only a year younger than her husband, which meant that their relationship was always based on equality and mutual respect. Their story began when Jack Greengrass was finishing his last year at Hogwarts. Since then, Marry, though always quiet and composed, had the ability to capture the attention of anyone who saw her. Her appearance continued to inspire admiration even after years, and her aura remained consistently magnetic.
If Daphne had to point out the only person who could meet Jack's gaze and win, she would, without hesitation, choose Marry. Her mother was the embodiment of impenetrable calm and natural poise, which meant that even in the most tense moments, she could maintain an unshakable demeanor. It was precisely this unruffled calm that made her so exceptional and dangerous in the eyes of others. Marry didn't need to raise her voice or cast threatening glances to express her disapproval. Just one of her looks, deep and penetrating, was enough for the other person to feel exposed, as if Marry had uncovered all their secrets.
Jack Greengrass was a man whose strength lay in his commanding presence, authoritative tone, and piercing gaze, which could instill fear even in the bravest of wizards. But it was Marry who, despite her seemingly gentle nature, could subtly take control of any situation. Her approach was entirely different from Jack's—quiet, almost imperceptible, yet incredibly effective. Her ability to identify the root of a problem, even the most complex ones, was impressive. Marry could see what others missed and find solutions where it seemed there were none.
Daphne often wondered who she should fear more—Jack, whose strength was so obvious and tangible, or Marry, whose power lay in subtleties, in those small gestures and words that could change the course of events. Jack was like a invisible storm, violent and destructive, but Marry was like the wind, changing direction without warning, unpredictable and difficult to grasp. It was this unpredictability that made Daphne feel a deep respect for her mother. Marry could take control of a situation effortlessly, leaving others with the impression that they had made decisions on their own, when in reality, they were inspired by her.
Marry had a gift for penetrating human emotions; she could understand what drove others before they realized it themselves. This made her not only an excellent mother but also a partner for Jack, equal in strength and intelligence, though in her own delicate way. What made her truly dangerous was her ability to use her knowledge of people with precision, making every move like a game of chess, where Marry always had the advantage. Daphne couldn't shake the thought that although Jack was the one who instilled fear in their enemies, it was Marry who was truly to be feared—not out of terror, but out of deep respect, which stemmed from her wisdom and unpredictability.
Marry wore a long, fitted gown in a dark green color, symbolizing her belonging to an old, noble family. The fabric of the gown was silky, with a slight sheen that gave it a subtle glow. The deep neckline was tastefully balanced, highlighting her slender figure and adding a touch of delicate sensuality to her appearance. The sleeves of the gown were long, tapering at the wrists, where they gently flared. Around her neck, she wore a subtle necklace of white pearls that perfectly complemented her outfit, and on her hands, she had delicate silver bracelets that discreetly sparkled with every movement. Her shoes, though hidden beneath the long gown, had low heels, perfectly matched in color and style. Her entire demeanor emanated calm, grace, and confidence, making anyone who looked at her feel an irresistible urge to approach, though at the same time realizing that Marry Greengrass was a person of impenetrable strength and unyielding will.
Astoria Greengrass was the spitting image of her mother, Marry Greengrass, down to the last detail. Her hair, like Marry's, was a light blonde shade cascading in soft waves down her back. Her eyes, the same shade of piercing blue as her mother's, held a serene yet observant gaze that seemed to take in more than they revealed. Astoria's face mirrored Marry's delicate features—a fine, straight nose, high cheekbones, and a small, graceful mouth that could express both sweetness and steely determination. Even the small, barely noticeable freckle on her left cheek was perfectly replicated on Astoria's face.
This striking resemblance between sisters often caused a stir at official gatherings held at their grand estate. Guests couldn't help but comment on how Astoria was like a living echo of Daphne. The similarity was so uncanny that it sometimes unsettled those who knew the family well, as if they were witnessing the continuation of a legacy that was as powerful as it was enigmatic.
Yet, despite this mirror-like resemblance, Astoria and Daphne were as different as fire and ice. Where Daphne's beauty was dark and striking, demanding attention, Astoria's was soft and ethereal, like a quiet winter morning. Daphne's presence was commanding, her emerald eyes sharp and assessing, while Astoria's demeanor was gentler, more reserved, but no less captivating. Together, the two sisters formed a perfect contrast, each enhancing the other's beauty through their differences.
Astoria was dressed in an elegant, light blue gown that perfectly complemented her delicate beauty. The fabric was light and airy, like mist hovering over water, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. The dress was fitted at the waist, subtly accentuating her slender figure, while the long skirt gracefully touched the floor, moving with a fluid elegance at every step. The neckline was soft and heart-shaped, adding a touch of youthful charm while still exuding a quiet sophistication.
The sleeves were long and tapered at the wrists, made of delicate, sheer material that revealed the outline of her arms. A narrow silver belt adorned her waist, shimmering gently with every movement. Around her neck, she wore a simple silver necklace with a small, glistening gemstone that perfectly matched the rest of her attire. Her ears were adorned with modest silver earrings that harmonized with the necklace, enhancing her natural beauty without overpowering it.
Her blonde hair was carefully styled into a delicate bun, with a few loose strands softly cascading down her neck. The ensemble was completed by low-heeled shoes made of pale blue material that blended seamlessly with the gown. Astoria looked like a porcelain doll—full of grace and innocence, yet with a certain hidden strength that made her stand out despite her delicate appearance.
When Daphne took her seat, her mother and Astoria paused their quiet conversation, and two pairs of identical eyes turned toward her. Marry Greengrass addressed her eldest daughter with a calm yet piercing tone, "Daphne, my dear, as beautiful as ever. I was beginning to think the crowd had kidnapped you for ransom. Had you not arrived by the end of the performance, I might have started tearing this stadium apart, floor by floor. Not even that incompetent group of Aurors would have been able to stop me." Daphne couldn't tell if her mother was joking, but she knew for certain that Marry was more than capable of carrying out her threat. Merry doesn't make threats, she makes guarantees. Anyone who dared to stand in her way or her family would regret it for the rest of their life—however short that might be.