A/N In the last part of this chapter I talk about the heads of the department of Magical Law Enforcement. From the books we know, during the first war it was Barty Crouch. After him was Amelia Bones until her untimely death. Pius Thicknesse under the imperious curse followed her until his promotion, when he appointed Corban Yaxley. From Pottermore, by 2019 Harry Potter had taken over that position, but there is no information as to who fills that role between Yaxley and Potter. In my fic, I have Shacklebolt then a man I created, named Douglas. So my friendly reminder, I do not own Harry Potter or its characters.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, it makes my day reading them. Also thank you to my new follower, catwithninelives.

Before you read this chapter you must promise, not to hate me. Did you promise? Okay, read on.

Chapter 23: Family Honor

The large screech owl landed softly on the railing. She looked around and hooted quietly to herself. When the doors to the balcony did not open, she let out her loud screech to try to alert someone inside the Manor to her presence. The doors opened slowly and a sleepy looking man with messy brown hair, stumbled over to her.

"Really, this early in the morning? Can't that man ever, just let people sleep?" Theo stretched his arms over his head, and enjoyed the cracking of his shoulders and back, while he woke up. Bending over, he gave the bird a pat on the head and took the letter from her.

Theo tossed the letter on the bed and went into the bathroom. Daphne was asleep and he wasn't about to wake her up. Whatever her father wanted, could wait. They had gotten back to the manor late, after the reception the night before. Once they were alone in their bedroom, (Daphne looked so enticing in the bridesmaid dress she had worn for Sally's wedding) Theo had kept her up even longer, pleasuring her more than once; showing her all the things he planned to do on their wedding night.

He jumped in the shower and decided, since he was up he might as well take advantage. He quickly showered and dressed. Tony had breakfast waiting for him on the small table in his and Daphne's bedroom, where they often ate breakfast. How Tony always knew when he was awake, Theo would never know. He ate quickly, checked to make sure Tony had put a warming spell on Daphne's breakfast, then wrote a small note to her that he left on his pillow along with the letter from her father.

Good Morning Baby,

Had I known pulling your hair would make you beg like that, I would have done it sooner!

I love you.

I have an errand I need to run this morning, then a surprise for you later. Let me know what your father wants. See you in a little while.

Forever Yours, Theo

Theo kissed Daphne on the forehead and smiled to himself, thinking he was the luckiest man in the world. He grabbed his helmet and leather jacket and headed for the garage. Once at the Muggle jewelry store, where Greg said he had gone for Millie's ring, he felt the buzz in his pocket from his phone. Theo smiled, when he saw the text was from Daphne.

You are a naughty boy!

I loved it, do it again!

Family meeting, I have been summoned.

Theo smiled at the text, if her father hadn't 'summoned' her, he would have found a private place to apparate back to the manor, so he could 'do it again'. As it was, he needed to buy a ring, so he just sent a message back.

Want me to go with you?

Daphne responded with,

No. Father wants me to come alone.

Theo shrugged. He was not surprised her father wouldn't want to see him this morning.

Ok, I love you.

As he walked into the store, he got her final response.

I love you Theo. Always will!

A little over an hour later he had a new ring designed and paid for. The ring would be yellow gold, the best quality money could buy, and have a three caret, blue diamond, which Theo was sure would match the color of Daphne's eyes. He had the jeweler put little pearls all around the diamond. Pearls may not be a traditional stone used for an engagement ring, but they had special meaning for Theo and Daphne. Pearls had always been her favorites and were her 'go to' jewelry for everything. Theo smiled as he thought of Daphne telling him during their fourth year, that pearls could dress up any outfit, but could also be classy, even when one was not trying to be dressy. For Christmas fourth year, he bought her the strand of pearls she wore to the park a few months back on their 'first' date. It was still her favorite necklace.

Theo had decided not to stray too far from tradition, and had the man engrave 'forever' on one side of the band, and 'Nott' on the other. However, since he was making new traditions, Theo paid the man extra to create a mold of the ring, which could be copied later on. This way his son, could use the same design, but have whatever stones he wanted put on the ring and so on. Ensuring the rings would be the same, but also unique to each new 'Lady Nott' in the future.

Pleased with himself, Theo went to the hardware store he liked best, and ordered the supplies for the surprise he had told Daphne about. He planned on finally turning the drawing room into a studio for her. He really figured the room wouldn't be missed. There were plenty of other rooms in the manor to have gatherings. The drawing room had the most windows, therefore the most natural light came in. Plus, it was only a few doors down from his study. They could work right down the hall from each other, making afternoon lunch 'meetings' easier. Theo felt it was time to go ahead with what Daphne had called 'too grand a gesture', a few months ago.

When Theo got home a couple of hours later, he felt as if nothing in the world could go wrong. He had the woman he loved. His best mates were his best mates again. Harry was going to look into his case. Yes, Theo felt like maybe, just maybe, things were actually going to go his way. He set out getting to work on the drawing room, hoping Daphne wouldn't be gone at her father's house for too long. The ring would be ready in three days, but he had a strong desire to be with her again just at the thought of it. Until she got home, painting would have to do.

xXXx

Blaise opened the doors leading to the small, private garden where his mother liked to have her breakfast in the morning. He was hoping to talk to her about his plans, regarding Tracey. He knew his mother would be happy he was finally settling down. It was more a curtesy, so he didn't catch her off guard, when they told her the morning after he proposed. He found his mother and Tracey sitting together laughing about something, but they quieted when he approached the table.

"Are the two of you planning something I should be worried about?" Blaise asked, before he kissed his mother on the cheek. "Good morning, Mother."

Cloe Zabini smiled warmly at her son. "Of course not, Blaise dear. Good morning."

"You should most certainly be worried, Blaise. Plotting and planning is what women do." Ethan had just walked in behind Blaise. He kissed his wife, then took the chair beside her.

Blaise kissed Tracey quickly, then took the remaining chair between her and Ethan. "We do our fair share of planning also, Ethan."

Ethan poured a cup of coffee, "Yes, but men tend to be less devious."

Cloe playfully smacked her husband's arm. "We are not devious. Our plans just work out better. Right, Tracey?"

"Well, my latest plan has turned out good, so far." Tracey gave Blaise a sly smile.

Blaise raised his eyebrows at her. "You think so?"

"Why else would you be having dinner with my father on Tuesday night?" Tracey reached over and took his hand.

Ethan set his coffee cup down quickly, "Truly? Blaise, I couldn't approve more of your choice, if I was your real father."

"Now, let's not jump to conclusions." Blaise put his napkin on his lap. "Perhaps, I just want to talk business with your father." He winked at Tracey.

Tracey pretended to pout. "Don't play with my emotions, Mr. Zabini"

"Forget her emotions, don't play with mine. After all, I am your mother. Are you asking Mr. Davis for permission to propose or not?" Cloe Zabini gave her son a stern look.

"Well Mother, I wanted your approval first. I was also hoping it would be a surprise." He kissed Tracey's hand before letting go. "Now you won't be excited when it happens, because you already know." Blaise gave Tracey a sad face.

"Oh please, she will be excited. Not a woman in the world, doesn't know the proposal is coming before it happens, Son. That is only in the movies and silly romance novels." Cloe sipped her coffee while looking closely at her son. "You will get my approval, after you answers a few questions."

"Fine, Mother. Go ahead." Blaise started eating his breakfast.

"Tracey dear, you know I love you. I could not have picked out a better woman for Blaise myself, so don't get offended by this." Blaise's mother then turned her attention directly at him and set her fork down. "Why now?"

Blaise, smiled at Tracey to comfort her, then addressed his mother. "I have always loved Tracey. I think, I just needed to finally stop fighting it. These past three months have helped me to do that."

Tracey blushed.

Blaise leaned over and kissed her quickly, sat up and looked at his mother. "What else?"

"Why on earth were you fighting so hard?" Cloe Zabini, crossed her arms over her chest.

She knew the answer. It was because of her. She had not been the best role model for her son, where relationships were concerned. It was part of the reason, she stopped jumping from one man to the next, once she married Ethan. But the damage had been done. Blaise had spent the last ten years of his life, never having a relationship that lasted longer than a trip to his bedroom, until now. What she wanted, was to see if he could face the truth and admit it, to her, to himself, but most of all to the woman he was talking about marrying.

Blaise sipped his coffee, giving himself time to think. He looked directly at his mother. "I was scared of ending up like you."

His mother smiled at him. "Like me? Go on."

Blaise wiped the corner of his mouth, after taking a bite. "Yes Mother, like you. Never being with the same man for very long. None of your marriages, until now, lasted more than a year. I keep waiting for the day when Ethan leaves, but for some unknown reason, he sticks around." Blaise smiled at Ethan.

"I think the reason is clear, I love your mother. Even her snarky, overbearing need, to always be right. Keeps me in line, really. Before her, nobody was ever interesting enough for me. Your mother though, is unpredictable and outrageous. I never know what my day will be like, and I love it." Ethan smiled warmly at Cloe, while taking her hand in his.

Blaise had yet to break eye contact with his mother, during Ethan's little speech. "I am glad you're still around Ethan. The full truth is Mother, Tracey and I made a bet that I couldn't make it six months dating just her. During the last three months, I have realized that while I have been pushing women away, not wanting to marry them; afraid I would become you, I already had become you."

Cloe looked at her son and folded her hands in front of her. "And now? Now, you are certain you will not be me? That a marriage with Miss Davis will last?"

Tracey looked down at her plate, a little sad suddenly. Blaise reached over and lifted her chin up, to look at him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then looked straight into his mother's eyes to answer. "I know it will. Tracey has always been there. No matter what I did, or who I did. She..." He shook his head and decided that this needed to be said to Tracey, not his mother. He turned his attention directly to Tracey, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, "...you have always taken me back. You have always seen the good side of me, the man who wanted to be faithful, but didn't know how. I have enjoyed every single minute of the last three months. I keep waiting for that feeling inside, telling me to go find someone new, that pull to run, but then I look across the room at you, and you pull me in. I like it, no, I love it."

Blaise stood and pulled Tracey out of her chair, so he could hold her in his arms while he kissed her. His mother smiled at Ethan, who only smirked into his coffee cup.

Once Blaise and Tracey sat back down, his mother cleared her throat, "Well, Son. You have my approval. Ethan?"

Ethan had to quickly swallow, "Of course, as I said before, I couldn't approve more."

xXXx

Something didn't feel right as Daphne walked up the steps to Greengrass Estates. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something seemed out of place. Everything was perfectly in place however, not even a flower petal was ready to drop. But something was wrong.

She heard voices as she walked down the main hall, toward the parlor. She could hear her mother, softly laughing at something, a male voice said. It was a voice Daphne didn't know, yet it somehow, sounded familiar. Daphne stopped dead in her tracks, when she heard a voice, she did know. He couldn't be here. What could he possibly want? She stopped just outside the door, unable to go in. The last time she saw the man, inside that room with her mother, he had assaulted her, after she broke up with him. So why, was Marcus having tea with her mother?

Daphne stood outside the door to the room, until she heard her father's voice, "I am sorry Christopher, I didn't imagine she would take this long. Daphne normally behaves better."

"Not to worry, Dalton. I am sure she wanted to make sure she looked her best. It's not every day, a young lady gets engaged." Now, Daphne was pretty sure the voice she didn't know, belonged to Christopher Flint, Marcus's father.

Tears burned at the back of her eyes as she held them in, realizing she had been lied to. Her father had said this was a family meeting. She had expected Astoria, and possibly Draco would be here, not the Flints. But it had been a trick, to get her here and to not bring Theo.

Daphne burst in the door, and looked from her father to Marcus and back, "No! I will not marry him!"

Christopher Flint stood first, outraged by Daphne's behavior. "Yes, you will."

"Father, may I talk with you in private, please?" Daphne ignored the elder Flint.

Dalton Greengrass had a stern look on his face as he stood. "Daphne Rene, you will not speak to me or Mr. Flint in that manner, or tone of voice. You will apologize to Mr. Flint and to Marcus, then you will sit down and act like a lady."

"I will not." Daphne folded her arms across her chest.

Christopher Flint looked at Dalton, "I thought you said she was raised to be proper. This is hardly an example of how a proper, young Pure-Blood female, should be acting."

Veronica stood and took her husband's hand in hers, "Dalton, if I may?"

Dalton looked at his wife and nodded yes.

"Perhaps, you should speak with Daphne in private first. You do owe her that much, my love. After all, arranged marriages can be difficult enough." Veronica kissed her husband's cheek and sat back down, avoiding eye contact with Daphne.

Veronica Greengrass hated what was about to happen to her oldest daughter. But all her disapproving of the match and arguing with her husband over the issue, had not swayed him into changing his mind. She had finally heard from Fay, with news she had found something, but couldn't meet with her until later that day. Veronica folded her hands on her lap, hoping Fay would have something good, and this would be a short engagement.

Dalton smiled warmly at his wife, then turned to Flint. "Christopher, please excuse me for a few moments. Daphne, come with me to my study."

Daphne stood still, she only reluctantly followed her father, after her mother had nodded to her, indicating it would be alright. As soon as the doors to the study shut behind them, she started pleading with her father. She knew he would not be pleased. Daphne knew she was talking out of turn and her behavior was not proper. She didn't care, if she didn't stand up for herself today now, when would she?

"Daddy, please don't do this. Don't make me marry Marcus." Daphne sounded out of breath.

Dalton took his glasses off and laid them on the desk. Keeping his voice calm, as he looked at Daphne, "Please, sit down."

Daphne shook her head. "Daddy, please! Theodore and I only just found each other after all this time. Don't make me leave him, again!"

"Daphne, please sit down." He grabbed her by the shoulders, to make her look at him. "I need to tell you something."

Daphne went to the couch and sat down slowly, tears already running down her face, from the adrenaline. "Daddy please, I love Theodore. That is who I want to marry. Why does Tori get Draco, but I can't have Theo?"

Dalton started rubbing his temple; the headache had been there since Flint's arrival, an hour ago. "Daphne, please listen to me. I will tell you everything."

Daphne tried to wipe the tears from her face. "Fine, but it won't change the way I feel Daddy. I have always wanted Theodore; I think you know that."

"I am not blind, dear. Of course, I know that. However, as a Pure-Blood and the daughter of an Earl, you don't always get what you want." Dalton rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to decide how to proceed.

"That's only true for me. Tori gets whatever she wants, always has. What half-thought-up reason do you have for me today, as to why I can't be with Theo?" Daphne continued to cry while sitting on the couch.

Dalton gave her a disapproving look but didn't scold her. He knew how difficult what he was about to tell her, would be to hear and how painful what he was asking of her, would be to do. "When the Dark Lord rose to power the first time, your mother was pregnant with you. I made the choice that staying neutral in the conflict was the best way to preserve my lands, business, and stay alive. Staying neutral worked, until a few months after you were born."

Daphne had finally stopped the tears enough to listen to her father. "I already know that, Father. What has it got to do with me marrying Marcus?"

"Yes, I know you already know that part, but there is much more you don't know." Dalton started pacing around the room, while he spoke. "You see, the Dark Lord's followers started coming by every couple of days, demanding I take my place in his ranks as a proper Pure-Blood. I continued to refuse. That is until, Corban Yaxley was sent to try and persuade me." He took a deep breath and looked directly at Daphne, to make sure she was listening to him. "He threatened to rape your mother, if I didn't swear my allegiance to the Dark Lord."

"No!" Daphne covered her mouth with her hands, shocked from what he told her. Forgetting her own dilemma at the moment, she asked, "What did you do, Daddy?"

"I offered the man money." Dalton looked at the floor, out of shame. "I paid him off, so he would tell the Dark Lord some fantasy about my obedience, and so he would leave your mother alone." He looked up and Daphne once again, had tears running down her face. "It worked for a while, but every so often he would return, either needing more money or my compliance."

Daphne attempted to wipe the tears away. "Does Mum know?"

"No, only five people know this story Daphne, you, me, Yaxley, Lord Malfoy and one other." He sat down in the chair, facing the couch.

"Why does Lord Malfoy know, but not Mother?" Daphne reached out and took her father's hand in hers. As upset as she was with the marriage, she saw how painful telling this story was for him.

He smiled at the gesture, hoping they would stay this close, once she knew everything. "There is more to the story, Sweetheart. Let me continue, those questions will be answered."

Daphne sat up and released his hand. "Certainly, go on."

"Once the Dark Lord fell to the infant Potter, I was almost certain, Yaxley would offer me up to keep himself out of Azkaban or get a shorter sentence. You see, giving them money was the same as supporting their cause. My money supported a war I didn't believe in. It supported people, who did terrible things." Dalton started ringing his hands together.

"You were protecting your wife and daughter; how could they see it as anything but that?" Daphne got a handkerchief out of her little, beaded bag, to dry her face with.

Dalton smiled at her innocence with that question. "Darling, Barty Crouch Senior, was not a tolerant man. Any assistance given to the Dark Lord or his followers, was met with severe punishment. The man even disowned and locked up his own son. He believed in an eye for an eye. Had I been given up as supporting with money, I would have been labeled a Death Eater myself and would have been looking at many years in Azkaban."

"I do remember hearing about his son, I suppose. Go on, Father." Daphne felt a little sick to her stomach, although she didn't know why.

He looked at Daphne, wondering if telling her all this was really the best plan. "All right. I wasn't given up, and since Yaxley was given a long sentence, he wouldn't be asking for money. I thought perhaps we were safe and so, Astoria came along." He stood again, knowing the story was about to go back into dark times. "When talk of his returning started, during your third year at Hogwarts, Yaxley was one of the first released early from Azkaban, and I was visited again by him." Dalton turned to see her expression.

"He wanted money again, didn't he?" Daphne sat ridged, with her hands in her lap.

"Yes, or my allegiance to the cause. I was able to pay him off, again. It worked, until the end of your fifth year." Dalton stopped pacing, in front of the fireplace. "This is when two stories begin to entwine themselves, my dear. You see, somehow, at the beginning of your fourth year, Christopher Flint found out I had paid Yaxley off. In exchange, for not turning me over as a Death Eater, he wanted a betrothal between you and Marcus. I had no choice, but to agree."

The sick feeling in Daphne's stomach got worse and she had to take a deep breath to calm it down. "Crouch wasn't the head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department any longer, Father. You could have tried."

"Bones was not a strong leader, Darling. She did whatever the head of the Ministry wanted, and Fudge was a 'yes' man. He would have done whatever the Wizengamont wanted, and too many of them were still supporters of Crouch. Including, Christopher Flint. I suppose truth be told Darling, I really thought Flint wouldn't force us to go through with it, you were only fourteen at the time." Dalton rubbed his temple again; the headache getting worse. "Your mother pointed out your young age to me, and I was able to convince Flint that you were far too young for a betrothal. He accepted my giving Marcus, permission to court."

Daphne stood up hugging her chest, while she walked around the room. "That's why, he was suddenly so interested in me that year." She turned to look at her father, "You have no idea the things he put me, really, the things he put Theodore through." She stopped walking around and thought a moment. "He didn't really pursue me much the following year though, why?"

Her father ran his fingers through his thinning grey hair. "Marcus was off with the Cannons for his rookie season. I would imagine he simply didn't have the time. Christopher didn't push for the betrothal to become permanent, until a little over a year ago. That was when he found us in France. It was an accidental meeting, over a piece of real estate. But once he knew where we were, he wouldn't let it go."

Daphne resumed her walking around the room, trying to take in everything her father was telling her and keep her stomach calm. "So, I must marry Marcus, because you paid off the Death Eaters, during the first war? Am I understanding this correctly?"

"Yes, but it wasn't just the first war." Dalton walked to his desk and started rummaging through the drawers looking for the potion for his headache. "Remember, I said Yaxley started demanding my allegiance again, during your third year. So, I paid them off, during both wars. Flint knew everything somehow."

"Wasn't Bones murdered?" Daphne turned quickly to face her father, as past events came back to her.

"Sit down, Darling. Yes, she was, and Pius Thicknesse took over. He was under the control of the Death Eaters. Had I gone to him for help, I would have been forced into service of the Dark Lord. I assume you understand, that becoming a Death Eater, was not a choice I was willing to make. Paying Yaxley off, seemed like my best option, until the end of your fifth year." Dalton walked back to the chair and sat down after taking the potion.

Daphne took a seat on the couch again. "Why my fifth year?"

Dalton took her hands in his, "That is when Thicknesse became Minister of Magic and Yaxley was appointed head of Magical Law Enforcement. At that time, he no longer wanted money. He wanted me, or..." He looked down at their hands, "or he would take you and Tori. He already had two Death Eaters, who were eager shall we say, to have you."

Daphne pulled her hands away from her father and couldn't breathe. "That's...that's why we...we left for France, isn't it?"

Dalton looked at the floor. "Yes Love, I needed to get you and your sister, as far from Corban Yaxley as I could." He looked up at her, with almost a pleading look on his face. "You were barely sixteen and Astoria was only fourteen." He took a shaky breath. "Your mother and I talked about taking young Theodore with us, but he wasn't my responsibility. You, your mother and your sister had to come first. I also felt, having the son of a Death Eater with us, would only cause them to continue to pursue us, instead of just forgetting about me and letting us go. I am sorry I forced Theodore and you apart, but it was for the best. His father had been imprisoned, I felt he would be safe enough, and the two of you would move on."

The tears were running down Daphne's face now like a waterfall. "Mr. Flint, knows all of this?"

"Yes. Like I said before, I know, now you. Yaxley knows, Mr. Flint and Lord Malfoy. That is all, nobody else knows the entire truth. Flint is demanding you sign the papers today, or he will take the information to Mr. Douglas, the current head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department." He tried to reach out for Daphne, but she pulled away. "I tried Darling, to let you and Marcus come together on your own, hoping you would fall in love."

Daphne sniffed, "That is why you insisted I write to him when we returned to London. So, he and I could start courting, like his father wanted."

"Yes. You seemed to hit it off. Things were going well...that is until...," Dalton looked out the window and closed his eyes.

"Until I ran into Theodore." Daphne looked at her father, who nodded yes. "I don't want to marry Marcus, Father. There must be a way out of this." She was crying hard enough by now, that her eyes were getting puffy, and her nose was turning red.

Dalton took a deep breath, trying to hold back his own tears. "I have been trying, my Love. Lord Malfoy has also been trying. He has been helping me, but so far, we have uncovered nothing I can use against Flint. Nothing I can take to Douglas, to prove anything I have told you is the truth. Only my bank records, showing the withdrawals. At this point I can promise you, Yaxley would be more than happy to implicate me, if it takes time off his sentence."

She looked at her father; a look of hatred coming across her features. "So, my choices are, marry Marcus and break the heart of the only man I have ever truly loved, or allow my father to possibly, go to Azkaban for protecting his family."

A tear fell down Dalton's cheek, "I am afraid I made quite a mess, my Darling. I know I am asking far too much of you, but only you have the ability, at the moment, to clean my mess up. Will you do as I ask?"

Daphne looked at the ring that currently occupied her ring finger of her left hand. With a shaky voice, she turned to her father, "I hate you. I know you were protecting us, and I shouldn't be mad at you for it, but I am sorry, I hate you."

Dalton stood and moved, so he was sitting beside his daughter. The tears finally breaking free and running down his face. "I am asking too much, I know that. I would love to give Theodore my blessing. I can honestly think of no one I would approve of more. to marry you. If things were different, I would happily give him your hand, but I can't. Of course, I cannot force you to marry Marcus, either. Only you can make the choice, Theodore or your family."

Without thinking Daphne turned and slapped her father. He calmly sat there and let her, allowing the tears he had held back for years, to fall. "I am so sorry Daphne. I promise to keep trying to find a way to get you out of this. I will make sure your mother drags the wedding plans out, and will insist, since your sister was engaged first, your wedding must take place after hers. I will ask Malfoy to double his efforts, but I must have your answer. Flint will not leave without it."

Daphne stood and looked out the window, to the big oak tree she used to climb as a child. The one she sat under at age twelve and held Theo's hand for the first time. The same tree he kissed her under, at a ball in-between fourth and fifth years. She hated what she had to do but knew there was only one real choice. Theodore would forever be the love of her life, but she couldn't allow her father to go to Azkaban for protecting his family. The fact was, the Ministry of today, was as one-sided against Pure-Bloods as the Ministry of old, had been one-sided for them.

She turned and looked at her father, tears continuing to rain down. "Of course, I will comply. Cleaning up the messes our men make, is what proper Pure-Blood women do. But you, are no longer my father. I will have Draco walk me down the aisle, to my fate. Hopefully, if there is truly a god, he will make sure I bare no sons."

Dalton stood and walked over to his daughter, "Daphne please, don't deny me giving you away, you are my first born. My Princess." Dalton tried to reach out for his daughter, but she pushed him away.

"Don't call me that." She took a step back. "You have already given me away. Now, please leave me alone. I need to prepare myself for my engagement." She turned her back on her father.

Dalton went to his desk and picked up his glasses. He looked back at Daphne, wishing he could say something that would make her feel better. After a moment, he left the room, allowing her privacy in his study to compose herself.

The moment the doors clicked; Daphne fell to the ground (like a dress would if you held it up then dropped it). She flung her arms on the floor in front of her and laid there crying. For how long, she didn't know. Eventually, she sat up and dried her face. She looked at the ring again on her finger and removed it.

Daphne held the ring in her fingers and gave it a little kiss. "I am so sorry Lady Nott. I don't mean to hurt your Theodore, but I have no choice. I am sure you would understand, if you were here. I promise to tell him in person, he deserves that much."

Daphne stood, smoothing her skirt and blouse, then walked over to her bag and put the ring inside for safe keeping. She walked to the doors and slowly opened them, hoping not to get anyone's attention. Looking around the hall quickly, she saw the coast was clear and walked quickly to the little powder room, across from her father's study. It was a private one, only her mother used. Daphne knew she had makeup and potions in there.

Safely inside the bathroom, Daphne took a potion for the redness of eyes and nose and would reduce puffiness. She fixed her hair and her makeup. Daphne stood there, looking stoic in the mirror and shivered when she noticed, she looked just like a younger version of her mother.

Veronica Greengrass had two sides. The perfect Pure-Blood, who was always proper. That was the Lady Greengrass the other Pure-Bloods saw in public. The one whose makeup was always perfect, hair always the right hue of golden blond. The woman, who walked a step behind her husband and was seen, but not heard unless spoken to. The Pure-Blood woman, who kept her voice soft and happy, who always smiled and was overly polite, even to people she disliked. Daphne knew this would be her life. This side of Veronica Greengrass was the only side Daphne would ever know, the only part she would get to play.

Astoria would get to be the other Veronica Greengrass. The one, who laughed loudly with her children, while playing in the garden. The one, who held her husband's hand and kissed him in public, when the family would go to Muggle establishments. Astoria would get to sit on her husband's lap and have tickle fights, until they were kissing each other senseless. Astoria would be the one, who's hair would be messy on Christmas morning, and get to have sticky fingers from the cinnamon rolls. Daphne smiled, hoping Draco knew how lucky he was. She hoped for her sister he would overuse 'I Love you' the way her father always did. She hoped he would sneak up behind Astoria in the kitchen and kiss her neck, because she knew she would never have those things.

Before the tears threatened to fall again, she gathered her things and walked quickly, but quietly to the parlor. She had left the parlor earlier as Daphne Greengrass but returned as Mrs. Marcus Flint; Daphne was gone.

Marcus stood looking at her with an expression of annoyance. "It's about time. I am missing practice for this." He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Daphne walked over to him, raised up on her tiptoes and politely kissed his cheek. "I am sorry, I needed to fix my hair. I wanted to look good for you. The day a lady gets engaged should be one, she always remembers."

She smiled sweetly, then walked to the table where the contract was rolled out and picked up the quill. Daphne dipped the quill in the ink and signed her name beside Marcus's. Marcus watched her, a little surprised at what was going on. He expected more of a fight. He fumbled through his suitcoat pocket and pulled out the ring, quickly getting on one knee before Daphne turned around. When she did, he opened the box and tried to give her a charming smile.

"Daphne, will you marry me?" Marcus raised his eyebrows, knowing the answer would be yes.

Daphne looked at her mother and saw the tears running down her mother's face. Marcus and his father would think they were tears of joy, but Daphne knew her mother was already mourning the loss of her daughter's freedom.

"I would be honored, Marcus."

Marcus stood, pulled the ring out of the box, and slid it on Daphne's hand. He leaned down and kissed her. Daphne was grateful at that moment, that she had already kissed him before, so this moment wasn't awkward. She told herself, that she already knew how to please Marcus, so she simply needed to draw on those memories and everything would be fine.

Except, it wouldn't. How could everything be fine, when she wasn't marrying Theodore?

A/N Hating the author will not get Daphne out of this situation, only continuing to read the updates will. More to come!