Chapter Three. Fallout.
Harry waggled his eyebrows at Ginny and left the broom closet..
He climbed the stairs to the Headmasters office, having to detour around a couple of floors that were blocked off.
The gargoyle was already standing aside, and the staircase was unmoving, so Harry laboriously climbed. At the top, there were loud voices behind the door, Harry opened the door and stepped in,
Kingsley Shacklebolt sat at the desk, flanked by Tonks and John Dawlish, and Sirius was sitting on a comfortable chair to the left side, looking tense. The space in from of the desk had a man standing, pointing and arguing, and to the right, a middle-aged witch sat primly in dress robes. Beside her, looking lined and tired, Daphne Greengrass sat. The woman looked vaguely like Daphne, and Kingsley spoke up "– Now Cyrus, I think I understand your objections, but the man of the hour, in every sense has arrived."
Harry walked in a bit more.
"You're here" said Daphne Greengrass. "That patronus trick worked then."
Harry nodded.
Cyrus… Harry guessed, Greengrass turned and glared at Harry from on high. He was a tall man, with dramatically combed dark hair, and a black goatee, giving him a devilish appearance. His eyes were narrowed, but looked to be sky blue, detracting from the saturnine look a bit.
"Mister Potter. A man who isn't undesirable number one, by expedient the entire ministry having just turned over" said Cyrus Greengrass.
Harry nodded "I expect a lot of people's Imperious curses stopped yesterday" he quipped.
Sirius snorted.
"And he was dead!" Cyrus pointed at Sirius, "and now he's just Pardoned. Just like that."
"I am minister for magic and that's what I said" said Kingsley. "Sirius Black was one of the few people who supported the war on Voldemort all along, and while not totally blameless, did spend twelve years in prison, so as long as he hasn't murdered anyone… he's served enough time in prison."
"Thank you, Kingsley" said Sirius. "Glad to know that housing the order of the Phoenix for three years counts for something."
"Well, and fighting in the battle yesterday." said Kingsley.
"Harry and I split the work, I didn't think having him cut his aunt Bellatrix's head off was a good lesson for him. I cut my cousins' head off, and Greyback's too. There was a reward for Greyback, wasn't there?" Sirius asked.
"We'll ignore you coming back from the dead and call it even" said Kingsley. "If the Unspeakables come after you, that's your problem. They don't listen to the minster for magic, they never have."
"I'm more concerned that your godson is betrothed to our daughter. Our eldest," said Cyrus. Daphne's probably mother nodded.
Harry smiled a crooked grin "Well, Daphne was our hidden ally in Slytherin, has been for years really. Haven't you Daphne?"
Daphne nodded "Our secret friendship could only really end in betrothal" she said, and her sky-blue eyes met Harry's and narrowed minutely. She'd caught on quickly.
"This is a cash-grab by the Black family!" fumed Cyrus.
"Oh, I'd say it was more a cash-grab by Daphne," said Harry drily. "And while I didn't cut a cousins' head off… Tom Riddle was technically a distant uncle. On the Peverell side, through the Potters."
"And How" said Cyrus, hands on hips "Does a seventeen-year-old wizard defeat a dark lord that's killed dozens of Aurors?"
"I was the prophesied chosen one" said Harry levelly "The complete prophecy explains it all, but I rather expect it's classified by now?"
Kingsley nodded "Yes Harry, please don't spread it around. Or… go on a rampage. You're marked as his equal, aren't you?"
"I think I was better at quidditch actually" said Harry sarcastically, "But yes, and as a number of people saw… Tom fell over dead."
"Not a spell any of my Aurors recognised" said Kingsley.
"One of Professor Snape's creations" said Harry "I learnt it in sixth year. We had many private lessons."
"Professor Snape, it can now be revealed was Professor Dumbledore's double agent in the Death Eaters" said Kingsley grandly, bordering on hammily, "He played an absolutely crucial part in the war, including killing a terminally ill Professor Dumbledore to trick Tom Riddle into thinking he was totally dedicated follower. That laid the seeds for his downfall."
Daphne Greengrass and her mother both sat up straighter at that, evidently surprised and impressed.
Daphne spoke to Harry "So, Professor Snape really… taught you how?"
"He gave me the spell, told me the way Professor Dumbledore had deduced to defeat Tom, and died getting me those secrets. I owe him a great debt" said Harry.
"Amazing" said Daphne's mother "And all the while, everyone thought he hated you."
"Well, he was an amazing actor" said Harry, and Daphne Greengrass narrowed her eyes momentarily.
Harry decided to stop the ladling of bullshit, before she hexed him.
Kingsley cleared his throat "Now, the real reason you're here Harry, is that we're going to need to repair Hogwarts. The Ministry is suspiciously short of galleons right now, and we were hoping the house of Black might chip in.
"I'm not head any more" said Sirius "Because I died."
"You are so" said Harry "You're older than me."
Sirius narrowed his eyes. "We'll talk about that later young man." he said, in a not terribly believable stern tone.
"I was hoping that the wealthy families might pool funds to repair the castle" said Kingsley "So that we can have it running next year."
"Seventh year has been a total disaster. There's no way anyone could sit NEWTs" said Daphne Greengrass.
"Minerva mentioned that, yes" said Kingsley "So… Sirius some galleons? Now that Harry's handed you back the reins."
"Ten thousand?" asked Sirius "Of course, the Greengrasses are a respectable, wealthy family too."
Cyrus Greengrass glared at Sirius "Ten Thousand! Business has been terrible all year! Six thousand."
"Well, now we've got sixteen thousand to rebuild with" said Kingsley "Harry, as Minister, I'd like to thank you for your efforts yesterday. I don't understand how you did it…"
"Prophecy. Being the chosen one really helps sometimes" said Harry blandly.
"Well… there's probably an Order of Merlin coming to you eventually" said Kingsley. "I'll publicise your donations, Cyrus, Sirius, and extend a request to other wealthy families."
"I think the Malfoys… if any are still alive, and not in prison, would probably supply the lions share of the funding" said Sirius.
"Draco Malfoy is injured, with untreated broken legs" said Daphne Greengrass "We were triaging Death-eaters to only treat life-threatening injuries."
"You were one of the witches pressed into service as assistants to poor Poppy?" asked Kingsley.
"She worked very hard" said Harry. "Even stuck me back together."
"For such a hero, he doesn't shield very well" observed Daphne.
"Can't fire and shield at the same time" said Harry tartly.
"Well… we'll get back to the ministry, which is like a disturbed ant-heap right now and let Minerva organise the cleanup." said Kinsley, standing.
"Um… the acromantula and things are still killing people" said Harry. "Most students aren't equipped to handle that. Having only ever had one decent defence teacher in six years, who was kicked out for being a werewolf…"
"Yes Harry, I'll make sure Remus can get his job back." said Kingsley "Or nobody will be passing NEWT defence." Tonks, being behind Kingsley, winked at Harry. Harry tried to keep a straight face. 'If this was corruption in high places,' thought Harry, 'it was okay.'
"Well, sounds like you're going back for seventh year?" asked Sirius as Kingsley, Tonks and Dawlish left by floo.
"I don't have NEWTs, and for just one year… not having Voldemort trying to kill me at school would be nice" said Harry.
"Come on" said Sirius standing up "Cyrus, Erzabet. It's been a pleasure."
"Dearest" asked Daphne's mother in a strong eastern European accent "Is this engagement because of a secret love?"
Daphne rolled her eyes. "It's a business arrangement, Mother. I … took huge risk for years as Harry's friend, feeding them intelligence, and now I'm collecting."
"Oh dear. You don't have to, we'll make more money this year" said Erzabet.
"Daphne, uh… is going to be using the political influence of the Blacks and ... well mine" said Harry "A deal is a deal."
Daphne nodded.
"Oh dearest" said Cyrus, sniffling "You don't have to do this. You… you could see that French boy… Jean Louis?"
"That was fourth year father" said Daphne. "Besides, Potter'll look lot better once he puts some weight back on. His ribs show."
Daphne's mother turned to state at Daphne. "His reebs show?"
"I had cutting curses to … a lot of me. Daphne fixed them up."
"Oh dear, do you want to be a healer?" asked her mother.
"Not really mummy. It's all rather disgusting, it was just a job that needed doing" said Daphne Greengrass evenly.
That evening, Professor McGonagall loudly announced in the great hall that the last Acromantula had been forced out of the castle. There was cheering, and booze appeared on the tables.
"Prefects will ensure there is no under-age drinking" said Professor McGonagall stiffly.
Harry poured a glass of firewhisky and sipped it. It tasted like… Harry was going to have a headache later and didn't care.
Daphne Greengrass came over to the Gryffindor table, braved the press of Weasley and upended a bottle of firewiskey into her mouth, drinking it like water, which had the twins, Charlie and Bill going quiet.
"Bloody hell she can drink!" said Bill, and Daphne Greengrass dropped the empty bottle on the floor with a crack.
"Chum on Potter" she slurred "I'm going to regret this tomorrow, but come on, gimme a kiss"
Harry stood up and awkwardly kissed a pretty blonde. Who tasted of firewhiskey, and snogged back hard.
"In case anyone was wondering" said Daphne Greengrass, letting Harry's head go and speaking slowly "He's mine, So Ginevra, hands off."
Ginny Weasley went a bit red in the face and fired a bat-bogey hex at Greengrass, who ducked, the hex hitting a stupefied Harry Potter. He yelped as the bogey started crawling out of his nose.
"Bloody hell Ginny!" said Harry, finite-ing the curse on his nose. Daphne tapped his nose with her wand and the cuts around his nostril healed up.
"Thank you Daphne." said Harry "Any chance of another kiss?"
Daphne Greengrass frowned but gave Harry another kiss on the lips.
"Oh come on, you kiss miles better than that" said Harry.
"He's only had a sip, and she's had a bottle." said Fred.
"True!" said Harry, and skulled the glass, and coughed a small black cloud.
"That's your limit" said Daphne "Eat some more food. You're all skinny."
"You're not" said Harry, and blushed. "It's the whiskey!" he said, grabbing Greengrass and pulling her onto his lap.
"Unhand me!" said Daphne Greengrass.
"After a kiss like that?" asked Harry. "Not likely."
"You're all boney" said Daphne Greengrass, reaching over and messily shoving some treacle tart into Harry's mouth. Harry made protesting noises but ate the treacle tart anyway.
"Lucky guess, it's his favourite" observed Ron.
Harry gave Greengrass a squeeze. "Let me go!" said Daphne.
"Why?" asked Harry "We're engaged, and you've already screwed me"
"Metaphorically" said Daphne Greengrass with a smile "Metaphorically" she said very precisely and loudly to the staring Weasleys.
Harry have Greengrass's backside a bit of a squeeze "You're not bony"
"I'm a size six" slurred Greengrass.
"I'll have to check that later" said Harry, reaching for a refill.
"You're already too drunk" said Greengrass slowly, her head wobbling.
"You just drank a whole bottle of whisky" said Harry.
"And I'm just… buzzed" said Daphne drunkenly "Magic ring. Remember."
"I remember" said Harry. "Which is why I want a drink"
Daphne frowned "You're a bad fiancée" she said.
Harry got a bottle and poured a lot into a goblet and drank up. "I'm going to try being a drunk fiancée."
"Stop now Potter. You'll have a terrible hangover." said Daphne precisely.
Around this point, a brown haired girl – Harry was pretty sure she was Tracey Davis walked over, looking concerned.
"Daphne, are you all right?" she asked.
"A bit squiffy, and Potters' lap isn't very comfortable." said Daphne. "This sobriety curse is a pain in the providential."
"Has he… done anything untoward?" asked Tracey, wand in hand.
"Bronwy" said Charlie "If my little buddy Harry had done something wrong, my mother would have hexed him silly. She might not like finding out Ginny's not gonna be Mrs Potter, but Harry's only … given your friend a little squeeze."
"My Name, Generic Weasley, is Tracey Davis. My friend Daphne Greengrass is on Harry's lap. They are engaged, but it's more a business arrangement than…." said Tracey, to be slapped on the arm by Daphne.
"He's all I've got" said Daphne "So it's important to be photographed on his lap. Fiancée of the Man who Won, after all."
Harry snorted "Don't call me that" he said.
"Sure … dear" said Daphne insincerely.
A large black dog came into the great hall, trotted over to Harry and pulled on his sleeve.
"Oh… Snuffles" said Harry. "Get up, Greeny. We're going for a walk. Time to walk the dog."
Daphne got up and, partly supported by Harry went off, following Snuffles, up a floor to an empty classroom. Harry closed the door, locked it, and cast some protective charms with the ease of practice.
"You're quite good at that" observed Greengrass, sinking into a classroom chair and giggling slightly "I'm so squiffy." she said.
Snuffles flowed upwards into Sirius Black.
"Now Harry, some ground rules. Don't talk to the press." said Sirius.
"No shagging the Weasel" said Daphne slowly "Poppy has had to treat her for... for… a disease. I don't want it, so keep your hands, tongue and penis off her."
Harry swallowed. Ginny had… caught a disease…. From Dean or Michael. Ulp.
"It's totally curable, but I don't want the attention" said Daphne.
"Now, about your betrothal" said Sirius awkwardly "As she's an heiress, when you two marry… you… well you have to give her a child."
"And not the pox" said Daphne.
"As she said, not the pox" said Sirius "Now… you're both of age, right?"
Harry nodded and so did Daphne.
"Well, you need to marry within… some years?" asked Sirius.
"Before the anniversary of the battle" said Daphne.
Sirius nodded. Harry sighed "I see the point." he agreed.
"Now, you're expected to stand near her, hold her hand, help her into carriages… all that sort of stuff" said Sirius blandly.
"Kissing?" asked Harry.
"No PDA" said Daphne.
"She says no PDA" said Sirius "And you're going to stick to that. And for heavens sake, no getting photographed snogging anyone else till After you're married."
"So I'm not getting a snog today" said Harry.
"Oh I dunno?" asked Daphne "You could probably talk me into a few semi-public kisses. For the rumour mill." she hiccuped.
Sirius smiled a bit "Now I've got to get out off here and to the Ministry, and register as an amimagus. Kingsley will gloss over the time-lag."
"Twenty years?" jeered Harry.
"We're, as Daphne identified, coming up smelling of roses" said Sirius. "Then I'll need to get some professionals in to clean the damn house. Being able to go to Gringotts will really help."
There was an awkward silence.
"Uh" said Harry "About Gringotts. I … we…. did rob it."
"Kingsley said" said Sirius "And he's going to do some serious spade-work for you to clear that up."
"We could..." said Harry "Give them some goblin made artefacts. As sweeteners."
"The candlesticks?" asked Sirius "They've been in the family for three hundred years."
"It's leverage" said Harry.
"Why is Harry Potter being sneaky?" asked Daphne groggily.
"Because he's a lot more Slytherin than he lets on" said Sirius.
Harry used the snake summoning charm and tried to talk to the snake. It didn't seem to understand.
"Well the Parseltouge was from the …. soul infection" said Harry. "A bit of Voldemort was stuck in my scar."
Sirius hugged Harry "Hey… it worked." he said. "Did you have a backup plan?"
Harry rummaged in his mokeskin pouch and got out the snitch.
It said, engraved across the back 'I open at the close'. Harry looked at the words. "It's time" he whispered to the snitch, and it opened like a puzzle box, a small stone falling out, that Harry snatched before it hit the ground.
"He's good seeker" said Sirius proudly.
"This is the backup" said Harry, looking a small black pebble, marked with the triangle symbol. The same one, Harry realised, on some of the Peverell tombstones at Godrics Hollow. The stone sat in his hand, cold and lifeless.
"What's that?" asked Daphne drunkenly.
"Resurrection stone" said Harry blandly. "Dumbledore's plan." Daphne snorted, so Harry rolled the stone three times, thinking of Colin.
A ghostly Colin Creevey appeared. "Harry!" he exclaimed "I died!" In much the same way Dennis proudly announced he'd fallen into the lake in first year.
"Resurrection stone" said Harry "Colin, Daphne Greengrass. We're engaged, she was our secret ally for years."
Colin nodded "You sent her messages on your used jerseys" he said and nodded. Daphne went red in the face.
Sirius made a barking cough "Colin? About the jerseys?"
"Miss Greengrass… Daphne… she'd buy Harry's jerseys. Well… she and Ginny." said Colin.
"You weren't supposed to tell" said Daphne.
"But the wars over, we won" said Colin. "And I feel compelled to tell Harry things."
"That'd be the stone" said Sirius with a smirk.
"I loved you Harry" said Colin, biting his lip.
"Oh brother" said Harry, with a grimace. "Colin, you're dead, go home" Harry said, and rolled the stone backwards three times.
"Bought his Jerseys?" asked Sirius.
"He was – was… the best quidditch player in school. He beat a dragon. A – a girl could dream" said Daphne Greengrass.
"You what?" asked Harry.
"She fancied you" explained Sirius, as Daphne leaned forward, hiding her face in her hands.
"But… she was in Slytherin… and… pretty. I'd never have a chance" blurted Harry.
Sirius snorted "You jammy, jammy bugger" said Sirius. "You get blackmailed into being engaged to a girl that fancies you, that you thought was too good for you. And got a deathly hallow. You're turning over a lucky leaf, Harry."
Daphne by now had her hands over her face. Her neck was red.
"Well… you'll need to wait till she stops dying of embarrassment." said Sirius. "And for the love of magic don't knock her up till you're married."
Harry felt his face slowly go red, and his throat close with crippling embarrassment.
"So, Harry, see you at you-know-where, any time after tomorrow. I'll be using Kreacher I suppose." said Sirius. "Your betrothed is of course welcome, as are your friends. But… crikey… no getting a rash from little Ginny Weasely. Blimey." said Sirius, turning back into a dog, wagging his tail.
Harry let the dog out, and turned to see the squiffy Daphne sitting up straighter, rearranging her robe collar.
"Why were you hanging around disillusioned?" asked Harry. It had been playing on his mind.
"I'd been doing that all year. Partly Insomnia, partly that it's fascinating what one learns, and a lot safer than walking the halls." said Daphne "If I learnt anything really useful, I'd tell … a contact I had, and they'd pass it a long to the Hogwarts resistance. I hardly wanted to see other students being tortured, imprisoned or … worse." said Daphne.
"You… were helping?" asked Harry.
"Oh please, not in some heroic way." said Daphne "Just… just… trying to make things more normal, like they used to be, before the Carrows and Professor Snape murdering Dumbledore, and keep my sister safe" Daphne's eyes looked quite red, Harry realised. Time for a change of subject. "You… fancied me in sixth year?" asked Harry.
"Everyone did. Except Pansy. And I have my doubts abut that. Tall, dark, handsome, magically powerful, pretty green eyes. And a quidditch captain, and the best Seeker at Hogwarts in ages. Did you get decent marks?"
"Some E's" admitted Harry. Daphne sighed "Clever too, but not nerdy." she said. "I would really rather you didn't cheat on me with other girls. As your…. Parent figure just indicated."
"Godfather, and I think he adopted me" admitted Harry. "I inherited everything from him."
Awkward silence for a bit. Harry thought about the implication that … a lot of girls fancied him.
"But… everyone avoided me" protested Harry.
"You had scary goons. Scarier now. They fought death-eaters in fifth year, and in the war yesterday." said Daphne. "And besides, girls don't just throw themselves at boys."
"Vale did" muttered Harry.
"That little harlot" said Daphne.
"Used love potioned chocolates" admitted Harry "Ron scoffed the lot and nearly died."
"Why I ought to – " started Daphne.
"Don't worry about it" said Harry. "So… you… want to snog me?"
"Um… not… exactly now. I need to die of embarrassment first" said Daphne.
Harry sat and thought.
"Are you going back to school next year?" asked Harry.
"I can't sit NEWTs this year, it's been a prison more than a school" said Daphne.
"I… should probably do seventh year" admitted Harry "Get some NEWTs"
"Before you become Minister for Magic?" asked Daphne.
"Oh god no. I was thinking Auror" said Harry.
"Are you really going to spend your life fighting dark wizards?" asked Daphne.
"Its… what I know" said Harry.
"It's terribly dangerous" said Daphne quickly.
Harry scratched the back of his head. "Daphne?" Harry said suddenly realising something awkward "If we are to be married before the first anniversary… we'd… be married while we're still at Hogwarts."
"It used to happen. Seventeen's the age of majority after all. Most seventh years can marry. There used to be married quarters. It's in Hogwarts – " said Daphne.
"A History" completed Harry. "Hermione never quoted that particular fact."
"Technically as adults, seventeen-year-olds can leave Hogwarts, be day students" said Daphne.
"That reminds me" said Harry, biting his thumbnail "I need to get my apparation license."
"Oh… you don't have a license?" said Daphne, sounding surprised.
"July birthday" said Harry "Too young in sixth year. Grandma Hermione has her license."
"I" said Daphne, pulling herself erect "Am also old enough that I got my license in sixth year."
"Well, you're an older woman" said Harry cheekily "Hubba hubba."
"Ugh!" exhaled Daphne Greengrass "We are going back to dorms now, There will be no… snogging."
"Shame" said Harry "you're very pretty"
"You really think so?" asked Daphne shyly.
"I'd never ask you out, you're too good-looking" admitted Harry.
"As if" scoffed Daphne. "I'm very plain."
"What" said Harry loudly "is it with witches. Hermione was just as bad till the Yule ball. Thought she was ugly."
"I'm better looking than Granger!" snapped Daphne.
"Yes, but please call her Hermione." said Harry "She's my best friend… well… apart from Ron."
"Do you and …. Hermione…." asked Daphne.
"Oh god no. We… we had a few weird moments on the run this year but no. She's like the sister I never had." said Harry. "If – There are married quarters – Does that mean – "
"I would assume there's a double bed. Or two singles in one room." said Daphne, sounding more sober.
"Bloody hell" said Harry.
"Far more comfortable than a broom cupboard or desk-top, I'd assume" said Daphne. "What Is you floo address. I assume you're going home tomorrow."
"Twelve Grimmauld place." said Harry "Um… yours?"
"Greengrass estate" said Daphne "And no, it's not the size of Malfoy Manor."
"Well Grimmauld place is a four-story townhouse in London." said Harry.
"In London?" asked Daphne. "You… live in London?" she sounded slightly excited.
"Breifly" said Harry, not wanting to explain "It's unplottable… that sort of thing."
"But shopping… shows..." said Daphne, eyes gleaming.
"Where… is Greengrass Estate?" asked Harry.
"Hertfordshire" said Daphne in a posh accent. "In the countryside, far from decent shops or means of entertainment. The village… well it has one pub." she concluded "And everyone in Appleby knows me and my sister, so … not a lot of opportunity for parties."
"Appleby?" asked Harry "You live outside Appleby?"
"Yes, the Arrows. They're just the local club team." said Daphne. "It's all quite… rural."
"But you're posh" said Harry.
"We come from the Manor, not the village" said Daphne precisely. "Whereas you're from?"
"Surrey" said Harry. "Muggle suburb, muggle relatives, who don't like me."
"That – explains some things" said Daphne, looking at the floor.
"I suppose you're too ashamed to be seen with me now" said Harry dejectedly.
Daphne gave Harry an odd, sideways look and spoke "You're heir of the house of Black, inherited whatever the Potters had, and saved the world. You're the most influential wizard in England right now. Is it true you… squashed… you-know-who like a bug?"
"He got cocky" replied Harry. "I removed his magical defences, then hit him with a spell he wasn't expecting. Copied the idea from Professor Dumbledore's duel with him in fifth year."
"Gosh" said Daphne "What was that like?"
"Terrifying" admitted Harry "They were like giants. Huge magic."
"Well, you don't have sixty years of practice yet" said Daphne evenly, and Harry couldn't help laughing.
"I thought I was going to die every year of school" admitted Harry. "Now… you know… I might live to get old."
"Not working as an Auror. Professor Moody looked dreadful." said Daphne "All scarred."
"I've got plenty" Harry commented.
"I'd rather you didn't become an Auror and lose your legs and half your nose and one eye, if you please" said Daphne.
"You can't tell me what to do" retorted Harry.
"I'd just rather kiss a man who was all there" explained Daphne.
Harry froze, and blinked, his brain trying to process the idea that… this pretty girl… who, he was… marrying by this time next year… was …. expecting to kiss Harry… on a …. regular basis and preferred… Harry not be mutilated. His brain slowed like it had fallen into treacle. The very idea that someone might… want to snog Harry in ten, twenty… bloody hell… they had to have a kid. And… if they had one for Greengrass… probably one for Potter… and maybe one for Black.
With…. this girl he … had kissed.
"I'm" said Harry, swallowing awkwardly "Going to have to go to sleep. This is going to take a lot of getting used to."
"Ahem" said Daphne. "No kiss before bed?"
"Uh" said Harry.
Harry walked over and gingerly kissed Greengrass, who tasted of Firewhiskey. She grabbed his head with one hand and his back with the other and gave him a searing kiss.
"Crikey" said Harry, gasping.
"Well… " said Greengrass "That's all you're getting till I've had a conversation with mummy."
"Your mother?" asked Harry.
"To get some potion" explained Greengrass. "Not getting knocked up this year."
Harry's pants seemingly shrank suddenly. "I understand" Harry croaked.
Harry found the Gryffindor dorm loos awfully useful twenty minutes later. He groaned. This being engaged business was nerve-wracking. And he definitely didn't want to um… knock Daphne up. Practice knocking her up… oh definitely. And… stay away from Ginny. A rash. Eeep.
Nine stories below , Daphne Greengrass was sitting in bed, proudly wearing a Gryffindor quiddich jersey, number 7 Potter, and reading a book about… matrimonial matters, and related charms.
A lot later, Tracey walked into the dorm room whistling, her robe half-buttoned.
"Daph!" she exclaimed "What the blazes are you doing in your own bed?"
"Learning certain charms" said Daphne, eyeing Tracey's flushed face and messed up hair. "What happened to you?"
"Generic Weasley is actually Charlie Weasley, Dragon Tamer. And… a very persuasive man" said Tracey.
"Oh my god, you didn't?" exclaimed Daphne.
"Well you clearly didn't" quipped Tracey.
"I don't know the contraception charm" hissed Daphne. "And I don't have the potion."
"Er" said Tracey "That would put a damper on things."
"I bloody wish" said Daphne "Just dying of frustration, while Potter stands around looking clueless, yet capable of feats of snogging that should be controlled by international treaty."
"He's good then?" asked Tracey "Charlie certainly knows what He's doing"
"Harry… acts so bloody innocent then boom. Firey kisses, and he's so… mmmm" said Daphne.
"He's a bit stringy" observed Tracey.
"He's been starved all year" said Daphne "He needs to gain a stone at least. He's so thin all his ribs show"
"So you… checked the goods?" asked Tracey.
"Healed up all his cuts in the great hall, actually. Tonight I tried to dissuade him from joining the Aurors after school."
"After school?" asked Tracey.
"He's coming back for NEWTs." said Daphne "As am I."
"That will be nice, I suppose." said Tracey.
"And his godfather, Sirius Black has set a date. Before the anniversary of the battle" added Daphne, with one raised eyebrow.
"So… in under twelve months… you're..." said Tracey.
"Married to Harry Potter-Black, yes" said Daphne. "And yes… he's a Potter-Black."
"And… you'll be…." said Tracey, eyeing the book Daphne was reading.
"Daphne Greengrass still. I'm the Heiress, after all. " said Daphne.
"Daphne Greengrass-Potter-Black?" asked Tracey, wandering towards the bathroom door. "Just need to take a shower."
"I doubt I'll style myself all of that" said Daphne airily.
Tracey reappeared in a couple of towels a bit later, with some… bite marks on her neck.
"Bite marks!" Daphne exclaimed.
"He was very passionate" said Tracey "And I do know the charm, and he knows the mens ones"
"Weasley's big brother?"
"The big one's got Fleur Delcacour. My one's the next oldest." said Tracey.
"Older men," said Daphne, shaking her head. "Harry's younger than me"
"A few months" snorted Tracey "Charlies… eight years older. Old enough to know things."
"He's an antique," said Daphne.
"Collectable," said Tracey, putting on a nightgown and getting into bed.
"But he's old," protested Daphne after a long delay.
"Muscly," said Tracey, and went to sleep.
-=0=-
Harry went down to breakfast again with Hermione, Ron making it out of bed. Harry walked down, watching his friends holding hands. Erk.
There was breakfast, and over at the Slytherin table, Daphne and Tracey were eating breakfast.
After Breakfast, it was time to pack up and walk off the grounds, and apparate home to Grimmauld Place. Or to the Burrow in Hermione and Ron's case.
Harry coincidentally found Daphne and Tracey heading out. Harry walked along in a group of five.
When they got to the gates, Harry stepped out, and said to Daphne "See you at some point."
"Wednesday" said Daphne, and Harry nodded.
"Harry" said Daphne pointedly "a kiss goodbye?"
It was, Harry thought, a pretty good kiss. Then Daphne gently pulled his head with her hand and … it became a very fascinating kiss that ended with Harry out of breath, and Daphne's eyes bright, panting.
"Get a room, you two" said Ron.
"Wednesday" said Daphne softly.
Daphne and Tracey disapparated. Harry nodded to his friends.
"Harry" said Hermione nervously "She's… using you."
"Um" said Harry "It's more complicated than you think."