Daphne Greengrass wished she had been sorted into Ravenclaw.
Ravenclaws didn't have to worry about rats and mice scurrying about their rooms. They didn't have to sneak around to be with the guy they liked, they didn't have to hide their interest in muggle culture, they definitely didn't have to deal with the damp and cold dungeons that a founder decided was the best place for all the 'right sort'.
It definitely felt like her classmates belonged in a dungeon, but she knew better than to make a joke like that. She knew better than to stick her nose out and draw attention to herself.
It was bad enough Malfoy had set his sights on her sister, she was far too good for him and had circumstances been different, she'd have hexed him until he stayed away.
But she couldn't do that, Malfoy's dad was apart of the inner circle, which meant you respected them. The 'or else' was silent.
Had she been in ravenclaw she never would've been summoned as soon as OWL's were done, standing alongside Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott in front of the inner circle on the first day of the summer before their sixth year.
In front of him.
He didn't want them marked, not yet. Only Draco-pale faced and terrified as he was-had been given that 'honor'.
But despite not wanting them marked, they were still to be put to work; Zabini had been placed under the watchful eye of Severus Snape brewing potions and doing the dark lords research. Nott had been set to work enchanting objects with Rookwood. The boys three years in runes more than adequate to help a master.
And Daphne? Daphne was handed a baby-a newborn, barely a few days out of the womb-and told in no uncertain terms that the child was to be kept alive, happy, and safe.
The babes name was Delphi, and Daphne had only been told that she was the daughter of Bellatrix lestrange. Who wanted no part in the raising of her own flesh and blood. And other than the occasional visit from Rookwood-who would run a metal wand over the little babe before nodding and walking out-Daphne was to do this task alone.
So Daphne was to be a glorified Nanny, not the worst fate of those in the new order. And definitely better than the task Draco had been given.
Maybe DUmbledore would do Daphne a favor and kill Draco. Then she wouldn't have to worry about the contract her father had entered her naive sister into.
In truth, Daphne enjoyed her task. While she hated that she was forced to be in the presence of dark wizards who leered at her with lust in their eyes; and she was forced to stand in the presence of arguably the most evil wizard in the country every few weeks to give her report on the child. She loved caring for Delphi.
She was an inquisitive little thing, her large brown eyes tracked anything that moved. And she loved it when Daphne would conjure soft pulsating lights and bubbles. She loved to cuddle and would laugh and babble at Daphne anytime the sixteen year old would make funny faces at her. It didn't matter that feeding, bathing and caring for her left Daphne bone tired. Nor did it matter that she couldn't even rest at night without waking every two hours to care for the little babe. Daphne found herself loving her charge, and loving her deeply.
It boggled her mind that such a sweet baby had come from the deranged lestrange woman. And that the woman herself hadn't once been by to see the child. Even the Dark Lord had peaked in once, his blood red eyes unreadable as he stood over the cradle that held the sleeping newborn.
"She is happy?" he'd asked in his high pitched, cold drawl. No emotion in his voice.
"Yes, my lord." Daphne said dutifully, keeping her head bowed and eyes averted respectfully, "she is…an inquisitive child."
He nodded, "keep up the good work, Greengrass." with that he'd walked out. And Daphne found her food quality improved.
For almost two months her new normal had grown on her. Sometimes she'd even idly pretend like Delphi was hers and hers alone, and that she was simply waiting for her messy haired husband to come home.
Her fantasy-however-came crashing down.
August first had passed as every other day had. Delphi was her normal, giggly self, and she was in the process of rocking her to sleep when the door opened and Rookwood came in, which was odd in itself as he'd been by only earlier that day.
Her blood froze when she saw Bellatrix following him, her gaze stormy.
"Show me." she told him coldly.
Rookwood nodded and held the metal wand up. What was wrong? Was Delphi sick? Had Daphne failed her charge?
The metal wand was waved and Rookwood turned to Bellatrix, she didn't know what Rookwood showed her, but Bellatrix just scoffed in disgust.
"Failure," she sneered at her, and Daphne held the babe close to her chest, "the dark lord won't be pleased."
"I-i don't understand," Daphne stammered, fear creeping up her spine, "i-I have kept her healthy, and happy and safe-"
"-like any of that matters!" Bellatrix spat, only Rookwood being in the way kept her from advancing on the girl, the man's hand tightening on the metal wand, "she's worth nothing but her magical potential! And she's barely any better than a squib!" she turned around and began walking out, "Get rid of her."
"What?" Daphne whispered in horror.
"GET RID OF HER!" Bellatrix shrieked, not a single ounce of pity or motherly worry in her eyes, "if you're so worried about your position i'm sure there will be more! But that thing needs to be disposed of. Now girl! Or else."
And with that ,Bellatrix Lestrange was gone, leaving Rookwood and Daphne behind.
"She can't be-i mean…she can't be-" Daphne tried and failed to comprehend what she'd just been told to do, even as she shushed the now crying Delphi, the babe soon falling to sleep in the safe embrace of her arms.
"She's serious." Rookwood said, with just a bit of pity in his voice, "and if I were you, I'd get it done fast. The dark lord will be of the same mind." he began walking out, pausing for a moment, "I can do it if you want," he offered, not looking back, "I know you care for her; I can make it painless-"
"N-no!" Daphne said quickly, "I-i can do it." a lump formed in her throat as she said this, and Rookwood only nodded before walking out.
Daphne looked down at the sleeping babe in her hands, snoozing away peacefully without a care in the world, not knowing that both her mother and father were not only cruel enough to not care if she lived, but to outright order her death.
Daphne couldn't do it, she fell to her knees and began sobbing uncontrollably as she clutched the child to her chest. Her child. The one they'd given her to take care of for two months now. The one they'd said to keep happy, healthy and safe.
She wouldn't do it, and she wouldn't stay here to await the return of Bellatrix or the dark lord. With half a mind she began packing. Nappies, clothes, blankets, bottles, anything and everything she needed to keep caring for Delphi went directly into the expanded bag she'd been given for the small chance the manor had to be abandoned, she transfigured one of Delphis least favorite plushies into a passing copy of the baby in the pram, shakily casting "Avada Kedavra!" As soon as she was done to 'kill' the transfiguration.
It wouldn't disappear, and she had no doubt Bellatrix would only confirm its passing before vanishing it or getting a house elf to do it.
Then she placed the real Delphi into a self-made sling she'd use when the girl was fussy but she still needed to finish cleaning up. Her cloak went around the both of them and she was off.
It was far easier to get out of the manor than Daphne expected, in truth she had rarely left the nursery since she'd been tasked. But she still found it bizarre that there weren't even any guards.
As fast as she could she made her way to the door, being as careful as she could in case there was a guard further ahead. Caution in her steps as she turned the corner that led to the front doors.
And almost crashed into Narcissa Malfoy;the woman took one look at her terrified face, and the baby in her arms, and offered her only a sad smile before she walked away.
Daphne took that as her permission to leave and-finally-she sprinted out of the front door and down the drive. She ran as far and as fast as she could with the weight in her arms and hanging off her shoulder, but she didn't dare stop until she saw lights in the distance.
A muggle settlement, she could summon the Knight Bus there and get to Diagon Alley. She had no delusions that her parents would support her in this; in fact, she was sure she would be disowned and cast out of the family within the next day or so.
But that didn't matter, she would do what she needed to do to protect Delphi.
Maybe she should change her name, she mused to herself as she walked down the main road of the small muggle community, a few giving her strange looks, but none bothered her. With both of her parents abandoning her, her death properly faked, and with no particular reason to keep it. Daphne had never cared for the name Delphi, it didn't fit the giggly and bubbly baby.
Of course, did any name? Still, she didn't like the name…
"I think I like the name Eliza.' she whispered to the sleeping baby, "it was my grandmother's name, What do you think about that?" she smiled when the only response she got was in the form of a tiny yawn before she drifted off back to sleep.
Daphne sighed fondly, placing a soft kiss against the crown of the now dubbed Eliza's forehead. Briefly she thought of writing Harry, but she didn't want to put h8m in that position: Eliza was the blood daughter of his two most hated foes, and while Daphne knew he wasn't a danger to either of them; She truly didn't want to force him to make the decision between helping her or leaving her.
She would get to Diagon Alley and pull out every galleon, sickle and knut she could from her trust vault before she hunkered down in the Leaky Cauldron, She had no choice but to go back to Hogwarts; but there were worse places to be than under the protection of the castle. And with Lizzy under her care, she would be able to ask for her own separate quarters.
She would keep her charge safe, happy and healthy, just as she'd been originally instructed.
And she'd do it with all the love in her heart.
WVWVW
Two weeks later.
Harry was sure Malfoy was up to something, the way he'd jumped when madam malkins had gotten too close to his left forearm, and he was far too shifty for Harry's taste.
He was contemplating following the blonde ponce and his mother into Knockturn Alley, but something caught his attention, or rather-someone. Someone with a familiar head of dark brown hair that bordered on black.
He hadn't seen her since before OWL's, the girl who'd captured his heart so easily he hadn't even noticed until she was kissing him in the shadows of an unused classroom back at the end of September.
He hadn't even thought about her in the last few months, he realized guiltily; the girl he'd met up in secret for help with his potions homework, who listened to his problems and worries just like he'd listened to hers; the girl who had been his first time back in October and who he'd hoped would be a regular staple in his life until she left right after OWL's.
Thoughts of draco malfoy immediately left his mind as he walked after her, ignoring his friends calls to come back.
He followed after that familiar head of hair, not entirely surprised to find that she was heading into the Leaky cauldron.
He entered the pub as she approached the bar.
"Your fee for the rest of the week.' he'd heard her say as he approached, why wasn't she staying with her family? Had they had a falling out? Had she refused to follow Riddle?
"Thank you Ms. Daphne, do have a good day," Tom the barkeep said cordially, "and you too little Eliza."
Harry froze as Daphne turned around, his eyes fixed solely on the small baby in her arms, completely missing the look of shock in Daphne's eyes.
"Harry." she breathed out, and Harry's gaze found hers.
"Daphne…what-" he stopped as Remus, Ron, Hermione and the Weasley's entered the pub.
"Harry, where'd you go-" Ron started to say, freezing when he saw Daphne and the baby she was carrying.
A baby with familiar wild hair.
"Harry Potter-" Mrs. Weasley began, her voice furious.
Daphne jumped a bit, finally realizing the situation she was caught in, "I have to go." she mumbled, turning to beat a hasty retreat upstairs.
Only to stop when Molly threw a comforting arm around her.
"Oh don't you worry dear, I'm not one to judge.' Mrs. Weasley told her kindly, patting her arm gently as she peaked at the snoozing babe. "Now, I don't mean to pry, but I have to ask. Is the father…" she trailed off, her eyes darting to Harry and back to her.
Harry felt panic welling up inside of him, could it be? But they'd both been so careful-
"I…i…that is to say…" She stammered, her eyes glancing from Harry to Mrs. Weasley, who let out a small, disappointed sigh.
"Come along dear," She said kindly, looking at Tom, "can you refund her fee? She'll be staying with us."
"Of course," Tom said, seemingly catching on to the situation as he retrieved the Galleons.
"W-wait no-please i couldn't-" Daphne began, her eyes wide and a bit panicky.
"Nonsense dear," Mrs Weasley said dismissively, patting her hand for a moment before ushering her to the stairs she had tried to retreat to just a few seconds ago, "go pack your things, we'll wait down here, Harry. Go with her."
It wasn't a request, and Harry definitely wanted to go.
He had a lot of questions, and they all warred in his mind as she stiltedly led him up the stairs and into a room that she had quite obviously been living in for at least a few weeks, soft toys and rattles lay about, a mat with smiley suns and rainbows was spread out, and opened cans of baby food and formula covered the spots on the table where takeout food hadn't.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
That was the first question he could ask without fully breaking down, as it was his heart was heavy and hurt. She knew he wanted a family one day. And she knew he would've been there for her-
"-she's not mine…not really." Daphne said softly, not looking at him as she carefully set her in a cradle, her hand gently resting against the bundle with a fond, loving smile, "I…I told you my family was being forced to serve the dark lord…how he would no doubt be giving us tasks to do." she turned to look at him, her eyes full of pain, "i was tasked with taking care of Bellatrix Lestrange's daughter…a daughter that wasn't supposed to live past a few months as i found out. I don't know exactly what he was going to do with her; but Bellatrix was furious when she wasn't strong enough for it…i couldn't….i wouldn't…" tears welled up in her eyes as Harry stepped forward and hugged her, "I ran with her that night," she sobbed into his chest, "I faked her death and came straight here, and i pulled almost all the gold out of my trust account before my parents disowned me for abandoning the dark lords cause, it was the only way to protect themselves and Astoria."
"Why didn't you write?" he asked quietly, his heart a bit lighter now that he knew his daughter hadn't been kept from him; though it still ached that she hadn't trusted him, "Asked for help, i would've come-"
Daphne shook her head, "I didn't know how you'd react to her parentage…" she whispered, "It's not just Bellatrix's blood that runs in her veins…it's the dark lords."
Harry stiffened a bit, but then he relaxed as he ran a comforting hand through her hair, "she's innocent," he said lightly, pushing down the unwarranted anger, "and she was abandoned."
"I couldn't risk it," fresh tears fell, hot and wet against his chest, "and i was terrified they would track me down, that my ruse would be found out, that-that-" she hiccupped as she tried to calm herself down, and Harry held her throughout it. "I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair, "I'm sorry you had to go through this, but you're not alone, not anymore."
"Harry I can't ask you-" she started, trying to pull away from him; but Harry kept her firmly in place.
"You didn't ask." He rebutted, "and it doesn't matter: I want to." He slowly stepped away and around Daphne, quietly walking over to the cradle, Daphne following worriedly.
She was so tiny, with curly locks of dark brown/almost black hair that wasn't a far cry from his own in terms of messiness. She was fast asleep, her soft sighs and murmured babbling causing a warm feeling to bloom in his chest.
He'd seen the love Daphne had for this baby, the offspring of his two most hated enemies.
But he didn't see either of them in this child, there was no malice, no anger, and when she opened her dark brown eyes, there was no fury or hatred. Just a gentle curiosity for a new face that disappeared as she fell back to sleep.
"I could adopt her." He said softly that irrational anger and hatred that had flared up quickly extinguishing in the face of an unknown, unrelenting love, "I could raise her as mine-ours." He turned to Daphne, the tears were back, but the hope in her eyes reassured him that they weren't the sad tears he'd been wiping away earlier. "Daphne…I love you, and I want to spend my life with you…and…If that includes her, then I want her as well."
Daphne sniffled, "her name is Eliza." She whispered, "Eliza Lilliane."
Harry's smile threatened to crack his cheeks, "a beautiful name." He whispered, fearing that if he spoke too loudly he'd begin crying, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat, "gather your things, before Ms. Weasley sends a search party.
They quickly began packing up the room, with most if it being baby items, as they packed, Daphne began planning.
"They haven't come looking for her, or me for that matter." She began, "if you truly want to adopt her, then the Goblins can take care of the paperwork if you're willing to pay the fee…but…there is another…more permanent way." She bit her lip as Harry glanced up from where he'd been packing away nappies, "we could blood adopt her, it would cover all the legal problems; and she may be given some of our traits to help better hide her from her…her birth parents."
"Will it hurt her?" Harry asked worriedly.
Daphne shook her head, smiling a bit, "it shouldn't, the ritual is very short, and relies only on a little bit of magic and a drop of blood…it's just…well, if we both want to blood adopt her…we um…have to either be married, or engaged to be."
Harry paused, looking back at Daphne; who was studiously ignoring him as she packed Eliza's toys and formula, he took a few cautious steps towards her; his arms snaking around her waist as he did, "will you marry me?" He whispered as he lay his head against the crook of her neck.
Daphne's breath hitched as she dropped the blanket she'd been folding, she leaned back into Harry's embrace, her eyes fluttering shut for a few moments. "Yes." She whispered back, "I will." She turned around in his arms, kissing him, "but I want an actual wedding. At some point."
"Of course." He said, unable to contain his grin or his happiness as they went back to work. Soon they were heading back downstairs, where Mrs. Weasley was patiently waiting for them alongside Hermione, Ron and Ginny. All three of whom didn't look happy. Though Hermione and Ron seemed far more comfortable with the situation than Ginny did.
"Mrs. Weasley, can you please take Eliza's stuff to the burrow?" He asked, "we need to take her to the bank real quick." He glanced at Daphne, smiling warmly, "I need to claim my daughter."
Mrs. Weasley smiled gently, "of course dear." She said, patting his cheek before her eyes turned sharp, "but don't think we won't be having a conversation when you return young man."
Harry nodded, and looked to his friends, "we'll explain everything when we get back." he said firmly.
Ron nodded, "you need a guard?" he asked, glancing at the baby meaningfully.
"I'll be accompanying them." Remus said, "they won't let me in to see your account manager, but i'll wait in the lobby.
'Thanks Remus,"Harry said, "See you all at the Burrow." with that they were going back into Diagon. Daphne stuck close to Harry's side as they went, Remus just a few paces behind them to give them space.
Harry was tense as they walked, keeping a protective arm around Daphne and Eliza while his eyes scanned the near deserted alleyway. He noticed Malfoy walking out of Knockturn, but other than a surprised look and a sneer, the boy didn't move to confront them.
"Draco was given a task by the dark lord," she whispered to him, "he's to kill Dumbledore."
Harry felt the blood in his veins freeze, "i'll get a warning to the headmaster…he may already know if Snape is actually a spy."
Daphne nodded mutely as they entered the bank. Remus stayed behind at a collection of rickety chairs just off to the side while Harry and Daphne went straight to the tellers.
"What can Gringotts do for you?" he asked.
"I need to see the Potter account manager on matters of adoption and recognizing an engagement." he said quietly to the goblin so no one overheard.
The goblin didn't so much as flinch as he called another goblin to lead them to the office.
Daphne forced herself to calm down as they were led into a rather nice office, with the only thing standing out being the collection of weapons that covered the walls.
They settled down in two chairs that faced a desk made of Oak, they didn't have to wait long before another goblin entered and took his seat at the desk, "good evening mr. potter." he said in a gravelly voice, "I am Account Manager Arnuk, i am told you wish to speak about blood adoption and an engagement?"
"Yes." Harry said, "I am engaged to Daphne, and we both wish to blood adopt this abandoned child."
"Abandoned?" he asked, looking at the three month old still asleep in Daphne's hands.
"Her mother wished her killed for a lack of magic," Daphne said, trying and failing to keep the wobble out of her voice, "and her father was in agreement…I am her caretaker and refused to do so." she didn't mention she'd faked the babes death and absconded with her, but then; it was heavily implied.
He nodded, a glimmer of respect in his eyes, "blood adoption is within the realm of possibility." he said, looking back to Harry, "there is paperwork to be done, but first; is this a formal betrothal agreement?" he questioned. "Both parties are in agreement?"
"I am." Harry said.
"Yes." Daphne agreed.
"Excellent, the Potter Family already has a charter when dealing with engagements, so no need to draft anything." he opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a sheaf of parchment. Handing it over, "please, go over this while I prepare the ritual."
Harry and Daphne looked over the charter, it was fairly typical for a betrothal agreement, requirements for faithfulness and living together; all monetary funds were available to both-harry though the main accounts and Daphne through the Potter Wives trust fund-and the declaration of any children born to be heirs to the Potter name.
The only difference Daphne could find was that if they decided to divorce-so long as she had been faithful-she would still be allowed funds from the Potter wives trust to take care of any children they end up having.
The greengrass charter had all children relinquished to the house and the wife ejected from all properties.
"Are you ready?" Arnuk asked, and both looked up, surprised to see the goblin had created a runic circle on his desk with chalk.
"Yes, we're ready." Harry said.
"Place the child in the circle." he said, and Daphne carefully set Eliza down, the babe opening her eyes as she did.
"Now," he pulled a knife and handed it to Harry, " a drop of your blood in this circle here, you as well Ms. Daphne."
They both obliged,Harry was surprised when the cuts immediately healed with little pain and Daphne had to stop herself from snatching Eliza out of the circle as the lines began to glow when the drop of her blood landed in the circle, Arnuk began chanting in Gruk-na-ruk, the goblin language.
Eliza began crying and Harry had to hold her back, Arnuk holding a hand out to them to reassure them that this was normal. A moment later the circle flashed and Eliza let out a shriek of fear.
"You may now pick her up," Arnuk reassured and Daphne shot forward, picking her up and checking over her worriedly as she calmed the wailing babe down, Harry stepped to her side, arm going around Daphne as he looked down at Eliza.
Her hair hadn't changed much, a tad more unruly, just a shade darker. The largest difference were her eyes, which now shone a brilliant green.
"Congratulations," Arnuk said. Wiping the blood and chalk off his desk, dropping the handkerchief into the trash beside his desk; it immediately erupted in flames that caused Eliza to start crying once more. "She is now your blood-adopted child. Is there anything else Gringotts can assist you with?"
"Nothing at this time, thank you." Harry said.
Arnuk nodded, "your vault will be billed. Enjoy your day." With that he pulled out a few pieces of parchments and began writing, leaving Harry and Daphne to return to the atrium alone; Daphne still worrying over Eliza.
"It's okay sweetheart," she cooed to the blubbering baby who was attempting to hide her face in the crook of Daphne's neck, "it's okay, it's all over."
Remus smiled at them sympathetically as they approached, "I know Lily hated that you still had to be tested after you were born." he said, "it's standard practice sadly, to make sure there's no infidelity."
"I had every confidence in Daphne and Eliza." Harry said, beaming at her and causing her to blush.
Remus simply smiled, "let's get you three to the burrow, i imagine Molly's already contacted dumbledore."
"Joy." Daphne deadpanned, making Harry laugh as they walked out.
WVWVW
Daphne wasn't sure how to feel.
She hadn't thought she would be in this predicament until they were back at Hogwarts, she hadn't planned to run into Harry in the alley-she'd assumed they'd just send someone to gather everything-and now she was sitting in what she was told was Percy Weasley's old room, attempting to feed a fussy Eliza while listening to the sound of Molly Weasley yelling at Harry downstairs.
"-of everyone i thought i'd have this conversation with, honestly!-" she heard and she had to smile at the motherly exasperation in her voice.
She was glad one of them had some kind of family to berate their stupidity. Even if it wasn't exactly the situation they thought.
"Hi."
Daphne jumped a bit, looking to the door where Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were waiting.
"Hi.' she returned a bit warily; she'd never met Harry's friends outside of class, likewise he'd never met Tracey or Blaise. Theirs was a private affair, and it coming out just two weeks before school was sure to make the return to Hogwarts uncomfortable.
"How's eliza?" she asked, taking a few tentative steps in.
Daphne looked down at her daughter, idly wondering when she began making the distinction in her mind, she was finally beginning to settle as she suckled on the bottle. "Fussy." she said with a fond sigh, "the trip to the Goblins wasn't fun for her, and all the changes have her stressed." she glanced at the door as Mrs Weasley's voice drifted again.
"-you know your grades will be far more important now than ever! No slacking!-"
"She doesn't yell like that all the time," Ron said awkwardly, looking distinctly off-footed, "she just really cares about Harry."
"I've gathered," she chuckled, "I'm glad one of us have…" she stopped talking, bitterly remembering her parents and the disownment that still stung her heart every time she thought about it.
"Weasley's look after their own." Ron said, far more seriously than she'd ever heard him before, "Harry's family, that means you are too…and Eliza." he added, looking at the baby, who'd finished her bottle and was now staring at them both with inquisitive eyes.
Daphne smiled, "thank you ron…would you like to hold her?"
"Wha-me?" He asked, once again taken off guard by the situation, "I-well, i don't know how to hold a tyke."
"It's easy." Daphne said, standing and walking over to him, "you support her head in the crook of your arm like this, and support her body with the other-" she stepped back, her smile widening at the way Ron awkwardly held Eliza, the baby staring up at him wondrously. "Er…great, awesome…what do I do now?" he asked, looking down at the baby, his eyes softening a bit as her tiny beefy hand waved at him and she giggled.
"You enjoy," Daphne said as she sat back down on the bed, "Eliza's an angel."
Hermione stepped to Ron's side, wiggling a finger at the baby, "Hi Eliza," she whispered gently, "I'm your Aunt Hermione, I promise I'll spoil you rotten when your daddy and mummy aren't looking."
"Don't say that where they can hear you." Ron joked, "then we won't be able to."
"I think we'll be alright in that regard," Hermione chuckled, glancing over to Daphne; who'd fallen asleep a short while after she'd sat down, her soft snores filling the small room.
"Must be trying, taking care of a kid." Ron said. Glancing behind him when Harry walked onto the landing, looking every bit the teenager who's just been read the riot act by their mother.
"Hey guys," he greeted tiredly, glancing at Ron and Eliza, "mind her head mate." he said, making Ron glance down and taking a step away from the door frame he'd been getting a bit close too, he glanced at Daphne's sleeping form.
"We stunned her," Ron said seriously, making Hermione gently punch his shoulder.
"We did not!" she snapped quietly, "Daphne fell asleep almost as soon as she handed Eliza off."
"She probably hasn't slept much since she was born." Harry said, walking over to check on her before looking at Ron, "can I hold my daughter?" he asked, a teasing lilt to his voice, "or is Uncle Ron wanting babysitting duty already."
Slower than Harry expected, Ron handed Eliza over, careful not to jostle her as the baby yawned.
"How'd mum handle everything?" Ron asked, leaning against the doorframe as Harry began bouncing his daughter in his hands.
"Oh you know, yelled at me about how stupid I am, told me if I don't get good enough grades I won't be able to get a job and provide for Daphne and Eliza. Threatened me with a rolling pin if I ever thought of leaving her." he huffed a bit.
"Welcome to the family mate," Ron said, "you passed the final test: mom disapproves of something you did or are going to do, even if you never do it."
Harry was a bit surprised at that, but a pleasant feeling radiated from his chest as he thought of the Weasley's as family. "Well, she was wrong about one thing." Harry said quietly, "I don't really need to work."
"Harry, you have to have a good job-" Hermione began, but Ron started chuckling
"You really don't know how rich the potters were, do you Hermione?" he asked, "you remember that Sleekeazy potion you used back in fourth year for the yule ball? Harry's granddad created the company."
Both Hermione and Harry looked at him in shock, "I…knew we had money, but I didn't know my grandfather started a whole company." Harry said faintly.
"Yeah, you probably still get royalties." Ron said, "should ask Gringotts for a statement."
"So…Harry really doesn't need to work?"
"Good luck telling mum that." Ron said, and Harry nodded emphatically beside him.
"Yeah, I tried, why do you think she was yelling so much?" Harry asked, and they all shared a quiet chuckle.
Eliza started squirming a bit in Harry's arms, "oh, no Eliza what's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly as her bottom lip started trembling with a whimper starting up.
Almost immediately Daphne was up, a panicked light in her eyes, "what's wrong?" she asked sleepily,
"I'm not sure," Harry said, a bit of panic setting in when she started wailing.
"She needs a change," Daphne said, the panic disappearing as she easily scooped her daughter out of Harry's arms and headed towards the changing table.
Harry stood and watched, "I want to know what to do next time." He said when Daphne glanced at him, she smiled warmly at him before she continued with her task.
"We'll let you both settle down for the night." Hermione said, "It was good to see you, Daphne."
"Night Harry, Night daphne, night Liza." Ron called in parting as Daphne began changing her.
Harry smiled softly, his eyes drifting from Eliza to Daphne, she still looked tired and worn, but the tension in her shoulders had eased a tremendous amount.
"She only peed." Daphne mumbled as she finished changing her, Eliza was yawning, eyes drooping a bit as Daphne picked her up, cradling her in her arms.
Harry wrapped his arms around her, his gaze once again moving between the two as Daphne leaned back a bit, absentmindedly humming a soft lullaby. "Let's lay back." He Said quietly, gently guiding her back to the bed, "you look dead on your feet daph."
"Let's see how you look after a few sleepless nights." She quipped, a bit of her old fire coming back.
"We definitely will." Harry confirmed, laying back onto the mattress, Daphne settling beside him with Eliza between them.
"Do you want to tell your friends the truth?" She whispered softly, turning a bit to face him, "I don't mind if you do."
Harry shook his head, "she's ours." He said seriously, "I don't care if the dark wanker himself comes around with a paternity test. He can very well shove it."
Daphne snorted a bit at that, "thank you, harry." She mumbled, laying her head into the crook of his shoulder and easily falling asleep.
Harry smiled and kissed the top of her head, his own eyes dropping low as he stated one last time at the tiny baby lying between them.
Ron peaked in for a second before quietly making his way back down to the living room, where Hermione, Ginny, and. Newly arrived Fred and George were waiting, "they're asleep." Ron said, "you guys want to talk about…er…this?"
"It has to be a trick, right?" Ginny asked almost immediately, she'd been wringing her hands nervously ever since they'd seen Harry off to the bank, "I mean, they've never interacted before!"
Fred snorted, making the younger teens and his brother him, "well, I don't know much," he began, "but I had a few times leaving an unused classroom…late at night, and-coincidentally-a ms. Greengrass followed out a few minutes later."
"And you didn't tell me?" George asked, offended.
Fred shrugged, "I'm not one to get into Harry's business like that, I did discreetly sneak some rubbers into his trunk though, figured he should be safe about it."
"Obviously he wasn't." Hermione snipped, making the three boys snicker and Ginny roll her eyes, "honestly. What were they thinking? There's a war going on!"
"Some would say that's the time to do it." George supplied, "mum had almost all of us save Ginny during the war, same with Harry's folks."
"But they were all of age!"
"And Harry's been dealing with shite since our first year." Ron retorted, plopping into the sofa, "personally, I think it's kinda understandable he..er…found someone." he cleared his throat as George and Fred chortled, "but I get it Ginny: it's shite timing and we have no idea if Greengrass did this on purpose; I may always be the first one to say it, but can we really trust a snake?"
"She seemed pretty terrified when she realized Harry had seen her." Hermione noted begrudgingly, "and Harry isn't one to be taken in that easily."
"Unless she's confounded him." Ginny grumbled.
"I think Remus would've noticed something," Fred soothed, "and he definitely would've done his own checks."
"Do you think he's gonna tell Dumbledore?" Hermione asked as the thought came to mind.
"If he doesn't, mum will." Ron said, grimacing a bit, "you think he'll check himself?"
"Here's hoping." Ginny muttered, "if she's trying to play him ill flatten her."
"Aren't you dating Dean Thomas?" Ron questioned, "why are you so up in arms?"
"Because Harry is my friend." She said fiercely, her voice raising just a bit, "and i'll not have some Slag using him as a means to an end."
"...well that's a bit harsh." Fred deadpanned, "Is she really that bad?"
"She's not." Hermione sighed, ignoring Ginny's betrayed look, "honestly she was more worried about Eliza than Harry."
"Fell asleep after she handed the tyke off to me." Ron confirmed, "woke up almost as soon as she started whimpering."
"Well, nothing to do but wait and watch : George conceded, "I'm sure Dumbledore will verify things."
"And what do we do if it all comes back positive?" Fred asked.
"Then we support Harry." Ron said firmly, Hermione nodding along with him, though she looked conflicted.