Chapter 13
-oOo-
June 23, 1994
London, England
Albus still felt the ache in his joints. It had spent more than two-and-a-half months in Azkaban, and another almost two months in this undisclosed location. He prided himself in knowing just about everything about the Ministry and its going ons. With all his substantial knowledge and contacts, he had to admit he had no idea where he was. At least this cell allowed him to look outside, but it wasn't any help with the constant mist outside. He could see nothing more than a sloping lawn before the world faded into grey nothingness.
In two days he was to be transported to the Ministry to face his trial. This was something he was not looking forward too. The charges that had piled up appeared to have good evidence, implicated him in many illegal activities, but he had only done it all for the Greater Good. Those words sounded a little hollow right now. Looking at the shear volume of what he had done was making him doubt himself.
The most troubling thing was that Albus had no Solicitor. Three had turned him down and now he was going to be represented by a DMLE Barrister. He would much prefer to just represent himself, and may still, but the optics would not look good.
Elphias had not returned since the last time he had talked with him. There were many out there that still believed in him, but he had a sinking feeling that much of his support on the Wizengamot had dried up or would soon.
Because of all this, he had finally decided that he would take the plea deal that Amelia had offered him two months ago.
He heard the sound of the iron door opening down the corridor.
Albus reached out his magic, something he couldn't do on the forsaken isle. As he did, he stirred and sat up. When the door opened, he blinked at the man standing in the doorway. They just looked at each other for a few. Someone had finally come for him and he wasn't sure what might be the best option.
"You didn't kill anyone?"
The calm droll of his most fervent supporter answered, "I am no fool. If I was to do this and kill all the guards you would be hunted down like a dog. Are you coming or not?"
Albus was being offered an opportunity to leave. If he did, he still kept some of the secrets and plans that he had fought to keep from Amelia. There was a part of him that had held out hope he would get out and be able to continue his plans. Tom could not be allowed to come to power again and there was much work to do. Now that Harry was no longer marked, Albus was not sure the prophesy still applied. The boy was no where near the equal to Tom, and Albus had made sure of that.
Going forward he saw only three paths.
The first, he would tell Amelia everything, allowing him to step back and retire.
The second and third option required him to leave this cell. One he would have to find a way to get Harry Potter and train him. The other would write Harry out of his plans and require Albus to look for the horcruxes and eliminate them himself.
"We do not have all night, Albus. I expect alarms are going off or the aurors will be notified when the next check does not occur. Either way, more Aurors will be on their way soon," the man informed him.
"Do you have my wand?" That would be important, but not crucial. It would be better if his wand was not returned or claimed before he died.
"I have a wand for you, or we can get another. Are you leaving?" the man pressed.
Albus stood, his knees popping. He felt like he had aged years in the last few months. "I need some things from my office."
"That will not be possible. Hogwarts allowed Minerva in the Headmaster offices now and all your belonging are being transferred to the DMLE for holding, pending your trial. We really must go," Severus was more insistent.
"Severus, if you are caught, you will be sent to Azkaban," Albus told him.
"That is going to happen either way. I was dismissed the day after the Express left. I only just missed the Aurors at my house. It appears some of my teaching and other methods have been questioned," Severus snarled out.
Albus sighed. He had warned Severus for years his actions may have consequences.
"Let us be off then. There are places and associates that will never betray me. I need to know what resources we have... and then I must know some information before I trust you with some of my own," Albus told the man. Perhaps his constant secrecy had been harmful, but he had learned at the tit of his mother to do so. There were secrets his family had that were not to be told to anyone. Since he was young, younger than even when he went to Hogwarts, he had been taught how to hold secrets and work from the shadows. That had been a necessary skill after his father had gone to Azkaban.
His father had done what anyone would have to see their daughter assaulted like that. Unexpected had been the response from the Wizarding world. A response that had been engineered from one of his family's big political rivals.
Yes. Albus had learned to keep secrets and work from the shadows until you had to act on your own.
As he followed Severus, they passed a guard room that had four stunned guards. Outside, four more were found by the doors. It was an old abbey they had been in. "Take this. It is the only way to leave without losing your mind," Severus told him, handing over an auror badge.
Dumbledore suddenly knew where he was. "That is the mist of Avalon," Dumbledore whispered. Some how the Ministry knew where Avalon and Camelot was? He had heard rumors but never believed them. If the rumors were true, no one could pass the mists in either direction without losing their mind. Many were no better than if they had been kissed by a dementor. Others were raving lunatics, not to be believed. "How did you find me?"
"I still have contacts in the Ministry. All those here are hit wizards working for the Unspeakables."
"Ah, I see," Albus replied.
"We must go. Godric Hollow?" Severus asked.
Albus shook his head. "I still have a family house that no one should know about. Take my hand," Albus told the man.
Albus would need to return here some day. If the legends were to be true, then there was power here greater than the Deathly Hallows. It was a power he may need as he was starting to feel his own wane.
They both dissaparated with a loud crack.
-oOo-
June 24, 1994
London, England
The door to his room burst open. Harry rolled, grabbed his wand. "Glacius! Flipendo!" Harry cried out. He knew he wasn't supposed to be doing magic outside of school, but he wouldn't let his Uncle get him again.
There was a bright flash as his spells hit an invisible barrier and ricochet into the room.
"Harry, stop! It's just Amelia," a woman rapidly said.
Harry stopped, his wand still up. He was taking in ragged breaths. It took a moment to realized that Amelia was standing in the doorway, her wand up and staring at him. He let out a burst of air and collapsed onto the floor. His pajamas were soaked through with sweat and his body shaking. It took a few blinks to realize he had been having a nightmare. He had met with Anne yesterday and she had him talking about his relatives again.
"I am going to lower my wand and come in," Amelia said in a soft tone.
Harry felt the despair of what had been done to him all those years ago hit him and he felt the bitter sting in his eyes. Harry hated to cry.
After a moment, Amelia had her arms around him and cried into her shoulder for a few. When he finally was able to get his composure back, he pulled away, wiping at his face. He didn't notice the other redhead peaking around his doorframe. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize about. Do you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head.
"How about you take a shower and I will have Dobby take care of your bed?"
He nodded. She helped him get to his feet and he had just about made it into his bathroom when a white lynx jumped into his room. "Emergency. All staff to report to the Auror's Offices."
Amelia looked at it for a moment. "Oh, shite. Harry, take a shower. I have to go into the Ministry. Minsy!"
A second later a tired looking house elf rushed into the room. "Mistress Ami called Minsy?"
"Lock down the house. Susan and Harry are not to leave. Only myself, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, the Longbottoms or Abbots are to be allowed in."
Minsy nodded her head and snapped her fingers. "The wards will only allow who you specify. Minsy will take care of the rest."
"Thank you, Minsy. Harry, I will be back as soon as I can. Susan, go back to bed," Amelia told them and walked determinedly out of the room.
"Are you alright," Susan asked.
"Yeah, fine," Harry replied before he was left to wonder what happened when Dobby came in. The elf's green eyes met his own. "Dobby will change the great Harry's bed."
"What is going on?" Harry enquired.
"Dobby not know. If Minsy finds out Dobby will tell you," the house elf promised.
Harry nodded. Some early morning light was starting to seep into the room through the enchanted window.
-oOo-
Dinner that night...
Amelia had pinched skin around her eyes. Sirius had joined them.
"Where is Mr. Lupin tonight?" Harry asked. As far as Harry knew, Sirius had not been totally cleared by St. Mungo's yet.
"Amelia and I have decided it may be safer for Remus not to come around for a little bit," Sirius told him.
"Is Mr. Lupin alright," Susan asked concerned.
Sirius sighed while Amelia's mouth pursed. "Remus has gone into St. Mungo's. Until we tell you otherwise, both of you, you are not to be in contact with Remus or go anywhere with him," Amelia stated.
"What is going on?"
Sirius looked to Amelia, who nodded. "There will be no trial tomorrow for Albus Dumbledore. He escaped from a prison that should have been more secure than Azkaban last night. We don't know where he is or what he is planning to do." Amelia sighed. "Harry, there are things I have not told you yet and I think it time I do. I had planned to have this conversation with you later this summer, but with Dumbledore's escape, I think it better you know now."
Harry frowned and looked at her.
"Auntie, should I stay?"
Amelia looked at him. "That is up to Harry. This involves him, but we are family and I don't like keeping secrets from family if I do not need too."
"Is this about why Dumbledore kidnapped me and kept me at my relatives? Besides what you already told me?" Harry tried to keep the anger out of his voice when he thought of Petunia and Vernon.
"Yes," she simply said.
He looked at Susan and then Sirius. "Is it safe for them to know?"
"I would like to know, Amelia. Harry is my godson," Sirius said, looking to Amelia.
There was silence for a moment. "Harry?"
Harry nodded. Amelia was keeping her promise. "If you think it best Susan and Sirius know."
"I do. We are not going to abandon you, but it is best those closest to you know what could be happening," Amelia told him.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Susan, before I start, this is House business. You are only to tell others if both Harry and I agree," Amelia demanded.
"Yes, Auntie," Susan said in a much more serious tone than normal.
Amelia nodded. "I don't know all the details, but I know enough. Albus was to make a deal to tell me everything to keep him out of Azkaban and fill me in on what I don't know. With him escaping, I can only tell you what I know."
"Not long before your parents died, there was a prophesy made about the Dark Lord. He somehow found out about it and targeted your family," she told him softly.
Susan gasped. Harry just looked at her. He felt like there should be something bigger. His lack of a huge response had Amelia explaining. "Harry, the prophesy foretold a child would be born with the powers to defeat Voldemort. He thought you that child, for some reason."
Harry snorted. "A prophesy? Are you joking? You mean like how Trelawney predicts my death every week when I was in Divination? She told me a grim is a sign of death and had me believing Sirius was a grim."
Amelia shook her head. "Harry, this isn't a joke. Prophesies are real. Voldemort came after you because of a prophesy and, as far as I can tell, Albus put you with your Aunt Petunia and Uncle Dursley because of it. That thing that was in your head was part of the prophesy. He broke many laws and did things in his attempt to see that prophesy come about."
The disbelief in Harry burned away. "What do you mean he did things to see it come about? I know what I have asked before, but what right did he have to put me with my relatives? Amelia, is that why Sirius, Mr. Lupin and many of the professors had issues?"
"You can't mean the Headmaster did all that. The Prophet said he was being charged with line theft, but this is horrid," Susan squeaked.
"It is. Amelia, what does the prophesy say?" Sirius questioned. "And what was in Harry's head?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. I had my contacts in the Unspeakables check it for me. The orb it is stored in has gone black."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"It means the prophesy has been fulfilled. It is unknown when that happened, but it had been checked after your parents death and it was still active then. The last time it had been checked was the year before you went to Hogwarts. You have faced Voldemort and defeated him three times, two of them since entering Hogwarts. It could have been either of those times."
Susan looked very afraid. She had not been told those details yet. Only Hermione and Ron knew that.
"You are sure it is dead and cannot be revived," Sirius pressed.
Amelia shook her head. "Once a prophesy is fulfilled, I have been told that is it."
Harry's hands were starting to shake. He wasn't feeling scared though. It was the same anger he had since February. "You mean my parents are dead and I was left with... them! Because of a prophesy! What did I do to deserve that! Amelia, why was Dumbledore leaving me there? Did he have anything to do with Quirrell and the Chamber of Secrets?"
She sighed. "From what I can piece together, yes. The Hogwarts wards were weakened over the last few years. There should be no way that a possession should have been possible. It is one of the wards erected at the school to prevent students from hurting themselves or attempting such a thing where others could get hurt."
"But it happened two years in a row?" Sirius questioned.
"What are you talking about? Do you mean Harry really killed Professor Quirrell? You said that was just a rumor," Susan yelled at Amelia.
"I did not lie. What Harry killed was not Quirinus Quirrell. For someone to be possessed that way, your soul needs to be splintered and combined with the one possessing you. Once that happens, you are not really a person anymore. You are something between this life and the next," Amelia told Susan and Harry.
Harry balled his fists. "Is that why he burned to ash? He was part of Voldemort?"
Amelia nodded.
Sirius was holding the edge of the table. "Is this why you would not tell me everything while I was still in St. Mungo's? What else happened?"
"Is that what happened to Ginny? Is her soul fractured?" Harry was concerned.
"No, Harry, and yes, Sirius. Ginny was controlled, more like an Imperius curse. She was not possessed. There is trama there, but she doesn't remember what she did and Healer Anne has been seeing her too." Amelia gave him a long look. "Harry, when you stabbed that diary with the basilisk fang, you said you saw the form of Riddle just burst into a green smoke, correct?"
He nodded.
"Like I said, we don't know when the prophesy was satisfied, but I think it was that night. You killed a part of Voldemort," she told him.
Sirius paled. "You can't mean..."
Amelia stopped him. "It was a part of Voldemort. A shade of who he was at the age he made his diary. One of the few things I did get from the old fool was that 'neither of you can live while the other survives'. I am trying to get word out to the ears of Albus that the prophesy is no more. Maybe he will hand himself in or leave you alone. Either way, he has a proven record where you are concerned, Harry, and I will not allow him to get you. For the summer you are going to have an Auror guard. You as well, Susan. At all times you will both have at least one guard with you. Even here, there will be a guard in this house starting tomorrow morning."
"Amelia, what does this all mean? Does that mean Voldemort will keep trying to kill me? Does Dumbledore really want me? And why?" Harry pressed.
She let out a breath. "I don't know. If Voldemort is still alive somehow, then I do think he might come after you again. There is a team in the Ministry working on this already and I will do everything in my power to ensure you are safe," she promised.
"As will I. I will not leave you again. Amelia, I would never ask this otherwise, but would it be better for me to move in here, or have Harry come live at my home. Grimmauld Place is warded probably better than almost any other place in Britain," Sirius offered.
Harry dug his nails into his palm. "I don't want to leave," he said in a small voice.
Amelia put her foot down. "Sirius, Harry is not going anywhere unless both Harry and I agree and I will not agree to that. I made that promise to him when I became his guardian and I will not go back on that," she said a little fiercely. Harry could see where Susan got her feeling of such deep duty to her friends.
"Isn't he safe here?" Susan enquired.
"Yes, Harry and you are both safe here. Sirius, this house has many unused rooms. If you wish to move in for now, that can be arranged. Once Remus has gotten his treatment, there will be a room for him as well. It might do well for Harry to know you both. It would also work well for the summer tuition we plan. I assume you still remember the old Auror workouts and drills," Amelia asked Sirius.
The man groaned. "You can't be serious? I mean I'm Sirius, but still," he said, raising an eyebrow towards him and Susan and huffed when he got no real reaction. "You want me to run these pups through that? The summer is supposed to be a fun time and I need to spend some time at the Wizengamot and..."
Sirius trailed off at the hard look from Amelia. "Do you think if the Death Eaters come back or if Voldemort is still out there that he will not come after Harry or anyone around him or that opposed the bastard? Edgar, Yvette, Roland and Veronica all died because we opposed him. Susan should have grown up with two siblings and her parents. Maybe some cousins if I had been able to settle. Instead, we are all that is left. Harry is just about all that is left of his family. Only him or Neville could take up the House of Potter. Neville is the last of his line. They both have muggleborn friends that will be hunted just for the sport, never mind their relations to these two. I do not like having Susan, Harry and their friends in this position, but I won't see them defenseless should those days return. Do you disagree?"
Harry and Susan looked at Sirius as he stared at Amelia. "Well, bloody shite!"
"Do you disagree?" she pressed.
"Did my parents know how to defend themselves?" Harry asked.
"What about mine?" Susan queried in a small voice.
Sirius turned to them. "Harry, James was one of the best Aurors and duelers I knew. He came out on top of almost every fight. It took You-Know-Who four times to finally take out your father, meaning you are already three-quarteres to your father," Sirius said as a macabre joke. Harry gave a grimacing smile.
"Edward was not a fighter. He could defend himself, and the evidence said he gave those that came for you that night a good fight, but his strength was as our Head-of-House and he was becoming a very good politician. That was probably the reason we were targeted. I was also able to work with James for a little bit, but I was higher up the ranks at the time and assigned to a different squad. That being said, James and Sirius were in one of our best front-line squads. They were almost the same rank as a hit wizard, and just as deadly," Amelia told them.
"Just to be clear though. I am not proposing that either of you or your friends become like that, but you will be able to defend yourselves long enough to run. Sirius and I will be your main teachers in Defense. Lord Greengrass has setup training for you both on the Wizengamot and a few core subjects. Twice a week you will go to the Greengrasses for these tutors. Those same morning you will do the work outs and training. Yes, you will have time off to do the fun you have planned with your friends and we can talk about a week or more away in August," said Amelia.
Susan eyes looked watery as she responded, "Yes, Auntie."
Harry just sat there. He was taking in everything. It was hitting home, more than it had on the Express, that his summer was going to be different. He had been part of a prophesy. A prophesy that had Voldemort hunt him and his parents. It was also why Harry had faced him two other times. The fact the man that was supposed to be protecting him had done the opposite fed into the anger that always seemed to be there the last few months.
"Can I talk to anyone about this," Harry asked them. He really needed to talk with his friends. He had no clue how he would tell them, but he needed Hermione, Neville or Daphne. Maybe all three? He felt he could trust Tracey as well.
Amelia and Sirius shared a look. "I don't think there a great danger in talking about this with your friends or those of the Potter-Greengrass Alliance, if that is what you are asking. I would caution against anything else and to make sure they promise not to mention anything except to each other or their parents. All their parents know this as part of our alliance. Some of this was to come out at Albus trial tomorrow."
Susan sniffed. "Auntie, can I talk with Hannah?"
"Yes, Susie."
"You alright, pup?" Sirius was looking at him.
Harry just nodded his head. "Can I send off a letter to Hermione? Or go over Neville's or Daphne's tomorrow?"
"I'm sure if you want to send them a letter and they say yes we can arrange it. I will have the Aurors set up in the morning for your guards," Amelia told him.
"Pup, if you want to talk, I'll be here," Sirius offered.
"Thanks. Can I leave the table now?"
"Sure. Do you need to talk, Susan?" Amelia asked.
Susan looked teary. "Can we have some coco in the family room?"
"Of course. Sirius, just call for Minsy or Tipsy when you are ready for a room," Amelia said.
"Sure, Amelia. Harry, mind if I join you for a few?" Sirius requested with a hopeful look.
Harry frowned. "I think I just need a little bit for myself. Amelia, you mind if I go up to the roof top garden?"
"That is fine. No where outside the walls of this house, though."
He nodded and left the room to find his way up to the roof. As he did, he heard Sirius demand, "Amelia, we need to talk."
-oOo-
June 25, 1994
Rotherham, England
Daphne was up early. She had taken her bath, picked out her clothes, had an early breakfast and was now in the small parlor with a book. She wasn't really reading it though, instead she had her head turned and looking out the window. Harry's owl had shown up late last night. Daphne was actually getting ready for bed when the beautiful white owl suddenly wrapped her beak on her window.
Hedwig was gentle as she climbed onto her arm and took up on her desk as she took the letter off. Daphne had rushed to find her father still in the family sitting room with the same book she was reading now in his hands. She pulled herself up tall and proper when he gave her an eye over the book. "What has you so flustered?"
She took in a soft breath. "Scion Potter is requesting to come over for a while tomorrow. Would you agree?"
Her father looked at her for a moment before nodding. "That is agreeable. Daphne, I want you and Astoria to stay here for the next few days unless your mother or I take you out. At least until we know more about Dumbledore. I have a feeling Amelia is going to be rather protective of Harry as well."
"Yes, father. Scion Potter has said he and Susan will have an Auror guard for the foreseeable future," she informed her father.
He nodded. "Good. Tomorrow I don't want you two doing any work. It is your summer holidays and you will be starting your tutors in July."
She tried to keep a smile off her face. "Yes, father. May I take him out to the orchards? Maybe fly our brooms?"
"That is fine. My only rules are don't go outside the property boundaries and stay out of your mother's greenhouses. He may be our ally but he doesn't need to know all our family secrets," he told her.
Her eyes narrowed. "I know what is acceptable and not acceptable to show our guests. Harry is not family."
Her father chuckled. "No, he is not. Now go get ready for bed. I'll let your mother know he is coming over. You can tell him he is welcome at any time."
"Yes, father," she huffed. She was still annoyed that he would remind her like that. She was fourteen. She knew what she was not supposed to say.
As she went to walk out of the room, her father called out, "Daphne, it is alright to call Scion Potter Harry for now on. This wasn't official business."
Her face flushed as she realized her slip. She had a smirk that her father liked him enough to allow that. "Yes, father."
Daphne had had a hard time falling asleep and she had found herself up at the crack of dawn and now on this comfortable couch and looking out the window. She didn't realize her mother was in the room until she sat in a chair at the table along the wall. "Thank you, Tula. Wake Astoria and let her know we are going into Diagon Alley this morning to fit her for a new dress or two. Please make me some eggs with cheese, tomatoes and some diced rashers."
"Yes, Mistress Illiana," the elf said. It was her mother's private elf from her family.
Daphne turned to her mother. "Why would Tori need a new dress?"
"I think she is old enough to accompany us to the Abbotts Cotillion this year. I plan to take you and Tracey next week with Danielle. Would you like me to ask Madam Bones if Harry would accompany you this year?" her mother asked in a soft tone, but her eyes regarding her daughter.
Daphne tried to act as though she didn't care. "If you must. I am not sure if he is ready for something like that, though," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Well, at your age it is the practice that counts. He also listens and takes to your tutoring well, so perhaps you could offer dance lessons?" her mother suggested. "I can get a tutor for that if you need."
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I know how to dance. You have had Tori and I learning the proper ball dances since we were six."
"But does Harry?"
Daphne closed her eyes for a moment. Of course Harry wouldn't have been trained in all this. With how quickly he seemed to adapt to her rules... well, not her rules but the ones she was required to play by, she sometimes forgot he hadn't been trained since the cradle to be a scion and Lord of a House that has power on the Wizengamot. "No, I don't believe he does."
Her mother nodded. "It is settled then. Would you like them to be private with just you and Harry or the whole group that will be here?"
Her eyes shot up to her mother. "I get a choice?" she asked disbelievingly. Tori and her so infrequently had a choice in these things.
"You are getting to an age that you should start becoming more independent. A streak you have shown you are going to do no matter what your father and I tell you," her mother stated.
Daphne tried to show no emotion, but she knew her face had flushed again. Tula chose that time to come back with her mother's breakfast and coffee. Daphne smelled it and turned her head to the delicacy. Her mother would have it a few times a week and only in the mornings. Seeing her reaction, her mother softly said to Tula, "Why don't you get Daphne a cup too."
Tula nodded and left the room. "I can only drink this the mornings your father is out and Tori is not up yet," her mother said. Daphne knew that very well. It was a guilty pleasure of both older Greengrass woman, but one the others did not like.
"I love the smell of coffee," Daphne admitted.
Her mother chuckled. "You liked it the few times I would let myself have it when you were still in me. I threw up every time I drank it with Astoria."
Daphne made a face. "I hope I don't have the same issue."
Her mother's brow rose as she put some milk in the coffee. "I thought you didn't want to think about children until you had too?"
Daphne did something Harry did often, she shrugged. "I do not want a child at fourteen."
"But you want one?"
She shrugged again. "Some day. Can I get through Hogwarts first?"
Her mother nodded and started to eat. After a moment, Daphne looked back out the window. Hedwig had not been back yet this morning, so she didn't know when to expect Harry. Her mother was finishing when a tired looking Tori came into the room. Her sister was wearing a skirt and blouse today. It was relatively casual wear. "Morning, mother," Tori greeted their mother and then stuck her tongue out at Daphne.
Their mother shook her head. "At least you both act your age when company is around."
"Father would take away our allowance if we didn't," Tori replied.
Father always threatened, but usually after a talk, they didn't repeat the behavior again in the wrong company.
"Get it out now. Harry will be coming over at some point today and you and I, Astoria, will be going out in about an hour."
Tori's face lit up. "Tula said you are getting me a dress or two? Why?"
"You are twelve now. That was the same age we took Daphne to the Abbott's cotillion. If you behave you are invited this year," their mother informed Tori.
Daphne laughed to see her sister's eyes go wide. She was bouncing in her seat with her excitement. "Really? I can go this year? I won't get stuck at home?"
Her mother chuckled. "If you act like that all night I just may."
Tori didn't calm, a huge smile on her face. "Can the dress be a mint green? With lots of satin?"
"You know all those that have not been presented yet wear a pale pink. Daphne, I think your beau has sent a reply," her mother said with a grin still on her face. Tula had a white owl on her arm as she walked into the room.
Daphne's eyes went wide. She liked Harry... was it that obvious?
"Missy Daphne, Scion Potter's owl has a letter for you," the elf informed them as Hedwig was transferred to the back perch in the room. Her mother had set it there when Archimedes became too old to really see and couldn't fly without hitting something. She didn't have the heart to put him down. Her mother's owl had passed about a year ago.
Daphne got up and pet the preening bird. The owl looked tired. "Thank you, beautiful girl. Why don't you take a nap?"
Hedwig hooted. Tori put in her breakfast order as Daphne read the letter. "So, is Potter professing his love for you yet?"
She gave a stink eye to her sister. "Harry is coming over today. I was thinking of taking the brooms out in the back field."
"Just be careful and make sure Tula or Winchester keep an eye on you. I also don't want Harry pulling any of those death defying moves today," her mother said firmly.
Daphne smiled as she looked at the letter again. Daphne found it rather thrilling to watch Harry fly. He was so confident and by far the best Seeker she had ever seen. The snitches on her bedside table and the one in her pocket also showed he had the skills to do what he did. "I will let him know," Daphne answered, knowing Harry would probably do what he wanted. Her mother's request was like asking a swallow to go slow and a hawk not to dive for its prey.
Her mother shook her head. "When will he be over?"
Daphne looked at the clock. It was close to nine. "Ten."
"I will go get ready and Astoria and I can leave after he arrives. Your father will be working in his office and he is expecting some business associates later today. I don't want you bothering him."
Daphne nodded her head in a petulant way any teen might do when they found the demand went without saying. "Yes, mother."
Her mother stood, walked over and patted her cheek. "Perhaps the Bones and Harry can come over for dinner next Friday?"
"I will ask."
When their mother left, Tori gave her a mischievous smile. "So, did he profess his love for you?"
She huffed. "Harry and I are friends."
Tori laughed. "If you can honestly tell me you don't want to kiss him I will leave you alone."
"I don't want to kiss him," she said rather quickly and knew colour came to her cheeks.
Tori's laugh grew louder. "Liar!"
"I am not," she snapped back at her sister. Astoria could be so infuriating at times!
"Daphne and Harry sitting in a tree... OW!" Astoria cried out and shot up, her hand rubbing her side. "You aren't allowed to do magic outside the practice rooms."
Daphne was slipping her wand back up her sleeve. "Then don't annoy me."
"I'm telling mother," she said with a pout as she continued to rub the spot Daphne had hit her with a stinging hex.
"Fine. I'm telling her about you and Amanda," Daphne countered.
Astoria's eyes went wide. "You wouldn't!"
"Care to test me?" Daphne challenged.
Tori gave her a face before sitting back down and eating her breakfast. Tori didn't say another word before leaving the room. Daphne now had thoughts in her head about Harry. Thoughts she really hadn't had before. She liked Harry. She was starting to understand it was more than just a friend. If anyone had told her before Christmas that she would think of Harry Potter this way she would have cursed them for even suggesting it. The boy was an attention seeking prat that clearly had been in Dumbledore's side pocket and was given privileges above anyone else in the school...
Well, that was her impression before approaching him in January.
Tracey and her were just barely getting an exceeds expectation before asking for his help. Because of Harry, and Hermione, Daphne had made her goal of getting an Outstanding. Along the way, she had found she really enjoyed spending time with the three Gryffindors that were always in the study group.
For once Daphne had people she was looking at as friends. Friends she had chosen. Tracey was her best friend, and Blaise and Millie really good friends, but they were the same. All had been forced on each other due to their families' alliances and political leanings. Hermione, Neville and Harry had not. The fact Harry was extremely handsome now had nothing to do with that friendship... it had everything to do with the way she felt when he was around though.
Daphne felt silly she would be so attracted to him that way. Harry was a good person. He was kind, humble and nothing like many thought him to be. But, Merlin!, when his green eyes met hers... maybe Tori was right. She would like her first kiss to be with Harry. Perhaps other kisses after that.
At close to ten, Daphne wandered towards the front doors. The aurors were not allowed through the wards yet so they would be taking Harry to the edge of the wards and walking down the main drive. Her mother joined her on the bench on the front porch.
"Daphne, if you really like Harry, your father and I will not get in the way. If you two do decide you want to be more than friends, we will be talking to Madam Bones. I think it would be advantageous to both of you to have a Courtship agreement," said her mother.
Harry and two aurors came over the rise. Her eyes were locked on the boy with messy black hair. "I don't even know if he likes me like that."
Her mother patted her hand. "Trust me, that boy is smitten with you. Just don't rush it."
She frowned for a moment. "Does father still want me to be betrothed by the time I leave Hogwarts?"
Her mother sighed. "I am not sure he has a choice with you. Having a solid line of continuance for our family is important to him."
"And if I don't want it?"
"We are letting you explore a little, to see if you find anyone compatible. If you do, having a courtship agreement, or even a contract, to ensure he does not stray will be important," her mother said. They would be to the front entryway in just a few moments. It was a long walk from the ward edges.
She gave a little smile to look at Harry. "He will not stray once he has decided on a course of action," Daphne said. She felt she knew Harry well enough now to understand that about him.
Her mother smiled to see her daughter looking at the teen. "I will take your word for it."
They both stood as the three visitors approached the stairs to the doors. Harry had been looking at her for the last few minutes and she felt something warm in her. It was a feeling that only he brought up. She liked it, but felt foolish at the same time. It seemed to heat her neck or cheeks at the most inopportune times.
Harry bowed as he got to them. "Good morning, Lady and Heiress Greengrass. Thank you for letting me come today."
"Good morning, Scion Potter. It is always a pleasure to have you here. The House of Greengrass will always accept our allies. Your Aurors are welcome to any place you go, or I can have refreshments provided out here or in a sitting room," her mother offered.
Daphne was looking into his green eyes. She could tell something was bothering him. It was apparent Harry had not been trained to be a Scion of an important House. He wore his emotions all over his face and eyes most of the time. It was something she really liked about him.
"Thank you, Lady Greengrass. Auror Shacklebolt and Jones. If it is all the same, our orders are not to let Scion Potter out of our sight." Daphne looked away from Harry's eyes to a tall black man with a colourful hat on his head. The man had shrewd eyes as he looked around. There was a sense that the man could be dangerous, but she didn't feel that danger was for them.
The lady next to him had long blonde hair in a plait. Her eyes weren't as hard. She didn't project herself as anyone of great danger or note. Daphne realized that was the point though. She doubted anyone set to protect Harry would be ill trained, and this persona had to be set to let others think she wasn't a threat.
"Of course, Auror Shacklebolt. If you need refreshments, please just call on one of our elves. Scion Potter, how long do you plan to stay today?"
Harry looked to her mother. "As long as you will let me," Harry replied. Daphne let the smile come to her face. Her mother chuckled.
"I will set out an extra plate for dinner if you stay that long. Daphne, Astoria and I will be going now. I trust you can show the Aurors around if they need," her mother instructed her.
"Yes, mother."
After a farewell to Harry, Daphne found herself still standing before her front doors. She was expected to play host and she would not disappoint. "If you would, I can show you around."
"That is not necessary, Miss Greengrass. We will maintain a respectable distance," Shacklebolt replied.
She nodded and turned back to Harry. His eyes still looked troubled. "Would you like to go for a walk? I haven't shown you all the grounds yet."
Harry gave her a smile that seemed to melt her insides. Holding out an arm, she was thrilled to put her arm around his. "I would like to go for a walk."
She led him on a path around the house, the Aurors falling back far enough not to bother them, but there anyways. "Why do you have Aurors following you," she asked. Harry had not explained that.
He sighed. "I have some stuff to tell you. I hope you still want me to stay afterwards."
She gave him a questioning look. He let out a long breath. "Daph, do you remember first year? I know there are rumors about what happened between me and Professor Quirrell." Harry stopped talking and looked to be struggling to say something.
"Harry, we are allies, and friends. I don't really believe those rumors about you killing him," she stated.
His shoulders slumped. "But I did," he said in a low voice.
She took in a sharp breath, stopping in her tracks. He tried to pull his arm away but she wouldn't let him. Harry turned his head away. In the few months she had gotten to know him, this boy didn't come off as a murderer.
After a moment she asked, "Can you tell me what happened?"
He turned to look at her, his green eyes in pain and cautious. "You don't want me to leave right now?"
"No. I would like to hear what happened first," she confessed. Unless he told her it was a cold-blooded, premeditative act, she found she would give him the benefit of the doubt and trust his word.
His eyes searched hers for a few before he nodded. Taking a step, she fell in besides him as he started to walk. She was about to learn why Harry Potter and some of his friends acted so much more mature than anyone else she knew of their age, and how some of the rumors were more accurate than she had thought.
-oOo-
Later that night...
Daphne sat on the bench before the window. Her hair was over her shoulder and her brush in her hands. It was almost dark at ten at night. This time of the year it was light out Merlin-be-damned early and late. She didn't really notice though as her mind went over everything Harry had told her today.
When a knock came at her door, she called out, "You can come in."
It opened and her mother slipped into the room and shut the door behind her. "Is everything alright? You have been very quiet since Harry left."
Daphne let out a long breath. Harry had said she could talk to her parents about what he said. "Do you and father know?"
Her mother gave her a discerning look before nodding. "How much did he tell you today?"
"I don't know. Everything, I think," she replied. "Is it true? Is you know who still after him? There was a prophesy? Dumbledore kidnapped him? He was only a baby!" She couldn't keep the sting of her tears out of her eyes.
Her mother nodded and came to sit behind her. "Pass me the brush."
Daphne did and felt the tears roll down her cheeks. She hadn't let them out when he was here, instead finding ways to get him to laugh or smile after their long talk before lunch. Now she couldn't keep it in. "Mother, he grew up with muggles but won't tell me anything about them or what his life was like before Hogwarts. Is you know who really alive?"
"Daphne, what Harry told you today can't get out. If you like him at all and still want to be his friend, it must remain a secret between us, him and the Bones," her mother stated.
"Hermione knows it all. She has been there for almost all of it in the last three years," she replied. "Is it true?"
Her mother started to comb her hair. "I have no reason to doubt Amelia Bones, Daphne. There are things that Amelia has talked with us about. All I can say is that your father and I are supporting her in her efforts to help Harry. She wanted us to understand what we might be getting into before Anders agreed."
Daphne put her hands to her mouth. "You mean He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is really out there? Is that why Dumbledore escaped? Is he really going to go after Harry?"
"We don't know."
Daphne turned, not caring that some of her hair was pulled in the brush as she did so. Her features spoke of anger. Her insides were angry, worried, scared and so many other emotions. "Don't lie to me, mother. You don't know or you won't tell me?"
Her mother's stare was just as hard. "A little of both, my little flower. From what I understand, Harry doesn't trust easily, and he has told very few about some of what it seems you were privy to today. Your father and I have vowed to help. In helping Harry Potter we help not only him but our family and many others. Amelia has confirmed the prophesy that was about him no longer holds sway over him. The question is, will you support Harry or do you want to end this friendship? He will need those that will be loyal to him."
Daphne regarded her mother through her tears. "Harry is my friend. I won't abandon him," she fiercely stated.
Her mother nodded. "That is a decision I fully support. Now, what is it you truly want to talk about?"
Daphne leaned over and her mother wrapped her arms around her. At fourteen she didn't think she would like this so much. She was grown up now, but her mother's arms were comforting. "Harry has killed Dark Wizards, a troll, acromantula and a basilisk. How can I ever help him? I am just a Slytherin. Sly and ambitious. He is so much better," Daphne whinged into her mother's embrace.
Her mother kissed her on the top of the head. "You are so much more than that, my little flower. Do you think of Harry as just a Gryffindor, only able to confront horrors like that?"
"No. But how could I ever compare? What he told me today... the rumors around Hogwarts got it all wrong. The Daily Prophet and all those books can't compare to what he has really done."
"You have much to offer him. Harry will not always be facing such challenges. He needs to learn about his heritage and where he fits into our world. That is something you can help with. If Amelia has anything to do with it, then he should never again face those challenges he told you about. In case he does, your father and I have agreed to let her and Sirius Black start to train you and Astoria how to defend yourselves better. If you feel you need to prove to him you are worthy, then do your best. I have a feeling though that Harry doesn't look at you that way. If anything, I feel he thinks he is not worthy to be your friend," her mother told her.
Daphne pulled back, wiping the tears from her face. "Harry should never doubt that."
"Then tell him."
This was different than how her parents had treated her before. It was like they were suddenly seeing her as more grown up. "I think it better I show him. Harry doesn't always trust what people say."
Her mother smiled and took both her cheeks in her hands before kissing her forehead. "Then he is smarter than most."
-oOo-