Chapter 38
-oOo-
January 3, 1996
London, England
Hermione entered the Ministry of Magic through the old phone booth. Typically, she would take her portkey to Diagon Alley and then take the Floo from the Leaky Cauldron. Today she had taken the Knight Bus, having sent in her resignation as Croaker's apprentice yesterday, so she couldn't take the Floo to the employee fireplaces. She was supposed to go over to see Blaise this morning but had gotten a request from Amelia to come see her in her office. When this meeting was over, she would go meet with Blaise, then go find Harry. He had been off with Sirius the last few days, so she had not been able to talk with him.
As the large atrium came into view, she managed to keep her cringe off her face at the fountain. What self-respecting goblin or centaur would look at a witch that way? The house elves were a mix. Some worshiped their masters like that. Others were more 'normal', like the Bones, Zabinis, Greengrasses and Harry's house elves.
As she approached the security counter, she didn't miss how different it was since the first time she had come. Last year there had been a single guard off to the side. Now, there was a wide counter that blocked the atrium from the lifts and the doors to the offices that overlooked the atrium. Two wide gates split the counter guarded by two Aurors each, with two more by the lifts and doors. If this had been established a year ago, then many of the issues last spring could have been avoided.
Walking up to the left gate, she held out her wand. The Auror looked at her wand, and then caught the ring on her finger. "You don't need a scan today, Heiress Granger," the man said.
"Thank you, Mr. Robards, but I am no longer an apprentice," she informed the man. Robards had been nice to her for the last few months and was almost always at the checkpoint on the weekdays.
With a curious look, he took her wand, scanned it, and then a woman stepped up and ran a dark detector over her. A man in brown work robes came up, showed his workers badge, and was waived through. A moment later, she was passed and went to the lifts.
Walking into the DMLE offices, Hermione made her way down the hall to the right. To the left was the large area with the Auror Department. Just inside the hall was a decent sized area with a few secretaries or other workers and two offices. Walking up to the woman to the left, Hermione waited until the woman looked up to her. Hermione had been in here enough that recognition crossed the secretary's eyes. "You can go right in, Heiress Granger. She's been waiting for you."
"Thank you, Ms. Dewar."
The woman gave her a smile as Hermione walked up to the door and knocked. "Come in," came Amelia's commanding voice.
Opening the door, Hermione was immediately wary. Amelia was behind her desk with a frown on her face. In the chair directly across from her was Croaker. Amelia pointed to a seat two over from Croaker. Hermione didn't say a word as she sat.
Croaker was looking at her with a very flat and unreadable expression.
"Thank you for coming, Heiress Granger," Madam Bones greeted her.
"Thank you, Madam Bones," she said, getting that this was a formal meeting.
"Can we drop the formalities?" Croaker suggested. "Hermione, why did I receive a six-page resignation letter yesterday?"
"I have already told you, Croaker. Heiress Granger approached me about the appropriate way to retract her support for the apprenticeship she was in. As her Regent, I advised her to write a resignation letter and require you or anyone from your department to go through her regent for now," Amelia said in a cool voice.
Croaker's eyes bored into her. "You can't just quit. Do you have any idea how much this research has advanced in the last six months? More than it has in the last two decades, I can tell you that," the man said, his tone the only thing showing his emotion.
Hermione was about to talk when Amelia beat her to it. "Croaker, I don't bloody care about your research. We had to already have her vows to the Unspeakable redone because you encroached on her liege house. You have asked her to push her friends, her intended even, to giving information that is not yours and that I and Lady Zabini had already refused. Do you forget that I am also regent to the Potters and the Bones? All houses that are in alliance with Heiress Granger. You are playing a game that I will not allow any of my charges to be involved in."
Hermione looked to Amelia questioningly.
"Amelia, you don't understand. I am not trying to use Hermione, Harry or anyone else in your alliance. I have not done, or asked Hermione, to do anything illegal..."
"You have used a sixteen-year-old girl that is eager to learn and see change. You have manipulated her, Croaker. Not to mention what you asked her to push Scion Thatcher, who she is in an official courtship with, to give up family secrets. That is interference in a courtship between not one, but two Wizengamot houses. I can bring you up on charges for that alone, never mind that you have been pushing Heiress Granger to work against Scion Potter. Do you understand that if magic thinks we are working against our vows to him that it could cause real harm to Hermione or myself!" Amelia's voice was raised to a level just below a yell.
Croaker stared at her. "I never tried to manipulate Hermione into getting that information."
"Bloody hell, you didn't Croaker! I know how Harry and everyone has talked about how she seeks out knowledge. You give Heiress Granger a puzzle and even I know that she will do anything she can to try and solve it," Amelia shot back. "You make an oath right now that you did not understand that and use it as a lever to get her to go after her friends. Damn it! Croaker! Harry looks at her as a sister and you have put a strain on that relationship. Harry and Susan have had so few friends and family in their lives that I will not see them broken up."
There was a silence for a moment. Hermione could feel tears biting at her eyes. Looking at Croaker, she was trying to work out her feelings at the moment. She knew they were using each other. Croaker had given her volumes on Wizengamot law, theory, House lineage and arithmantic calculations that she believed proves a lot of her theories. After the talk with her father last week, she had grown increasingly uncomfortable though with how much Croaker had been pushing her. Both for how much time she was spending on this instead of focusing on her OWLs, and how she was pushing Harry and Blaise. After thinking about it, she had talked with her parents and Amelia, and they had all decided that she should only focus on school until she was out of Hogwarts.
In all that time, she had not thought she had been manipulated. Her friendship with Harry was on rocky ground right now. Not to mention that Blaise was getting annoyed. All because of a man had manipulated her? Like Dumbledore?
"Did you really manipulate me to go after Blaise and Harry?" she questioned Croaker, a man she had come to respect.
Both adults looked to her. Amelia was very upset, but it turned to disappointment and then concern. Croaker just looked at her, his face expressionless, his eyes colder than she had ever seen. She met her mentor's eyes and saw nothing.
After a moment, Croaker stood up. The tears in Hermione's eyes threatened to fall as she realized this man had really used her. He had used her thirst for knowledge and her connections. She had thought it a mutual relationship between mentor and student, both of them wanting something the other didn't have, but it was never that? Was it?
Croaker spoke in a monotone voice. "Thank you for explaining why my apprentice resigned. Until next time. Good day, Heiress Granger. Head Bones."
Neither of them said a word until the door was closed. Amelia shut her eyes, pinching her nose as tears started to fall down Hermione's cheeks.
"How much does Harry hate me?" she asked, realizing that Christmas and the New Year's Ball at Longmarche were the only really positive memories that Harry probably had from her since September.
Amelia looked up. "He doesn't hate you, Hermione. He is upset. I think you need to have a long talk with him."
Hermione nodded, tears liberally streaming out of her eyes.
The hard taskmaster that Head Bones was, dropped. Her face took on a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I really thought this was a good opportunity for you."
Hermione tried to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I thought I was really helping and that I could see real change in the Wizengamot."
Amelia got up and Hermione soon found herself in the older woman's arms. "It's alright. I've worked with Croaker for years and he fooled me too on this one. I think he did give you very accurate information on what you wanted, but he was trying to manipulate you into getting himself something he appears to desperately want."
"Harry really doesn't hate me?"
"No. I think he has been worried about you," she assured Hermione.
Hermione pulled away, getting hold of herself. "I need to go see Blaise. Can I come over after dinner tonight?"
"Come over for dinner. Blaise and Phoenicia, your parents if you want, are all invited," Madam Bones offered. "Harry and Sirius should be back before noon."
She made sure her cheeks were dry. "I'll be there," Hermione confirmed.
After being allowed to use the Floo in the Aurors office, she stepped out into the small entry hall of Blackwood Manor. It was a small manor in the middle of a wood in the West Country. Blaise had told her it had belonged to his father and his mother had kept it through all her husbands. It had perhaps six rooms on the base floor, all pretty much for entertaining company. Blaise and Lady Zabini lived on the first floor. There were three bedrooms, a solar, a study and a sitting room. Around her on the ground floor were two parlours, a large dining room, a salon that could be used for small dances, kitchens and a library.
Upon coming out of the floo, a rather tall female house elf greeted her. "Good day, Ms. Granger."
"Hello Bindy," she replied. "Is Blaise here?"
"The master is being in the sitting room revising," Bindy replied.
"Is it alright if I just go up?"
"The Ms. Granger is always welcome. Bindy shall bring up refreshments."
"Thank you, Bindy," Hermione said earnestly.
She went up the stairs. At the top, the study door was open. Lady Zabini was working at the desk, her quill going as books were open. She knew that Lady Zabini managed all their monies and holdings, as well as spend much of her time actually cultivating contacts and work for the Wizengamot. The dark skin woman looked up, her dark eyes meeting Hermione's.
"Hello, Lady Zabini. I came to talk with Blaise," she said.
Lady Zabini nodded. "I think he wants to talk to you as well."
Hermione nodded.
At the end of the hall, the sitting room went the width of the house and was about twelve feet wide. To her left, in the far corner, sat Blaise at a round table. Cards and chips were stacked neatly in the center of the table on a round holder. Blaise had a deck of cards in his hands, shuffling them and doing various tricks as he read a book. A few pages of parchment and a quill were next to the book. She just watched him for a few. Hermione really hated his betting habits, but he had gotten better, and she couldn't deny the skills he had in handling the cards in his hands.
After a moment, Blaise looked up. He gave her a discerning look. "How did it go?"
She let out a breath. "You were right. He was using me."
He didn't change his impression. "I thought you were using each other?"
She felt tears bite at her eyes again. She knew Blaise was upset with her, but she didn't like this. "I thought so too. He was manipulating me to go after you and Harry."
"Is he still?"
She shook her head, the tears really welling now. "Blaise, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I know that you have told the information is your families secrets. I promise I never told Croaker anything you told me not too."
He played with the cards in his hands for a moment. "Are you going to keep pressing me for information?"
She shook her head more fervently. "Never. If you don't want to be in a courtship, I understand," she said, tears leaking down her cheeks.
Blaise sighed before getting up. He put the cards on his book. "I want to court you, but you have to understand that families protect their secrets for a reason, luv. I know that most of the family secrets that I have is information and history, but it is also secrets of what is going on. Hermione, I need you to understand. My mother would have been a Slytherin if she had gone to school at Hogwarts. I may not act like I care about all the politics, but you have no idea what I know about many of our classmates and their families. I want to trust you with all this one day if we choose to get married, but not if you are going to push and then run off to tell your mentor."
Hermione collapsed into the chair next to the door, putting her face into her hands. "I would never do that," she said, the very issue causing her half the consternation she had in the last few months. Blaise had started to open up to her, but she had told him she would not tell Croaker or others, and she hadn't. It had killed her to keep those secrets and not betray his trust. Gathering and sharing knowledge was such a core part of her and instilled
She started to cry again.
Blaise walked over and knelt before her. After a few, he gently took her hands in his and pulled them apart so that her bleary vision could see him. "You don't have to cry, luv," he said, moving in and kissing her head.
"I resigned," she told him, just barely getting the words out between gasps of breath. "I really don't... want to... break up... but..."
Blaise kissed the palm of one of her tear-stained hands. "I am not breaking our contract, not unless you really want too. When you are not being mental, I like being around you."
She gave a watery laugh. "I am not mental."
Blaise gave her that smile that he was up to no good. "Oh, you have been mental the last few months."
She weakly tried to hit him, but he held her hands firm enough she couldn't. "I am not mental," she reiterated.
"Fine, barking mad. Better?"
"Blaise Zabini!" she said, her tears drying up.
He chuckled. "There is the girl I like. So, did you learn anything that would really help us?"
She smiled. "You don't want to break the contract?"
"Only if you didn't gain anything from your apprenticeship," he said with a teasing tone.
"I have tons of notes," she told him. "I don't think we can have the revolt we really want."
"Then we find another way," he assured her. "You can't tell me that that brilliant mind of yours can't think of other ways?"
She sniffed, still feeling out of sorts. She thought that after Dumbledore was gone that things would be better. She really hadn't thought that she would be used to go after two people she loved.
As she thought about that, she blinked a few times.
As she pondered it for a moment, she realized she really did love Blaise. To answer him, she leant over, Blaise meeting her lips. They shared a sweet kiss, then she leaned over more, and he flicked his tongue out. The sweet kiss soon turned into a snog. Then she groaned as his hands slid inside the cloak she had worn and rested on the bare skin of her legs, just above her knees and below her skirt. She grabbed his face with both her hands as his moved under her clothes. Her body heated up and she found she was enjoying Blaise's exploration.
It was only a clearing of a throat that had her suddenly coming to her senses and realizing how far his hands had wandered up her skirt. It had felt really good until she started, hopping back and slamming her back into the chair.
"We were just talking," Blaise said quickly, pulling his hands out from under her skirt. She tried hard not to blush or let out the frustration of feeling his skin lose contact with hers.
"I heard. Then you weren't for almost twenty minutes," Lady Zabini said with a lifted brow. "Bindy has made lunch. Would you like to join me, or should I have her send it up here?"
She couldn't keep the colour coming from her face as Blaise sat up. "I think Hermione and I still have some items to discuss," Blaise told his mother.
"I expect you to discuss them. This door stays open and hands where I can see them. Do you both understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said in a little squeak. Her chest was still rising and falling rather quickly as she felt a little winded.
"Yes, mother," Blaise agreed.
With a nod, Lady Zabini left them with the door open. Blaise peeked out into the hall before turning back to her. "I think we have about a half-hour before she comes back up."
"Thank Merlin," she said, leaning down and guiding his hands back towards where they had been as she kissed down his neck.
Midafternoon, Hermione had let Bindy take her home. She changed out of her robes and more formal skirt and blouse to change into jeans and a jumper. Going into the bathroom, she winces to see a large bruise on her neck. It had been very nice to have Blaise sucking on her neck, but she hadn't realized the bruise it would leave.
Rushing back to her room, she found a turtleneck that just about covered the whole bruise. She would have to hope that her hair covered the rest.
She left a note on the kitchen counter for her parents before going out to summon the Knight Bus. Harry had told her she could use Dobby at any time, but she still felt like that treating them like slaves.
Tipsy met her at the door when she knocked. Wiggles was on her back and gave her a happy gurgle. She had been told that by summer they would be walking around. "Missy Hermione," Tipsy said with some joy. "The madam has said supper will be served in about an hour. Master Harry is in the library and miss Susan is up in the greenhouse on the roof."
"Thank you, Tipsy. I'm here to see Harry. I'll just head on up," she told the house elf.
Tipsy nodded and went back towards the kitchens as she went up the stairs. The door to the library was open. When she peered in, Harry was sitting at one of the desks. He had a few books open, two piles of parchment and was writing on a third before going back to review the book. She knocked on the door and turned after a moment, putting his fountain pen down.
There was a brief smile. "Auntie said you were coming over. You alright?"
She gave him a weak smile. "What are you working on? You looked really intent."
Harry sighed, rubbing his face. "Accounting and planning," he told her. "Auntie has me working with Madam Bulstrode again so I can learn how to manage my estates. It's dry, but I really need it."
Looking curious, she made her way over. "Anything I might be able to help you with?"
"Not really," he said, his hand moving to close a book with a green cover and the crest of the Potter's on it. She had a similar one that Madam Bones had gotten her so she could learn how to manage her own accounts, which were worth over a hundred thousand galleons now. It was far more money than she ever thought she would have. "Auntie said you wanted to talk to me?"
Hermione took in a deep breath. "I need to apologize to you," she remarked. "Harry, I'm so sorry that I tried to push you to get at your ancestors notes and knowledge. Croaker was using me. He was using me to get at you and Blaise. Harry, you are my brother, and I would never want to hurt you."
By now, the tears had come back. Harry stood up and opened his arms. She moved to him and was happy he would hug her so tight. "I can forgive you, Hermione. You are the sister I never had. Don't ever push me like that again though."
She heard his honest forgiveness, but also the steel in his voice he had come to adopt when he really meant business. She could hear the threat of what might happen if she crossed that line again. The fear of what would happen if she lost Harry was worse than any threat he might give her. Yes, Harry had changed, but she loved him all the more for it.
"I promise I will never do that again," she told him.
"I love you, Hermione, and I don't want to lose you," he said.
She hugged him as tight as she could. "I love you too, Harry."
They stood like that for a few. When she pulled back, she had to wipe tears off her face. She had done that too much today.
"Croaker didn't do anything to you to make you do that?" he asked, obviously thinking of Dumbledore.
"No. At least I don't think so. We can ask Madam Bones later. He just used me and I fell for it," she replied.
Harry gave a sigh. "Thank Merlin for that. You staying for dinner?" Harry asked her.
"I was planning too," she replied.
"You are sure you aren't working for him anymore?" Harry pressed.
"I promise, Harry. I turned in my resignation. I just want to pass my OWLs before I think about changing things again," she promised.
"Hermione, you know we will help you, but you really need to respect it when any of us tell you to stop," Harry pressed one last time.
"It won't happen again," she told him.
"Good. I could really use you next year to help me with something. In the meantime, I could use you to finally beat Susan. Apparently a Muggleborn in Hufflepuff took a few Muggle games to Hogwarts last term and she has become hooked on Risk. I could use that mind of yours to out think her strategies," Harry told her.
Hermione looked perplexed. "Why would Susan like something like Risk when she can't stand chess?"
"Bloody hell if I know, but she has beaten me three times since we've been on holiday," Harry gripped.
-oOo-
January 5, 1996
London, England
Today was their last day of holidays. Harry had wanted to go out on a date with Daphne, since they hadn't really done that in a while, so he had Sirius take them to a theater. Daphne was in a nice pair of jeans and a Muggle winter coat. It was unzipped and open as they waited in line in the theater, showing the knit jumper that fell a little low over her clavicle.
Over the last year, his intended had developed some nicer curves that he had a hard time not to admire. Luckily, she didn't seem to mind, as he found her looking at him as much as he was her. With her arms wrapped around his, it was hard not to notice the woman she was growing into.
"What are we watching today?" she asked him as they got into line.
Erica and Sirius were right behind them. Auntie and Iliana trusted him to take Daphne out, but they still liked to have someone be available, thus Sirius and the woman that Harry had come to like over the last two weeks.
"We are going to see 12 Monkeys. You two can see Balto," Sirius said as he pulled out a wallet.
"I am not going to see some talking dog," Harry gripped.
"Is it that bad of a movie?" Daphne asked curious.
"I'm sure it's cute," Erica said.
"Harry just wants to see an action movie," Sirius said. "Fine, if you promise to be nice little children, I'll let you come with us."
Daphne gave him a level glare. "I am not a child, Lord Black."
Erica laughed. "I don't think you should upset this one, Siri."
Sirius just shrugged. "I can handle a little girl," he replied cheekily. "Two for 12 Monkeys and two for Balto," he told the woman in the booth.
"I am not seeing Balto," Harry grumbled.
"Fine. If you have nightmares, I don't want to hear it. Four for 12 Monkeys," Sirius said.
The woman looked at them and then gave the tickets to Sirius as he slid the muggle quid under the glass.
"Is this movie really bad?" Daphne asked, sounding a little dubious. The last movie Harry had taken her to over the summer that was an action flick she had not liked. Braveheart had not been her type of movie.
"I hear it's a really good thriller and sci-fi flick," Erica told her. "You can still see Balto."
The smirk the brunette gave them had Harry rolling his eyes. The woman could be as bad as Sirius at times. But she would know better, being a squib that lived in the Muggle world. Daphne pulled closer to Harry. "I am using your shoulder if I don't like it."
"If you want," he said, not disliking the idea.
By the time they sat down, Harry was playfully batting Daphne's hand away from his popcorn. "You have your gummies," he told her.
"But I like the popcorn too," she told him. They sat a row ahead of Sirius and Erica.
"Eat your wine gummies," he laughed as she tried to steal more of his popcorn.
"I will, don't you worry," she told him managing to steal some and flash him a bright smile as she popped it into her mouth.
"And you call me incorrigible," he teased.
"That is because you are," she told him. Leaning over, she gave him a peck before they settled into the previews.
When it was done, Daphne's hand was squeezing his tightly. "Do Muggles really think the world will end like that?"
Harry shrugged. "No clue. That movie was..."
"Odd," Erica supplied. "I liked it though."
Sirius looked even more disturbed than Daphne. "Tell me that Muggles have a way to cure diseases before it gets that bad?"
"I doubt that a single disease will wipe us all out," Erica said.
Daphne's hand became tighter. "It's like the great plagues that took out Egypt."
"Oh, yeah," Sirius said in a knowing way.
Harry looked confused, as did Erica. "Care to enlighten me?"
The wizard raised looked to him. "Harry, haven't you ever heard of the Pharaohs curse?"
"Obviously not," he shot back.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I know Binns only talks about the Statute of Secrecy and goblin rebellions, but the books we have been required to buy have much more than that in them. Professor Davis started to get into that this year too."
"You know I hate Magical History," he retorted.
"Yet you got an outstanding last year and the last term," she reminded him.
"Professor Davis is interesting, and she has only covered more recent stuff. She hasn't really gone further back than Grindelwald yet," he countered.
"Before you two get into it, where do you want to eat?" Sirius spoke over them.
"There is a delightful Thai place a few blocks over, or I could do something greasy, like a good fish fry," Erica spoke up.
"I don't have a preference," Harry said.
"You haven't taken me to a fish fry yet," Daphne replied.
There was a light snow that was starting to fall around them.
"This way," Erica directed them.
Daphne pulled up close to him. "You going to tell me about that curse?"
"Later. I just want to have a nice evening with my boyfriend. We haven't done this since last summer," she told him.
He let go of her hand to wrap an arm around her shoulder. "We should do this more," he agreed.
It wasn't a long walk to find them in a narrow restaurant that seemed to be popular with the locals. They found a counter to eat at after getting their food. Daphne looked interested at the fried fish before her. "It smells good," she said.
"It's great," Erica said, reaching for the vinegar on the table. Harry reached for another one a short distance down.
"I just like it with salt and pepper," Sirius said to Daphne as Harry put a good amount of vinegar on his.
"Harry has the right of it," Erica said before taking a bite of hers.
"I'll try a little," Daphne agreed. They talked about the movie as they ate. About the time they were done, and the restaurant was getting a little less busy, Daphne asked, "So, you never told me where you were earlier this week."
"Can we talk about it in a little bit?" Harry asked.
Daphne gave him a discerning look. "I'm about done. We can go back to Greencross, unless you need to be back?"
"Auntie said ten," Harry told her, pushing the sleeve of his jumper up to look at his watch. It was a little past eight.
"I can pop you over to the Leaky if you promise to go straight to Greencross and them home before you are out late," Sirius offered.
"I'll meet you at home?" Erica asked. She lived not far away, and Sirius had spent many nights over there, from what Harry could tell.
"If you wait here, I'll be back in five minutes and then I'll walk you back," Sirius said, giving Erica a peck on her lips.
"Don't take too long," she said, kissing him back.
It wasn't long before they were standing in the atrium of Greencross. Daphne took her jacket off and handed it to Ginger before dragging him up towards her room. Harry had a smirk on his face. "Are you anxious for something?"
"My intended just took me out for a lovely evening, even if that movie was not to my liking, and I haven't really kissed you for days now," she told him.
Harry had a feeling he was going to like this. As they passed by the family room, there was talking and some laughing. He recognized Astoria. "Mother, father, we are back."
They stopped by the door for a moment, all three in the room turning to them. "Good evening, Harry," Anders greeted him. "Did you two enjoy yourselves?"
"We had a good time, though I don't recommend watching 12 Monkeys," Daphne said.
"It's growing on me the more I think about it," Harry commented.
The two elder Greengrasses gave them curious looks. "Why was it called 12 monkeys?"
"Because it was twelve monkeys that escaped from a lab that cause the disease that destroyed the world," Harry said, knowing the reaction it might get.
Astoria looked concerned. "Monkeys are that dangerous."
Daphne hit his arm. "Don't make it sound so bad. It was just a story, Astoria."
"You will have to tell us more about it," Iliana said, indicating them to sit.
"If you don't mind, mother, I was hoping to take Harry to my room. I wanted to have him look over my runes revision," Daphne said.
It was obvious that neither of the elder Greengrasses bought that, but her father just said, "Remember to keep your door open."
"Yes, father," she said, pulling on his hand again.
He gave them a wave and a grin. Yes, he was definitely being regarded as family as they didn't look at him reproachfully. Astoria leaned over to her mother, saying rather loudly, "You really believe they are going to revise?"
"I think I will be as blind when you finally have an intended, unless you would rather me not," her father said.
Daphne giggled. She whispered, "I love it when things backfire on Astoria."
Harry gave a little bit of a louder laugh than he meant. Inside her room, Daphne pulled him to her bed. Daphne's room was a little larger than his own, with a large canopy bed, a window with a built-in seat directly across from the door, several bookshelves, a desk and vanity. Harry had seen it before and was more interested in exploring Daphne's mouth for a while, than her room.
When they broke apart, Daphne's hand had drifted up his shirt, trailing her hand over his chest and abs. His was up hers as well. She closed her eyes as she enjoyed his touches. "I missed you," she told him.
He pecked her lips. "I missed you too, Daph."
The breath she let out had Harry knowing he was doing something she liked. "Where were you?"
"Visiting some properties. We found that I still own two from my parents. One is in Portugal, the other in Wales. I also wanted to see the old Peverel holdings in Guernsey," he told her. Her hand started to play with his chest, making his breath catch.
She gave a small smile. "I can get you too."
"Cheeky witch," he replied, his hands doing more, eliciting a long moan from her before she spoke again.
"I prefer to think of myself as sly. What were you doing on Guernsey?"
Harry kissed her and Daphne responded. When they broke apart, he leaned his forehead on hers. "Daph, do you really want to marry me someday?"
Her green flecked brown eyes met his. They were so close; it was all he could see. "I have no intention of letting you go, if that is what you are asking."
"Family secrets," he said.
She stopped the movement of her hands. Her eyes bored into his for a few. "Harry, until we are betrothed, you really shouldn't."
"I think you need to know this, Daph. Has Blaise or Hermione talked to you about what she was working on with the Unspeakables?"
There was a pause. "No, and you said you didn't want to tell me either," Daphne replied.
He took in a long breath, slowly taking his hand out from under her shirt. "Daphne, is your family really descended from Morgan Le Fay?"
She took in a sharp breath, yanking her hand out. She sat up, her hair mussed and her eyes wide. She looked towards the door, as though afraid. She put a finger to her lips as she got up and closed her door. Harry sat up, feeling a little apprehensive. "Dobby?" Daphne called.
When Dobby popped in, he looked very pleased. "Mistress Daphne call Dobby?"
"Dobby, can you take Harry and I to Grace Hall?"
Harry was starting to feel concerned. "Daph?"
She put a finger to her mouth again. Dobby seemed to catch on to the gravity of the situation. "Dobby can do as miss and the Great Harry wants."
"Please take us to Harry's room," she asked.
Dobby nodded and extended a hand to Harry.
When they entered his room, Daphne looked to the closed door. "Harry, can Auntie Amelia hear us in here?"
"Uhm, not that I know of. Daph, what is going on?" Harry asked.
She looked around the room. "Thank you, Dobby, but can you give us some time alone? Please let my parents know that I came over here for a little bit."
"Yes, miss," Dobby said, before snapping his fingers.
"Where did you find that out?" Daphne asked him.
"Blaise. Why?" Harry asked.
Daphne let out a long breath, some tension leaving her body. "Harry, family secrets. I know you have some you have found. I know they are most likely related to Peverel Keep. What you just asked is one of our largest secrets. Tori and I only found out a little over a year ago. You cannot tell anyone about this," she told him. "There are reasons that the Greengrasses and some of our ancestors were aligned with Houses considered dark or were dark. Many think Le Fay was a dark witch. If this got out, all the work my family has done over the last few decades would be ruined. We might be ruined."
She looked angry and scared. Harry moved towards her, and she stepped into him when he opened his arms. "Daph, I know you aren't dark. Your parents are nice people. I also know that Morgan Le Fey was not dark. She may have practiced magic that some consider dark, but so did my ancestors."
She snuggled her head into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I find that hard to believe," she told him.
"I am a descendent of Merlin," Harry told her.
She pulled back quickly to look up at him. "Are you serious?"
Harry gave her a grin. "I am now," he told her. "That was part of what Sirius and I were doing. The ruins at Guernsey were part of the Peverell's holdings. The buildings were all destroyed years ago, but there was a vault."
"Harry, should you be telling me this?" Daphne asked.
"I don't see getting rid of you," he replied. Her cheeks took on a cute hue. It only seemed when it was just them, she would do that. She never rose her mask or shields around him anymore. "It was full of scrolls and some artifacts. I found evidence that the Peverells were an offshoot of the Merlin line. I haven't been able to understand most of the scrolls so far because it is all in Latin or old Futhark, but the few things I have been able to find was a few references to our families and Neville's."
Daphne took a moment to take that in. "Do you know?"
It was such a simple question, but one with so many meanings. "I know that it wasn't Le Fey that betrayed the original triumvirate. It was Gawain Tintengast, brother to Kay Tintengast, Neville's relative and many time great grandfather to his line. A daughter of Arthur Pendragon married into the Tintengasts, who was a knight of the Round Table. I don't know how or why the betrayal happened, but it was what led to legends of Lancelot, Arthur and Guinevere. That isn't the important part though," Harry said.
Daphne's eyes were a little wide. "You believe that my family wasn't the betrayer, and you accept the magic that is my legacy?"
"I know it wasn't Le Fey and my magic has just as much darkness in it as yours," he told her. "Daph, we are part of the original people to protect magic. I think I am starting to understand why I run into trouble and always feel like I have to help."
Daphne seemed to get it. "It's part of your magic, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I think so. Potters have always been known to fight for what is right, but the few books I have from my Potter vaults are not all light magic. One of them has curses that are almost worse than the Cruciatus. The Peverells, even darker. But in all of it, I see the need to protect our world. Protect the innocent. I want to keep doing that."
"Even if it means using 'dark' magic?" she questioned.
"I won't hurt anyone that doesn't mean us real harm, but if I have too," he said. "What I am thinking of, though, won't do that."
"What are you thinking? Why would our heritage matter that much?" Daphne pressed.
Harry put a hand behind his neck. He then explained everything that Hermione and Croaker had told him about how the original Triumvirate was formed. How the Knights of the Round Table were added. Then about councils before the Wizarding Council, and finally the Wizengamot.
They were sitting on his bed by now, Daphne being mostly silent. "So, even if Hermione and Blaise wanted to do away with the Wizengamot, they couldn't?" she finally asked.
"I don't think so. There is still something very important about Neville, you and me, but she hasn't told me, or she doesn't know yet. We had a long conversation yesterday and she apologized for what she had been doing. Croaker was using her just like Dumbledore did to people."
Daphne frowned. "She was trying to steal family secrets," Daphne said.
"Daph, she is practically family, but what else I know about all this I am not going to tell her. We came to an agreement, and she won't ever ask me again," Harry told her.
"You forgave her?"
"Hermione is my best friend. My oldest friend. I know she wasn't doing it to be mean, and like I said, she apologized, and I know she won't do that again," he said.
Daphne took in a deep breath. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Secrets. Secrets I want to tell you, but Auntie and Sirius are telling me to be cautious. I don't want to be with you though. Daph, Camelot still exists. I think I have found out why, but the runes and the magics are complicated and some in languages I don't know. I have already talked with Auntie. Once we get done with our OWL's this year, I am only going to do four classes next year and get a few tutors to learn Latin and possibly a few others. I want to start a guild that specializes in warding and protection from the Muggle world so that we can have places, other villages like Hogsmeade, to just be who we are and not worry about new Muggle technologies from finding us, as well as bringing those technologies to our world," he said in a rush.
Daphne blinked for a moment. "Merlin, Harry. Why the hell did you convince the hat not to put you in Slytherin with ambition like that."
Harry gave her an unsure smile. "For one, I didn't have this grand scheme six months ago. Second, have you met Draco Malfoy?"
She waved him off. "A ponce that is no longer here. Is this really what you want to do?"
"Yes."
"Do I fit into all that?" Daphne queried.
"I hope so. I think your family holds some of the secret used in the Mists of Avalon, if some of the texts in Peverell keep are anything to go by," he told her.
"Family secrets," she stated.
"Family secrets," Harry agreed. "You don't think I'm barmy?"
She smiled and moved over a little, giving him a soft, lingering kiss. "I think you're the most attractive I have ever felt for you. I only ever wanted to be able to stand equal to my husband someday, lead our alliance and not be some trophy housewife, which is far more than many girls in my circle could hope for. I just wanted to break that mold."
"I want you to stand by my side," he told her, earning him another kiss. "I've also contracted with the goblins. They are going to have plans drafted by Easter to rebuild Peverell Keep and buy up most of the abandoned farms and lands around it. I want to have a new village. I want to rename it when they rebuild it and was hoping you might help me decide."
The light in Daphne's eyes sent a hot shiver down his spine. "Merlin! I love you, Harry," she said, before throwing herself at him. She didn't wait to grab his face and pull him in, her tongue seeking out his and their kissing and petting, got very heavy before there was a knock on his door.
Daphne pulled back, her forehead on his as they both put their hands into places that were more appropriate. "Yes?" he called out after a moment.
"Harry, is Daphne here? I just got a Floo call from Iliana and it's close to ten thirty now," Auntie Amelia's voice came through the door. As she spoke, they both tried to put their clothes back to rights.
"She is. We'll be right out and Daphne will go home," Harry called out.
"You have a moment before I come in," auntie called back.
Daphne had a huge smile on her face. "I will do you proud," she told him in no uncertain terms.
"I just want you to be by my side," he told her.
"Forever," Daphne replied.
Harry's smile grew wider. "Forever."
-oOo-
February 10, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Tracey had a large smile on her face as Neville met her outside of the Slytherin common room. He was holding a small corsage. "Happy early Valentines," Neville said. She beamed at him, not missing how his eyes slipped up her body in the red Muggle dress that she thought rather flattering on her. His eyes didn't disappoint.
"Thank you, Neville," she said, letting him pin the flowers just above her left breast.
Daphne was just behind her, and she smiled to see Harry doing the same. They were going to a party for Slughorn tonight, who had decided to celebrate Valentine's Day early, since it was going to be midweek this year.
Neville reached up and touched her hair. "That green is growing on me," he said with a chuckle. The Weasley's had done something that left green streaks in her blonde hair for the last few days.
"I am going to get them back," she vowed.
"Leave me out of it this time," Daphne said.
Tracey just gave her best friend a huge smile. "But that streak of Gryffindor red looks so cute," she said cheekily.
Daphne huffed. "I kind of like it," Harry told her and Daphne's irritation lessened.
"Oh, hush," Daphne told her intended.
Tracey laughed. "We are keeping you around, Harry."
Neville chuckled and they started off towards the party.
"Did Blaise meet Hermione at Gryffindor?" she asked.
"Yeah. It was him and Sparkford waiting out there," Harry replied.
"Sparkford? As in Grant Sparkford?" Daphne queried.
"Pretty sure that is his name," Harry answered.
"Yes. It was Grant Sparkford. Slughorn probably invited him because his mother just became the lead Healer at St. Mungo's," Neville put in.
"Really? I hadn't heard that," Tracey said curiously. "How did you find that out?"
"Gran told me over the Yule hols," Neville replied.
"And you didn't tell me?" Tracey asked with a raised brow.
"Do you expect him to tell you everything?" Daphne enquired.
"Well, yes," Tracey said as though that was self-evident.
Harry chuckled and she cast him a look. He laughed. "Daphne scares me more than you," he said.
"As it should be," Daphne replied with her nose up.
This time she giggled. "You two are so cute," Tracey teased.
"And you two are sickening when you get going," Daphne retorted.
Tracey stuck her tongue out. As they made it to the main hall, they calmed some as they heard most people in the great hall for dinner. When they made it to Slughorns, they found they were not the first. Perhaps a dozen people, all older, were already here.
"Ah, welcome. Welcome," Slughorn said, greeting them as they entered into his quarters. "It is always a pleasure to see you four. Excellent work on that essay, I must say, Ms. Greengrass."
"Thank you, Professor. I found it quite interesting how the preparation of fire salamander spittle could change the properties so much," Daphne replied.
"Yes, it is rather intriguing. Is Ms. Granger with you? I have someone that you both may like to meet," the man said jovially.
"I am just here, professor," Hermione said from behind them.
"Ah, excellent. If you would come with me, I have two members from the Northern Potioneers Guild that would like to meet you. Mr. Longbottom, I have someone you might like to meet later, but they aren't here yet," Slughorn commented before steering her other friends away.
Tracey took Neville's arm and wandered towards a table full of finger foods, deserts and drinks. "Let's eat a little something before this all gets going."
"Sure," Neville said. They each made a small plate, took a glass of some fruity smelling elven wine, then found a corner to eat in as others arrived. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the afore mentioned Sparkford walk in with a girl that had a head of fiery red hair.
"No way!" Tracey exclaimed. "Do you see that?"
Neville looked over towards the door. "Ah, I knew she broke up with that Ravenclaw. I think she's moved up."
Tracey giggled. "Yes, a Gryffindor dating a Slytherin is moving up."
Neville shook his head. "I'm not complaining."
She gave him a kiss on his cheek. "And that is why I love you."
They had finally said those words to each other over the hols. She liked how Neville still took on a little colour at that statement. "And here I thought it was all the flowers."
She gave him another peck on the cheeks. "That's just a perk."
"Ah, it is always good to see such young love," a woman said.
Tracey tried to hide her blush some. She wasn't usually this affectionate in such a large group. Yes, she liked being more free, but she knew when to act the young lady. "Excuse us, ma'am," Tracey said.
The woman held up her hands. When she did, Tracey noticed the woman was older, her skin starting to get wrinkly. But it wasn't that that caught her eye. There was dirt under her nails, and it looked like some of the wrinkles were darkened by permanent dirt stains. Her hair was still auburn, but hints of white were streaking it. Her green eyes were kind and there was an obvious mirth to see her and Neville being a little flustered, even if it had been rather innocent what she had done.
"No ma'am here. I'm not that old yet. Horace indicated that you are Neville Longbottom and Tracey Davis?" the woman asked.
"I am, ma'... ah, Misses?" Neville said, straightening up and taking on his scion airs.
The woman laughed. It was a hearty laugh. "No need for formalities. I really don't like them, Doris Hawthorne," the woman said, sticking out a hand.
Neville blinked. "Really?" he asked, forgetting all his manners.
The woman laughed again while Tracey was a little confused.
"Really," the woman replied.
"It is nice to meet you, Miss Hawthorne," Tracey said. Her instincts were to curtsy, but she doubted this woman would appreciate it, so she took her hand. "Mind telling me why my oaf an intended is so smitten?"
"Oh, I like you," the woman said, laughing again.
"Hey! I'm not an oaf," Neville complained, coming out of his stupor. She just raised an eyebrow at him.
"Your oaf of an intended must recognize who I am," the woman said, pushing to make the situation worse. Tracey already liked this woman.
"I am not an oaf," Neville said more defensively. "Doris Hawthorne is the lead Magibotanist for the Royal Gardens in London. You have discovered more herbs and plants thought to be extinct than anyone ever. How did you get yellow raddish plants and the gumbering tubulars? My grandfather has notes on them but said no one has been able to grow them outside of the high Himalayas where they were last seen."
Tracey had no clue what Neville was talking about, but she always loved his passion.
The woman's eyes looked even more mirthful. "Yes, Garret wondered the same. I worked with your grandfather when I was still getting my mastery. I remember quite a few rare or extinct plants in his collection. A collection I have heard you have taken back from the brink of dying?"
Neville stood tall this time, but it wasn't because he was acting proper, but because he was proud. "I have a few rare plants and stuff that I was able to recuperate from my grandfather's notes. You really knew him?"
"Knew him? Garrett Longbottom was on the committee that gave me my final test. A committee that I am on now and have heard a rumor you may be looking for a mastery in a few years, if Horace is correct?" she said.
She thought Neville stopped breathing for a few. "I do plan on it," he said.
Tracey was happy to see the two of them talking and the woman seemed more impressed with Neville the longer they talked. She really wished she understood half of it, but her talents were not in herbology. She knew she was better at charms, astronomy and arithmancy. Astronomy was the only thing that she really excelled at on her own.
In the midst of Neville and Doris talking, Professor Slughorn appeared at her side. "I see that they are getting along swimmingly."
Tracey gave her professor a smile. "Very."
"I suppose you might like to meet who I thought you might?" the man said with a sly grin. She knew she was being played, and it was obvious that he knew she knew, but she would play along anyways. Especially since this would be the first time he had ever singled her out.
"May I ask whom?"
"You are very lucky tonight, my dear," he said, holding out his arm. She wasn't thrilled to take his arm like she would Neville, but she was intrigued. "I have heard that Professor Sinistra has been rather impressed with you lately. Something about asking how the planets and stars increase or decrease ambient magic?"
"It was just an assignment to look at star alignments for ritual use," Tracey said, not thinking it was anything special.
"Ah, I think you sell yourself short, Ms. Davis. I have seen how you apply some of those lessons to your essays when you recognize ingredients that are affected by moon phases or the time of day. It is something many don't usually see and that doesn't usually make a large difference in most potions, but it can," he said, weaving through the crowd of people.
She felt a little taken aback. Slughorn or Sinistra hadn't mentioned anything about this before. She just thought she was doing what was asked. "Professor, I didn't really think about it."
"Intuition is half of what makes genius," the man replied, stopping before a man in the prime of his life. Tracey loved Neville. He was the most handsome man in the world. That being said, she couldn't deny how handsome the man was before her.
"Ms. Davis, I would like to introduce you to Gentilhomme Guillaume Reynaud. He is a renowned Astronomer from the French Conservatory in Saint Martin de Belleville. Guillaume, this is Ms. Tracey Davis, intended to Scion Neville Longbottom and one of the top Astronomy students in Hogwarts," Slughorn introduced them.
Tracey's eyes went wide, her mouth opening a little and acting just as stupidly as Neville had not long ago.
"Good evening, Ms. Davis," the man said in good English, but with a French accent.
"You're Guillaume Raynaud?" she stammered.
The man didn't give her an impressed look. "Oui, mademoiselle."
"Holy Merlin," she breathed.
Slughorn chuckled. "I promise that Ms. Davis is usually very eloquent, Guillaume. Maybe I would suggest asking a few questions on your latest paper about the effects of Mars on peace rituals and calming charms?"
"That was bloody brilliant," she said, suddenly realizing that she was not acting the proper young lady and felt her face heat a little. "I'm sorry, Gentilhomme Reynaud. Can I start over?" she asked embarrassed.
The man waived for her to go on. Tracey did a very proper curtsy, realizing that the dress she had on was a little short to be proper as it rode halfway up her calf. If she had known who might be at the party, she might have worn a more traditional witch's robe. "Miss Tracey Davis, by your leave."
The man, seeming satisfied at the greeting this time, did a low bow. She was sure it was her status as Neville's betrothed that earned her that, but it was still flattering. "Gentilhomme Guillaume Reynaud, Mademoiselle Davis. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Well, if you two have this handled, I must see to my other guests," Slughorn said.
"So, Mademoiselle Davis, I take it you read my last paper?"
Her smile was wide. "Professor Sinistra always has the most recent papers available in her office. I read all of them. The Muggle and magical. I love how you linked the more modern studies of the light spectrums to determine the elements that Muggles are concerned with to the amount of the same in some sacred places, theorizing that some may actually be magical, and those concentrations could lead to us having the magic we do. I never thought Astronomy would lead down that path," she said in a rush.
"But your latest paper, about how the magic generated by something on Mars, which many theorize is actually generated by life, means there might be life on the planet and how that life interacts with that here and when they grow closer, the arithmancy shows an increase in the strength of certain rituals and spells. I may have a hard time understanding some other stuff about arithmancy, but your treatment of how the alignment works and how to track it are brilliant."
The man looked blindsided as she went on.
It was about an hour later that Gentilhomme Reynaud offered to start up a correspondence and she went off to find Neville. He was still talking with Doris, but when he saw her, a smile came over his face.
She knew she was smiling broadly after her conversation and was surprised when Neville excused himself and came to her. "Have a good time?" she asked Neville.
"Brilliant, actually. Where did you disappear too?" he enquired, taking her hand.
"Slughorn introduced me to one of the most popular Astronomers on the continent," she said happily.
"So, it was a good time?"
"Brilliant," she said, echoing Neville's comment.
"I'm glad. I know something else that would make the night brilliant," he said to her.
She cocked her head, not sure what would top the conversation she just had. "And that is?"
"Dancing?" he put to her. That was when she realized that there was music in the background and a dozen or more couples were dancing around the center of the room, with others wandering on and off the dance floor. She caught her friends out there and smiled at Neville. "That would be brilliant," she said.
He escorted her out to the floor, taking her into his arms. He was not the same clumsy and shy boy she had originally met two years ago. He was growing very handsome, his baby fat all but gone, replaced with muscles from their workouts and the greenhouses. He was also tall. Nearly a full head over her now. She rather liked it, and instead of lining up to do a waltz, like others were, she pulled in close and put her head on his broad chest. With a sigh, she started to sway with him. Neville put a kiss onto her hair. "I love you, Trace," he softly said.
"I love you too," she replied, just enjoying his smell and the way their bodies rocked back and forth.