Chapter 43
-oOo-
November 30, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry knocked on Professor Slughorn's door. Daphne was with him today.
When the door opened, the usually jovial potions master greeted them with a big smile. Harry had no doubt it had to do with the meeting that the man had arranged for them. Harry knew he would have to pay it back someday, but this was going to be important for establishing the guild.
"Ah, Scion and Heiress Potter-Greengrass, it is a pleasure that you could join us," he said, moving aside to let them in.
"Thank you, professor. I appreciate that you could bring everyone together," he replied.
Inside the outer room of the professor's apartment was a sitting room. It spoke of comfort with three cushioned sofas, a half dozen nice chairs, a tea table off to the side with eight chairs, pictures, trinkets, awards and other paraphernalia of a lifetime of achievements and achievements of those he had 'collected' into his Slug Club were apparent everywhere.
Harry was more interested in the four people already sitting at the tea table.
Auntie Amelia had her monocle on as she read some papers. A middling aged man with a balding head of light brown hair was talking with Croaker. Harry didn't want to deal with Croaker but had a feeling that he needed Croaker as he worked through the Peverel journals, and two new ones he had gotten from Daphne's library.
The last man was easily recognizable by his red hair and dragon tooth earing. Bill Weasley had been asked to come as a consultant. Harry hoped one day he might be able to ask Bill to join the guild, but he would never do that if it meant angering the goblins.
"Come, have a seat. I know you know most of the people here, but this is Mr Dirk Creswell, Head of the Goblin Liaison Office, and Lord William Weasley, recently promoted Senior Curse breaker for Gringotts," Slughorn introduced them.
Mr Creswell stood up, extending his hand. "It is so nice to meet you, Mr Potter. My daughter always has good things to say about you. And you, Ms Greengrass. I must say that you both have made lasting impressions on my daughter and her friends," he said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, Mr Creswell, but I'm sorry to say I don't recognize your last name," Harry said, feeling a little guilty.
Mr Creswell waived him off before reaching to shake Daphne's hand. A Muggleborn then. That makes sense with how deeply rooted prejudices were against goblins by wizard raised.
Daphne took it in stride, reaching to shake his hand. "Your daughter is Melony?"
Mr Creswell gave Daphne a huge smile. "Yes. A Hufflepuff. She says you sit with her and Linnis and Reagan every once in a while."
Harry knew who the girl was now. "I know Melony. She is always giggling about something with Linnis."
"That sounds about right," the man said, sitting down as Bill stood.
"Bill, it's good to see you again," Harry said, only ever meeting him a few times as part of Alliance business.
"It's nice to see you," Bill agreed. When he reached for Daphne's hand, Bill leant over to brush his lips over her knuckles. "As always, a pleasure, Heiress Potter-Greengrass."
"Thank you, Lord Weasley," she replied, returning a small curtsy.
After greeting Croaker and his auntie, they sat and were all served tea before getting into the reason of being here. With a nod from his auntie, Harry looked to the table. This was his show. "I wanted to thank you all for coming at my request to Professor Slughorn," Harry said.
Croaker leaned back into his chair. "I must confess, I am rather curious why you would bring us together, especially with how much you have avoided me for months now. And why like this? You could have easily had us all meet at the Ministry or elsewhere."
"My bosses are rather interested as well," Bill put in.
He took in a deep breath, then let it out. "Before I tell you, I want your word that this will not leave this room until I am ready."
"You know I can't make an oath like that. The Ministry won't allow it," Mr Creswell said.
"I am not asking for an oath, but a promise," Harry replied.
Croaker rose an eyebrow. Bill nodded. "Client confidentiality is ensured with my services."
After a moment, Mr Creswell nodded. Slughorn looked ready to burst with curiosity. "I'll take the bait," Croaker said.
"I asked you all to come here today, through Professor Slughorn, because I don't want anyone else to know what I would like to do," Harry told them. Seeing he had all their attention, he went on. "I graduate the end of next school year. I want to establish a guild as soon after that as possible, but there are a few hurdles that my auntie and I have found."
Croaker had an unreadable expression. "A guild? There hasn't been an application for a new guild in decades."
"Seventy-three years," Auntie Ami said.
Croaker made a motion as though she had just made some big point.
Mr Creswell looked confused, but Bill had a frown. "I don't understand what this would have to do with my department unless you were looking to make a new bank," Mr Creswell commented.
"Not a bank, but a guild of warders," Harry said.
Bill's frown grew. "Harry, you know that the goblins are the only ones able to contract out for rune weaving or breaking? You can find private rune weavers, but they will only have a license for themselves and need to be trained by the goblins to get it. It isn't cheap either."
"That isn't entirely true," Daphne said next to him. They all turned their attention to her. "Heiress Granger and myself have been going through the treaties and laws around goblins and rune use. Auntie Amelia has put us in contact with some solicitors."
Croaker snorted. "So, she is still doing our research."
"No, she is helping me," Harry said. Harry had to add, "In her free time."
Both Bill and Mr Creswell didn't look that pleased. "I must advise you that it is unwise to go against Ministry policy on this. We have avoided having a goblin revolt for almost a hundred and fifty years and I would not like one while being Head of the liaison office," Mr Creswell said.
"Harry, you know the goblins won't take it well if you go against them," Bill said.
Auntie put the papers down and slid them towards Mr Creswell. "That is the petition to the goblins to seek a general license with a fee for each practitioner of the guild I am proposing. I will not be petitioning them to train me. As such, this is more a curtesy than a requirement."
Bill's eyes rose. "But treaties..." he began.
"Treaties only require me to notify the goblins and wait two years," Harry said.
Bill and Mr Creswell just looked at him. Croaker began to chuckle. "Oh, this is going to be good. When do I get my apprentice back? I assume that you asked me here because you need something from me in all this?"
"I'm afraid Heiress Granger has no desire to go back to the Unspeakables," auntie told him. "But we do need something from you."
Croaker gave Auntie Amelia a critical eye. "If you want something from me, I expect something in return, and Hermione needs me if she is going to change the Wizengamot."
"Actually, she doesn't," Daphne said next to him. "I am helping Heiress Granger as she helps us."
"Wait, are you telling me that there is a treaty that doesn't give exclusive rights to the goblins around ward weaving and breaking?" Mr Creswell asked. "I've read all the treaties."
"Have you read the ones that were made by the Camelot Court?" Harry asked. Croaker's eyes widened.
Slughorn shook with anticipation. "Do you mean the rumours are true? You and Mr Longbottom?"
Harry gave a look to Daphne, who gave a slight nod. "And Ms Greengrass."
There was a heavy silence in the room for a moment. Croaker leaned forward like a greedy child. "A descendent of Merlin or Pendragon?"
Daphne sat tall. "Neither."
Bill winced, as though getting it right away. Mr Creswell looked a little lost. Professor Slughorn looked like he was a kid at Christmas while Croaker gave a smile that unsettled them.
"I had thought all the Le Fey lines to be extinct," Croaker said. "If you want my help, I want all your bloodlines."
Harry glared at the man. "No. Our bloodlines are family matters. I can offer you something else."
"I want your bloodlines. If we are to break the Ministry seals to create a new government, I need to know all your blood relations," the man demanded.
"No," Harry reiterated. "The deal will be you show me how to get to Camelot with unlimited access and I give you access to the guild to ward anything you need for ten years, free of charge."
Croaker narrowed his eyes. "Hermione comes back to the Unspeakables as my apprentice and you give me access to your library."
Harry shook his head. "You give me access to Camelot, and I offer you and the Unspeakables my services for ten years."
Croaker didn't look pleased. "I feel this is a rather one-sided deal."
"You have no idea what Harry will be capable of in a few years," Daphne said next to him. "You are getting a far better deal out of this than my betrothed."
They all sat there silently. Mr Creswell was reading over the petition. Bill shifted in his seat a little uncomfortably. "Are you serious that Camelot is still around? The goblins have been looking for it for hundreds of years and haven't found anything," Bill said.
"I want Hermione," Croaker demanded.
"Heiress Granger has no interest. Once she comes of age, you can propose something again, if she wants," Auntie Amelia said in a deadpan voice.
"Then I want the bloodlines," Croaker insisted.
Harry sighed. "Mr Creswell, can I ask you to present that petition to the goblins at your earliest convenience. Bill, if the goblins have any clue as to where Camelot is, I would like to talk with them to see if we can work out a deal."
Croaker leaned back with a sour expression. "Camelot will not be found without an Unspeakable."
"Perhaps, but it doesn't mean I can't try," Harry told the man. Some of the journals mentioned that the Peverells, and possibly the Titengasts or Le Fey could get there, but he hadn't found out how yet, and really wanted to see the fabled city and find out if there was anything there he could use. Or maybe study the wards around it. He knew he still had much to learn, decades of learning and experience before him, but if he could find a library of Merlin, he might get there faster... or need to spend a lifetime investigating. He was putting a lot of faith in his own abilities over the next decade or so. If he didn't have the support of his family and friends, he doubted he would feel confident enough to do this.
Bill eventually nodded. "I will talk with the goblins. I don't know what will come of it, but I know that Camelot is a prize they covet."
Croaker's face was a mask now. "The Unspeakables guard the sacred places of the isles. If you try to break into Camelot, you won't live to regret it."
"Then accept my deal," Harry told him. "I'll even let an Unspeakable join the guild so you can have someone to do all your work, but they won't give you any of my secrets."
Croaker's empty expression didn't betray anything of what he was thinking. "Hermione and your bloodlines. Nothing else."
"Then I hope your bosses will be willing to have a meeting over the Christmas hols," Harry said to Bill, who nodded.
Mr Creswell looked up. "I need to do some digging through the archives before I present this. The goblins will cry war if you are trying to break any treaty."
"There is nothing illegal. I will get you in touch with Mr Tonks and he can show you where the treaties were found and where reference to them still exist in current treaties," auntie told Mr Creswell.
Croaker's eyes were boring into him. "You won't find a way in."
Harry gave him a cheeky smile. "We'll see."
-oOo-
December 7, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Today was the first Hufflepuff-Slytherin game. Dani was nervous. She had won against Harry, thinking she had out flown him, but she wasn't so sure now. Since then, they had practiced with each other once a week. Where she had thought he had really been pushing her before, Harry was flying and searching for the snitch at a totally different level now. If she was going against him this week, she knew that she would not be able to win this time.
On the other hand, she was looking forward to playing against the third year Rebecca Roth. After her last performance, and a temper tantrum by Frost, the team had decided to make her first string, with Frost as her backup. It had seemed to split Slytherin, with about one of every three giving her a wide birth, a nasty look, or both.
Since the incident with Pucey, she had stuck close to her friends, and the friends of Harry and Daphne, whenever she could. Her year-mates seemed to be the only ones fully behind her, with about a third of each older year openly supporting her.
She knew this was the politics and pecking order of the house. She was becoming to realize how much influence her cousin and his betrothed had in the school, and she was being protected by them right now. As well as the unspoken rule that all those under fourth year were to be protected and not brought into the fray unless they ventured there themselves. She was staying away from the politics, sensing she would not be able to avoid them in the future.
The more she understood that the more she had this burning desire in her to step out into her own.
Daphne, Harry, Neville, Tracey, Hermione and Blaise all had a strength that those in their house knew and recognized.
Dani wanted that and to not fear people like Pucey.
The broom in her hand was a way to get there. She knew that. Performing well and winning the House Cup would give her a status that would make some think twice. She also knew she had most of the team behind her. If she could make her own friends among the team, she knew she would have another layer of protection. It was like the popular girls back home.
"You ready, Danforth?" the older Smithwick said to her, reaching out to run a hand through her hair.
"Gert off," she said, earning a few chuckles from the rest of the team.
"He's just making sure your hair is the right type of messy," Blaise teased.
"Leave her be," Astoria told the older black boy. "I'll show you how to tame it later."
"Really?" Dani asked excitedly.
"Nothing some Sleakeasy's or Good Witch Hair Serum shouldn't help," Amanda agreed.
She caught Frost and Emerick eying her from the background. Both were second strings and she had seen them talking with Pucey the other day.
"If you called her Potter, she would fit right in with the git," Theo scoffed and the boys chuckled.
"She's cuter," Astoria stuck up for her.
"Welcome all to the fourth game of this extended season. With Gryffindor's win two weeks ago, this sets up the Slytherins for a tight race for first, but will they hold it with nine more games after this..." a boy announced outside the changing rooms.
"Right, you all. Get the rest of your gear on and we are flying in just a minute. Remember, keep the plays disrupted while Danforth searches for the snitch. If she goes for anything, get those bludgers on their seeker. You understand?" Smithwick told Blaise and Theo.
"Got it, captain," Theo replied. Blaise just nodded.
"Greengrass and Heatherhoc, I want you two playing tight to start. Let's see how their front-line works. I will be playing below or behind if you get into trouble."
"You hear that, Amanda, you ride my arse," Astoria said, getting some guffaws from the boys and a blush from Amanda. It was a joke between them since the first game that Luna had commentated. She wasn't this week but was supposed to for the next match.
"You are hanging out with Potter and Lovegood too much," Amanda said.
"Now, the Slytherin Team..."
"Let's go," Smithwick said, kicking the doors open and mounting his broom.
Dani flew out last to uproarious applause. She felt a little overwhelmed, especially when she saw Harry and Neville sitting with the Slytherin. Luna had a giant snake on her head and most of the stadium seemed to be cheering her on as she came up to line up against the third year Hufflepuff Roth. The girl was larger than her, with short, pixie cut brown hair that was just poking out around her helmet. The girl's brown eyes were sizing her up. She didn't look unfriendly, just serious as Dani approached her.
"Good luck," Dani said, years of playing football instilling a strong sense of good sportsmanship.
Roth reached out a hand. "Good luck to you too. Have you really been training with Potter?"
"As often as possible," she replied.
Roth nodded. "I trained with my cousin, Cedric Diggory, and Victor Krum over the summer. This should be fun."
Dani felt a little nervous, but she knew Harry had beaten Krum once before. She was determined to win, linking her standing in Slytherin to holding that small snitch in her hand. She would send this one back home to her sister.
They flew back to their positions, Madam Hooch ready to start the game.
"The snitch is loose. The captains are shaking hands. They all line up and the quaffle is loose! Greengrass and Heatherhoc are off on their Nimbus 3000's. Brentwood and Bones are on their tails as Smithwick drops low. Ulbricht goes high and the Hufflepuff beaters almost take out Greengrass. What a twist and Heatherhoc has the quaffle. Smithwick. Stolen by Bones. Ouch! That had to hurt..." the boy announced.
Dani winced to see Susan take a quaffle to her leg, throwing her out of her line and passing to her teammate, Astoria almost intercepting it.
Roth was flying a lazy circuit around the pitch, but Dani wasn't having it. Harry told her the snitch often stays close to midfield for the first five or ten minutes and she would play close to that, then decide if she would chase after Roth.
Roth, seeming to catch her game, did a zigzag back.
"Hufflepuff is first on the scoreboard today! Bones with an excellent faint... and the Slytherin are already on the attack. That looks like a Tri-delta play. The Puffs will need to look out for the high pass..."
Dani listened to the announcer with one ear as she searched the pitch. When she mentally counted to six hundred, she left her small circles around the centre and took off in an opposite zigzag of Roth, keeping one eye around the pitch, the other constantly keeping an eye on Roth. It was a little bit that they kept up this opposite pattern. She was trying to wait out Roth's first move, but it didn't seem to come.
"This is a fast-paced game. Fifteen minutes in, 30-20, Hufflepuff in the lead and the chasers having a furious battle as the bludgers have already left bruises on all. The sides are evenly matched as the Seekers just take their time above the game..."
Dani felt a little annoyed at that comment.
Wanting to see how Roth would react, Dani dove through the play as Susan screamed up the field on her own Nimbus 3000. She could tell that Roth hadn't seen the snitch yet, so she didn't feel guilty to copy what she had seen Harry do. "Above!" Dani cried out.
Susan looked up, her eyes widening, and she swerved as Dani flew past her. Dani heard the crack of the bats, and with the instinct of all good seekers, she barrel-rolled, the bludgers missing her. As she did, she caught a golden light by her goal posts. She came out of the dive, levelled out, then pressed her small body flat against the broom. She knew Smithwick wanted a good lead, so she would try to keep Roth off the snitch for now.
Roth was already angling towards her. The way she was heading towards Dani, she knew the girl hadn't seen the snitch yet. Dani angled a little more up, seeing the snitch flit off to the right. Roth followed her.
When they levelled out, Roth was giving her a look. "That was a bit reckless."
Dani gave her a smile. She wouldn't give away she had seen the snitch. "It worked. Slytherin is tied now."
Roth eyed her, staying closer now. Dani didn't like being dogged. It was one thing when she was doing so to Harry, but not here. The game below was going at a fast pace, but for the next twenty minutes neither side seemed to get the upper hand and the score stayed stubbornly at 30-30.
Dani thought she caught sight of the snitch again. Roth didn't, so they maintained their search pattern. As clouds started to move in, she was getting worried.
"A brilliant play by Bones and Ulbricht charge the Keeper as Trask keeps Heatherhoc and Smithwick busy. Zabini gets his bat on a bludger..." there was the distinctive clang of metal on metal. Dani caught the two bludgers striking in mid-air. If that hadn't happened, Susan would have gotten a bludger to her back. "Nice aim by the Hufflepuff Beater..." There was a cheer that erupted from the stands as Susan passed to her teammate and the Puffs were in the lead again.
Feeling annoyed that almost forty minutes in that her team was so low on the scoreboard, she caught Smithwick's eye as he flew by. He shook his head, indicating that it wasn't time yet.
From the way Roth moved a little closer, she knew the girl had seen the interaction. Thinking of what Harry had told her, she didn't hesitate to roll over and dive for the grass. If you couldn't go for the snitch, then try to shake the competition, he had told her.
Roth was right on her twigs as she raced toward the ground. As she did, the snitch ran across their path. Dani had to pull up hard, twisting in mid-air as she turned towards the snitch. Roth was pushed just as hard. Dani's natural talent was match by the flying experience of Roth. Roth pulled up next to her. The older girl was a little heavier. Dani's experience in football allowed her to rebuff the girl's elbows.
The snitch turned and a bludger caused them to separate. When Dani got back on track, the snitch was gone. They did one lap below the play before going back up.
When they were up above again, Roth asked, "You were trying to drive me into the pitch, weren't you?"
"That is part of the game," Dani told her, seriously looking for the snitch again as the score had started to pick up.
"50-40 Slytherin ahead this time with Greengrass and Heatherhoc just interrupting Bones. The Beaters are having their own battle, trying to knock each other off... Nott hits a bludger into Bones!"
Roth gave her a smirk. "I thought I would be bored today."
Dani snorted.
"60-40. Smithwick gets his second goal."
Dani caught a fleck of gold about twenty feet up and half across the pitch. She flattened out. Roth had seen it too. Dani swerved to bump her shoulder into Roth. Roth's determination just had her hitting back. Dani used her slightly lighter form to press her broom just a little faster. She knew that Smithwick wanted to have a hundred points on the board. Roth was seriously going for the snitch.
Roth put an elbow into Dani's side as she pulled ahead. Biting her lip, she charged into Roth, dipping just a little to hit the front of the girl's broom with her own. Roth went off track, having to pull up.
Dani was clipped in the face when Roth's broom got her. Dani didn't lose her line though and was reaching for the snitch as Roth came up on her twigs. She let out a small scream as she felt her broom being pulled back. Her fingers just missed the snitch.
It was blagging, but when Seekers were in a chase, penalties like that were often overlooked until the chase was over. Dani kicked a foot back. Roth let out a scream as her hand was hit by Dani's boot. The snitch took a sudden right turn and tried to go past her. Dani reached out, almost jumping off her broom to catch the snitch by a wing. It tried to get out of her fingers until she pulled it in and grabbed it with her other hand.
The whistle blew as she held up the snitch.
Landing, she found herself in a scrum of her team and others. Smithwick put a hand on her shoulder. "Good job," he told her over the crowd.
"I know I caught it too soon," she replied.
"You did what you needed too. I saw the way you and Roth were going. She would have caught it if she could have," he said.
Harry was suddenly at her side. "Way to go, Dani."
She turned away from her captain to hug her cousin. "I just did as you said."
"I can't wait to play you next," he told her.
A squealing Gwen and Cordie were next. After a few hugs, they were moving towards the locker rooms as her house was moving back to the common room to get a party going.
"You did great. We'll get you some bruise cream for your cheek," Astoria said, a black eye forming on her face.
Dani touched her cheek. It was really soar. "Totally worth it."
Astoria, Blaise and Theo laughed. "She's as crazed as Harry."
Dani beamed as Astoria wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'll take her on our team over Harry."
"Good thing. After today, she's our starting seeker for the season," Smithwick stated.
"You are going to put a mudblood over me?" Frost said in an acid tone.
The jovial mood turned sour. "What was that, Frost?" Astoria asked, her voice becoming emotionless and her face a mask. The three boys in front of her all stopped and turned to look at the second year Frost.
Amanda was standing at Astoria's side.
"She's a mudblood! Not even a half-blood. Why is she even in Slytherin?" Frost demanded, not realizing, or caring, that he had five older students staring him down.
"Danielle Danforth is a squib-born, if you really want to get into it. Her cousin is Scion Harry Potter-Greengrass. She is as good as my cousin, since my sister and the scion Potter-Greengrass are going to marry. There is nothing wrong with her blood or who she is and if you have an issue with that, you can go through me," Astoria said, pulling Dani in closer to her side.
"You aren't the only one," Blaise said, stepping before them.
Theo was right at his side.
Smithwick stepped before them. "Listen, Frost. I get where you are coming from and what Slytherin has been, but that isn't our house anymore. If you haven't noticed, things are changing. If I ever hear you say that about Danforth again, you are off the team, and I will report you to Professor Slughorn."
Frost glared at them all for a moment. After a moment, he threw his broom down and struggled to get his quidditch robes off. They landed in a heap on the floor. "I quit. If you are going to protect someone like that, you aren't worth it."
"Fine by me," Astoria said in her emotionless voice.
Dani looked between them all. This wasn't the first incident like this. Knowing her teammates backed her and would stick up for her like this had her standing tall. "I am not a mudblood," she said defiantly to Frost as he glared at her.
Frost just huffed, picked up his broom and walked away.
The other three backups hadn't said a word. Smithwick squared off against them. "Any of you have an issue with this?"
Oslo shook his head. Norwell and Westhill looked at them for a moment. Westhill said, "As long as Danforth keeps winning, I don't care."
"Does that mean you don't think she belongs?" Blaise challenged.
The boy shrugged. "I figure no matter what I say, it won't matter. She is protected by you and the others. Whether I stand for the old alliance or the new, I know when to blend in. Personally, I really don't care. I would be careful of Frost, though. His family is close to Pucey's, and they are up to something."
Westhill pushed past. Norwell shrugged too. "I'm with Westhill on this one." He then followed his friend.
Astoria snorted. "Welcome to the house of the snakes," she said.
Dani wasn't that surprised anymore.
-oOo-
December 21, 1996
Rotherham, England
Daphne was pinning her hair up when Astoria entered her room. It was close to eight and everyone would be over soon to celebrate Yule. With the solstice falling on the same day as the Hogwarts Express return to London, the festivities felt a little rushed this year.
"You look nice, Tori," she said to her sister, looking at the girl in her mirror. Astoria had just turned fifteen a month ago and she was looking like a young lady now. The dark burgundy dress highlighted her curves and the childness was leaving her face.
"You do too. Do you need help getting your hair up?" she asked, moving in and taking the long hair pin from Daphne. It was one of three jade hair pins that her mother had taken from the family vaults for her. She was old enough and would be seventeen in less than a week. There were two decorative combs, one with silver filigree and the other with gold, the three pins, a brush and a few other odd hair assortments.
"Thank you," she told her sister.
"How many times have you helped me over the years?"
Daphne gave her sister a smile. "Well, when you weren't annoying me," she countered.
Astoria gave her a mischievous grin. "Little sisters are supposed to annoy older sisters. Harry will be happy to see you wearing this tonight."
"I hope so. It is a beautiful set," Daphne said, running her hand over the jade comb with the gold filigree.
"There," Astoria said.
Daphne turned her head from side to side. "Thank you."
Astoria moved in and gave her a small hug from behind. "Any time. Are you ready for tonight?"
Daphne smiled. Yule, especially the first Yule after a betrothal, was a special time for a couple. It would be the first time they would formally be presented before magic on the rebirth of the year. "I used to fear being betrothed by seventeen. I thought father would find me someone he approved of, but I would not."
"I know. I want Harry as my brother someday."
"I want him as my husband," she said back.
"Tonight?" Astoria asked, a brow raised.
Daphne laughed. "No. We should be out of Hogwarts before we marry, but I am going to participate in the ritual tonight."
Astoria's brow rose. "I thought you and Harry already were that intimate?"
"I have wanted too. We have come close. Yule is a special time though," Daphne said. Yule was a special time. Her mother had talked to her just before they had gone back to school, planting in Daphne the significance of a night like this and how magic could strengthen their bond, especially if it was the first time.
"Do I need to distract people so you can get away?" Astoria asked, that playful look on her face that she could get up to no good.
"Mother knows. After the fire is burning and we celebrate the goddess and her mate, I will celebrate mine," she said. Her father and Madam Bones would understand. Harry and her were not going to do anything they should not, and father would appreciate the significance of the night, though he may still not want her and Harry to do so yet. The thing was, she was almost seventeen. Her parents had no say in what she chose to do with her betrothed, and Harry being sixteen and a scion of important houses that he was the last heir too, he was already recognized as being of consensual age.
She had no intention of becoming pregnant from tonight, but it was going to be their responsibility... her responsibility... to provide heirs in the not-too-distant future.
Astoria gave her a small kiss on her cheek. "Harry is going to be one lucky man tonight."
Daphne gave a smug smile. "He will be."
Astoria giggled. "I wish Terry could be here."
Daphne gave her sister a questioning look. "Aren't you a little young?"
Astoria flushed a little. "Not for that!"
Daphne giggled at her sister's reaction. "When you are, let me know. I can get you what you need."
Astoria was still blushing. "Thanks, Daph."
Daphne patted Astoria's hand on her shoulder.
When Harry arrived, he was in a more formal set of wizarding robes. They were quite flattering on him as they were tailored to show his broader chest and more muscled body. He was quite a different figure than he had been almost three years ago when she had first approached him for help.
The flash of desire in his eyes to see her in her more form fitting dress had a smile, and her own spark of desire, come to her.
"Heiress Potter-Greengrass," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.
"My Scion Potter-Greengrass," she replied.
He let her hand go to greet her father. Susan had a smile on her face when Daphne turned to her. She was surprised to see Dean Thomas with her. "I hope you don't mind, but Dean has never attended a Yule celebration."
"Of course not, Susan. Your family and friends are always welcome here," she said, greeting them.
Dean was looking at her hand. "Do I need to greet you and your family like Harry did?"
"No. This is an informal thing. Harry was just being more a gentleman than usual," she commented.
"Oi! I resemble that remark," Harry replied, causing Susan to giggle and Dean to laugh.
As her father turned to them, Susan curtsied. "Evening, Lord Greengrass. I was hoping you would welcome my boyfriend, Dean Thomas, tonight? He has never been to a formal Yule celebration and wanted to come."
Her father bowed to Susan and stretched out a hand to Dean. "Of course not, Heiress Bones. Mr Thomas, it is a pleasure to invite you into our home and to share the traditions that many are forgetting. Will we have any other guests tonight? The Grangers just arrived about fifteen minutes ago and the Zabinis will be joining us shortly."
"Not that I know of, sir," Susan said.
"Anders, a pleasure to see you tonight. I don't plan on any other add-ons for now," Auntie Amelia commented.
"Dean is not an add-on," Susan complained.
Dean gave a nervous smile. Sharing a look with Harry, she moved in and hooked an arm around Dean's. "If you come with me, I can show you the games room and the pyre out back. We'll be lighting it at midnight."
Dean gave a nervous chuckle. "Are we going to dance naked by it?"
She laughed. Susan gave a giggled, "I wouldn't say no."
"Heiress Bones," her mother chastised, though not sounding offended. It wasn't that long ago that that part of the tradition had been dropped. "If you are going to do that, we have skins set up in the orchard," she whispered, earning a deep blush from the redhead.
Auntie Amelia shook her head. Daphne wanted to laugh, knowing what she planned to do later. She wasn't sure if Susan took her mother literally or was thinking it was just a joke. Daphne was sure Susan knew the old traditions. Dean didn't get it, but she caught that look of lust in Harry's eyes grow a little more. Harry had been taught these old traditions in the last few years and obviously made the connection. She gave him a mysterious smirk. She was nervous, but extremely excited at the same time.
The evening was fun.
When it was close to midnight, they all made their way outside to the pyre. Wood was stacked five feet high and a few feet across. It would burn from midnight to dawn, signifying the burning of the old year and providing ash to fertilize the new year.
Harry stepped up next to her, slipping an arm around her waist as they all gathered. She leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment, before standing straight as her father walked to stand before them.
"On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight," he said to them. "Tonight, we celebrate Yule, a tradition stretching back to the Picts and Celts that once ruled this land. Paying homage to the old gods and the land is not often done anymore, but it is essential to our connection to the land. The blood of those that have called this land home for generations owe their blood to the land, and the land provides for those that nourish it."
Daphne could feel the magic under her feet as her father spoke. This year was the first time she had been able to really recognize it, meaning magic saw her as an adult and capable of taking the blessing of fertility and grace. In years past, she knew this was a magically charged night. She just hadn't felt it like this.
Given the way Harry tightened his hold around her, she was sure he felt it too.
"As the moon reaches its zenith," her father said, indicating the moon, which was three days shy of being full, "we celebrate the year that has gone by and celebrate new beginnings for the year to come."
"If you would all raise your wands, we shall light the pyre, then offer our gifts of sacrifice and the hope of the new year."
Daphne took her wand out. Harry had to release his hold of her waist to do so. She didn't like the loss of contact. Raising their wands, they waited for her father to indicate it was time. Nine sets of sparks or small flames hit the pyre, setting it ablaze in seconds.
Reaching into her pocket, she took out a twig that was wrapped in a ribbon and holding small locks of hair from her and Harry tied at the ends. The ribbon was one her grandmother had given her as a small child. It was worn and frayed from how often she had worn it in her hair. It was her sacrifice.
The small locks of hair were to represent her desire to marry Harry. She wanted to be joined with him, and the offering of magic from the both of them would show her intention to magic.
Harry had pulled a letter from is pocket. Looking at it, she recognized the green ink that Hogwarts used for their letters. She gave him a look. He gave a small smile. "My acceptance letter was a new beginning and the end of an old life. I am hoping it will work to bring us a new life as I finally let go of my past," he told her.
She cast him a smile, wanting to snog him right there. The casting of the gifts was supposed to be a solemn affair, though. After her father had cast his gift in, they all followed suit.
For a little while they just observed the fire. When her father turned, he indicated the manor. "Whomever wants, our elves will have some spiced, hot mead and other delicacies."
She took Harry's hand and kept him in place. He gave her a questioning look and she returned what she hoped was a sultry smile. Giving the need that rose in his eyes, she figured she did well.
Hermione and Blaise and Susan and Dean stayed outside with them.
Daphne gave a small nod to the other girls and pulled Harry away. "Where are we going?" he asked her.
"Do you feel the magic tonight?" she responded.
Harry was silent for a few. "Are you sure?"
She pulled him into the orchard. "I want to be with you," she replied.
He tried to pull her in closer. With a force of will, she resisted, pulling him in deeper into the leafless trees and to an area only lit by the moonlight. In the small clearing between the apple trees was a large fur lain out on the ground. Rune stones were lain at points to make a five-sided pentagon. On top of the large fur lay another.
The furs were Greengrass family heirlooms, hunted on a new moon around the spring equinox many generations ago. The shimmering black of a moon bear's fur was unmistakable. The greater magical animal was a representation of the earth god. The runes a link to the goddess. As was tradition, nothing of the animal had been wasted. A great feast had been prepared and the proper homage paid to the beast, and one of the men that had lost his life for the boon. As was tradition, magic could not have been used to obtain the furs.
Daphne and Harry wouldn't be the first to christen their new lives together on these, and Daphne hoped they would not be the last, knowing the significance of the magic woven into the runes and furs.
She felt herself respond, her core heating. Harry took in a deep breath. Turning to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, as he protectively wrapped his arms around her.
"You know why we are here?" she asked him.
Harry looked down to her, his eyes radiating power. The draw to him grew. "I love you, Daph. I want to love you for the rest of our lives. I promised to wait as long as you want, but if you are offering a union tonight, I won't be able to say no."
She gave him another sultry smile, going up onto her tip toes to kiss him. "You are my betrothed. My love. You promised forever and I am going to keep you to that promise."
"It's not a promise, it's an oath," he responded, sending a shiver through her as magic recognized his words. He was aware of what he was saying.
"Then I pledge myself to my future husband and want this union," she said, kissing him again. This time she felt Harry shiver with her words.
The response to her kiss and words was all it took for them both to lose themselves in the feel of the night. She wouldn't ever really remember how they managed to make their way between the furs, but she would remember the feel of their naked flesh moving against each other, the first time they had fully been so with each other, until the day she died.
-oOo-
Back at the mansion...
Amelia looked out at the lawns from the back garden. She was standing sentinel to the pyre as it burned down. The magic swirled around the grounds tonight, more so than in many years she could remember a Yule night feeling as such.
A door opened and closed behind her. A moment later, Iliana stepped up next to her, two steaming cups of mead in her hands. In the cold night, it smelled delectable. The dark hair woman held one of the cups to her.
"I thought you might enjoy it," she said.
"Thank you," she replied, taking the hot cup. After a deep inhale of the spiced mead, she took a drink. After letting out a contented sigh, she said, "My compliments to your elves."
Iliana smiled and held her flagon up as a toast. "It is a guilty pleasure that I took from my family."
"There is nothing guilty about this. It is sinful," she replied, earning a satisfied look from Iliana.
They looked out over the grounds towards the orchard. Iliana was the first to break the silence. "This is the first time since Anders and I were first married that a proper tribute was paid to the gods."
Amelia smiled. "I may not always hold to the old traditions, but I can't deny how magic responds to the proper ways."
Iliana smiled. "No. I can't deny it."
Both woman closed their eyes for a moment. It wasn't long before there was a spike in the feel of the magic on the grounds. It was a pleasant spike, as though the magic had been pent up for years and rejoiced in whatever was happening.
"I trust Susan is protected?"
"Yes. She is becoming a woman in her own right," she replied. "And Daphne?"
"Since her little declaration last summer, she has been on the potion," Iliana affirmed.
Amelia smiled. "You have a strong daughter."
"And she has found a strong match. Daphne made it quite clear she had no plans of returning to her room tonight," Iliana said.
"Susie didn't say a thing. I will wait another hour or so to see if she and Dean come back up," Amelia told her.
"Hermione and her parents will be staying the night. You are welcome as well. We have an extra room," Iliana offered.
Taking another sip of the hot mead, Amelia nodded. "I think I shall go home. This is a night for the young to celebrate their coming of age before magic. I will have to check tomorrow if the Ministry recognizes this."
"You mean Susan and Dean? I didn't think they were that serious yet," Iliana commented.
"I don't think they are either. I was thinking Harry and Daphne. She turns seventeen next week, and Harry is betrothed and scion of his House," Amelia said.
Iliana snorted. "Oh, I thought that was a given. I think after tonight, it will only be the formality of the wedding shortly after they graduate to finalize their union to the Ministry. I just wonder if they will realize it."
Amelia chuckled. "I have no doubt that your daughter understands the significance of what she is doing tonight."
Iliana smiled. "I don't either. I am unsure how Anders will view this. This will conflict with the traditions of the betrothal for the wedding night, but it is also tradition to have magic bless the union in this way. Tonight is stronger in many ways."
Shaking her hand, Amelia replied, "I mean this in the best way, but Anders can go sod off with his traditions. The moment we signed that contract, it was up to Harry and Daphne how they wanted to proceed. I give them both my blessing with the path they have chosen."
"As do I. Anders will come around if he doesn't already approve. I will be pleased to call that boy my son from this day on," she said, taking a drink of her own mead.
"I have been privileged to have him as my own, even if it was for far shorter than it should have been," Amelia said. "My only concern of this night is what Susan's intent was."
"You are worried if she meant this as a union or just as a rite of passage?" Iliana asked.
"Yes."
"And what of Hermione and Blaise?"
Amelia smiled. A door opened behind them. "Hermione would not have done this without understanding what could happen. I see how they love each other, and Phoenicia and Jane approve."
"I approve of what?" the black skinned woman asked as she joined them.
"What of my daughter?" Jane asked.
There was another pulse of magic across the grounds. It was impossible to know which couple produced which pulse. The three witches looked towards the orchard. Phoenicia smiled. "I see."
"What was that?" Jane enquired.
"It would appear that even you can feel the blessing of the earth mother and horned god," Phoenicia commented.
Jane scrunched her brow. Iliana spoke up. "As far as we know, since the days the first magic practitioners inhabited these lands, there have been four main holidays when magic is at its strongest. Yule is the time of death and rebirth, though the holiday of All Hallows Eve has taken precedence over the realm of the dead in recent centuries. That pulse was from two young people participating in a ritual as old as time. The earth mother and horned god has blessed the union."
They were silent to see Jane working through that. "Are you telling me this is a magically sanctioned night for orgies and sex?"
The three witches laughed. "Orgies, no. A night of passage from youth to adulthood before magic, yes. That pulse would only come from two that love each other and have given themselves willingly and wantonly to the other. I would bet that Harry and Daphne and Hermione and Blaise have pledged themselves."
"You do not think Susan and Dean?" Iliana questioned.
Amelia shook her head. "I believe she has taken the rite of passage, but they are still relatively new in their relationship, and I am not sure Susan is ready to settle."
"Jane, we should meet this week to work out the betrothal. If I know my son, he will be asking for it soon and it would protect your daughter," Phoenicia said.
"I would recommend talking to your son first. If Hermione is anything like Harry, she will want a proper muggle proposal, not just a meeting to finalize the paperwork," Amelia suggested.
"Hermione will want a proposal. I understand Hermione is of that age, but how can you all be so content and happy at this? Shouldn't they all be a little older?" Jane questioned.
After a moment, Phoenicia nodded. "I will talk with him. As for how old they are, magic will decide when they are ready, it is just up to our children to recognize it. We can guide them, but this must be their choice. Will this push the plans for Daphne and Harry forward?"
"No. Daphne told me what she had planned, and I ensured they would not have any child from it. Daphne wants to wait until after they graduate," Iliana said.
"Harry will wait for her, but he wants a family," Amelia replied.
"Phoenicia, do you really think a betrothal is necessary?" Jane asked.
"We can get together this week. Would you like Amelia there for the initial negotiations or when we are ready to finalize them?"
Jane looked between them. "I will never get used to how backwards this world is. I'll talk with Dan. Amelia, you will be available?"
"I have a meeting with Harry and the goblins on the twenty-seventh and we are hosting Dean's family on Boxing Day," Amelia told them.
"The twenty-eighth then?" Phoenicia proposed.
"Harry has plans for Daphne for her birthday. They and all their friends are to be here for dinner," Iliana reminded them.
"The morning of the twenty-eight or twenty-ninth will work," Jane said. "Let me talk with Dan. I'm sure Hermione will want to be involved too."
"You can get a framework and then finalize things after Blaise proposes. I know Harry is still disappointed he was not able to do it the way he wanted," Amelia said.
Iliana sighed. "I'm just glad it turned out well."
"As am I," Amelia responded.
The four women fell silent as they felt the magic around them. By dawn it would settle, but tonight the god and goddess were blessing the grounds and those pledging themselves to each other.