Chapter 2
Chapter 1:
In his room, a fourteen year old Harrison Potter rose with the dawn and smiled. Out of his window, he could see the Lake District in the morning sun and sighed at the beauty. The house was not his own, he couldn't do that until he took up Lordship of the House of Potter in a few years, but it was the home he considered his own until that time. It was the house that Lord Sirius Black had bought for himself and his ward when he was freed during the summer after Harrison's first year at Hogwarts.
The years had been great for the young Heir Potter. He was among the top ten students in every class and well liked and respected among all four of the Hogwarts Houses as a fair and talented student. While his theory was not as good as Heiress Greengrass or the young Hermione Granger, his wand work was second to no one in the school. Harrison had also grown into a handsome young man at this time and wore his hair long and tied back in a gray ribbon. His stature was long and lanky, but the hints of the man he would grow into were starting to form.
Harrison's eyes drifted from the window and over the desk he had set in front of said window. On it were several photographs. A few were some of his favorites that Sirius had shown him of his parents before their deaths. His prized one was of six people. Standing behind everyone was Sirius, his uncle and godfather, with his arms around James and Lilly Potter. The three of them were looking over the shoulders of an elderly couple as they held an infant Harrison. Baron Charlus and Dorea Potter.
His other favorite, however, was taken just a few months ago before exams this past year. It was of his group of friends on the shore of the Black Lake under what they all called their tree. Three girls, two in green and one in blue, were sitting on one side. They were the youngest of their circle and had grown close over the years. Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley had needed that friendship with Astoria Greengrass when Luna was dealing with the Ravenclaw older years and Ginny was in the middle of a family war between her brothers. Luckily, both girls had started to grow into confident young witches and Astoria was quite happy for her closest friends.
On the other side of the group was Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott, and Pansy Parkinson. The three of them couldn't be seen being too friendly with Harrison because of their family mistakes in the past, but all three were close friends with each other and the rest of their group. Draco and Harrison's blood-ties made it easier for them to interact outside of school, but Pansy and Theo had to maintain their distance for their safety. Although the former Dark Lord was dead, his supporters were not and both had fathers close to the Dark Lord. Draco's father, Lord Malfoy, was arguably the most dangerous of the three, but Aunt Narcissa had put her foot down at the thought of him doing anything to Harrison. Draco had confided in the group of friends that his father had taken to one of the families other bedrooms since the altercation.
Between the two groups was Harrison with a pair of girls next to him and two more boys on the outside. Heir Neville Longbottom, a Gryffindor that hung out with them due to the closeness of both of the boy's mother's, was standing next to his girlfriend Tracey Davis. Both of them had gotten some teasing over their developing relationship over the years but not nearly as bad as the other couples had gotten. Heir Blaise Zabini, the boy to the far side of Neville, had really gotten it when his relationship with Theo had become public, but both boys had been accepted easily among the group.
The major teasing had been directed at Harrison and his girlfriend, Heiress Daphne Greengrass. The pair had been nearly inseparable since the sorting feast and had been a popular discussion among the upper classmates in both Slytherin and the school at large. Tracy, Daphne's closest friend, had nearly cursed him the Valentine's Day this past year but relented when Harrison informed her of his plan to sweep her of her feet during dinner that night. The pair had been officially linked from that night on, much to both the relief and humor of their group of friends.
Life had certainly changed for the Last Potter in the few short years he had been returned to the magical world. And it really all came down to the letter from his grandfather and the ring on his finger.
The ring.
Harrison smiled again as he raised his hand so he could look at the brass ring once more. Never had it responded like it had that first time he had put it on. Yet, he knew the ring was helping him with knowledge at times. Concepts he might have trouble with one night become simple after a night of sleep. He had brought it up to Sirius and his other honorary Uncle, Remus Lupin, one night last month.
“Ah, the magic of the Lord's ring.” Sirius had told him as he held up his own hand to show the Black Family Ring on his hand. “Each one is unique, but they are actually links to your family Grimour. The one the Goblin's are holding on to until you can set up a new 'Potter Manor' for the library, not the one in your trunk.”
Harrison nodded at that. “I see, so when I put it on that first time in the bank...”
“The ring used it's magic to fill in gaps in your development. It still probably is and will until it starts to learn from you.” Remus told him with a small smile. “Enchanted family rings are really an art of magic that few will ever really understand. I only know of two or three enchanters who could do that and only one in England.”
“Mr. Davis?” Harrison asked. Tracy's father was known as one of the few enchanters in England of any real quality.
Sirius nodded. “He's really, like really, talented. I know your friend Tracy wants to be half as good as he is, but I honestly think the daughter will surpass the father.”
“She will if he has anything to say about it.” Remus laughed and winked at Harrison. “He has told us she will get his notes on his mastery once she graduates from Hogwarts.”
The conversation turned on to other subjects after that but Harrison still had a feeling that something was about to happen and that his family ring was going to play an important part in it.
“Oi! Pup!” Sirius' voice carried up from the downstairs. “Let's get going, will ya? Your pretty girlfriend is waiting for you.” He also was one of the worst when it came to teasing him and Daphne. The man had been dropping hints that Daphne was interested in him since the day they met.
“I'm moving, hold on to your kickers.” Harrison said as he grabbed his enchanted bag and left the room. It was a short walk down the hall and then the stairs before he was face to face with his family. Sirius, always impeccably dressed, had his arm wrapped around Remus' waist and were talking quietly when he saw them. “Whoops, maybe I should have given you two a minute anyway.”
“What did I do?” Remus asked him as he looked mock upset at being caught.
Harrison just pointed a finger at Sirius. “Him.”
“Oi! I'll jump on your bed, wet, and shake if you aren't careful.” His godfather told him as he detached from his partner and tried to ruffle Harrison's hair. The younger man just dodged around him and stood next to Remus in his place.
He looked up at Remus and ignored Sirius for a second, mostly to annoy him. “You didn't possibly think to get another tent, did you?”
“No, your stuck with us this time, Harrison.” Mooney told him.
The younger man just sighed. “Fine, I guess I can put up with fleas for the week.”
“That's it, no Daphne for you.” Sirius growled out. “She's a bad influence.”
Harrison laughed at that. “Why, because she's faster on the quip then you are?”
“Obviously.” The Lord Black replied before he fixed his waistcoat and stood. “Right, we are the House of Black and Potter.”
Harrison nodded and stood taller as well. “Second to none, and war heroes all.”
“Let them come.” Remus finished for the three men. It had become something of a mantra of them when they had to show off their status. The two older men had grown up hating everything about Pureblood society, but even they had to admit that Harrison was right. The Purebloods were led by idiots and the smart ones were looking to get away from the worst of their lot. The Greengrass family was one of them. It was with their help that Sirius had been freed so fast, them and Madam Bones.
“So, portkey leaves in a few minutes, Dobby and Trixsie will be joining us once they shut down the house.” Sirius told them as he picked up a old hairbrush with several broken teeth. “Are we forgetting anything?”
“I'm good, got my pack and my wand in my holster.” Harrison told him.
Remus nodded. “Everything is packed and Dobby is going to set up the tent by the time we arrive at the site.”
“I've got plenty of gold if we need it, but I don't expect to need much.” Harrison finished up.
“You ready? Today is a big day for you and Daphne.” Remus asked him
“I've been ready since last summer, Mooney.”
Sirius grunted and held up the brush. “Right then, on to Dartmoor.”
0o0o0o0o0o0
Dartmoor, England
(One day before the Quidditch World Cup Final)
The Greengrass Tent was up and moving with the early dawn. Mostly due to Astoria and Ginny Weasley, who had taken up a semi-residence with the family, being almost as terrible as the red heads older twin brothers. “I swear we didn't do it this time!” Astoria was begging forgiveness from her oldest sister.
Daphne sipped at her morning coffee and hummed as her mother was laughing behind her own cup. The older girl had awoken this morning to find several old copies of those dreadful children's stories about 'Harry Potter' had been stuffed into her trunk and were all enchanted to float and read to her once they were open. An actual interesting feat of combinations of magic that Daphne knew her sister did not have the knowledge to do... unless she was as advanced as the rest of the family thought she and Ginny might be. “Right.” Her soft voice carried a hint that she didn't believe Astoria.
Ginny was grinning next to her seat and shaking her head vigorous. “Honest. We think it might have been the 'older children' who did it when they were over last week.”
“That would make more sense.” Her mother said with a grin that Daphne was now not sure if she didn't do it herself to cause a little mischief. Julliete Greengrass nee Fay was still talked about with the same legacy as Harrison's father and friends and at the level that the Weasley twins and the hydra-headed snakes that were her youngest sister and her best friends all were fast approaching..
Cyrus Greengrass just shook his head as he folded his paper over in his lap. “Ah, I did see Sirius poking around in your room last week, but I thought that was about Harrison's birthday gift.”
Daphne snorted, of course it was Black. “Fine, you are excused.” The soon to be Queen of Slytherin said with a nod. “Be warned, if I find out it was you two, I'm letting Tracy after you three once school starts up.” Tracy wasn't officially a prankster, but she used those times to experiment and all bets were off when her 'mad science' laugh as Harrison called it started up. The girl was devious.
Both younger Slytherin sighed in relief. They knew the rules. No pranks on other Slytherin unless justified. It was one they had started just to keep out the chaos that was the Gryffindor's common room. Apparently, the Weasley twins were not above using their fellow classmates as test subjects before unleashing said chaos on the school at large.
“Now that it is all settled, what's on the agenda today, ladies? More wandering?” Cyrus asked the table.
“We were going to see if we could find some of the 'Puffs. They were going to have a quick pick-up game on the practice pitches if we could get permission from Magical Games.” Astoria answered as Ginny had taken a bite out of her morning eggs and bangers that the elves had made for them.
“Harrison said that the Houses of Potter and Black are getting here today to lessen the publicity. The court and I were going to show our King around the encampment.” Daphne told them with a smirk. My King. Hadn't that been a feather in her cap. Her coup had gone off without even trying due to Harrison's influence in the house already being larger then Draco Malfoy's upon that first night in Slytherin.
The then eleven year old took control of the year group with a diplomacy that she had only ever seen wielded by other Lords like her father. No one could control a room like Harrison could in Hogwarts outside of the Professors and only a few of the older students. Diggory, their head boy this year, was one of them as well as people like Flint, Wood, and Jones had been. Everyone in Slytherin knew that once Warrington's reign was over, Harrison would be the one to take the crown. That ceremony would be held on the train ride back to Hogwarts.
And Daphne had inserted herself next to the young man who had stolen her heart that first night in the common room.
It had been a risk, one she had greatly miscalculated over the years, but her life had an outlook that was made of fairy tales. People had given her a lot of shite over the years for being the only one Harrison seemed to look at. Many of the young girls in England had ideas of marrying 'Harry Potter' still, even after it had come out that all of those books were just tales for children. Yet, Heir Harrison Potter was a highly sought after prospect, and he had only looked at her.
Sirius had mentioned once that Harrison's father was the same way with his mother. James Potter was well known to only have eyes for one witch his entire time at Hogwarts and it seemed his son was cursed to find his own at a very young age. Not that Daphne had anything to complain about. The young man was intelligent, rich, and well-placed in society but none of those things actually described the Potter Heir. He was highly perceptive, picking up on small things many of them missed, one of the strongest magic wielders in Hogwarts but never throwing that power around the halls like he was the owner of the school like his father had done, and he was modest to a fault, always shoving off some of his accomplishments to their circle of friends.
As if summoned by her thoughts, a soft hoot and a ruffle of feathers from the opening alerted them of the snowy owl's presence before they saw her. Only one wixen in England used a snow white owl, and they had grown use to the beautiful creature over the years and her habit of showing up suddenly. “Oh, hello beautiful, how is your master doing today?” Daphne asked the familiar as she divested her of the letter addressed to herself.
Hedwig hooted and tilted her head before nudging Daphnes cheek with her head. “Aw, I miss him too. I'll see him today though. You can stay here and I know Harrison is going to be near by tonight. Would you like to use the perch in my room for the day to sleep?” Her soft hoot and gentle nip on her hand was all the owl gave before she flew off towards the room Daphne was using.
Her father just shook his head at her. “My daughter, Dr. Doolittle.”
“Hush you, I think it's sweet Harrison taught her to read his owl like that.” Her mother admonished him.
“Familiar.” Daphne corrected her mother before opening the letter. Reading through the brief message she nodded her head and handed it over to her father to read as well. “Father, Lord Black will arrive within the hour.”
“Did it say why?” Her father asked before sitting up and taking the letter from her hands. All relaxation leaving Cyrus and showing him to be every bit the Lord Greengrass he was as he read the letter before a quick glance at her. “Ah.”
She nodded. “I think so.”
Her mother clapped her hands. “Is it time?”
Astoria and Ginny were glancing between her and her parents. “Well? Don't leave us out just because we don't have a fancy title.” Ginny hissed out.
“Not like that, girls.” Her father said sternly before looking back at Daphne. “Is this what you want?”
Daphne nodded. “It is, it's all I've wanted since that first yule.”
“He's going to push you farther then I ever hoped.” Her mother told her as she stood and rounded the table on her eldest. “I know some of what he has planned, but not as much as you do of course. Are you ready for it? The responsibility?”
She nodded, her blonde braid tumbling in front of her shoulder. “I think so, but it's a lot.”
Ginny nudged Astoria. “What is going on?”
“No idea, I'm as lost as you are so it's not a pure-blood thing, This is a Daphne and Harrison thing.”
She hated that, but it didn't make it un-true. Harrison had been making plans for these next few years since she began to get to know him. The return of House Potter to the Wizengamot had started with the freeing of it's adopted son two years ago. It was now time for the rise of House Potter from the ashes of the blood wars over the past fifty years. And Harrison was asking for her to join him. “Lord Black is coming over with their steward to discuss a contract between House Greengrass and House Potter.” Her father answered the younger girls.
Both of them knew that this was it for Daphne Greengrass. This was the moment she had been both dreading and growing more excited about over the years. The original fear of her father giving her hand away to a former Death Eater's son had been a growing concern of hers growing up but, as Harrison grew into his role as the Crowned Prince and now King of Slytherin, Daphne had started to hope that she would get what her heart actually wanted.
“Is this what you really want?” Julliete asked her. “You don't have to just be...”
“Mother!” She hissed before glancing at Ginny. “I'm sorry, Ginny, but that is a pure-blood thing. Family secrets.”
“About your mum and the le Fey line? I know.” Ginny nodded.
“Not our secrets, Ginny.” Her mother said softly.
“Oh?” She asked curious before thinking about it. “Oh, this has something to do about the Potters?”
They all nodded. “The Potters have had several name changes over the years, but they were here for the foundation of the first druid's circle along with my line, the Blacks, and a few others. Everyone of those blood-ties are soon to be active in the Wizengamot for the first time since it's foundation.” Julliete told the young girl without turning from her eldest. “Do you love him? I will not give you to any man for less then that.”
Daphne thought about it before nodding. “I do. Ever since that first yule, I've been in love with that smile on his face when he discovers magic he's never seen. I've seen the way that look has changed over to the years and I now see him look at me in the same way. He's strong, he's noble, he's smart.... he kisses really well.” She blushed at the end as her father pretended not to hear her say the last bit.
Her mother nodded and pulled the girl to her feet. “Right, then let's get everything in order. We have the public to worry about.”
Ginny groaned but stood up from the table. “I'm not wearing a skirt. You can't make me.”
“Denim will be fine, just no holes.” Daphne told her, knowing the girls penchant for trousers and shorts. “You two are still free to go do your own thing.”
“And miss this? Are you kidding me?” The youngest of the assembled wixen said. “Besides, I can be the official witness for the pool.”
Tori snorted from behind her. “The one about when and where?”
“Are you two betting on Harrison and I?” Daphne asked them coldly.
“No!/Yes! Yes?/No?” Both girls said at the same time, confused on which one was the right answer.
Cyrus shook his head. It's his fault, after all, for having fallen for the line of le Fay. They tended to have strong witches and Ginny had been practically adopted by Juliette at this point. All the noise around him was just what he had always wanted growing up in a practically empty home after Grindlewald's war ended with his house in shambles. “Hope you know what you are in for, son.” He said to no one as he stood to get robes on for the coming meeting.
A little less than an hour after Hedwig arrived, the snowy owl flew out the front of the tent as a voice came through. “Hey, you, decided to wait?” Harrison's voice was saying as she blew out a deep breath and stood in her room. She would have preferred to have done this at the manor instead of inside a tent, but at the Quidditch World Cup, an event only held every three years and the first once in England since the 20's, was a good moment as well so she couldn't be too disappointed at that.
Her braid had been redone and now ran along her crown before falling across her back, her dress and robes were picked out just for this occasion this summer. Burgundy and gray, the colors of House Potter. After all after today, she would no longer be Heiress Greengrass but Lady-presumptive Potter. It was a huge role as there had not been an active Lady Potter in as long as there had been a missing Lord Potter. Both Lady Dorea and Lord Charlus went into seclusion at around the same time in their lives to live their last few years away from the public.
And now, they were both being pushed into the public image as the next generation of the Potter Family.
She was ready, she knew what needed to be done for this and the next few days before they could both return to their homes. After that, Daphne and Harrison's group would be able to get together at one of the respective houses and plan for the return trip. It was just nerves that were causing her to feel like she wasn't ready.
With one last deep exhale, the young woman nodded to her reflection before turning to exit the flap that separated her rooms from the rest of her family tent. Gathered around the table and waiting for her was her family on one side and the House of Black on the other. Granted, the official membership lay with the current Lord, his partner and finally his ward. Emerald Green meet Sapphire Blue and everything already felt better.
With slow and measured steps, Daphne approached the table. “Heir Potter, may I present Heiress Daphne Greengrass, eldest daughter of House Greengrass and loyal daughter of le Fay. Daphne, this is Heir Harrison Potter, last scion of House Potter.” Her father said formally. The families had known each other for multiple years now but traditions had to be maintained for this.
Harrison smiled and dipped his head over her offered hand. “My queen.” He muttered softly against her skin. That was most defiantly not in tradition but she could allow him his quirks if they continued to cause her heart to flutter. It also meant she could play dirty as well.
“My king.” She whispered gently and saw a glint come over his eyes and a slight grin to appear in the corner of his mouth as he stood back to his full height. He had always been on the taller side for most of the boys at Hogwarts but she knew he was starting to fill out more in the chest and shoulders as he grew older.
“Children.” Her mother hissed gently.
Both smirked at the admonishment and returned their attention to the Lord Greengrass and Lord Black who were both grinning at them while shaking their heads. “Now, all parties are in accord?” Lord Greengrass asked Lord Black.
It was Remus Lupin, Sirius partner and legal consul who answered her father. “We do, all contracts shall be signed.” Both men shook hands before her mother and sister cheered. With the traditional portions of the contract signing met, no one would be able to break the betrothal contract that lay on the table before them.
“Welcome to the family.” Harrison said cheekily as he pulled her into his side and kissed her gently. She would be demanding better later. “Hi my queen.”
“Hello to you, my king.” Daphne laughed as she let herself rest in his arms. “Please tell me you got me a ring as well. I'm tired of having to threaten Chang and a few others.”
He nodded. “It's being reset and having the enchantments being redone, but I should have it before we return to Hogwarts. I was thinking of also doing this the No-Maj way once the World Cup was over. Say, next week?”
Daphne smiled and nodded. “That sounds like a plan I can agree to. Any hints?”
Harrison's grin grew even wider. “Paris.”
“Le coin echante?” She asked him excitedly. It was a newer restaurant that had opened up in the magical district in Paris.
“As if I could ever deny you anything. This is all because of you, you know.” He told her gently.
“You would have found another ally in Susan and her Aunt would still have gotten Sirius out of Azkaban.” Daphne responded to him kindly. He had a habit of thinking he owed her something for just doing the right thing. All she did was write her father what Harrison had explained to her about what he knew of the night of his parent's sacrifice.
Harrison shrugged and tightened his grip on her waist. “That still wouldn't bring us here, to this moment. All because you wanted the tradition.”
“I would have you at a curry restaurant. I wanted the tradition so we can use it for the publicity.”
“Did some one say curry?” Sirius butted in breaking into their little world by appearing over Harrison's other shoulder.
“Way to break the mood, Padfoot.” Harrison groaned.
“Yes, thank you for that Sirius. And you two better still behave at Hogwarts. No need for Harrison to owe me...” Her father picked up the contract and read it before giving a look at Remus. “Two mules and thirty acres?”
“Don't look at me, these fell out of favor back when the peerage had those types of things.” Remus said with a laugh. “It's actually double the traditional value most would get before the bonding ceremony.”
“Not like he isn't good for it.” Astoria said softly.
Her lord-apparent just shrugged. “I don't have a mule, but I'm sure we could find some through No-Maj London.”
Daphne smacked his chest lightly. “Behave, nothing like that until after the bonding. It has a greater chance of ruining some of the magic.”
“Yes dear.” He laughed.
“Whipped.” Sirius snickered.
“Pads...” Remus warned his partner.
“Lovely day.” The man changed topics quickly.
Everyone laughed at the Lord Black as said man blushed gently. “I wouldn't call it whipped. What would you say it's called, my queen?”
“Well trained, of course. I'm not letting my years of hard work go to waste.” Everyone laughed at both men before she turned her attention back to Harrison. “I promised you that your house would rise like a Phoenix. I am just honored you are letting me do this at your side.”
“It's always been you, Daphne. Never once have I pictured anyone but you as the Lady Potter.” He told her honestly.
“I've had my heart set on you since our first yule at Green Hills.” She confessed.
Harrison nodded and leaned in to kiss her gently on the forehead. “I promised you that I would help your dreams. Is this what you wanted? It won't be easy.”
Daphne nodded. Starting a house, almost from scratch, with only heirlooms to call upon old traditions. It was a tall order for any witch, but she would not let any other have this spot. Only she would get to see Harrison as the father she imagined him to be, the lover to hold her close, and the partner who wouldn't hold her down. Well, unless she wanted him to. “My dreams and your dreams are pretty close as this point. You know what's next?”
He nodded and held her close. “We start building that world we both want.”
“No blood, only talent.” She said softly.
“Magic is might.” Harrison said softly with a gentle smile.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
(Later that day)
The crowded stalls were not nearly as packed as Harrison had assumed they would be by the late afternoon. “I'm surprised there is not that many people out here. I fully expected the market stalls to be over run with wixen.”
“Most are actually getting in either later in the day today or tomorrow.” Neville Longbottom told him as they followed their girls while they were all looking at the souvenirs. Neville had grown into a wizard that Harrison thought of as his closest male friendship. Where Harrison tended to look at the larger picture, Neville was closer to the ground and the effects that their ideas could have with the wixen public. They were well balanced as a pair and both knew the other would have their back if it came to wands. The legacy of the Potter and Longbottom alliance of old still stood as far as they were concerned.
“That's just stupid.” Harrison grunted. “The world cup is an event. If you're only going to spend a single day of it, are you really experiencing it?”
“No lie there, mate.” Neville laughed. “Congratulations, again, by the way. I know you've been looking forward to today since we started talking.”
Harrison nodded his head in thanks. “Not too rushed?” He asked, curious on the answer he might get.
Neville shook his head. “We all knew who it was going to be after the summer between first and second years. Well, those of us at Hogwarts at least. You waited until after you, not her, were the minimum age for such things, so no one can accuse her father of trying to influence you. You did good, Lord-apparent Potter.” He grinned at Harrison's new title.
Harrison smirked. Lord-apparent Potter. He had been Heir Potter for his entire life, only taking up the title a few years ago, and already it felt like he had been waiting for someone to call him that. “Two more years until we can make it Lord and Lady Potter.”
“No children until after NEWTs.” Daphne told him over her shoulder. “I want my final title before we finish Hogwarts. And we don't need anyone saying you didn't concentrate on your studies either, My King.”
“No arguments from me.” Harrison raised his hands in surrender. “I would rather my Lady Potter be able to stand at my side, not in my shadow.”
“Good answer.” Tracy giggled next to Daphne. The four stopped as she caught something that interested her. “Nev, no rush, ok?” She told her boyfriend as she picked up a male lords ring and was looking between it and Neville. “What do you think of something like this?”
With the current Lord Longbottom still alive, Neville didn't have a lord's ring to wear once he ascended to his title. It just so happened that his girlfriend and her father were some of the premier enchanters in England. The young woman had been trying to help Neville figure out design ideas for a new ring should he need one. “Too big, not it the width, I like this narrow style, but height.”
Tracy nodded. “What about the stone?”
Daphne drifted over and wrapped a arm around his waist. “Speaking of?”
“Lord Charlus'.” Harrison told her reverently. “It's held in the Potter Family Vault.”
She nodded. “But...?”
He grinned and nodded. “It is.”
There was a glint in her eye as she looked at him, hungry for something. “And mine?” She asked slowly as her fingers ran over his t-shirt.
“It's old.” He told her with a smirk. “I, honestly, don't know how old, but it's elven.”
“Mythril...” She gasped out gently. “Hmmm... you know you might have been the best risk I ever took.”
Harrison's laughter caused the other two to turn their attention back to them. “What other options did you have that first night? The Ponce?”
“Oi! Potter! I'm right here.” Draco Malfoy said loudly from a stall near by. They turned to see their friend and his girlfriend, Pansy, smirking at them.
“So you are, how is your mother?” Harrison asked him. He never asked after Lord Malfoy.
Draco shrugged. “Busy as ever with everything going on this year. The committee brought her in to help organize the Yule Ball this year.”
“Oh! How wonderful, we will get to have a Malfoy Yule Ball after all. I can't believe she's planning two balls this year.” Tracy told them as the pair joined the others as they walked the stalls.
Pansy smirked. “Just the one, actually. Apparently, she and the Abbots arranged something and switched years so she is just planning the two back to back.” She just shook her head. “You know Lady Malfoy, though. I think she took it as a personal challenge.”
Daphne smiled. “That sounds perfect, 'we' could then arrange to host the year after NEWTs in that case.” She told Harrison. “It would be perfect for our grand return of House Potter.”
“'We' still need to come up with a home to host it in, first.” He told her with a laugh. “Let's give it a few years before plan for one, my dear. We can play our politics first and see who we can trust in our home.”
Daphne nodded. She knew why he was cautious, their combined knowledge was going to be very valuable in the wrong hands. “What about using Green Hills?”
“That is a question for your mother, not me.” He laughed. “If you want to host, through the Greengrass Family, I would be glad to play Lord Potter for you.”
“Damn,” Pansy breathed out. She elbowed the blonde she was next to. “See, Draco, Harrison gets how to act the part.”
“Ow! Woman! What do you expect?”
“I expect the NEXT Lord Malfoy, not a mirror copy of the idiot current one.” She hissed out. “We're trying to be better then our parents and grandparents, remember?”
Harrison laughed with the rest of his friends at the pair. “I think he's doing pretty good, Pansy. His father would never have gone to a No-Maj theater.” Daphne and him had taken the pair to go see a production of Les Miserables in London over this past summer as a date idea. Since it was a part of the No-Maj side of Malfoy's family history, Draco had then explained over ice cream the wixen side of the October Revolution that saw the Malfoy's flee France for England. Over all, it had been a fantastic night, in his opinion.
“We saw Phantom last week. Thanks for letting me know about those seats through Gringotts, Harrison.” Neville told him and the other man nodded his head. “You said they were your seats?”
He shrugged. “I like to spoil Daphne and myself. It's not like I don't have the money. What did you think of the show?”
“Amazing, and you said the No-Maj have another version of this for the wider public that uses recorded technology?”
“They do, we will have to go this week.” Daphne told him. “We can go whenever we get time.” She loved going to the movies as much as she liked it when Harrison took her and her family to see a stage production. Maybe more now that she and Harrison could cuddle.
“We could see Forest Gump, again.” Harrison suggested.
Daphne wrinkled her nose. “No, I think we should do something easier for Neville. That might be too American for him. Wasn't there a older movie theater near Grimmauld?”
“Ah, yes, I'll see what they have scheduled and let you know. Nev.”
Draco shook his head. “Anyway, Harrison, we actually have something we're supposed to be doing. If we're gone to long, Father might become suspicious.” He looked around carefully.
Harrison raised a brow. Draco wasn't normally this scared to talk to him in public. “Something going on?”
“Not sure yet. Father's been coming home at odd hours and drunk again. Might mean something.” The blonde man shrugged. “It might not. I don't have enough to go off of yet.”
“Then be safe. Grimmauld should be open to any of Black ties now. Your mother knows the way.” He told his cousin before shaking the mans hand in farewell.
The four exchanged looks before Tracy motioned to a group of trees not far off the path of carts and stalls. Harrison found himself leaning against one of the trees with Daphne resting her back against his chest. Tracy was pacing while Neville stood just past the path of his girlfriend. “This has to mean something. Your blood lines, Neville's, and now those who tried to kill you both are moving again? This seems to convenient at the same time Harrison is announcing the return of House Potter.”
Neville nodded. “How well known is this family secret of your mother's?” He asked Daphne.
“Not very.” She answered as she turned to Harrison. “And it's just us and Mum and Dad for you unless Black knows.”
Harrison nodded. “He knows, Remus helped me figure it out. How about you, Nev?”
The Gryfindor among them shook his head. “Little to no one. I think outside of Tracy, it's just you two and family.”
Tracy nodded. “So they can't be after that, right?”
“I mean, there is always a chance they are after the secrets. However, this might be more personal.” Harrison told the small group. “This might be because we have taken so much power out of the hands of the Dark Alliance as well.”
“There is the fact that we might not be the target.” Neville argued. “This might be a generalized attack against the Wizengamot, Hogwarts, the IWC, we can't do anything but prepare to react.”
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
((Flashback))
September 1st, 1991
Slytherin Common Room
Harrison 'Harry' Potter sat in the corner of the room after everyone else had been dismissed for the night. He knew he had made a little bit of a stir wen he announced he would prefer his legal name and not the nickname his father had given him before he would be sorted. When the Potter Heir had been sorted into Slytherin, he had done a little dance of joy internally. He knew he needed the pure-bloods to get Sirius out of Azkaban, and now he was close to the center of power.
“Heir Potter?” A soft voice asked and he looked up into a set of pure blue eyes. He remembered her name during the sorting but he wasn't prepared for how fascinating her eyes were up close.
A nod of his head and he stood to his feet before Harrison spoke. “Heiress Greengrass?”
Daphne smiled and curtsied neatly. “It is a pleasure. How do you find Hogwarts so far?”
“It's a tad colder then I was expecting, but I can grow to enjoy it. Would you care to join me?” He asked her.
“Thank you, I was actually curious about something and I was wondering if I could ask you a question that has been on my mind since earlier today.” The young girl asked him politely.
“Be my guest.” Harrison replied.
“Why have you never responded to a single missive ever written to you? Surely someone must have gotten a single response from you but I don't recall anyone ever receiving a thing.”
Harrison let a sly grin come to his face as he saw several of the older students attempting to overhear this conversation that was now happening. “That would be probably two answers. One, as I cleared up earlier tonight, my name is not 'Harry Potter' but in fact Heir Harrison Potter. Two, until a little less then two months ago, I had been living as a No-Maj.”
The silence that filled the room was stunning. “You mean you were raised as a muggle?” Daphne asked him astonished. “What about your family magics and properties?”
“Locked behind my family vaults in Gringotts. I have my family lands still, but no property to call my own other than the ones the goblins manage for me.” He told her factually. “Suffice to say, I'm not happy with the Ministry, the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore or a whole list of people. My family, the House of Potter, House of Baron Charlus Potter, had three war heroes in it's rank that night when my parents died. And the third was thrown in prison, the child was made a orphan. Yet, they tore down my family manor once the wards failed?”
Daphne gasped as she realized what Harrison was saying. “You think the ministry was after the Potter Family Magics?”
“What else am I to think?” He asked her. “It's not like I've had any contact with the wixen world since my seclusion. One of which, I am happy to announce, ends tonight.”
“Well, let me be one of the first to welcome you to Slytherin, Heir Potter. Suffice to say, you are not at all what we were expecting.” She told him slyly. “A further question before I leave you be.... that ring?”
Harrison looked at the bronze ring his grandfather had left him. He now knew the other half, the Lord Potter ring, was in the family vault and would not be unlocked until he was at his majority. “The Potter Heir ring?”
She nodded before looking around the room. “You are the chosen heir, then?”
“I am, before Lord Charlus died to Dragon Pox and I was orphaned, I was named Heir Potter and to all it's rights.” He smirked, this was going much easier then he was expecting. He never was going to hide who he was, but a passive inquiry in public was a great way to get the beginning politics started.
Daphne nodded. “I am assuming you will be taking up your seats, in that case? The Potter vote has been held in domicile for many years.”
Harrison nodded. “That is the intent. I am planning on taking a more neutral approach and favor law over anything else.”
“That is a very refreshing view point, one I happen to agree with you on. Perhaps we can continue this discussion tomorrow, Heir Potter?” The girl said as she stood and gave a small curtsy.
Harrison stood and gave her a shallow bow. “It would be my pleasure, Heiress Greengrass. Perhaps you may call me Harrison?”
“Only if you shall call me Daphne in return.” The girl smiled and curtsied deeper again. “Until the morning, Harrison.”
“Till tomorrow, Daphne.”