Hermione sat in an empty void, she'd been sitting here since her magic ran out and she faded from Daphne's mind. She didn't know how much time had passed, but she assumed this was her punishment. She'd betrayed the man she loved and almost destroyed the world because of her selfishness. Hermione knew she deserved this, it was a small comfort that Harry was truly safe for the first time.
Hermione froze when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She was worried it might have been Riddle, but then she heard a voice and her eyes filled with tears.
"No more suffering, Hermione. It's time for you to rest."
Hermione turned around and stared up into the eyes of the man she loved. Not the young man who had his entire life ahead of him, the one whose life was taken too soon. "Harry…"
"Hello beautiful, you're a hard woman to find."
"You've been looking for me?"
Harry nodded. "I would spend eternity looking for you, Hermione," He said sitting on the ground in front of her. "Maybe if I'd been as smart as the boy you saved, we wouldn't be here."
"You didn't know because I wasn't brave enough to tell you how I felt."
"Maybe, at least we have eternity, right?" Harry said with a smile, offering Hermione his hand.
Hermione took his hand and returned Harry's smile. "I love you."
"I love you too, Hermione, come on, mum has been badgering me to introduce you," Harry replied as the void faded and a village appeared, filled with all the people Harry and Hermione loved. A village built with love and destined to last forever.
Harry slumped down in a chair opposite Daphne, exhausted. They'd finished Daphne's book shopping and now had stopped at the Three Broomsticks for lunch. Daphne was perhaps even more of a bibliophile than Hermione. Even if Harry didn't know how that was remotely possible. His arms ached from carrying the books, the many, many books. Not even Oliver Wood's ridiculous training schedule could compete with the soreness he felt.
"Should I feed you your lunch?" Daphne asked sarcastically, smirking slightly.
"I'm not going to say no…"
"I am," Daphne bit back with a grin.
"I didn't think you could lower yourself this far, Greengrass, but my expectations were clearly too high," A voice commented from behind Harry.
"Malfoy I swe…" Harry said as he turned around, but paused when he realised Malfoy was indeed behind him, sitting at a table with Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, and Bulstrode. He threw Harry an incredulous look and returned to his conversation.
"I could only lower myself, if I hung out with you, Theodore," Daphne said, acerbically.
"Watch yourself, Greengrass, you don't want…"
Harry stood up at this point and stared Nott in the eyes, grey met emerald and Nott flinched looking away. The entire pub was now watching the interaction with rapt attention.
Harry pulled the chair out of the way and took a step closer to Nott. "Do not threaten my friends, Theodore, that's one mistake your family will not survive."
"What can you do, Potter?"
Harry grinned a grin that sent shivers down Nott's spine. "Try me, and find out."
Nott scowled and stomped away in an angry huff. Once Harry was sat down again and the noise level returned to normal, Harry noticed Daphne was smirking at him. "Did I do something wrong?"
Daphne shook her head. "Not at all, although I will mention that I don't need a white knight to run to my rescue. I'm impressed that the books I lent you on Pureblood politics have made an impression."
"You did insist," Harry pointed out.
"Yes, but I'm frankly surprised you listened to me. I thought the only one you truly listened to was Granger."
Harry smiled. "I can't deny that, I guess I'm trying to be better about it. Good advice is very valuable, and I trust you."
Daphne returned the smile and dipped her head slightly. "Thank you, I know how difficult it is for you to trust anyone."
"It might be a little easier going forward, at least I hope so."
"Have you decided who you're staying with over summer?"
Harry nodded as he cast his eyes over the menu. "The Tonks, the letter from Missus Weasley was very nice, but I think when Ron finds out I'm with Hermione and I'm hanging out with you, he's going to hit the roof. Besides, I want to get to know my cousin's family a bit better."
Harry missed the smirk on Daphne's face that she quickly schooled into a neutral expression. "That's good, my mother has mentioned Medi-Witch Tonks occasionally over the years, she seemed nice."
Hermione and Emma walked down the stairs into the bar after their chat. Emma's eyes wandered around the crowd, fascinated by the menagerie of faces and styles dotted around the room. She paused when she spotted a seemingly familiar mop of messy raven hair. "Isn't that your boy?"
Hermione followed her mother's gaze to see Harry and Daphne sitting at a table near the centre of the room. "Oh, it is, um, would you like to meet him?" She asked, feeling suddenly awkward. They'd met before, but this was different, she was about to introduce her boyfriend to her mother.
"I would love to," Emma replied.
The two crossed the room, feeling many male and female eyes following them. Until they arrived at Harry's table. Harry looked up and smiled brightly at them, Emma could see the love and affection in Harry's beautiful green eyes. He'd gotten more handsome since the last time they'd met. If he were a few years older and she weren't married, she may have made a play for him herself.
"Harry, um, you remember my mum, Emma?"
Harry nodded and rose from his seat. "Of course, it's nice to see you again, Missus Granger."
Emma shook his hand and returned his smile. "It's Emma, and it's lovely to see you too. Hermione certainly underplayed how handsome you've become. I understand how you managed to steal my daughter's heart."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mum, please…"
Harry paused for a moment, he was stunned by how pretty Emma was. He knew Hermione was gorgeous, even if she didn't believe it. But he hadn't realised how stunning she would be in a few years. Older Hermione was beautiful but haunted, this was Hermione who still had a zest for life, and she was stunning. "Uh, oh, right, this is our friend, Daphne Greengrass."
Daphne stood up and walked around the table to shake Emma's hand. "Charmed."
"Oh, um, yes, same to you," Emma replied, her cheeks turning slightly pink. Hermione had mentioned Daphne was beautiful, but Hermione hadn't mentioned she looked like a supermodel. Even she was slightly intimidated by how beautiful Daphne was. She couldn't blame Harry for being besotted with the blonde, she knew she would be.
"Would you like to join us?" Harry said, indicating to the table as Daphne sat back down.
"Oh, we wouldn't want to bother you," Emma said.
"Not at all, we just sat down," Harry explained.
"Ok, thank you," Emma said as one of Rosemerta's barmaids brought over two more chairs. The Granger women sat between Daphne and Harry. Hermione glanced down when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes lit up when she peered into the bag. "You went book shopping!"
"Daphne went book shopping, I carried the bags," Harry explained.
"He's a very good bag carrier," Daphne commented.
"That's a lot of books," Emma said with a smile. "Are you as big a bibliophile as my daughter?"
"Possibly," Daphne replied.
Both Hermione and Emma's eyes lit up as Harry felt a sudden chill go down his spine. 'I'm in danger…' He thought, recalling a line from a show Dudley loved to watch.
Harry and Hermione stood at the base of the dorm staircases after their day in Hogsmeade. The two were staring lovingly into each other's eyes.
"I think my mum is in love with you," Hermione commented.
"What can I say…"
"Nothing if you expect to get a goodnight kiss," Hermione said warningly.
"Yes dear," Harry said, pouting.
"You've become much more cheeky since we got that thing out of your head," Hermione observed.
"Have I? Maybe it's because I know I won't have to fight a war for my survival. Not having that weight on my shoulders is a big relief, and it helps having a beautiful girlfriend to lift my spirits."
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous, but I'm glad too. I've never seen you this happy. It's nice."
"Just know that I'm appreciative of everything you've done for me. Even if I've not always shown it."
Hermione dropped her arms over Harry's shoulders, pulling him in close and kissing him on the lips. "You're more than making up for it now, Mister Potter."
"Well, I pay special attention to all your lessons, Professor Granger."
"Mmmm, I have so much more to teach you," Hermione said, kissing Harry again.
A few days later, Harry entered Dumbledore's office. He wasn't sure why, he was worried the old man would try to probe him once again about how he ended up in a days long coma. "Good afternoon, Headmaster."
"Hi Pup," Sirius said, with a big grin, spinning around in Dumbledore's chair.
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed happily, running over to embrace his godfather. Even a couple of weeks of being a free man and receiving proper medical treatment had done wonders. His neatly trimmed beard and hair, combined with expensive robes gave him the look of a man befitting the role of the head of House Black.
"It's good to see you, Pup."
"Um, where's the headmaster?" Harry asked.
"He decided to take an early lunch, to give us a few minutes alone. I need to go back to the hospital soon for more treatment, but I needed to have a chat."
"Ok, what's up?"
Sirius grinned. "I went to visit Gringotts today, most of it was a lot of boring financial stuff. The part you should be concerned about is how I named you my heir."
"What?? Why?" Harry asked. "Sorry, I mean, I'm flattered, but shouldn't you name your son as your heir?"
Sirius smiled, ruffling Harry's hair. "You are my son, in all but blood Pup. Besides, I'm not the settling down with kids type of person. It's my responsibility to continue the family line, but the family by-laws don't specify how I'm supposed to do that. So I figured I'd hand that responsibility to my stud of a godson."
Harry's face lit up with a neon blush. "I am not a stud, Sirius."
"Pup, I've met your girlfriend, and I've seen pictures of Daphne Greengrass, you are a stud. Take it from an old horn dog."
"Two out of three ain't bad," Harry muttered.
Sirius smirked. "You're a mouthy little punk, Pup."
Hermione sat at the small make-up table the girls shared between them. She wasn't one for most of the products that sat on the table, but it was magic sent when the Yule Ball was announced. Lavender and Pavarti had ably helped her get ready that night and provided advice since. Even still she only ever wore a tiny amount of blush and some concealer. Especially since Harry liked leaving hickeys all over her neck.
However, the reason Hermione had stopped brushing her hair had nothing to do with make-up. She was reflecting on the conversation with her mother from a couple of weeks prior. Emma had given Hermione a lot to think about, her final words had stayed with her, ' you shouldn't be scared of something new. '
Putting down her brush, Hermione decided that she needed to talk to Harry about it soon.
Daphne sat at breakfast a few days later, staring at a letter that had just been delivered by a postage owl. Harry glanced up from his meal, noticing the look of consternation marring Daphne's beautiful features. "Are you ok?"
"What?" Daphne snapped, then paused when she realised who'd asked. "Um, sorry, yes I'm fine, I just received a letter from my mother."
"Is everything ok?" Hermione asked from beside Harry.
"Yes, everything is fine," Daphne replied, slipping the letter into her robes.
"Good morning, Miss Greengrass," McGonagall said, as Daphne entered her office after breakfast.
"Good morning, Deputy Headmistress," Daphne said as she sat down. "I take it you received the letter from my mother?"
"I did, it is highly unusual for a student to be summoned home during the school year. However, it's not my place to second guess a parent. Are you planning to walk to Hogsmeade, or would you prefer to use my floo?"
"Your floo, please," Daphne said.
"Go ahead, you may return the same way when you're done."
"Thank you, Professor."
Daphne walked over to the fireplace and tossed some floo powder into the heath. Stepping inside, Daphne called out 'Greengrass Manor!' And disappeared.
Joseph looked up from his work, as Daphne knocked and entered. "Daphne? You should be at school."
"I felt it was important to come home and discuss a rumour I've heard about you," Daphne explained.
Joseph chuckled. "What could a group of school children have to say about me?"
"Much, the student body is keenly politically aware, particularly now. There have been rumours that you're gathering votes to topple Headmaster Dumbledore, is that true?"
Joseph leaned back in his chair, tapping his lips with his glasses. "What if it is?"
Daphne's hands curled into fits in her lap. She hadn't wanted to believe her mother's letter, that even being rid of Voldemort, she'd still have to face her father and his lust for power. She hoped that this Joseph Greengrass might've been a better man than her father. She was wrong, and now he would have to die. She would not let all this work to keep Harry alive be in vain, because of Joseph Greengrass's hate.
Daphne let out a long breath and reached into her robes, wrapping her fingers around her wand. However before she could draw it on her father, Isabella entered, placing a tea tray on the desk between them.
Joseph glared at his wife. "Are you responsible for this?" He asked her, indicating to Daphne.
"Since you're making decisions about Daphne's future, it would be prudent for you to explain them, so she's not caught by surprise."
"What decisions?" Daphne asked worriedly.
"I decided it was well past time for your future to be set in stone. To that end I've entered into verbal agreement with Ariana Nott to unite our houses through your marriage to Theodore."
Daphne froze, and her blood ran cold. Memories of her engagement to Nott in the previous timeline flashed through her head and the grip on her wand tightened. Isabella put out two cups of tea in front of Joseph and Daphne.
"Y-you can't! I refuse to marry that oaf!" Daphne said, shrilly.
Joseph gazed down at his daughter condescendingly, swallowing a large mouthful of his tea before speaking. "You will do as you are told. I am your father and head of this family. If you're not willing to cooperate, or actively defy me. I will cast you out, Astoria can serve this purpose as easily as you can."
The grip on Daphne's wand was now painfully tight. Her father had found her pressure point. Astoria, her beloved sister, the girl Daphne would do anything for, even sacrifice her own life. Daphne knew now she had to cooperate or kill him. And killing him was the only way to protect Harry and Astoria.
Daphne rose suddenly from her seat, and began to brandish her wand. Joseph's eyes narrowed and he stood up too. "You stupid girl what.. aaargh, what… what… ahhhhh!"
Joseph clutched his chest, and fell forward, reaching out for Daphne, as he writhed in pain. Isabella collected the cups of tea and put them on the tray blithely, as Daphne glanced between her nonchalant mother and seemingly dying father.
Isabella cast a charm to silence Joseph's cries of pain as she loomed over him with a disgusted look on her face. "It seems you're having a heart attack, Joseph, I'm glad the drug I laced into your tea was as fast acting as advertised. I should have done this years ago, I've always known what kind of man you are. My parents didn't give me a choice in whom I married. I'm not going to let that happen to my daughters. I won't let you sell my daughters for political capital, Joseph. I won't let you gather power so you can spew your poison bile and destroy our society."
Isabella walked away, the tea tray floating behind her. She stopped and glanced back, beckoning Daphne to follow her. She gave Joseph a last glance. "I love and have always loved Sirius Black. You're a parasite, soon you will be a dead parasite."
The two women exited the room, leaving Joseph Greengrass to suffer an excruciating death, with no one to help him. Isabella had not lifted the silencing charm, and she'd released all the house elves from their bonds earlier in the day. Joseph would spend his final moments, truly alone, cursing the women who had betrayed him.
Daphne found Sirius waiting for them in the foyer, he took the tea tray from Isabella and kissed her on the cheek. He glanced at Daphne and nodded. "The spitting image of your mother, I'm not surprised Harry likes you so much."
Daphne blushed and looked away. "Thank you."
"Sorry, this isn't the best time for introductions. You should go back to school, I'll finish up here," Sirius said.
"What about you?" Daphne asked, looking at her mother.
"Andromeda Tonks has graciously opened her home to me. I will be staying there until the investigation into your father's death is concluded, and possibly a while longer. I do not wish to cast suspicion on Sirius."
"Is that likely?" Daphne asked Sirius.
"Anything is possible, we'll soon find out," Sirius replied.
"That's comforting…" Daphne said, kissing her mother on the cheek.
Daphne paused, looking her mother in the eyes. "Why?"
Isabella gently cupped her daughter's cheek. "Because I love you. It's a mother's job to protect their daughters. You don't need that guilt weighing you down. Go back to Hogwarts and hug your boy, he'll enjoy that."
"Mother…" Daphne muttered, blushing.
"Goodbye, Daphne."
"Goodbye, mother."
Ariana Nott entered a room in the Leaky Cauldron, to find Isabella Greengrass waiting for her. "Good afternoon, Isabella. My condolences about your husband."
"Thank you, my husband is why I called you here."
"Oh?" Ariana asked as she sat down.
"I'm aware that my husband entered into a verbal agreement with you regarding an arranged marriage between my daughter and your son. I felt I should inform you, in person, that I am withdrawing from that agreement."
Ariana nodded. "Given Joseph is dead, I had anticipated this. A shame, a union between our families would have been highly beneficial to both."
"I'm sure…" Isabella replied, trying hard to hide her sarcasm.
A few days later, a Saturday, Daphne, Harry, and Hermione retired to the come and go room after breakfast. Daphne had invited Astoria to come with them, but she declined, wanting to spend time with her friends.
Joseph Greengrass had been found dead, laying on his desk. A short investigation was halted after an autopsy revealed he'd died of a heart attack. If anyone suspected there was foul play involved, they chose to stay silent. This silence reaffirmed Daphne's suspicion that he was almost as unpopular with those who he claimed as allies as he was with her family.
Daphne sat between Harry and Hermione, who sat in companionable silence. Given the circumstances, Daphne figured it was ok to lean into Harry. He didn't seem to mind, and neither did Hermione, who held and stroked her hand.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked.
"I wish I could say I'm fine, but I'm not. I hated him, but he was my father. Perhaps something of me loved him, but I assume it's buried deep in my subconscious."
"How is Astoria? She seemed fine, but…"
"She's struggling, her dorm mates told me she's crying herself to sleep. As the youngest, she had a much more idealistic view of our father. I don't intend to disabuse her of that, someone should have a positive opinion of him, I'm certain no one else will."
Daphne sighed and stood up, brushing down her robes. "Mother wants Astoria and I to visit before the funeral tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be back before dinner."
Daphne gave both Harry and Hermione a smile before she left. She once saw the brunette as a rival for Harry's affections, now she was an indispensable friend. They'd spent many hours studying together, both with and without Harry beside them. Tracy had even begun warming up to Granger, the impression of being a bossy know-it-all was being extinguished. It drew attention and gossip, but Daphne hardly cared. There was only one thought that bothered her; the thought that they were in love with the same man.
Daphne's friendship with Harry and Hermione were too important to her now, for her to consider trying to steal him from Hermione. She'd lose both her friends and any hope of being with the man she loved. She was where she believed she'd before this adventure began. Forever on the outside looking in, destined to never have her happy ending. Maybe Neville Longbottom would be a decent compromise, if he'd ever consider her as a romantic partner. Maybe she'd find a small crumb of happiness… maybe.
Hermione shuffled across and cuddled up against her boyfriend. Harry leaned down and kissed Hermione on the top of the head, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Harry, this might not be the best time… but I want to talk about Daphne. About how you feel about her."
"Uh, ok, she's a good friend…"
"Are you in love with her?" Hermione asked. When Harry gave her an incredulous look, Hermione expounded on her thought. "This isn't a test, I know how you feel about me, and I love you too. I'm not trying to accuse you of betraying my feelings by having feelings for someone else. I need to know, I promise I will explain myself."
Harry nodded. "Ok, I trust you," he said with a smile, he paused as he considered her question. "Am I in love with Daphne? No. But I could see myself easily falling in love with her."
"Before I explain why I'm asking, I want to confirm something. Sirius named you his heir, so you'll eventually be Lord Potter-Black?"
Harry nodded. "That's how I understand it, yeah."
"So, that means you'll need two wives, to continue the bloodline of both families…"
"I guess… wait, Hermione…"
Hermione smiled at him. "Harry, you…" Hermione paused knowing she had to confront her own feelings for Daphne. Even if she wasn't quite ready to tell the gorgeous blonde, she wasn't even sure a serious confession would be reciprocated, but she would find out soon. "We both like Daphne romantically."
"We… I didn't know that," Harry said, his smile turning into a grin. "That's an interesting wrinkle."
"You're such a boy sometimes…" Hermione muttered. "Yes, I like Daphne in a romantic way. I didn't like her at all at first, but as I've gotten to know her, she let the mask melt away, and I've seen the beautiful woman beneath. That's not important right now, I'm saying if you wanted it, I would be ok with sharing you with Daphne, but only Daphne."
"I don't want anyone else, I'm happy with you, but…" Harry began before pausing and scratching his brow with his thumb. "The idea of being with Daphne is incredibly appealing… not just the sex stuff, although…" Harry said with a grin, earning a smack in the chest from Hermione. "Having another smart and beautiful woman by my side, living and growing together? Yes, I would like that."
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Harry nodded. "Really."