December 24, 1995
London, England
Harry stepped out of the fireplace, stumbling a little before suddenly being pulled into a hug by a red hair woman. "Oh, Harry, we have been so worried about you," the Weasley matriarch fussed. She pushed him back and looked at him. "As thin as usual."
The fire flared behind him and Daphne walked through. It was a stir as Mrs. Weasley looked at the girl confused. Ron, Hermione and Ginny suddenly had wands coming out. Harry pushed himself out of Mrs. Weasley's arms. He threw himself before Daphne before any spells could start flying.
"Don't," Harry yelled. His own wand was in his hands now.
"What is she doing here?" Ginny spat.
Hermione looked at them curiously, her wand lowering.
"Daphne is with me," Harry said. The fire flared again. He pulled her out of the way so Sirius could come through. Sirius walked in and looked between the two groups of teens.
"Guess I should have warned you," Sirius joked.
"Why is she here? I would recognize a Greengrass anywhere," Mrs. Weasley said with some venom.
Harry put a hand behind him and Daphne stepped in close. He saw her wand stick out around his side. "Don't cast," he told her.
"Tell them to drop their wands," she whispered.
"I would appreciate if everyone in my house puts their wands down and stops threatening my wards," Sirius said in a far more serious tone. "That goes for you too, Daphne and Harry."
"Yes, sir," Daphne responded and her wand disappeared. Hermione lowered her wand while Ginny and Mrs. Weasley gasped. Harry didn't lower his until Ron put his away.
"Did you say wards?" Hermione questioned.
"Very astute, Hermione. Five-hundred points to Gryffindor," Sirius said with a smile. "Yes. Wards. Daphne and Harry are my wards. If you threaten them, then I will toss you out of my house."
"You can't do that. Dumbledore wouldn't allow it," Mrs. Weasley stated.
"I have let the Order of the Phoenix use my ancestral home. I will not abide my family members to be accosted. Now, if you please, I would take them up and get them settled. I am sure Harry and Daphne would not mind company in a short bit," Sirius told them, giving significant looks to Ron and Hermione.
Harry followed Sirius, his hand in Daphne's, pulling her along. He didn't miss the shocked expressions on their faces. Harry stopped next to Hermione. "Come up in like fifteen minutes," he told her.
It was time for him to listen to his friends, and probably forgive them. He still wasn't sure if he would trust them right away.
Hermione nodded.
As they walked up the stairs, Sirius chuckled. "That went better than I thought."
Daphne squeezed his hand hard. "They hate me," she said in a small voice.
"They don't trust any Slytherin," Harry informed her.
Her hand tightened more.
Sirius spoke as they followed him up to the third floor. "Not all the rooms have been redone yet, but the old in-law suite across from my parents' old room is in decent shape. I'll take a look at the bed, but I know all the doxies were cleared out."
It took Harry a second for what he said to sink in. "Wait, did you say only one bed?"
Harry's hand was starting to hurt as she squeezed it more.
Sirius smiled. "Well, it is up to your girl, but most consorts do sleep with their significant other," he said suggestively. "It will also help to solidify Daphne's claim on you if you at least share a room. I am also not sure how some in this house or the Order will take your new position."
"Harry and I will share a room," Daphne agreed.
His face flushed some. "Sure," he said in a higher voice than normal. Sirius chuckled again.
When they got to the room, or rooms... there was a small sitting room with a couch and two chairs. There was a large arch between the rooms. A rod was there with some curtain hooks, but no curtain. Beyond the archway was a large bedroom. Harry saw a single large bed that could have easily slept three or four, a vanity, a few dressers and cupboards. It was obvious that it was once decorated in elegant silks or other expensive materials on the bed, sofa, chairs and curtains. There was a feel of years of neglect. Like most of the house had been so far, it was gloomy, full of black, green and red colours. At least there were no elf heads mounted to the walls.
"Lord Black," Daphne asked.
"Sirius. Just call me Sirius, Daphne."
She nodded. "Sirius, are you sure it alright for Harry and I to be here? We could stay at Hogwarts for the rest of the holidays."
"Daphne, you and Harry are my wards. We will be going to Gringotts to finalize the details this week. Harry is already declared my heir. That will need to transfer to you, and if you want, you can adopt the Black name, or another," Sirius offered. "I also want to get a new blood test for Harry. The goblins will not be kind once they realize they have been played."
Daphne nodded. "Understood, Sirius. When do you file for line theft?"
"Are you going to explain what is going on?" Harry asked confused.
"I think your new wife can explain it. Pup, do you have any better clothes? You shouldn't go to a formal meeting like that," Sirius commented. "And to answer you, Daphne, we see the goblins first."
Harry averted his eyes down. These were his best clothes outside his uniforms. When he didn't answer, Sirius pursed his lips.
"We'll get you some better stuff before we go see the goblins. I'll let you get settled in. Molly usually serves lunch about twelve thirty. Up to you if you want to stay in here until then, but you should come down for lunch."
Harry nodded. "We will, Sirius," Daphne agreed.
Harry put his bag down and looked around again after Sirius walked out and shut the door.
"So, ah, tonight, I'll take the couch," Harry offered.
Daphne regarded him. "I will not make you sleep on the couch. The bed is large enough for each of us to have our own side. It is customary for a wife and her consort to do as such. Unless you don't want to share a bed with me? "
Harry felt his neck and face heat up a bit. "I never said that."
She looked to have some color in her cheeks too. "Harry? Do you own better clothes?"
He licked his lips. It wasn't a demand from her. She was giving him the option to answer truthfully or not. He had never really talked about this with anyone. "These are the best clothes I have," he admitted.
She didn't seem to understand. "You are the hero that defeated the Dark Lord when you were a baby. Your family is rumored to have been one of the richest in Britain. Why would you have clothes that are so big and look so worn, even by muggle standards?"
He looked away from her, not wanting to really talk about it.
A knock came at the door. Daphne pursed her lips. "I would like to talk about this later."
He shrugged. "Come in," he called.
The door opened and Hermione poked her head in. "Can we come in?" she asked.
He cast a look to Daphne, wanting to make sure she was alright. She nodded. "Yeah," Harry replied to his friends.
Hermione, Ron and Ginny came in. He didn't want Ginny in here right now, but thought it might be rude to throw her out. "What is going on and is she really staying," Ron asked, nodding towards Daphne.
Harry, immediately on guard, stepped up to Ron. "Her name is Daphne. Daphne is here because she is a ward of Sirius."
"Why would he take her as a ward?" Ginny questioned. "She's a Greengrass."
"Daphne is not a Greengrass." He took in a deep breath. "Neither of us have a surname."
Both the Weasley's eyes went wide. Ginny's mouth dropped open. Hermione looked confused. "What do you mean you don't have a surname?"
"It means they have been disowned and cast out of their houses," Ginny recovered first. "That isn't possible. There isn't another Potter. Mum and dad have said you are the last."
Daphne stepped up to him and took his hand. She stood tall and face expressionless. "We have reason to believe Umbridge has stolen his House," Daphne said when he didn't say anything.
"The bloody hag! She didn't! How could she do that," Ron yelled. A finger shot straight at Daphne. "Was she involved!"
Harry felt his anger rise at Ron. "Ron, you accuse her one more time and I will ask Sirius to throw you out of his house. Daphne has nothing to do with the Umbitch. Can you explain to them what Umbridge did?" Harry asked Daphne. He didn't miss Hermione or Ginny looking at their hands.
"Please do," Hermione demanded. He could tell she didn't mean anything by it, but Daphne firmed her grip on his hand. He squeezed back to tell her he was here.
"Umbridge used a blood quill on Harry and Sirius and I think she used his blood from that to steal his House," Daphne stated.
"How could she do that? It wasn't a formal contract. Harry you said you only did lines?" Hermione questioned.
"It was still his blood," Daphne responded. "His blood and his signature. If he left any blank pages with his name or signature in his blood, then she could have written in a contract after the fact."
"Why didn't you destroy the sheets!" Ginny asked, obviously understanding what was happening. Hermione put a hand to her mouth.
Ron looked confused.
"I didn't know," Harry yelled, already feeling idiotic for not knowing. He was finding there was a lot he still didn't know about wizards and their world. "It's not like anyone was there to tell me what it meant to use my blood or when I got my scion ring last summer!"
"Harry, we didn't want to leave you at your relatives," Hermione told him.
"I know, Hermione! At least I know now. I just have no clue what is going on, because of that, Umbridge stole everything my parents left me," Harry told her.
"If you received your ring, how could she," Ron asked.
"Don't you remember mum telling us how blood can be more important than anything? But Ron has a point. Where is your ring?" Ginny questioned. "I didn't know you got one."
He let go of Daphne's hand to fold up his left hand. The finger didn't have the blisters anymore, but it was still black where the ring had been. "Gone," was all he said.
After a moment of them all looking at it, he put his hand down and Daphne took it. Ginny followed the movement. "Why do you keep holding hands?" she asked.
"Harry is my consort. Why should we not?" Daphne inquired.
"He's your what!" Ginny blurted, jumping up from the chair towards them.
"Consort," Daphne challenged her.
"Harry can't be your consort! I've never even seen you two talk and you are in with You-Know-Who! Are you going to take him to your master once we let our guard down!" Ginny advanced on Daphne. Harry went to step before her, but Daphne stepped first, meeting the fiery redhead.
"You ever accuse me of worshiping that bastard again, I don't care what the underage statutes say," Daphne threatened Ginny.
"Don't come in here with your Pureblood prissy attitude and tell me what to do," Ginny retorted.
"Enough," Harry yelled over them. "Ginny, get out!"
Ginny pulled up short at his yell. "But, Harry," she whinged.
"I said get out. Anyone else have an issue with Daphne?" Harry put to them in a dangerous tone.
Hermione shook her head. Ron looked like he didn't know what to say.
"Harry, you can't be a consort! Why would you marry her?" Ginny continued. "And when! You never talked to Greengrass before."
"I said get out," he told her.
"Ron? Hermione? You can't be okay with this," Ginny begged.
"Ginny, get out. We need to talk," Ron told her.
Ginny turned to Hermione who looked even less sympathetic. "Get out, Ginny," Hermione told her.
Ginny huffed, stamped her foot and cast Daphne a deathly glare. "This isn't over."
"Ginny, if you don't leave Daphne alone, I will have Sirius send you back to the Burrow," Harry warned her as she stomped out of the room.
Once the door was slammed shut, Hermione turned on him. He shuffled a little under her gaze. "What is this about a consort and married? This isn't what I think it is and why?"
"I am telling you she tricked him," Ron started.
"Out," Harry told Ron.
"What! You just threw Ginny out so we could talk," Ron whinged.
"I warned you once not to accuse Daphne. Out of our room before you join Ginny at the Burrow," Harry threatened.
"Ronald, I'll talk with you later," Hermione assured him. Harry knew Ron was in trouble though.
Harry squeezed Daphne's hand to keep her from interfering. They would decide later if they wanted Ginny and Ron to know all this.
"You can't be serious," he complained.
"Out," Harry reiterated. After a moment, Ron stomped out, much like his sister had.
"Are you going to accuse me too," Daphne asked Hermione when they were alone.
Hermione held his gaze before turning to Daphne. "If Harry says you didn't do anything to trick him, then I believe him. Daphne, what do you mean Harry is your consort?"
"I am not sure what it would mean in the muggle world, but Harry is my husband. Technically a second husband if I chose to take on a normal line. I don't want another husband. Especially since that would mean a first husband would be my Lord and could tell us what to do. Not that that will matter anymore. No Pureblood would ever want to touch me now," she told Hermione, sounding sad at the end.
"You mean he's like a concubine?"
Daphne looked shocked. "NO! Why would you think that! Harry is not controlled like that. That is a rather disgusting idea. I would never subvert anyone to such a status. Harry is my husband in all intent and purposes, but he cannot take up a title, if I had one, nor could he be Head-of-house. I am his Head-of-House, his wife. When we have children, they can take my line," she stated.
Harry's eyes grew wide. It wasn't a 'if' or anything, it was a 'when' they have children.
Hermione must have seen his reaction. "And you agreed to this, Harry?"
He saw the uncertainty in Daphne's eyes. "I agree to it now knowing why Daphne claimed me."
Hermione looked torn on which path to follow first. "Why would she claim you?"
Harry nodded his head, trying to indicate they could at least trust Hermione. Yes, Harry still felt betrayed, but he knew why now. Plus, if Hermione knew, maybe the others would accept this sooner.
"Hermione, this was a last resort I never thought to have. Father had informed me I was betrothed. My sister and I are being sold to protect the family," Daphne said angrily.
"Oh, God. To whom?"
"Selwyn," Harry told Hermione.
Her eyes looked like they wanted to bulge out of her head. "You mean the Death Eater the Order has talked about?"
"Yeah, he was there that night," Harry affirmed. Outside of Dumbledore, no one fully knew what happened that night.
Both girls looked at him. "Harry, will you tell us what happened that night? Dumbledore won't say much," Hermione requested.
Harry didn't really feel like talking about it but they probably deserved to know. Daphne should know what she had gotten herself into. "Not now. Some point this week," he begged them.
Daphne threaded her fingers into his hand. "When you are ready," Daphne soothed.
Hermione frowned. "Sure, Harry. Daphne, your father was selling you to Selwyn?"
"The Death Eaters wanted a girl. It was the price to keep our family safe. Father had already been in negotiations with Malfoy. Astoria likes Draco so she wasn't adverse," Daphne told her. "That is a normal marriage betrothal, so they needed another."
"That's awful. That's why Harry agreed to marry you?" Hermione questioned. "I thought you had to be seventeen?" She sounded dubious but she didn't accuse Daphne of anything. As though she was choosing her words very carefully, Hermione added, "To keep you from marrying Selwyn?"
"I didn't give him a choice," Daphne replied in a sad voice.
Hermione, looked at him, then asked, "You didn't agree?"
"It's not that simple," he tried to reason.
Daphne sighed. "It was simple. Harry almost died. I saved his life. His life then belonged to me and I chose to use him. With Astoria marrying Malfoy, I figure my family will be safe."
Daphne looked at Hermione as though pleading for her to understand. Harry did. They were quiet for a moment. "By you saving Harry he is saving you," his bushy hair friend softly said.
"I don't mean to be so selfish. If he hadn't jumped, I was going to." Daphne spoke only loud enough for them to hear her.
Hermione snapped her head to him. "Did Daphne just say you jumped? From where and is that why she saved your life?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck and adverted his eyes. He didn't want to answer. After a moment, Hermione lunged at him and took him into a hug. "Daphne, thank you," Hermione whispered emotionally.
Harry felt a tug on his stomach. Reaching his arms around her he said, "I'm sorry."
She crushed him for a moment before she backed up and hit his shoulder. Harry winced.
"You arse, Harry Potter! Why would you jump? And I take it it was not just a stupid little jump!"
"Off the top of the astronomy tower," Daphne supplied.
"You. Complete. Arse," Hermione exclaimed hitting the same shoulder. "After all we have done to protect you!"
"I thought you had all left me! All the money my parents left me is gone! You know my relatives would never pay for me to go. The Ministry was going to snap my wand because I couldn't pay for the rest of the year and take the OWL's. It was either jump or just wait for Voldemort to come and get me without a wand," he fought back.
"Do you think Sirius would have allowed that? What of Dumbledore?"
"What of Dumbledore! He just left me to rot. He told you all to just leave me be and you just listened like lambs. I'm still angry at you and Ron and Sirius," he retorted.
"We tried, Harry," Hermione pleaded. "After Dumbledore said you weren't coming here, we tried. Mrs. Weasley took all our wands and anything else we could have tried to use for the last two weeks here. I'm sorry we couldn't get hold of you. You could have tried to listen to us start of year. Ron and I tried to explain this. I'm sorry we couldn't come for you."
There it was. The apology he wanted. It was also the fact they hadn't really abandoned him. Why hadn't he talked to them? Harry took a step back and his knees hit the bed. He sat, looked at her and then put his head in his hands.
"Harry, we tried to help you," Hermione sounded like she was begging for him to understand.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen," he replied.
Hermione sat on the bed next to him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "We saw how angry you were. Ron didn't want to listen that you were suffering."
He just sat for a moment. When another weight sat next to him, he looked up to see Daphne. "I know you don't really know me, but I am here for you. Just as Hermione is."
Harry nodded. "We are stuck together now, so the same goes for you." He waited for Daphne to give a slight nod and then looked to Hermione. "Will you be my friend again?"
"I never stopped being your friend. You're like my brother, Harry."
Harry laughed. "Guess I got lucky to have a big sis like you."
"And don't you forget it."
He let out a sigh and put his head back into his hands. He was getting a headache.
"Daphne, you have both said you have no surname. How can that happen?" Hermione always needed to know everything.
"Potter was stripped from Harry by Umbridge. He became a Greengrass when he became my consort. My father is very upset with me breaking the betrothal with Lord Selwyn. I have been cast out of my family, and Harry with me."
"Awful," Hermione said, as though she didn't know what else to say.
-oOo-
Lunch was an interesting affair. Sirius was in a jovial mood. He was free. Harry was here and he seemed to approve of Daphne. With Sirius and Hermione on their side, Harry was starting to feel better.
George and Fred didn't seem to care. They congratulated them, and then teased Daphne as much as they did anyone else. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny didn't look pleased at all, often casting suspicious glances at Daphne. Harry was trying to ignore them.
Ron, on the other hand, kept trying to ask what happened and why Harry would accept being a consort. It took Hermione telling him to 'shut it' to stop him. They had decided to tell Ron some of it, but not all. Neither of them wanted to talk about what occurred before current company.
Sirius left after lunch, leaving them with just Mrs. Weasley. Ginny disappeared and Ron followed them like he had nothing else to do, which he probably didn't. The twins apparated to their room. Hermione offered to give them a tour of the house and it was his first experience with Kreacher, they found him lurking in the first floor sitting room.
"Mudbloods and filth. That is all Master brings," a decrepit old looking elf said as he rummaged in a draw of an end table acting as though they weren't even there.
"He's a bit barmy," Ron whispered.
Daphne didn't look pleased. She strode up to the elf. "Is this the way to respect your master? Look at you. Your hair is all a tizzy. Your sack is filthy and stained. And what are you doing in that draw? Are you trying to take what is your master's?"
The elf looked up at her stunned for a moment.
"Daphne," Hermione hissed.
"Stay out of this, Granger. What do you have to say for yourself? Kreacher was it?"
Hermione started to bristle and Harry put a hand on her arm. "Wait a moment," he told her. He didn't have the feeling that Daphne was trying to be mean or treat the elf like they had seen other wizards do.
The elf stared at Daphne for a few, then reached into his pocket and put something back into the draw. He didn't sound pleased as he talked. "Excuse me, Miss. You be Ward Daphne?"
"I am. You still have not explained yourself."
"Filthy mudbloods and blood traitors defile my poor mistresses' home," Kreacher told her.
"What other mistress do you have? I am not aware of another Ward or Lady Black?" she questioned.
Kreacher didn't say anything for a moment. It was as though something in him was shifting. "You be of proper blood, but I don't know your name, Ward Daphne."
"I have no name right now, but I am Ward of Lord Black. Do you accept my command, and that of Ward Harry?"
Harry shook his head to keep Hermione quiet. He would have to hear Hermione go off on them later, but Harry felt this was important.
The elf looked around Daphne towards him. "Kreacher knows of Harry. Master talks of him. He is a blood traitor spawn..."
"That is enough of that language," Daphne said rather imperiously. "Ward Harry is my consort. I will not take it for you to disparage him or his friends. You shall not do that for any guest of Lord Black's or us. Is that understood?"
Kreacher seemed to war with himself. Harry saw it coming, having seen it in Dobby before. He cried out, "You won't punish yourself."
Kreacher stopped, his hands close to grabbing his ears.
Daphne looked at him surprised. "Kreacher will not punish himself," Harry affirmed. "He can have his own opinion, but I agree with you. He should not talk that way."
Daphne held his eyes for a moment before turning back to Kreacher. "You shall not punish yourself. If you feel you need to have penance, you are to clean for no more than ten minutes each time. This house does not look to be in the condition I would expect it to be in for one of such prestigious lineage, Kreacher. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Ward Daphne," Kreacher said in his low voice.
"Now, who is your Mistress?"
Kreacher, who already looked to be down, frowned. "Mistress Black," the elf stated.
"Lord Black has a wife? Or another?"
Kreacher shook his head. "Kreacher's Mistress, the Lady Black."
"He's talking about the painting in the entry hall," Hermione whispered to him. Harry looked at her.
"Tell Daphne," he whispered back.
"Daphne," Hermione spoke up. "Kreacher talks to the painting of Mrs. Black in the entry way."
Daphne's brow scrunched.
"The mudblood speaks to the proper ward..."
"Kreacher," Daphne snapped. "That is not the way to talk to a guest of this house."
Kreacher shrunk back and looked to be ready to hit himself before looking around and seeing some cobwebs. With a snap of his finger, a feather duster was in his hands. "Yes, Ward Daphne."
"Return any other items you have to their proper places and ensure they remain safe," Daphne ordered.
"Daphne, there was some pretty dangerous items that were cleaned up. I think Kreacher should have them checked first," Hermione provided.
Daphne looked unsettled before turning to Kreacher. "If anything you have is dangerous, bring it to Lord Black or Mrs. Weasley before returning it to its rightful spot."
Kreacher gave her a glare and started to levitate the duster to get cobwebs further up the wall and on the ceiling. When they walked out, Hermione turned on Daphne.
"What was that! You probably just ruined all the work I have been doing to show him he doesn't have to be that way!" Hermione looked really riled.
"I did what one should with an elf that is obviously neglecting his duties."
Hermione scrunched her face. "It's people like you why they are treated so poorly and think all they can do is serve!"
Daphne bristled at the accusation. "I did nothing of the sort! An elf is a reflection of his or her master. An elf looking like that is either very poorly treated or neglected. This is the House of Black. One of the oldest and most respected in our world. Harry and I are wards. We represent the Lord Black as much as his house elf. I will not neglect my duties, which includes Kreacher."
"You just ordered him to clean every time he has a bad thought or word about us! Not to mention how you called out his looks," Hermione retorted.
"You rather him hurt himself? I agree with Harry. We never allowed an elf to hurt themselves. They may serve the family, but they are family too. I still fail to see the issue. I have stated what I expect of Kreacher at the moment and if he cares for this House at all, he shall better himself. When he does, I will work on the next stage, which will probably include getting rid of that painting, if you say that is who he thinks Mistress Black is. That is not right," Daphne stated with a nod.
"But, you ordered him..."
"Of course I ordered him. If I didn't then I bet he would either be cussing us out behind our backs or still pretending to clean. An elf is not happy or healthy without serving someone and working. It is a perverse warping of what the original bonds were to be between elf and wizard, but it is what it is. Until someone finds a way to free them or reverse the bond to what it was supposed to be, then I will do what makes then happy. A happy elf is a loyal elf. A happy elf is a reflection of masters that treat them well and care for them."
Harry wasn't sure to laugh or cringe. He had never seen Hermione so thoroughly knocked down. Usually she was knocking him down when he did something mental.
Hermione moved her mouth a few times. "But... they are slaves," Hermione retorted.
"Yes, they are. Wizards have made them that way. I will never treat them that way. I may tell them to clean, or help with a meal or anything else I can do myself but may be too busy to do. It makes them happy to feel like they are useful and needed by their family."
"But Sirius just yells at him and they call each other names," Hermione said perplexed.
Daphne frowned. "I will not treat Kreacher that way. Neither will Harry."
"Of course not," he agreed.
"But I tried all summer to help Kreacher."
"Kreacher looks miserable, meaning he has probably been neglected for a long time. This is a discussion I will need to have with my Lord Black," Daphne stated in her haughty voice.
Ron stepped up to him. "Have you ever seen someone do that to Hermione," he asked in an awed whisper.
Harry chuckled. "I think I'm starting to really like her," he whispered back. He meant it too. Her long dark hair flounced as she moved. Harry wished he was a little taller than her, not the same height.
Ron still looked at him like he was barmy, but didn't say anything.
"Yes, well," Hermione said, still clearly flustered. "There is Sirius' study. Down the hall is a bath and two unused rooms. Shall we go to the second floor." It was a statement, not a question.
When they were done, Hermione suggested to do their schoolwork.
"If you don't mind, I would like to go up to my room for a bit," Daphne told them.
"You want me to come?" Harry offered.
Daphne shook her head. "I just need some time for myself. Do you think Mrs. Weasley will make me a cup of tea?"
"I think it better one of us go with you," Hermione told her.
Daphne sighed. "I'll just head up to our room then."
"You sure?" Harry asked.
They were on the third floor and she moved towards the stairs. "Spend some time with your friends."
He watched her go up the stairs. Harry had a feeling everything was getting overwhelming for her. As his mind processed what happened, he admitted he felt the same way. But if she needed time alone, he would give it to her.
Ron spoke up when they heard the door close. "Is anyone going to tell me what is going on?"
-oOo-
Daphne didn't come down for dinner. Mrs. Weasley wanted to make her, but Harry told them to leave her alone. Sirius stuck up for them and it gave Harry an excuse to take a plate and a glass of milk up to Daphne. He was feeling tired. Ron and Hermione had pestered him with questions much of the afternoon, and they answered ones he had in turn. Like what was the Order of the Phoenix. Harry avoided all questions about what happened the last few days except the fact he was now bonded and consort to Daphne.
He was halfway up the stairs when Hermione joined him with a plate and a glass of milk. "Hermione, I really don't want company right now."
"You didn't eat. If you are going to take that to Daphne, then I am going to take this to you," she stated.
He smiled. "It's nice to have you around again."
"I missed you too," she assured him.
When they got to the door, Harry knocked. He didn't want to walk in on her if she didn't want. When no answer came, he knocked again. After waiting a good ten seconds, he opened the door. In the light of a single gas lamp in the sitting room, he made out a lump in the bed. Hermione helped him put the food on a tea table before the couch and then she silently left.
After she did, Harry went over to the bed. Daphne was curled up, her glasses skewed and looking as though she had cried for a while. There was a beauty to her he hadn't really seen before.
He regarded her for a few minutes, it struck him he wasn't sure how comfortable it was in her robes, but he wasn't about to take them off. Instead, he took off her glasses, put them on the nightstand on the left side of the bed and covered her with the duvet. It was chill in the room.
After eating, Harry lay down on the couch. He felt ready to fall asleep, but he didn't think it right of him to share a bed with Daphne. To magic they may be married, but Harry had just barely looked at her as anything more than a Slytherin until yesterday. Even the few times they had shared words in the greenhouses this year, she had never really given him the impression she wanted to talk with him.
Harry wouldn't fool himself. He found her attractive, when she wasn't looking down on people. Until the other night in the hospital wing, he had never really seen what type of body she had when she was only in her blouse and skirt. Thinking back as he watched her sleep, he realized she was lithe, like a dancers or runner. He wondered if she worked out or did something he didn't know.
He flushed when he realized he would find out exactly what her body looked like at some point.
As he thought of that more, he found himself thinking of the talk Madam Pomfrey had had with him this morning before Sirius had taken them here. Solemnly, she had told him it wasn't the first time she had seen this type of bond, though it was usually a witch to a wizard, not the other way. It was not the traditional way, but magic didn't care. Only wizards did.
Harry was a consort. Essentially Daphne's husband, but not quite equal and bound to obey her. As Daphne had described, he was more similar to what the wizards called a second wife. He could never sire a child except with Daphne. He could sleep with other woman, or men, if she allowed it, or if she commanded it. Madam Pomfrey had tried to be very gentle to describe what had happened to him.
Harry had listened, asking very few questions, feeling overwhelmed. It all boiled down that Daphne owned him. Literally his body and soul. She could command him, and he could fight it, but Madam Pomfrey had warned him if he tried to fight it too hard, or too often, it would cause pain. Eventually, it could damage his magic if he kept fighting her.
So far, she had only commanded him to do something a few times and he hadn't fought it. He may have been reluctant to say why he jumped off the tower or a few other things, but she hadn't been wrong. He should admit to his faults.
Thinking on that, he remembered her saying they should share a bed. It had not been a command. Harry wondered if she really meant it.
A soft knock came at their door. This was their room. At fifteen, he was sharing a room with a rather attractive girl.
When the knock came again, he heard Ron say a little loudly, "Harry?"
Harry ignored them. He was done with people today. His insides were feeling empty again, except when he looked towards Daphne through the wide arch between the rooms. Was that the bond or did he really find her attractive? Did it matter? She was the only girl he would ever sleep with.
The knock came once more. "Ron, just leave them alone. I think Harry has been through more than he told us and did look tired," he heard Hermione quietly telling Ron.
"Do we trust him in there with her?"
Harry's annoyance at Ron piqued. He was about to get up when Hermione spoke again. "Harry trusts Daphne. I don't think she is lying and if we do anything to upset Harry he may not want to be friends again."
"You trust her, don't you," Ron accused, his voice rising some.
"Harry trusts Daphne, so yes, I trust her," Hermione defended them.
Harry smiled. Maybe Hermione made the emptiness in him a little less too.
"But she admitted she used Harry," Ron argued back.
"Harry tried to kill himself, Ronald. Daphne saved him when Harry had given up his life. I talked with Sirius after dinner. What she did was the best of the possibilities she could have done. Daphne owns Harry. Instead of making him a concubine, or slave, or a bodyguard who would die for her without thinking, or a dozen other things, she claimed him as her husband," Hermione hissed at Ron. "I will not lose Harry as a friend again."
"She could have done nothing or let Harry go," Ron told her.
"No, she couldn't. Sirius was explaining it's not like a life debt. Harry was going to die. He should have died. She saved him, meaning she owns his life. Sirius said that if she did nothing then Harry would have tried to take his life again. He was adamant that Death is not patient when cheated. Daphne claiming him means Death can't until she either releases him or he dies of natural causes. At least that is what Sirius says."
Harry furrowed his brow. Why hadn't Sirius said anything? Is that why he was so accepting of Daphne claiming him? Sirius hadn't really put up a fuss, only looking really pale.
Harry would have to ask him.
"Come on, Ron. Either they just need some time or they already fell asleep," Hermione encouraged.
"It's not even eight. Why would he be asleep already?"
"I already told you he looked tired. I am sure this has been a lot, for both of them."
"Why would it be so hard for Greengrass?"
They hadn't told Ron what really happened with Daphne. "That isn't for me to say. It's not Greengrass, remember," Hermione reminded Ron in a soft tone.
"You know though," Ron accused.
"If I do or not, it is not my secret to tell. Now, come on. Let them be." From the sound of scuffling feet, Harry could picture her dragging Ron away.
He looked away from the door towards Daphne. Was it only Daphne keeping him from Death? Feeling the emptiness that still threatened, he could believe it.
He didn't want to dwell on it though. Instead, he thought about Daphne. He had a feeling he was saving her as much as she was saving him. To become a bride to a Death Eater in Voldemort's inner circle, Harry didn't doubt that would be a fate worse than death. The fact her father had sold her into it to save the rest of the family... Harry was sure he would never do that. He would give up his life to protect his family. Like his parents, he realized.
Did he already look at Daphne in that way? Family?
There was no question. He was her husband. They were a family.
Harry was thinking if this was permanent, then he should make the best of it. Maybe Hermione could give him some pointers on dating, not that any of them had done anything like that. Not that he knew anyways. Who knew what Ron and Hermione had gotten up to while he ignored and pushed them away this past fall?
Harry wanted a better thought.
Who knew, maybe Daphne and him could like each other enough someday that they might fall in love.
There could be worse fates, as Hermione said Sirius told her.
It was with these thoughts, he drifted off.