Saturday, December 26, 1994 - Morning
The Hogwarts Heads of House floos were employed to send students home who wished to take the remaining holidays with their families. Daphne and Harry arrived in the Entry Hall at Greengrass Manor. Daphne stepped gracefully out of the fireplace. Harry was expelled in his usual bundle of sooty robes.
Cleaning and smoothing charms were applied as Harry collected himself.
“Welcome to Greengrass Manor, Harry!” Cyrus Greengrass advanced on Harry and embraced him. Harry stiffened, and Cyrus immediately released him.
“I’m sorry, Harry. I forgot myself for a moment.” Cyrus murmured.
Olivia Greengrass gave Harry an affectionate pat on the shoulder and then led the way to the less formal family parlour. Greengrass Manor was a house in two parts. The formal part had reception rooms, formal parlours, a formal dining room, a ballroom and drawing rooms. The fittings and furnishing of these rooms came from some European royal palace whose former owners had lost their heads. These rooms were dressed to impress. The less formal part of the house was comfortable and homely.
“The Yule Ball turned out to be quite interesting, I hear.” Cyrus Greengrass smiled.
“HA!” Came from Daphne and Harry.
“The youngest Weasley at Hogwarts cemented his position as the clown of Gryffindor.” Daphne laughed out.
“It was my first ball and I learned how useful they can be. The Merlin House ladies tutored me on how to read the room.” Harry looked at Cyrus and Olivia and smiled.
“I learned a lot about the Tournament champions. Cedric is under Cho Chang’s thumb. He tried to talk to me, and Cho just looked at him and said ‘SHUSH’ and that was it. He stopped and looked the other way. Fleur can be upset a bit too easily. She may have that Veela alure, but it just made Roger Davies mumble and fumble. She had a miserable time until she ditched him. She left early. At least she missed being soaked by the fire brigade. Viktor had a great time and so did Tracey, and all the other girls he danced with. He didn’t try to make any conquests; he was a genuine nice guy.”
Harry paused and smiled at Daphne.
“I picked up the Cedric and Cho thing myself and I got the rest from the girls.”
Daphne smirked; Harry continued.
“The other items of interest the girls picked up were that the Weasley twins behaved themselves for the whole night; no pranks or stink bombs, and Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson seem to be isolated from their Slytherin supporters. They only talked to each other for the whole night.”
Cyrus and Olivia looked at each for a second. A wordless conversation seemed to take place.
Cyrus looked at Harry. “There is some background information which makes these last things interesting. Lord Goyle and Lord Crabbe are both vassals owing their allegiance to Lucius Malfoy. His father bought their fathers debts decades ago and they are all still owned by him. Likewise, Arthur Weasley is a vassal belonging to Albus Dumbledore. The Weasley family’s indebtedness is legendary and the Dumbledores have owned them for generations. Dumbledore doesn’t exert his control too obviously; he may be preparing the Weasley’s for some unpleasant tasks.”
“What about Malfoy and Parkinson.” Daphne asked.
“The fact that Draco was not being shadowed by Crabbe and Goyle could indicate trouble in the Malfoy household. They have been under strict orders to cover Draco’s back. If they aren’t, then it may very well be that Draco is on the outs with his father.” Cyrus had a contemplative look.
“Draco will be vulnerable if his father is not supporting him. More information may be useful.” Cyrus glanced at Daphne.
“OK, I will call around and see if Pansy will talk to me.” Daphne replied in a flat voice.
Astoria came into the parlour and slowly let herself slump down into an armchair.
“Tori, are you sure you should be up? I wanted you to rest today.” Olivia stood and walked to Tori. A house-elf appeared carrying a blanket. Olivia covered Astoria with the blanket and tucked her into the armchair.
“I wanted to hear about the ball. I heard what Harry said at the door while Tweeny gave me my potions. I have had enough of lying down, I want to sit up.”
Olivia looked at Harry. “Astoria is not well. She has a condition which needs treatment at St Mungo’s which is why she had to leave Hogwarts at the end of the term. She is still recovering from the treatment. She will be stronger in a day or two.”
“I have a blood malediction. An ancestor of ours was cursed by a dark wizard. The curse means that this malediction shows up in every second generation. Daphne escaped, I got it. It is yet another thing that we have no choice over and I have to live with it.”
Harry felt that he had to say something. “I’m sorry to hear that Astoria. You didn’t mention it at school. I didn’t hear anyone mention it at all.”
“That is not what I want. I want to live the best life I can, as long as I can. I don’t want anyone treating me like I am made out of delicate China.” Astoria looked belligerent.
The conversation covered every detail of the Yule Ball and some speculation about what would happen to Ronald for his latest misstep.
Lunch was a happy affair with some postponed Winter Solstice celebratory foods and traditions.
After lunch, Astoria finally agreed to be put to bed again.
Daphne asked Harry to walk with her to the frozen lake in the Greengrass manor grounds.
“Harry, I want to ask you some personal questions. You don’t have to answer but I feel that I need to be more certain about some things. Before that, I want to tell you that Michael Plantier and I have agreed to be more than friends. We are not old enough to be considered to be courting in the formal sense. I suppose we are girlfriend and boyfriend. It will be difficult with only letters and occasional visits for a few years, but he is the first boy I have met who could get me to agree to a date. My title “Slytherin Ice Queen” was a bit deserved. I turned down every request for a date for years.” Daphne shyly smiled.
Harry looked at Daphne. “I am happy for you Daphne. I am the last person to claim any kind of experience in such matters. I have never got close to asking a girl on a date, let alone anything more than that.”
“That’s one of the things I want to ask you about Harry. Let’s leave out those of us who have boyfriends we want to keep. Do you know that nearly every girl in our year and third year at Hogwarts and Merlin House would jump at the chance to have a date with you?” Daphne looked at Harry.
Harry looked back at Daphne. “No! I do not know that at all. What about all those accusations about me being an evil cheat?”
Daphne smiled. “That is mostly from the boys Harry. Girls who are saying that are siding with the boys to keep the peace. If you asked almost any girl for a date, they would grab you and not let go. You are more than a bit attractive; specially since Mummy and Daddy bought you all your new clothes, and word got out that you are a wealthy aristocrat.”
“Who in Merlin House are you talking about?” Harry was gobsmacked.
“Tracey, Susan, Su Li, Luna, and Astoria, only Hannah and I are off the market.” Daphne managed to keep a straight face.
Harry looked around and then stared out over the lake.
“There is another issue I want to find out about which might be difficult. What were your feelings for Hermione Granger?” Daphne looked apprehensive.
“We are being honest now, aren’t we? I was going to ask her about being more than my friend. I thought that she was feeling the same. I don’t know now. The Goblet of Fire disaster and the vassalage fiasco ended all that.” Harry looked down and slowly scraped some mud off his shoes.
I talked about Hermione, again. I’m not upset, again. Maybe I am getting better.
“What about Ginny Weasley?”
“Ah! Now that is an easier question. I know that she had a crush on me from my first year. I never understood what her problem was. By the time I realised what was going on, it seemed to be all over. I rescued her from the Chamber of Secrets, but she was always my best friend’s little sister. She was never a romantic prospect.” Harry grinned nervously.
“OK Harry, the interrogation is over. Merlin House people will only find out what they really need to know about you. You have to trust me on that.” Daphne looked at Harry, waiting for some sign.
“Thanks Daphne. I trust you.” Harry smiled.
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