Tuesday, December 29, 1994 – Morning
The underwater team gave Harry a short course on how to use the compass. Harry had to work out what his course should be and then keep that number under the pointer. The number can then be reversed to come back in the opposite direction. It wasn’t hard to do unless currents drove him off course. He tried using his wand underwater. He had to get close to his target to be sure of his aim. Paul adjusted the bubble to compensate for his glasses. Harry could then dive without his spectacles and his aim improved dramatically. Cyrus made an appointment for Harry to see a Magical vision specialist. No one had ever taken enough interest in Harry to take this simple step.
Lord Greengrass left the manor on business before lunch. After lunch Daphne asked Harry to get cleaned up and dress to receive visitors.
The visitors arrived. They were Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy.
Daphne held Harry back before greeting her visitors. “Don’t get upset, Harry. They are here to talk. Don’t get offended. Remember that! Don’t get offended, no matter what they say.”
“Pansy, Draco, please come into the reception room. Would you like some tea or hot chocolate? It is cold outside today.” Daphne played the pureblood hostess role perfectly.
Draco and Pansy entered the opulent room and took the couch seat. Daphne perched on an armchair opposite them. Harry hesitated and then sat in an armchair to the right of Daphne.
“I didn’t know that he would be here.” Draco indicated Harry as he spoke.
“House Potter and House Greengrass are now in an alliance. Harry will often be a guest here.” Daphne smiled her best gracious smile.
Pansy took Draco’s arm. “Draco, we aren’t in a position to object. We have to press on with this.”
Draco growled and continued to glare at Harry.
Pansy took a breath. “Daphne, Draco and I are in trouble. It isn’t anything that either of us has done apart from making some dumb decisions when we chose our parents.”
Draco snorted.
Despite his barely concealed hostility, Harry smiled. Until now, he had never heard Pansy make any kind of humorous remark.
“You know that we are betrothed. We were betrothed before we could walk. We have grown up knowing that one day we would marry. Our families encouraged us to be friendly when we were kids. We did become friends. Our friendship has grown, and we are now very much in love. Yes, it will be an arranged marriage, but it will work for us. We want to be together.”
Draco took up the story. “Our fathers drew up the marriage contract. It is a standard contract. Pansy’s father has to provide a dowry of cash and a house for us to live in when we are married.”
“This is the hard part.” Pansy drew another deep breath. “My father can’t provide the dowry. No cash and no house, he is broke.”
Daphne gave a low moaning sound.
“My father is threatening to tear up the contract and find another bride for me. He wants his money and the house. The house will be in his name until I inherit if I live that long.” Draco had lost his hostile glare and seemed to wilt away.
“The money wasn’t a problem when we were kids. My father has had business failures. His last business could save him and us. If he could sell it then there would be enough to pay the dowry and give my parents enough to live on if they left Wizard high society and went somewhere cheaper to live. My mother and father are willing to do that if they can find a buyer. They have no one else other than me.” Pansy sniffed.
Harry looked at Daphne. Daphne stood and took Harry by the arm and led him out to the hallway.
“This is an opportunity. This is what you were given your money for. You can go to my father and offer to share in buying the last Parkinson business. That will give you and my father a distinct advantage in dealing with the Malfoys and a level of control over the Parkinsons. We have to ask them what they are willing to do for us.” Daphne was calm and detached.
“Wow! You mean make them vassals?” Harry asked.
“No! That is for the Gods and bastards like Dumbledore and Lord Malfoy. They will owe us favours and information. They will be socially ruined if we let it out that they are dependent on your charity.” Daphne grinned.
Harry nodded. “OK. I’m in.”
Daphne took Harry back into the room.
“What will you do if Lord Malfoy tears up the contract?” Daphne asked.
“We will run away. We know that we can’t hide in the magical world. My father will track us down and lock me up in Malfoy Manor until he has another bride set up for me. He cares nothing for me, my mother doesn’t dare to speak to him about this.” Draco was sounding shaky.
“We will hide in the muggle world. My father knows nothing about muggles. We will have to learn to live as muggles and never use magic. We would be tracked down far too easily if we did.” Draco paused.
Daphne glanced at Harry, who was slowly shaking his head.
“Draco, Pansy, I know a bit more about living in the muggle world than you do. Lord Greengrass has several half-blood and muggle business partners who live entirely in the muggle world. It is not easy. You could quickly end up hungry and homeless.”
Daphne waited for moment before continuing.
“I have a suggestion.” Daphne smiled.
Pansy let out a breath she had been holding for a long time.
“Don’t get too happy yet. Lord Greengrass probably won’t want to take the risk of buying the Parkinson business on his own. He may, however, consider taking it over with a partner, who will share the risk.” Daphne smiled again.
“Who would that partner be? We don’t have a long time to do this, a week, maybe days.” Pansy looked panicky.
“That partner would be me.” Harry said. “We will talk this over with Lord Greengrass and work something out. The question that I have is, what do I get from the deal?”
Draco and Pansy stared at Harry. Then they quickly shifted their frightened gaze to Daphne.
“Don’t worry! Harry won’t get the Gods of Olympus to make you his vassals. Will you, Harry?” Daphne smiled. “What we would like is some information, the occasional favour. It wouldn’t be anything over-the-top, just an early warning of events intended to harm Harry and Merlin House.”
Harry smiled. “We don’t want you to suddenly change your behaviour. Being friendly with Merlin House people would be suspicious. Keep up the banter in the hallways. We will work out note drop locations. Perhaps a note left in old, rarely used library books which can be checked each day. Up-to-date background briefing notes on all the Hogwarts major players will be appreciated.”
“Harry and I will let you talk about this. Come Harry!” Daphne stood, took Harry by the arm, and led him back to the family parlour.
“Let them talk it over. The way that Pansy is agitated indicates that they will agree without delay.” Daphne said.
After exactly six minutes, Daphne went back to the formal parlour.
Draco spoke straight away. “We agree. I know that we are risking that you could out us at any time. That is a risk we will take. We agree to get you as much information on Slytherin and all the Hogwarts houses as we can.”
Daphne smiled. “Good! We will bring the situation to my father and get his co-operation. We will let you know when it is arranged. Probably during the first week of term.”
Pansy rushed to Daphne and hugged her fiercely. “I’m sorry for all the stupid things I said about you. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with being a spy.”
“You’re not a spy, Pansy. You are a friend, writing gossipy notes to a friend.”
Pansy went, “PHPHPHPHPHFFFF!”
Draco looked deeply embarrassed. He offered Harry his hand. Harry took the offered hand and shook it. “We’ll never be friends Draco, but I do hope this works out for you.”
Draco nodded and they left.
The floo flames died down. Harry exhaled and collapsed against a doorway.
“That was something I never thought would happen in a million years. Do you think that they will do it?” Harry asked.
“Oh yes! Pansy is determined. She may be a nasty piece of work when you are her enemy; but we are saving her life and she knows it. This is a huge pureblood social debt. She and Draco have switched sides. Daddy will love this.”
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