With a gesture at Hermione as Daphne nodded back, he and his betrothed exited.
His last view of her was as Tracey closed in and took the girl into a hug.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione was also almost in tears. She looked to him and firmly said, "Once you fully take up your role as a member of the Wizengamot, I want you to do everything in your power to end these sort of agreements; betrothal ones, too.
"They shouldn't be able to force anyone into a... relationship of convenience. It's just wrong."
"It will be one of my priorities, love," he replied. "I assure you."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As they walked out of their double of Transfiguration, Ted's house elf popped in before the five - the two 'Puffs were with them - and silently handed Harry a note.
~ # ~
Lord Potter,
Lord Greengrass confesses to being under extreme pressure right now and seeks to finalise this within an hour or two of noon.
Lady Marchbanks has already been contacted and has welcomed us to use her office for the signing. It will be held at 1.15pm today.
On departure I shall be going directly to the Daily Prophet to formally announce the concubinage of Heiress Daphne Ophelia Greengrass to Lord Harrison Potter this very day.
Lord Greengrass and I will be of fervent hope this will immediately relieve Lord Greengrass of the pressure he currently faces from 'unnamed' Houses seeking an agreement for Daphne Greengrass and a son of their House.
Ted Tonks
~ # ~
With a quietly muttered, "Shit." Harry handed the note to Hermione.
After reading it, she sighed, "Alright. That's fast, but Ted explains why." Looking to Harry she asked, "Are you ready for this?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I wouldn't have even entertained the concept if I wasn't ready."
After handing the note to Neville to read, he took the other four aside into a vacant classroom and said, "I'm sorry to ask this again, girls; but, can you again approach Daphne and let her know what's going on?"
Before they could even answer he added, "Actually―" Turning to Neville he said, "Pass the note on to the girls and they can quietly hand it to Daphne."
Neville had already finished reading it and was showing he was just as concerned. He silently handed the note to Hannah, who was the closest of the two to him at the time.
After reading it herself, Hannah said, "Will do, Harry. We'll pass it as soon as we see them for morning tea." Susan had read it over her shoulder.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The plan went off without a hitch. The girls had managed to pass the note to Tracey, who then passed it to Daphne. As Harry was already sitting at the Gryffindor table with his back to the wall, he was able to surreptitiously watch as Daphne read it, look to him and firmly nodded.
Looked down at his small plate, he quietly said to the others, "She has it and has read it. She now knows."
After what felt like an interminable time in Herbology, they were actually released a little early, as usual, so they could change.
All five - Harry, Hermione, Neville and his two - hurried up to the Lords' Quarters to clean up and change, if and where necessary, into clean robes. Harry, knowing he would need to get to the meeting during the latter part of lunch, made sure he didn't get any dirt on himself during the class. Unsurprising to him, neither did Hermione.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At lunch and though nervous, Harry clamped down on his emotions through sheer force of will and managed to eat. However, he did keep glancing towards the head table at Headmistress Lady Marchbanks.
For all her body language showed, the woman didn't have a care in the world. She most definitely was not watching Harry, Daphne or any of the other heirs of the Alliance.
However, his constant monitoring of her meant he was immediately aware when she rose and walked from the room through the staff entrance at a few minutes after 1.00pm. He'd even checked his watch - 1.04pm.
Judging her speed and the distance she'd have to travel in his mind, then comparing it with his own faster speed and the great distance he'd have to travel, he guessed he could leave within five minutes and easily make it there after her and before the time.
He was just about to leave when he realised neither Daphne nor Tracey were likely to know how to find the Headmistress's office.
'Shit,' he thought
He turned to Hermione and told her the problem.
Hermione had the solution before he even finished explaining. "I'll approach her about talking to her about an Arithmancy assignment. Then suggest we go somewhere to talk. That'll allow me to escort her to the Headmistress's office."
With a slight slump of relief he smiled and said, "That would be perfect. Thank you."
She smiled back. "You'd best go now. That gives me the excuse to go and approach Daphne."
He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, again causing her to blush from the suddenness of it, rose and headed for the main doors. Hermione only hesitated a moment before she rose to head to the Slytherin table.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Harry waited only two to three minutes before he saw Hermione and Daphne walking up the corridor from the grand staircase, heading his way.
He gave a little sigh of relief. His worry was that, with Hermione apart from him, she'd encounter trouble.
When they turned up, both sporting smiles, he asked, "Any trouble?"
"Only Malfoy and Nott trying to deny me approaching Daphne," said Hermione. Her smile then widened into a grin and she added, "When they both realised they were doing that, they turned on each other."
He gave a snort of amusement. "Obviously, they both think Daphne, here, is to be theirs."
"That's exactly what they both think," growled Daphne.
"Well, let's go and make sure that won't be possible," said Harry.
He turned to the gargoyle and said, "Three to see the Headmistress, please. I believe we have an appointment."
Immediately turning back while they waited, he looked to Daphne and asked, "Still okay with this?"
She immediately firmed up and strongly replied, "I am."
He smiled back as he heard the gargoyle step aside and heard the stairs start to ascend.
A quick glance to make sure and he gestured, "After you, ladies."
.
.
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