A Familiar Bond

"Hey, you ready?"

"Just a minute," Valerie replied, putting the final touches on her dress as Harry walked over to look at her.

"Nice," he grinned. She smiled back and let him pull her up. Hand in hand, they walked out of the Room of Requirement.

"So what can I expect tonight?" Harry asked Valerie, who smiled.

"Nothing serious. It's like any other party. There will be a few influential people from different fields. Slughorn might try to introduce a few to you, and you will of course be expected to interact with them."

"Being the champion and all, right?" He asked with a sigh. Valerie chuckled.

"Should've thought of all this before you decided to enter, my love," she replied as they walked down the stairs.

"I'm certainly having second thoughts now," he replied with a humorless chuckle.

It had been a couple of days since the announcement, and Slughorn had decided to host a party. Usually, the man hosted them during Christmas or the New Year. However, with the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts, the man had decided to up his game. Harry fully expected influential figures from all over Europe to be in attendance since the attention of the entirety of Europe was on Hogwarts this year.

"You think they would be there?"

Harry didn't need her to specify. His lovely girlfriend (wife) had been alluding to approaching Daphne and Fleur ever since that night. Sometimes Harry had to wonder who was more looking forward to having them together – he or Val. Normally, it would be assumed that as the male, he would be the one excited to have three beautiful women to call his wives. However, he had this feeling that it was Val who was much more excited about this.

He nodded. "Fleur is the champion of Beauxbatons. Her presence is a given. And Daphne is the best student in our year, after you of course. It's impossible for her to not be invited."

Val nodded. "You should spend the night with them."

Harry abruptly turned to look at her. Val looked at him in surprise before her eyes widened.

"Oh Merlin, not like that! That came out completely wrong. What I mean is you should spend your time at this party with Daphne and Fleur. Try to get closer to them, perhaps even probe them a little. Daphne should be more receptive of your approach, I believe. When you're occupied with one, I'll talk with the other. That way, both of us can gouge them out."

Harry chuckled. "Sounds like some kind of secret mission."

Valerie slapped his chest with a grin. "This is a mission. A very important mission with very pleasurable rewards."

Harry shook his head at the saucy grin on her face. "You're incorrigible."

"That I am," she whispered as she pushed him inside an alcove and pressed herself flush against him. There was no space between them, and Harry relished the feeling of her delicious curves pressed against him. His hands ghosted over the curve of her ass before he held her by the small of her back.

She looked up at him with smoldering eyes and leaned closer. "Don't think for even a moment that it's all about you or our three houses," she whispered. "I'm as much vested in this."

Harry stared at her heatedly and brought his lips close to hers. "Duly noted," he smirked, before mashing them together.

XXXXX

Horace Slughorn had arranged the party in a large hall a little distance away from his office. On their way over, they saw several girls lurking around the corridors – some dressed up while many were clad in their usual clothing. Harry assumed they were either looking for a way to sneak into the party or were simply watching who was invited.

"Kinda makes me feel like a ponce," he muttered so that only Val could hear. She chuckled.

"Get used to it. You're in a position in our society that expects a certain degree of arrogance from you. Even if you're not, there's no changing the mind of the masses. They'll believe what they want to."

True to her words, he did see many students staring at them resentfully.

"I've heard there's supposed to be a vampire coming to the party. Wonder how Slughorn managed to get him in," they heard a voice whisper excitedly and turned to see Lavender Brown beaming as she dragged a blonde wizard eagerly forward.

"Merlin, he's invited too?"

"Who's he?"

Harry sighed. "Cormac McLaggen. He's a fifth-year Gryff. I don't have any concrete knowledge or anything, but no one likes the bloke. Can't say what I've seen of him fills me with confidence either. Last I heard, Granger knocked him out in the first round of the tryouts."

Valerie nodded and they swiftly turned left to avoid listening to them.

"I'm still surprised he asked Brown though. That girl leaves much to be desired in the intelligence department."

Harry snorted. "I doubt it's her intelligence he desires. I can think of two pretty big reasons why he might've asked her to tag along."

Valerie slapped his arm with a chuckle. "No need to get so crass."

"That was crass?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. Valerie didn't deign him with a reply and they quickly reached the corridor which would lead them over to the party hall. Even this far, they could easily hear the loud sounds of music, laughter, and conversations of the people inside.

Harry had to give it to Slughorn. The man knew how to throw a mean party. His office had definitely been expanded. The ceiling and walls were draped with emerald, bronze, and gold hangings so that it looked like a perfect mix of all four Hogwarts houses. It felt as if they were inside a massive tent on the Hogwarts grounds instead of the man's office. Golden light bathed the crowded hall, and Harry looked up at the ceiling to see a singular large lamp with fairies fluttering about. Several house elves were bustling around to take care of the guests, barely visible under the large trays of food and drinks, and there were different musical instruments enchanted for playing a soothing symphony. Elderly wizards were occupying the seats all across the hall with a haze of smoke hanging over them.

"Harry m'boy!" Slughorn's jovial shout made him look over, and he smiled at the man as he came over, a glass of alcohol in his hand. "And Valerie dear, you too! Come in. Come in. I must introduce you to so many wonderful people!"

"Of course, Professor. Lead the way," Harry beamed.

"Ah, you must call me Horace when we are not interacting in official capacity. You too, dear," Slughorn corrected, smiling at Valerie who chuckled. Harry nodded.

"Certainly, Horace. Do lead the way."

"Attaboy," Slughorn grinned and led them over to a small group. Harry's eyes immediately fell on the enchanting beauty that was Fleur Delacour. She was garbed in a cerulean blue dress held up by thin straps over her shoulders. The neckline was plunging but only slightly so as to showcase a little glimpse of her cleavage. She truly was a vision. Harry exchanged a smirk with Val.

"Fleur, good to see you again," Harry greeted with a smile. The beautiful veela looked over at him and beamed, before frowning slightly when she saw his company.

"This is my girlfriend Valerie. Val, Fleur Delacour," Harry introduced.

Fleur stared at the beautiful dark-haired woman who was apparently Harry's girlfriend. She had to admit that the woman was very beautiful. Harry indeed had good taste.

"Nice to meet you, Miss?"

"Valerie Swann, but call me Valerie. I don't mind."

Fleur smiled. "Then it's only fair that you call me by my name as well."

Slughorn beamed at Harry from the side as they looked at the other people gathered. He had not met any of these men during the Triwizard get-together. He immediately recognized the vampire. This close, it was impossible to miss it. The creature, however, was busy sneaking glances at a certain veela, even though there was a gaggle of young women surrounding him like moths to a flame. He couldn't help but frown at that.

"Harry, I'd like you to meet Eldred Worple, a former student of mine and the author of Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst The Vampires – and of course, his dear friend Sanguini. Gentlemen, Harry Potter and his lovely lady, Valerie Swann."

One hand wrapped around Val's waist, Harry shook hands with Worple, a short and stout, bespectacled man, who didn't lack in enthusiasm. The vampire Sanguini – a tall fellow with emaciated maroon shadows under his eyes, simply settled on giving him a nod. Harry nodded back.

"Mr. Potter, I simply cannot express how delighted I am at finally making your acquaintance," the man gushed. "Why, I remember asking Professor Slughorn the other day, 'Where is the biography of Harry Potter for which we all have been waiting?'"

"Are you?" Harry asked, amused as Valerie smiled from beside him. He couldn't help but smile at Fleur when she rolled her eyes.

"Indeed!" Worple exclaimed before his voice became more businesslike. "I would love it if you trusted me to write it. You'll have to do nothing outrageous – just four or five interviews and we could get the entire work done in only a few months. You have no idea how much people are hungry to know about you – even more after you have become Britain's representative for the Triwizard!"

Harry smiled. "Well, it certainly is an interesting proposal. However, I must decline. I have not done enough yet, and there is no use in publishing a book without everything. I hope you understand."

Worple gave him an enthusiastic nod. However, Harry frowned once again when he saw the vampire glance at Fleur out of the corner of his eyes. As far as he was aware, the veela had noticed nothing. Suddenly, he took off with the gaggle of girls with a hungry look on his face.

"Sanguini!" Worple exclaimed sternly. "Stay here! Apologies, Mr. Potter."

Harry waved the man away as he rushed after the vampire and turned towards Valerie, who sighed. Slughorn had already left to entertain someone, leaving them with Fleur.

"Come join us, Fleur," Valerie took charge, walking over to the round table nearby. Harry followed suit behind them and sat on the chair. Three drinks appeared in front of them.

"I find all of this very tedious," Fleur remarked as she took a sip.

"I get what you mean," Valerie nodded. "All this posturing, heavy drinking, hidden insults, you name it."

Fleur shook her head. "It's worse in official parties, and often abhorrent. The things I've seen…"

She looked at their confused faces and couldn't help but sigh. "Most of the gatherings I had to sometimes attend made me hate them. The usual suspects aside, you'll find some of the most depraved people there. And don't get me started on the VIP section. You'll never find a woman there, but you'll definitely find many girls. Those old lechers," Fleur spat.

Harry looked thoughtful at that. It seemed what he was finding disconcerting about Sanguini was more commonplace than he'd thought.

"Take care of yourself then," he said, looking at Fleur, who turned towards him in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

Instead of replying, Harry looked over at where Sanguini was hanging out with the gaggle of girls, drinks in hand and a frantic Worple trying to take it away from him.

"The vampire? What about him?" Fleur asked with a frown.

"Nothing much, just saw him looking at you every so often. Not to be prejudicial or anything, but I'd look out if I were you."

Fleur pursed her lips and nodded. "Thanks, I will."

"So tell us a bit more about you, Fleur," Valerie changed the subject. He knew what she was doing. She believed Fleur could be with them, and understandably she wanted to know more about her. Harry nodded as well, keen to learn more about this beautiful veela.

XXXXX

It had been almost an hour since they had arrived at the party. Harry and Valerie had spent almost the entirety of it talking to Fleur before Harry had left the two women to their devices. There was a certain someone he wanted to talk to, someone who, in his opinion, would be much easier to approach with Val's idea.

He found her sitting by her lonesome at a table, sipping a drink and looking around the hall. Harry stood where he was for a moment, simply taking in the vision that was Daphne Greengrass.

She had chosen to represent her house, as evident by the emerald dress she had on. It was an ankle-length dress that left one shoulder bare and wrapped completely around the other. There was not even a hint of her cleavage shown in the dress, the neckline being slanted from one shoulder to the underside of her other arm, covering her upper chest entirely. The dress also had a slit by her left leg, exposing it to her mid-thigh. She looked exquisite.

Harry had always known that Daphne was a beautiful woman. Although he had never seen her in that light or even thought about her in a romantic sense, recent revelations had forced him to look at her differently. His eyes ran over her beautiful figure, lingering over a few spots he found the most enticing before he took in her pretty face. A singular strand of her blonde hair dangled over one eye, and the rest was swept over her back in an intricate braid. Only a hint of make-up could be seen from the distance, and Harry would not be surprised if that was truly the extent of it. Merlin knew this woman needed none.

Fleur was a veela and Val was just as breathtaking, but Daphne could easily rival both women. Truth be told, Harry was hard-pressed to say which one was the most beautiful. However, the fact remained that Harry had spent the most time that night admiring Daphne's beauty. Perhaps it was because he was seeing the other two women more frequently in recent days, perhaps not. Harry didn't ponder much on that.

With a small smile affixed on his face, Harry walked forward. He quickly grabbed a glass from the tray a house elf was carrying overhead. Daphne was looking in the opposite direction, and he knew she had not seen him approaching.

She abruptly turned around when she felt someone slide in beside her, and her eyes gleamed in recognition. Harry smiled.

"Daphne," he greeted with a nod. Daphne quickly took a few breaths to compose herself as she nodded back.

"You almost gave me a heart attack."

Harry chuckled. "What are you doing here by yourself? Where's your date?"

Daphne gave him a deadpan look. Harry ahh-ed.

"Right, can't find someone worthy enough," he said with a nod, eyeing her sideways. She pursed her lips and looked at him for a moment before she took a sip of her drink.

"Firewhiskey? That's bold for you," he commented. "I thought you'd be more of a wine person."

"A few scenarios call for something more… intense," she replied, taking another sip. Harry raised his eyebrow in question.

"Nothing much. Just Slughorn showing his usual interest in the Greengrass heiress. Man never managed to gain much influence on father. Must be thinking of getting access to a few rare ingredients through me."

Harry nodded. Greengrass Plantations indeed cultivated some very rare herbs that were revered by Potion masters worldwide. Slughorn must be having to pay the market rate to acquire them. Getting on good terms with the Greengrass family would surely save him some galleons.

"Luckily I managed to get away as soon as I could," he remarked.

"I saw. That vampire is… disconcerting."

Harry nodded with a frown. "You noticed as well?"

"There are few things that escape my notice, Harry. You should know that very well."

Harry looked at her, only to find her staring back at him with a shrewd gaze. This was the side of Daphne he knew – a quintessential and ruthless Slytherin who rarely missed anything.

"What do you want from me, Harry?" She asked bluntly. Harry flicked his eyes around, aware of how several students, and the Slytherins in general, were keenly watching them.

"Let's take this somewhere private," he said, placing his glass on the counter and getting off his chair. Daphne looked at him in surprise.

"What? Why?"

Harry sighed. "I'd much prefer if we have this discussion somewhere private, Daphne."

"What about your girlfriend? Where is she?"

"Otherwise preoccupied," Harry replied as he looked over to where Val was sitting with Fleur. The two women were engaged in what looked like a serious discussion, with the veela listening intently to what the other woman was saying. Daphne looked at them before looking at him in puzzlement.

Harry looked at her and smiled as he held his hand out. "Come on, you know I won't bite."

Despite herself, Daphne flushed slightly before she sighed and gulped her entire drink down. Harry's eyes widened when she hopped off the chair and caught her footing. To a normal eye, it might've looked normal but Harry's keen eyes could easily tell the difference. The alcohol was slowly taking effect.

Daphne took his hand and Harry led them out of the hall through the back exit, aware of the eyes following their every movement.

On the opposite side of the hall, Valerie looked over Fleur's shoulder as Harry walked out with Daphne and smiled before she stared into Fleur's eyes with a resolute expression. The veela was still composing herself after being subjected to such an unexpected proposal.

The fact that she hadn't outright declined meant she was at least ready to have a discussion about it. Valerie was under no delusion that Fleur Delacour liked Harry or anything. However, the fact that Harry had the lordships of three houses was something anyone would stop for a moment to ponder upon.

Valerie's talk here was to instill the idea in Fleur's mind. The rest would follow soon. She was nothing but optimistic.

XXXXX

The sounds of music and celebration dampened the further away they got from the party. The corridors were devoid of any person. Hands clasped together, Harry led Daphne toward one of the empty classrooms.

The girl allowed him to lead the way, and Harry couldn't help but smile at the level of trust she had in him. There was absolutely no hesitation in her movement or demeanor as she followed at a sedate pace.

"Can you at least tell me what's up, Harry?" Daphne asked yet again. Harry sighed.

"You're awfully impatient tonight, Daphne. Wait for a few minutes and I'll tell you everything."

"Is it about the tournament? I'm sure Swann is capable enough to help you out with whatever you might need. Not that I'll say no," she finished with a chuckle. Harry smiled.

"No it isn't about the tournament. It's about something else. Come on, I'll tell you."

Harry pushed the door open and walked inside. Once they had entered, he flicked his wand and the door shut behind them. They walked over and sat side by side on a desk, and finally, Harry turned to look at her.

Daphne was staring back at him with a puzzled expression, but it was impossible for him not to spot the hint of vulnerability he could see in her eyes. He might have missed it previously. However, now that he was perfectly aware of how she felt about him, it was very easy to spot. Harry smiled.

"I came to know about a certain incident that took place after the champions' selection in the Slytherin common room," he opened. Daphne looked at him with a frown.

"There's a mole in Slytherin?"

Harry chuckled and shook his head. "If there is, then I don't know. But you should know I don't need a spy to know certain things."

Daphne nodded with a sigh. After the events of the past three years, she wouldn't put it past Harry to know where even Dumbledore kept his hidden stash of lemon drops.

"I only did what was right. That ponce had no right to sully your name like that. You became the champion due to your merits. You earned it. An entitled brat like him doesn't deserve to even breath the same air as you, let alone speak like that," she finished firmly.

Despite knowing her true feelings, Harry was still taken aback at the vehemence in her voice. She truly didn't tolerate anything against him. Harry was honestly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of respect this woman had for him – the respect he personally didn't think he had earned or even deserved.

"How much do you know about what happened though?" She asked hesitatingly. Harry chuckled.

"Well, I know how you beat him to a bloody pulp, so badly that he couldn't even stand after you were done with him. Thanks for that though. I had no idea Slytherin was so tolerant. If I knew, I would've considered asking the Hat to place me there instead."

Daphne smiled. "It works like that only as long as you hold more power than the other person. Had the roles been reversed, you can be sure that Malfoy would've been stopped before he could've even harmed a hair on my head."

"And I'd preferred it that way too," Harry nodded. Daphne couldn't help but smile.

"What else?"

Harry looked at her face and chuckled. "If you mean you basically admitting how my… ehm… certain appendage would be more than enough for you, then yeah, I know about that as well."

Daphne blushed furiously, and Harry couldn't help but grin as he stared at the crimson that filled her face. He could see her entire body above that dress flushed red, and he had to wonder if something like that was even possible. Apparently, it was.

"I… that is… I didn't m-mean it t-that w-way…" Daphne stammered, pointedly looking away from him. Harry had to smile at how totally out of character this was for Daphne. He had always known her to be a composed young woman who always had firm control over her emotions. The Ice Queen of Slytherin – that was what she was called behind her back by many. However, there was nothing indicative of such a moniker right now.

"Hey, don't worry. If anything, I was flattered you thought so," Harry couldn't help but tease her, and Daphne flushed even more if possible.

A few moments of silence set in, during which Daphne employed the full might of her considerable prowess in Occlumency to exert control over herself while Harry deliberated on how to proceed further. He wanted to broach the subject of his lordships with her. However, he was not content with simply knowing what she felt about him. He wanted her to admit her feelings to his face.

"Why, Daphne?" Harry asked in a serious voice, and Daphne turned to look at him with a small frown.

"Why what?"

"Why did you defend me like that in front of your entire house? You know how most of them feel about me, and yet you stood up for me. You thrashed Malfoy so much that he couldn't even stand up after you were done with him. Even now, you said those things with so much passion. Why? What did I do to deserve that?" He asked emphatically, and Daphne's eyes widened.

"W-what do you mean why? B-because I know you. You're my friend. Obviously I'll defend you."

"With so much passion and against so many people? Sorry but I'm having a hard time believing that," Harry replied with a small smile.

For Daphne, this was like a déjà vu. It was too similar to when she had admitted everything to Tracey and Astoria. However, this was not Tracey or Astoria who was asking these questions of her now. This was the very man she loved, and he was the one asking her why she did what she did.

A part of Daphne wanted to blurt everything out, to express what she felt, consequences be damned. It wanted nothing but to admit everything without any filter. To tell him she respected him so much. To tell him she loved him more than he could even imagine. To tell him how much she wished to be the one he would look so lovingly at – as lovingly as he looked at Swann.

However, another part of her knew he was with Swann now. It knew how much he loved Swann, and in turn, it knew she wanted nothing but for him to be happy, whether it was with her or anyone else.

Try as she might, the second part won and Daphne shut her mouth. There was no way she would be destroying a happy relationship. She would be there if they ever broke up, but she would never be the reason why they broke up.

"I don't know what you're looking for, Harry. But that is really all there is to it."

Harry frowned when he saw the expressionless mask slither on her face, and he couldn't help but sigh to himself. She was going to be difficult. She had clamped down her emotions. He didn't know why, but he knew there was no way she would admit anything to him unless he gave her a push.

"I got to know a few more things," Harry pushed further as Daphne kept staring at him. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly at that, wondering where he was going to go with this.

Harry released a breath and let it roll. "I know what you said to Tracey and Astoria in your dorm. I know how feel about me."

A profound silence lingered between them as Daphne stared at him with wide eyes. Her composed expression which was the result of her Occlumency shattered entirely, replaced by abject shock. She felt as if she couldn't breathe.

Harry kept his eyes trained on her, taking in the shocked expression on her face. He frowned when she suddenly shot to her feet and made to bolt.

Daphne came to an abrupt stop when he grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her back. Her eyes filled with tears that she blinked away furiously and turned to look at him.

"Who was it?" She asked in a dangerous whisper, eyes red with unshed tears as she glared at him. "Was it Tracey or Astoria? Tell me!" She cried out.

Daphne had never felt so mortified in her life. She never wanted him to know like this. A part of her was still reeling with the realization that Harry knew everything.

"Tell me!" She shouted again.

"They didn't tell me, Daphne," Harry replied calmly, keeping a firm grasp on her hand. He couldn't help but frown when he saw her looking around, searching desperately for a way to escape. Well, he won't let her run away without talking everything out.

"Then how… how do you know?" She asked, defeated. Harry sighed and helped her sit back on the desk before taking his place right beside her. Daphne forced herself to look anywhere but at him. Harry sighed.

"Daphne, please look at me," he whispered. Daphne hesitated before she slowly turned to look at him. Harry wiped her tears away.

"I never wanted you to find out like this," she whispered, forcing herself to keep looking at him. "Can we please forget about this, Harry?" She pleaded. "I don't want to come between you and Swann. I've seen how much you love each other. I don't want to destroy that. We don't have to do anything about this. We can pretend it never happened."

The more she spoke, the bigger the frown on Harry's face grew.

"And you'll be happy with it? Tell me you will and I'll let it go," he stated firmly.

Daphne couldn't hold back the tears as she smiled at him. "As long as you are happy, I'll be more than happy with it."

"You seriously expect me to believe that?" He asked with a scoff. Daphne gave him a sad smile.

"I won't break a happy relationship, Harry. I'll be happy for you as long as you're happy. I truly mean it," she replied and got off the desk. Harry saw as she turned around to walk away.

Daphne blinked back more tears as she started walking. She couldn't let him hear more of her, not right now. A part of her wanted him to pull her back. To hug her and never let go. But she didn't stop. She had almost reached the door when he spoke once again.

"I liked you too, you know?" He called out, stopping her dead. Her heart beating wildly, she listened.

Harry got up and started to slowly walk towards her.

"I never realized it until someone pointed it out to me, but I liked you as well. Things would've definitely been much more different between us had Val not come into my life," he continued, and Daphne felt that he was much closer. In fact, she believed he was standing right behind her.

Harry grabbed her hand and felt her stiffen. He ignored it and slowly turned her around.

"I truly didn't realize that I considered you anything more than a friend who I'd talked to only a handful of times. It took me knowing what you really felt and the input from a certain someone to make me realize it."

Daphne stared at him with bated breath as he stepped even closer, eliminating any distance there was between them. She could explicitly feel his body heat all over her front. Never had she been this close to another person of the opposite sex, and the identity of the person made this even more profound.

"W-what are you doing?" She asked in a whisper when he cupped her cheek softly.

"Tell me what you feel about me, Daphne. I want to hear it from you."

"Huh?"

Daphne stared at him with wide eyes. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. All she could focus on was his touch and his overwhelming presence that seemed to wrap her in its cocoon.

"What am I to you, Daphne?" He asked in a whisper. This close, Daphne could only revel in his presence and the truth came out without any reticence whatsoever.

"You're… the love of my life," she breathed.

Harry needed nothing more from her and swiftly captured her lips.

Daphne's mind blacked out, and she couldn't even comprehend what happened before it ended. A sense of immense loss wafted over her as she stared at him with wide eyes.

"Why did you do that?" She asked in a whisper. Harry smiled in response.

"You know who made me realize I liked you? It was none other than Val."

Daphne's eyes bugged out and he chuckled at her stupefied look.

"Indeed. It was Val who witnessed everything that happened in the Slytherin common room and the dueling arena that night. She even witnessed you confessing to everything. I saw her memory. At first I couldn't believe it. I never had any idea you felt like that. Afterwards, she made me understand that I felt something for you as well. Agreed that we talked only a handful of times, but you were the only person I interacted with at Hogwarts apart from Luna. I always felt there was something different about you, but I could never figure it out, until Val made me realize. So yes, Daphne. I have feelings for you as well."

Daphne felt as if she would faint. Her mind was reeling with the revelation and unanswered questions. Harry still had her in his arms, and his palm was on her left cheek as he stared at her tenderly.

"Why would she do that?" She whispered, unable to understand. Harry's response was to smile softly as he led her over to the same desk and helped her sit before taking his place right beside her. She felt him take her hand and looked at him.

"It is not common knowledge, but I have three lordships. I don't need to tell you want that requires of me."

Daphne's eyes widened. There was no person in Wizarding society with two lordships, let alone three. She did indeed know what it entailed, and realization dawned on her instantly. Harry looked at her and smiled.

"Val will be the lady of House Potter. I want you to be the lady of either of the remaining two houses if you'll have me. Val agrees. In fact, she became determined to include you when she saw you confess everything. I never knew, Daphne. But I'm deeply honored to know how you feel about me, and I cannot think of anyone who I'd rather have."

Daphne sat there staring at him with wide eyes. It was very overwhelming, and Harry understood wholeheartedly. He smiled tenderly at the young woman and tucked that strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"You don't need to give me your answer right now, Daphne. I'll wait for you to decide," Harry said, caressing her cheek softly as he got up.

"Goodnight, Daphne," he smiled and walked away.

Daphne stared at the spot he had just vacated, her mind reeling from the revelations and his abrupt proposal as Harry looked back at her with a small smile before he walked out of the empty classroom. Applying a notice-me-not charm on the classroom door to give the blonde some privacy, he fixed his clothes with a flick of his wand and nodded to himself. Soon, he was on his way back to the party where Val was waiting for him with Fleur.

He was looking forward to seeing how much progress she had made.

XXXXX

To be continued…

XXXXX

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