The Anger .

In Madam Malkin's the girls pushed him into the 'male' side of the store, while they blushed and giggled and moved across into the 'female' side. Harry didn't want to know what they were shopping for, but had his suspicions.

While waiting, he asked about mail ordering services the store provided, and was placed on their list of names of people who wanted to receive information of upcoming fashions. After a slight hesitation he asked to put Daphne's name on the same list for female fashions.

Not long afterwards, after they'd left the store, Harry suggested to Daphne she invite Tracey to join them back at the Estate for a little while after shopping. There was something he thought she'd want to see.

"What are you up to, Harry?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," he calmly replied.

When she moved off to again join the other girl in walking and whispering to each other, Harry walked beside Isabel and said, "I hope you don't mind; but, I asked Daphne to invite Tracey back to the Estate for a short while."

"Oh?" she asked. "And why did you do that?"

"Because I think there's something she'd like to see. But, I have to talk to Cygnus about it first," he replied.

Thinking for a few moments while she watched him, she said, "If it's what I think it is, then I'd say that would be a very nice thing to do. Cygnus should be in his study by the time we return."

"Thank you, Isabel," he gratefully said.

When they stepped back through the floo into Greengrass Estate, the two oldest girls dashed up to Daphne's room while Astoria went to her own. Isabel led Harry through to Cygnus's study. Knocking on the opened door to the study, Isabel said, "My Lord, Mister Potter would like a word, if he may."

"Oh?" replied Cygnus from where he was sitting behind a large ornate desk, surprised by the formal announcement of his wife. "Then, do come in, Mister Potter. And how may I help you?"

Harry stepped into the study and approached the desk. Steeling himself a little he gave a little bow and said, "Lord Greengrass, it has come to my attention, as per the old ways, it is customary for the prospective groom of a betrothal contract to present a suitable ring to his prospective bride. I come before you asking to present such a ring to Lady Daphne in recognition of our betrothal."

Before Harry had even finished speaking Cygnus was already grinning from ear to ear. As he'd finished, Cygnus pushed himself back from his desk, held out his hand palm up, and said, "Well, let's see it, then."

Harry drew the box forth from within his robes and, stepping forward, placed the box in the older man's hand.

Cygnus opened the box, looked inside, and gave a low whistle in response.

Looking back up at Harry he offered the box back and said, "Very nice, Mister Potter. As per the old ways, I deem it worthy to grace the finger of my daughter's hand."

Then, relaxing a fair bit, he asked with a grin, "When do you want to present it to her?"

Nervously, Harry replied, "I thought she might like Tracey here when I presented it to her. So, I hope you don't mind if we do it now and get it over with?" Chuckling, Cygnus replied, "That sounds like a nice idea. Allow me to summon the family." Turning his head slightly to the right he summoned one of their house elves, "Tinky."

With a pop the little being appeared alongside him and asked, "What can Tinky be doing for Master?"

"Can you inform my wife, both daughters, and Daphne's friend Tracey to join us here, in the study, please?"

"Yes, Master!" it said before disappearing with another pop.

Harry had met a house elf for the first time when he visited the Longbottoms; and was, at first, surprised by their devotion. The next day he had read a bit on the small beings and their place in the wizarding world. Now, he was accustomed to them, but vowed to treat them as honoured members of family; unlike how he heard some families treated them.

Moments later, Isabel entered the room, followed by the sounds of running feet before Astoria walked in pretending she hadn't just been running all the way to the door before walking in. Daphne and Tracey joined them less than a minute later. The three girls faces showed questioning looks while Isabel wore a slightly smug and knowing expression.

"Daphne, come forward, please," instructed a lightly grinning Cygnus.

With a curious expression she stepped up near Harry.

"The floor is yours, Mister Potter," said Cygnus.

With a nervous sub-vocalised sigh, Harry turned to Daphne and said, "Lady Daphne, it has come to my attention, as per the old ways, it is customary for the prospective groom of a betrothal contract to present a suitable ring to his prospective bride." He then dropped to one knee and offered the ring box to Daphne on the palm of his left hand, opening the lid with his right as he did so.

Daphne's face morphed into one of complete shock while Harry heard a muffled squeal from one of the girls standing apart. He didn't know which one but didn't care, focussed as he was on Daphne's face.

Continuing, he said, "Please accept this ring as recognition of our betrothal; and do me the honour of wearing it, always."

With the fingers of one hand covering her gaping mouth, Daphne reached out a shaking hand and lightly brushed both rings with her fingers. Pulling her hand back she looked into Harry's eye and quickly nodded her head. Harry hoped she wasn't going to suddenly burst into tears. He didn't know what he'd do, then.

Gently, Harry pulled the box back towards him and withdrew the ladies ring with the fingers of his right hand. Almost subconsciously he snapped the lid of the box shut again with his left hand and repocketed it. He then reached back forward with his left hand and took Daphne's left hand by a light grasp pulling it up and forward.

Changing his grip slightly on the ring, he gently slid the ring onto her left hand ring finger and pushed it right back until it rested almost against the webbing. The ring gave a slight flash and resized itself to her finger.

Then he reached back into his pocket and drew forth the box again, reopening it. "This ring is the partner to yours. With it, I signify to all that I am betrothed to you. I ask that you do me the honour of placing it on my ring finger."

Daphne looked at him for a few moments before she reached in and drew the ring from the box. As soon as it cleared the box Harry pulled it away and resnapped the box lid shut, then switched it to his right hand before dropping it into a pocket.

At the same time he offered his left hand to Daphne, palm down, and waited for her to take it.

Gently, almost slowly, Daphne altered her grip on the gold band before taking Harry's offered hand. He held his fingers a little splayed and slightly stiff to allow her to slide the ring onto his ring finger. She, too, slid the ring right back almost to the webbing between his fingers. As soon as she released it, Harry saw the flash and felt the slight warmth as it resized to fit comfortably.

.

.

.

🧿Visit my site at tiendup for more advanced content...🧿

🧿Read the complete novel in PDF, available at my Store!…🧿

https://fictiontopia.tiendup.com/