33 28: Meet the Greengrasses

"Change," Ada Greengrass ordered, her voice icy.

"No," Daphne wouldn't be swayed.

Ada scoffed at her daughter's expressionless tone, "Do you really want your future husband to see you like that? So… So Muggle?"

"Yes."

"I swear to Morgana, Daphne… Must we fight about everything?"

"Just your hypocrisy."

"Why, I never-!"

"You always," Daphne interrupted with a deadpan tone.

"When?!" Ada snapped, trying her best to not glare at her eldest child.

Daphne just raised a bored eyebrow, "Other than the fact that I bought you that dress and I happen to know it was made by Muggles?"

Ada's eyes narrowed but she didn't rise to the bait, "… Fine, don't change. Perhaps this can be used as well. Lord Black was raised by Muggles. Your manner of dress should help to put him at ease."

"Or he could just accept me as I am."

Ada scoffed, "Don't be sarcastic, Daphne. It is unbecoming of a young lady of your status."

"Right… I'm sure Professor Atlas will care oh so much. Not like he'll be expecting this young lady to be herself or anything."

Ada eyed her thoroughly, "I suppose in your case anything is possible…"

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Sure… I'm only fated to marry him… Why would he actually want to get to know me?"

"Why indeed…" Ada couldn't help the smirk that pulled at the corners of her lips.

Daphne stared flatly at her mother. Ada suppressed her smirk in return. Astoria stood between them off to one side. Her head swiveled between mother and eldest daughter over and over again. She was hesitant to choose a side as always with their arguments. Though not serious, Astoria still found herself playing mediator more often than not.

"Uh, I think Daphne looks cute~! And you look beautiful, Mom~! Professor Atlas won't stand a chance~!"

Ada lost the battle against her smirk and it turned into a full-blown smile, "Oh? Bold of you to assume he stood a chance in the first place, Astoria. He will be joining our family or we will be joining under his banner. That much is non-negotiable."

"For the betterment of the House, of course?" Daphne asked rhetorically.

"Of course," Ada nodded. "House Black and its subsidiaries will control a substantial voting bloc for the rest of this generation and the ones that follow. And they have not openly sided with either the Light or the Dark. We would be foolish to not pursue an alliance."

Astoria giggled, "And Professor Atlas is ~definitely~ better than Draco~ Isn't that right, Daph~ne~?"

"Almost anyone is preferable to Draco," Daphne deadpanned. "I think you two are missing a couple of things though…"

Ada raised an eyebrow, humoring her daughter, "And what would those things be, Daphne?"

"His girlfriend. And their lovers. And the rumors of their coven."

Ada blinked in surprise, "Co-… ven…? He practices the old rites? And this is common knowledge at Hogwarts…?"

Astoria whistled innocently, looking anywhere but her mother. Daphne's expression didn't change but inside, she was smirking at Ada's ignorance.

"Astoria…" Ada's voice grew stern. "I trust you to keep me informed where your sister will not. Why did you not tell me about something as significant as this?"

"I forgottttttt~" Astoria whined.

"It's part of the reason he rejected you for the Yule Ball, Story," Daphne flatly reminded her.

Astoria shrunk in on herself and Ada sighed, "Never mind. We can still work with this. He's obviously still accepting coven members or else he would have canceled the contract already. Unless he didn't know about it until recently. But that's ridiculous. Narcissa would have told him."

"He didn't seem to know anything about it at the Yule Ball when I danced with him," Daphne said.

Ada huffed, "Unfortunate but again, not impossible. He knows now if what your father told me is accurate. Tell me, what do we know about this coven?"

Astoria perked back up at the chance to be useful, "Oh! Well, we don't know whose name it's under but one of the Ravenclaw girls found out it hasn't been registered with the Ministry. Which, like, makes sense because the Ministry hardly allows any covens anymore. We've just been calling it the White Coven, even after the reveal of Professor Atlas' heritage."

"Is he starting a new House?" Ada's expression shifted into one of consideration. "Already planning on expanding his influence even further… My, my, I must say I'm impressed by the new Lord Black."

"So far we know of three members. Likely four after the Yule Ball," Astoria continued. "Professor Septima Vector was the first and is his publicly accepted girlfriend. There are also whispers that she was the brains behind the initial idea of forming a coven at all.

"Other than Professor Vector, nothing has been explicitly confirmed by him. Professor Aurora Sinistra attended the Yule Ball with them. She likely joined at some point before or after that. But recruitment has not been limited to just the staff. There's the French Veela girl he saved. For obvious reasons. And the Lovegood Heiress seems to be awfully close with him. Rumor has it that she's even sleeping in his quarters."

"Don't forget the Girl-Who-Lived and the Smartest Witch of Our Generation," Daphne added, seemingly bored of this topic despite her contribution. "Heather Potter and Hermione Granger — a Muggle-born, Mother — are spending a lot of time with him due to the tournament. If I had to bet, they'll join the coven sooner rather than later."

"Oh~? Oh my~…" Ada practically purred as the possibilities presented themselves. "Competent Witches? Their own method of printing propaganda? Foreign blood and a connection to the Veela Clans? The Girl-Who-Lived? What more could a mother-in-law ask for?"

"That was entirely not the point of me bringing this up," Daphne rolled her eyes.

"My actual point was that you're going about this from the wrong angle, Mother. The contract may give us an 'in' but the rest of the coven would undoubtedly not side with us. I'd be joining at a disadvantage if I'm even allowed to join at all.

"And that's to say nothing about what entering a coven would mean for the continuation of House Greengrass. It's possible I wouldn't be Lady Malfoy, Lady Black, or even Lady Greengrass. Unless you want to leave the bloodline solely on Astoria's shoulders, certain arrangements must be made."

Ada smiled at her eldest daughter, "Sometimes I am just so very proud of you, Daphne. But you are missing a key piece of information. The Line Continuation clause of the contract. It was one of the only concessions your father was able to negotiate from that dead, slimy peacock of a Malfoy. Even joining a coven will not change the fact that your first child shall be Heir Greengrass."

"And I don't mind being Heiress Greengrass if you're too busy creating a new House to see to your duties, Daphne~" Astoria piped in with a singsong voice. "You'll just owe me a couple of nights with your husband-to-be~"

"Brat," Daphne deadpanned. "Why would he even want you? You'll basically be his little sister at that point."

"He's a Black," Instead of Astoria, Ada shrugged and said as if that one sentence answered everything.

Sadly, it kind of did. Daphne and Astoria both nodded their understanding. Then Astoria showed she wasn't as vapid and careless as she usually presented herself.

"So we're picking the winning side now, right? No more neutrality stuff?"

Seeing her mother's hesitation, Astoria continued, "I mean, think about everything you just said, Mother. In a mere half year since graduating, Atlas has become a respected Hogwarts Professor, killed some of the darkest Pure-Blood Lords around, created a coven, gained the allegiance of Heather Potter and at least one foreign Veela, sent the Pure-Blood political world into an uproar, and seems to be in the process of founding a new House to add to his still-growing voting bloc.

"Our House's neutrality isn't as useful as it once was. And now seems to be the perfect time to take a chance with an upcoming power. By some coincidence, the Black-Greengrass contract has already put us on that course anyway. If we throw all of our support behind him now, we'll reap all of the benefits. Medium risk, very very high reward. And that's not even mentioning the 'movement'…"

Daphne nodded, "Ah, yes… the 'movement'."

"What movement?" Ada asked, biting her lip as she turned her youngest's argument over in her head.

Daphne and Astoria exchanged looks, debating whether their mother should be told about the rising revolution that was brewing within the Hogwarts WWO forums.

Daphne only ended up saying one word as if it explained the whole 'movement', "Granger."

"Let's just say that the youth aren't too happy about Professor Atlas' trial. And that Hogwarts is currently hosting a contingent of foreign Witches with a very specific history…" Astoria said cautiously.

Ada drew in a breath, "The French…"

"And a good number of Russians," Daphne added.

"For your safety, Mother, ignorance may well be bliss in this case."

For a moment, Ada was silent, thinking. Then she nodded and changed the subject as if she hadn't just been told about the fledgling Granger revolution in roundabout terms.

"Yes, I believe it is time for House Greengrass to break its neutrality. This contract is a very good place for us to start. Don't let us down, Daphne."

Staring at her mother blankly, Daphne asked, "Don't I have a choice in this?"

"Of course, you do-…" Ada started to say.

Astoria interrupted her, cocking her head at Daphne, "You don't want to marry Professor Atlas? I thought you liked him with the way you two danced at the Yule Ball."

"I didn't say that," Daphne retorted. "I would just like the choice to get to know him before anything is set in stone."

"And you'll get it," Ada nodded. "But you will marry him. I've decided it is vital for the future of our House. Throwing our support in with this new House Black is already a gamble. I would very much prefer it pay off instead of blow up in our faces."

Daphne rolled her eyes, saying sarcastically, "Thank you, Mother. Not like I might have wanted a different outcome."

"You didn't," Ada observed keenly, seeing the emotions her daughter couldn't show. "You're perfectly fine with this outcome. In fact, I could say you hoped for it and you're only saying that out of some misguided sense of teenage rebellion."

Despite her icy expression, a hint of blush showed on Daphne's cheeks, "… Whatever."

Now, Ada was not cruel. She just knew her daughter better than she knew herself, even with how much they bickered about meaningless fluff. She saw the seed of a crush that could be nurtured into love. At the same time, she saw that the seed would be crushed or drowned with a heavy hand. So she moved along like she hadn't just poked Daphne's true feelings.

"Has anyone checked on the House Elves?"

"No, Mother~" Astoria answered cheerfully.

"Be a dear, Daphne. If I can't convince you to change, you might as well do something productive."

Daphne scoffs but internally, she was glad for the distraction. Still, as she walked toward the manor's kitchen that pesky teenage rebellion reared its head again. Daphne's practically frozen face split into a small smirk. With a wave of her wand, her spontaneous plan was put into action and her shirt was charmed in a way that would only make itself apparent at the perfect moment.

"Now to find my fishnets and shorten this skirt a couple of inches…"

IIIII

"-And she even managed to convince her tutor that setting fires was a completely normal Greengrass tradition! Ha! My little Astoria is the most entertaining child in the world! All I had to do after that particular incident was bail the poor tutor out of jail. Though… How Astoria convinced her to try it a second, third, and fourth time, I simply cannot comprehend…" Cygnus Greengrass laughed and laughed as we walked up the path to his home.

"That… actually explains so much about Astoria," I said, thinking back on all of the chaos she'd caused in class to get my attention.

Cygnus smiled proudly, "Yes, she truly is one of a kind, isn't she?"

There was only one correct answer in a situation like this, "Yes… Yes, she is."

Cygnus smiled and clapped me on the shoulder, proud as could be of his daughter. It made me wonder for a moment whether Daphne was as much of a troublemaker as Astoria, only less blatant about her mischief. Admittedly, I didn't know. She was a hard one to get to know and that was why I was looking forward to having an actual conversation with her.

The path we walked up was lined with tall hedges and green grass. It looped in on itself, intersecting here and there and seeming to go on forever, more of a maze than a straight line. I wouldn't want to walk up this thing every time I wanted to get home. I imagined it was some kind of Pure-Blood ritual or perhaps just Cygnus' eccentricity showing.

The rest of my group had begged off coming, citing things to do or some other excuse. Narcissa took Bella off of my hands for me. I might have preferred to have Septima with me but that didn't seem possible for this first meeting. 

Cygnus swept me along at his pace. He was an undeniably charming man and his excitement about his family was palpable. Just from talking to him for an afternoon, I felt like I was an old friend. And so, I was invited to his home.

We'd apparated straight here from the Ministry and were let in at the grand gate by magic. I could feel the manor's wards tickling the back of my neck as we walked through its grounds. They were old. They were powerful. And they were only tentatively accepting me for the moment.

Eventually, the tall hedges parted and the manor itself came into view. It seemed to be standard fare for a Victorian manor. Two stories, asymmetrical design, a steeply sloped roof, and constructed of stone and wood. Not quite a castle but the single tall turret-like tower that stuck out from the manor's backbone tried its best to dissuade that assumption. With the tower, the manor looked almost like a closed fist with a middle finger sticking out the top.

The weight of the wards grew as we approached the front door. They pressed down on my shoulders, their magic surrounding me in a way that wasn't quite threatening… yet. They recognized the magic in my Black ring but that didn't diminish them. If anything, they felt more ready to act now that a Lord was on their grounds.

Cygnus opened the door but I didn't move to enter with him just yet, "The, uh… the wards?"

He stopped himself, "Oh! Oh my, yes, Atlas. You'll have to excuse my absent mind. Nothing distracts me as much as talking about my girls, you understand? Atlas Black, House Greengrass welcomes you as a guest."

The weight of the wards suddenly felt welcoming as if to say, "Oh, why didn't you say so? Welcome in, dearie."

I pointedly didn't breathe a sigh of relief. If it was anyone else, I would have said forgetting about the wards was another Pure-Blood power game. But I couldn't bring myself to think that about Cygnus. He was simply too genuine for something like that, nothing like I was expecting from a Gray Pure-Blood. I'll be honest, I genuinely liked him.

I smiled at my new friend, "It's fine. Shall we?"

He grinned back at me, "Of course, Atlas! Come, come meet my lovely family."

We barely made it into the manor's foyer before we were greeted by that lovely family of his, "Daddy~!"

"Astoria!" Cygnus greeted his youngest daughter with equal enthusiasm.

A ball of white hair and joy, Astoria launched herself into her father's arms. Cygnus caught her and spun her around, laughing all the while. After a few moments of that, Astoria turned her attention to me.

"Hello, Professor Atlas~!"

"We're not at Hogwarts, Astoria. You can just call me Atlas."

She giggled, "Not 'big brother'?"

"We'll see," I hedged, not committing to anything.

"We will, Lord Black," An unfamiliar feminine voice said. "That is, after all, why we're here."

"Partially why," Cygnus jumped in. "We're also just socializing for socialization's sake. Atlas, I'd like you to meet my darling wife, Ada Greengrass."

"A pleasure, Lady Greengrass," I said as she approached me. "Atlas Black. Soon-to-be Heir Black once again, only this time I'll actually know that fact."

She eyed me curiously, "You don't wish to hold onto your title as Lord Black?"

I chuckled, "Not particularly. Between teaching and my other Houses, I have enough on my plate as is."

"Hmm…" Ada just hummed and extended a hand to me.

I stared at it for half a second before realizing the implication. When I did, I took her hand and bent down to lay a kiss on the air above her knuckles. Standing straight, she nodded, seemingly satisfied with my literal lip service.

I took the moment between speaking to observe Ada and Astoria. I already knew Astoria as her professor but this was the first time we were meeting outside of our usual setting. And I'd never seen her dressed in this manner. Her outfit was modest and old-fashioned but not stuffy. The long skirt of her crimson dress swished with her every movement.

Ada looked much like her daughter, except for the bright smile that was constantly present on Astoria's face. Instead, Ada's face looked like it was carved from marble by the most skilled sculptors. Her dress was different as well, much more form-fitting and clingy in a very elegant way. Its pitch-black color contrasted dramatically with her pale skin and hair.

"Where is Daphne, Dear?" Cygnus asked his wife, setting Astoria down so he could wrap her in a hug as well.

"The kitchens, Darling," Ada replied, laying a soft peck on his cheek. "I sent her to check on the food. She'll be joining us soon enough."

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" Cygnus declared. "Come, Atlas, sit and drink and you can tell us about how our little Astoria is doing in school!"

He took his wife onto his arm and led the way from the foyer into the dining room. I found myself escorting Astoria in a similar way. She clung to me, giggling, but surprisingly didn't invade my space too much for once. It was just something I noticed as I sat her down and took my own place at the elegantly understated dining table within Greengrass Manor.

Ada snapped her fingers and a bottle of wine appeared on the table before her. Another snap and the wine poured itself. Even Astoria got a small glass. One of the glasses was filled but left unattended — for Daphne, I assumed.

"So, Lord Black, tell us… How is Hogwarts treating you and our daughters these days?" Ada asked, sipping carefully from her glass.

"First of all, call me Atlas," I said, pausing to take a drink and gather my thoughts. How to tell a pair of loving parents that their youngest daughter was one of the most loveable little demons I'd ever met? Not on par with Luna but pretty close…

Astoria interrupted me before I could speak, "It's great~! Just before the Yule Ball, I managed to transfigure a cuppa tea into pure fire~!"

Cygnus looked fit to burst with pride but Ada just raised an eyebrow at her youngest, "Astoria…"

Astoria averted her eyes from her mother, giggling to herself and blushing, "Sorry…"

I sighed, "Unfortunately, she's not lying. She did, in fact, transfigure tea and a teacup into pure fire. Not set them on fire, mind you. But transfigure them straight into flames. Even Minerva was baffled by the development. I believe her leading theory right now has something to do with how heat is used in the tea-making process…"

"Hahaha~! That's my girl! And what of Daphne?" Cygnus asked eagerly, laughing at his youngest's magical blunder.

"Daphne's brilliant," I honestly praised. "She completes her assignments well. She answers questions and pays attention in class. She's quick as a whip with her wand and her wit in equal measure. Perhaps too quick of wit… I think some of her remarks cut deeper than she realizes."

"Not my fault the Ravenclaws aren't as smart as they think they are, the Gryffindors are more buffoon than lion (except for Granger, I suppose), the Hufflepuffs are more concerned with smoking their herbs than studying unless it's together, and many of my own housemates couldn't find their heads up their asses even if they were given a torch…" A monotone voice said from the dining room's entrance.

I turned to greet Daphne… and almost immediately swallowed wine down the wrong pipe.

"Daphne?!" Ada gasped, scandalized.

"Yes, Mother?" Daphne's responding tone was so bored that I could have assumed nothing was wrong.

"What are you wearing?!" Ada hissed.

What indeed… Daphne Greengrass was a study of white and black. Her hair — perhaps it was dyed? — Was as black as ink. Her eyes were shrouded in dark mascara and her lips were painted black. A plethora of piercings — so silver that they shined white — hung from her ears.

A thin black choker wrapped around her slender throat. A comfortable-looking black Muggle tee shirt draped her torso, complete with a cute skull over her heart. It was short-sleeved, revealing tattoos on her arms that I was sure weren't normally there beneath her robes. A black, pleated skirt covered her lower half, but only just. And what it didn't cover was crisscrossed enticingly by sheer fishnet stockings.

Cygnus and Astoria just looked confused, "Uh, Mother? You already saw her outfit earlier… Why are you confused now?"

While decidedly Muggle, nothing about Daphne's attire was outright offensive. Well, the tattoos might have been pressing the issue but they weren't what Ada and I reacted to. When I (and Ada as well, I assume) looked at Daphne's tee shirt, text flashed into existence on the back of a simple but clever spell.

"Break my choker."

Judging by their reactions, Astoria and Cygnus couldn't see the text. Daphne had spelled it there for mine and Ada's enjoyment alone. She didn't smirk but we could both see the amusement in her eyes.

"Yes, Mother, why are you so confused?"

From the way Ada sputtered, I had a feeling Ada didn't get flustered often. Cygnus only added fuel to the fire.

"Indeed, Dear. It's a bit Muggle but you know how Daphne is about these things. I think she looks wonderful! Why, I may even have to get one of those tattoos as well!"

Eventually, Ada settled into just glaring at her daughter and the spell on her shirt, forcing out through gritted teeth, "… Never mind. My eyes must be mistaken."

"Are your eyes mistaken as well, Professor Atlas?" Daphne asked, straight-faced as can be.

"Uh…" I hesitated, glancing at Cygnus. He didn't deserve to be a part of Daphne's prank. And she obviously agreed, excluding him for a reason. Astoria as well but that was likely because she wouldn't be able to keep the secret.

"Yes… yes, I believe they are. Must be the wine. I think I'll abstain for the rest of the night."

The corners of Daphne's lips twitched, "… Anyway, dinner's ready."

Cygnus, the wholesome man that he was, moved the conversation along like nothing had happened, "Splendid! Sit, Daphne. Let's eat!"

Daphne did and Cygnus clapped his hands, causing plates to appear before us via House-Elf-Express. The dinner itself was a simple thing. A roast, some assorted vegetables, a slice of bread, and a side of soup. The conversation was also kept simple as we ate. Except, that is, for the side-eyed glares Ada kept shooting Daphne's shirt.

"How was work, Daddy?" Astoria asked.

Cygnus laughed uproariously, easily compensating for the understated tension between Daphne and Ada, "Barely work as always, my dear! It was certainly interesting though! Atlas' parents were exonerated. Shameful business that. Good to see it being put right.

"And Atlas' voting bloc put forward some intriguing proposals and reforms. You should have heard the 'mot's reaction! Ha! Narcissa was as canny as ever but it seems she's found a new cause to fight for under Atlas."

"Oh? What kinds of reforms do you have planned, Atlas?" Ada asked, deeply interested in the politics of the Wizengamot.

I shrugged, "That's mostly Narcissa's area of expertise. I only advised her of how I expected her to act from now on. In this session, she focused on making things better for the Werewolves. I believe Half-Blood inheritance rights are next on our agenda, then Muggle-born discrimination after that."

"Interesting… Do you see yourself as a champion for the wronged in our society, Atlas?"

"I don't know if I'd say champion… But I'm certainly looking to shake things up in that regard."

"I see…" Putting aside her frustration for a moment, Ada glanced at Daphne.

Daphne replied with her gaze instead of words, seemingly saying, "I told you so."

"So, Daphne," I said after a moment of considering silence. "How did you get so into Muggle culture?"

"Tracy Davis," Daphne's voice was bland but not bored, something I was used to from our classes together. "She's a Half-Blood on her mother's side. We sometimes take expeditions into the Muggle world."

"I, uh, like the style you've picked up there," I complimented.

Again, Daphne smugly caught her mother's gaze, "Thank you, Professor Atlas. At least someone appreciates it…"

I chuckled awkwardly, feeling like I was caught between the mother-daughter pair, "Just Atlas, Daphne. I'm not your professor here. Hell, I'm not much of a real professor at Hogwarts either."

"That's not true!" Astoria cut in. "You're great~! Easily my favorite~! Your lessons make it feel like you actually get your students~! And you're so young~!"

"That's why I said that, Astoria," I explained, holding in a smile. "I'm not much older than either of you. I'm closer to a Seventh Year than a real professor. And I'll admit, sometimes that fact gives me a bit of Imposter Syndrome. Like I don't belong amongst the staff or like I didn't earn my position in the same way they all did."

"You belong," Daphne said firmly. "You wouldn't be there otherwise. Not like Dumbledore is an idiot. He wouldn't hire you for no reason."

I chuckled, "Albus is many things but I think I can agree with you on that. He's certainly not an idiot. A fool at times, maybe, and just as flawed as you or I. But he's not an idiot."

Ada looked at me with a calculating expression in her eyes, "You're close to Dumbledore? Close enough to count on his support?"

"I consider him a friend and he's said he considers me the same. Of course, working for him probably helps as well. And our goals happen to align in most things, just not the method in which they're achieved. Still, I'd venture he would be willing to stick his neck out for me if he had to."

At this point, Ada and Daphne seemed to be having a whole conversation between themselves, silently and with only the looks in their eyes. I left them to it. I'd been expecting something like this since Cygnus told me that his wife was the real power behind the Greengrass name.

Dinner came to a natural close and we adjourned to the family's sitting room, led by Cygnus' infectious smile. Two elegant Victorian-era couches sat at right angles from each other around a small tea table. As expected, I ended up next to Daphne on one couch while the other three Greengrasses crowded together on the other. The couch wasn't as comfortable as my Lazy Boy but that just fit the conversation I knew was coming.

Biting the bullet, I broached the subject first, "So… I suppose we should talk about the Black-Greengrass contract."

"What's there to talk about other than setting the date?" Ada asked rhetorically.

"Whether it's even happening at all?" I answered incredulously. "I'm not against the idea of an alliance between our Houses but surely there's a better way. Not that I wouldn't marry Daphne, of course. She's a wonderful young woman."

Ada shook her head in firm denial, "Nothing will tie us together as thoroughly as marriage. I need at least that much of a guarantee before I throw House Greengrass in with you and the changes you promise, Lord Black."

"Well, I won't outright marry someone I barely know if I can help it."

"Then we set up some kind of courting arrangement for the two of you."

"Won't people talk? A professor marrying his student so openly?"

"You are a Lord. Even when you return to 'merely' Heir Black, you will still be the Lord of House Malfoy, Parkinson, and Yaxley. It is well within your right to marry who you wish. The same goes for Daphne as Heiress Greengrass. Besides, the Pure-Bloods will understand."

"I have other lovers."

"We know."

Seeing that Ada would not be swayed, I sighed, "Fine… But I have one condition if we're going through with this. The metaphorical keys to the contract are to be left in Daphne's hands.

"No matter what happens, she makes the final decision. If she wants to marry me after we court for however long, I'll accept her with open arms. If she doesn't, that is entirely her choice and I will respect it. I expect you to do the same."

Ada thought for a moment, glancing at Daphne, "… That is acceptable. In return, I shall help with the courting arrange-…"

"No," I shot her down instantly. "We'll court and get to know each other at our own pace. If you believe Daphne is old enough to marry me, then you'll have to accept that she's old enough to handle dating."

I stared Ada down, not willing to budge on this aspect. Daphne snorted softly in humor beside me. Ada's gaze darted to her daughter. I don't know what she saw there but when she looked back at me, she conceded to my point.

Looking like she'd sucked on something sour, Ada obviously wasn't a woman used to giving up control, "Very well… I suppose these things can be left to Daphne's discretion. And I'm glad we could come to a… satisfactory agreement. To the future prosperity of our Houses."

I turned to Daphne, "You're okay with all of this?"

She came the closest to smiling that I'd seen yet, "Yeah… I can work with this. Thanks. For, like, thinking about my opinion and all…"

I returned her half-smile, "Of course, Daphne. I look forward to getting to know you properly."

"Wonderful!" Cygnus exclaimed. "Thank Merlin all of the stressful negotiations are done! I, for one, am exhausted! I think we could all use a little treat!"

"Cygnus, Dear," Ada said, rolling her eyes. "You didn't actually do anything. Atlas, Daphne, and I were the only ones negotiating."

Cygnus blinked, "Then why do I feel so stressed?"

Astoria giggled, adding her two cents, "Because Daddy is bad at being an adult and talking about adult things~!"

With an unrepentant grin for his daughter, Cygnus agreed, "Too true, my little Story! That's what I have your mother and older sister for! So you and I can enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed! With ice cream!"

Cygnus clapped his hands, summoning dessert via House-Elf-Express. Astoria cheered, more than eager to play along with her father's exuberance. Daphne and Ada rolled their eyes in sync, coming together for the first time I'd seen all evening.

I just smiled, enjoying the scene of a wholesome, loving family. I didn't get many chances to see something like this and I wanted all of the examples I could get for later in my life. Especially now that Septima and I were actively trying for a child.

My future family seemed to keep growing infinitely and yet, I couldn't bring myself to be annoyed with that idea. Perhaps it was only deserved to make up for a lackluster childhood. Whatever the reason, the Greengrass family was an example I was definitely going to take inspiration from.

The traditions and influences of the past could go rot. That was quickly becoming my motto and I would be remiss to not bring that same energy to my family. The old House Black, the blood purists who held Wizarding society by the scruff, weren't welcome in my future. There were better Pure-Blood families to take after. My coven, family, and new Pure-Blood House deserved nothing less.