Chapter 6

Why are you being so stubborn about this? The boy will generate some much needed morale." Rufus Scrimgeour shouted. He was standing across from Albus Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office. This was the fourth time the new Minister of magic had come calling, and it was the fourth time he had requested to speak with Harry Potter.

The New Minister of Magic was a tall slender man with long shaggy hair and bright hazel eyes. His face was lined with several scars he'd received as an Auror, and his mouth was a perpetual scowl. Though he was in his fifties, the man still looked quite young, though the stresses of his office were beginning to show, as his light brown hair was graying considerably.

"Rufus, as much as I appreciate what you are trying to do for our people, your methods are little better than a puppet master." Dumbledore said calmly.

"Oh ho! This from the grandest puppet master of them all!" Scrimgeour said irritably. "Don't think I'm blind to what's going on."

"Enlighten me, If you please." Dumbledore said.

"You've got the boy eating out of your hand. He'll do whatever you tell him, so long as he believes it's for your so called greater good. And don't you dare deny that you are the leader of this phoenix business. I know that some of your people are in my Law enforcement. I know you kept us from capturing Black all that time. People are dying, Albus. We need every little bit of help we can get. If the people believe that Harry potter is helping us, supporting the Ministry, we might be able to save the situation!"

"The situation can not be saved by mere photographs and articles in the Daily Prophet as I have told you before. Something must be done, real punishments must be handed out. You would get just as much support from the public if you actually caught real Death Eaters."

"This isn't a game Dumbledore."

"I agree, it is not. You have several Death Eaters in your custody. I believe you should be having chats with them, with Veritaserum, and then dole out appropriate punishments, and I do not mean lifetime sentences in Azkaban. We've already been shown that the Dark Lord can go in anytime he likes and free whomever he chooses. We must thin their numbers, Rufus. Harry Potter is not going to help you with that. I think you will find his opinion of his government is very disheartening."

"You're talking about executions."

"Call it whatever you like, but the fact remains Voldemort has too many people on his side, and we have far to many people who are to afraid to rise against him. Perhaps with a few, Executions as you so eloquently put it, you might get the morale boost you so greatly desire."

"Fine." Scrimgeour said plainly disgusted with how the conversation had gone. "Play this game, Dumbledore. Allow more people to die. Keep your damned secrets, but I promise you, it will be the end of us all." Rufus Scrimgeour fastened his cloak tightly and went to the fireplace. "I will speak with the boy, one way or another, Dumbledore."

"I'm afraid his answer would be the same as I have told you."

Rufus Scrimgeour glared at the old man before stepping into the floo and disappearing in a flash of green flame.

Dumbledore sighed wearily once the Minister of Magic had gone. He looked at the new edition of the Daily Prophet that had been delivered by the Minister. The front page was emblazoned with the headline:

17 muggles kissed in Bristol. Dementors on the move.

Dumbledore knew he was running out of time. He wanted very much to work with the new minister, but all Scrimgeour wanted was something akin to Fudge's band-aid like solution. Dumbledore knew that simply parading young Harry Potter around in front of photographers was not going to alleviate the wizarding world's problem. Voldemort was elevating his attacks, and there was no one willing to do what it took to stop him, save a sixteen year old boy who was not yet ready to face his destiny.

Over the next few days, Daphne felt a growing sense of dread. On more than one occasion, she thought of canceling her looming rendezvous with Harry Potter. In her mind, Daphne thought of hundreds of scenarios. But she was so nervous and suspicious of Potter, that everything she imagined ended with hexes.

Tracey had been helping her compile a very long list of questions in which to ask the boy once he and Daphne were alone. But one thing weighed heavily on Daphne's mind. How would she be able to trust anything that Potter told her, or convince him that she herself was being honest.

Daphne could only think of one way to ensure complete honesty. But seeing as she would be very unlikely to get her hands on a couple of vials of Veritaserum, she was lost for any other ways in which she could ensure their honesty with one another.

Daphne already had the answer to her problem, and it came in the form of a bushy haired Gryffindor book worm in Ancient Runes the morning of her meeting with Potter. Daphne happened to look up from her book just as Hermione stepped in the door for class. She quickly got up and gathered her things. Tracey looked up, but before she could ask, Daphne had sat down next to Granger. Tracey hid a smile and went back to reading her own book.

"Granger, I need your…" Daphne seemed to cringe a bit. "Advice."

Hermione looked up at Daphne, a bit of surprise on her face, but there was something else there to. A look of anticipation. It was as if the intelligent witch had been expecting Daphne to speak to her.

"I will help as best I can." Hermione said softly.

"I'm assuming that you already know about my situation with your friend, Potter."

Hermione nodded, her face calm and slightly sympathetic.

"We have a lot of things to talk about, he and I, and I don't know how…that is, How can I…"

"Trust anything he says?" Hermione ventured.

"Yes. Thank you." Daphne sighed heavily.

"I think you'll find that this isn't the only thing the two of you have in common, once you begin talking, that is. But that isn't important now. Harry isn't going to just open up his life to you. He really distrusts anyone from Slytherin, a prejudice that you're going to have to overcome."

"Are you suggesting that I simply open up to him? Allow him to learn my deepest secrets?"

"No. He has to earn your trust as well. It would be very unfair to give him so much and not get anything in return. I would suggest starting small. I know it sounds silly, but keep it simple, favorite color, food, broom type. Don't rush things, or he'll clam up. Perhaps with time, he may trust you with things he's never said to me."

"You don't know everything there is to know about him?" Daphne hissed in astonishment.

"Harry is a very private person. And as I said, you can't just outright ask him. There's a lot he's ashamed of, things I've guessed at."

"Like what?"

"It isn't my place to tell you." Hermione scowled, protective of her friend's privacy.

"I'm sorry. These are things I should be asking him. But how can I show him that I'm being honest?"

"I don't have an answer for you. I wish I did. You're just going to have to be patient and let trust build over time. Or you could swear an oath, I suppose."

"An oath." Daphne slapped her head.

So it was that Daphne made her way to the seventh floor just before seven in the evening. She had thought hard all day about her conversation with Hermione and what she might ask of Potter, who was no where to be seen. She shook her head as she thought how she more or less expected Potter to back out of their meeting.

She stopped at the portrait of Barnubus the Barmy and looked all about. She checked her watch and saw there was still one minute left until seven. Daphne took a long calming breath trying to settle her nerves. She had thought of little else today, especially after her conversation with Granger. Daphne had been correct in approaching Potter's friend first. Granger had provided a good foundation in which Daphne could build upon. She had already figured it would be best to keep this first rendezvous as simple as possible. There was no need to go in with her claws out.

There were footsteps behind her, and Daphne whirled to see…nothing. She looked down the hall and could see no one. The she noticed a door that had not been there only a moment before. The door open of its own accord and Daphne let out a squeak of fright when Harry Potter's head appeared out of thin air.

"Come in." He said softly, motioning his head toward the open door. Daphne's eyes narrowed at the boy's head and walked as dignified as she could past. The door closed and Daphne found herself in a comfortable looking room with two large squashy chairs and a warm crackling fire.

Daphne turned to see Harry, his body visible now, and a shimmering, silvery cloak over his arm.

"Is this the Room of Requirement?" She asked.

"Yes." Harry said simply.

"This is where you trained all those people last year? I thought is would be bigger." she said unimpressed.

"It can be. It becomes whatever you need it to be. Right now, I needed a comfortable private place where two people could have a conversation."

"How does it work?" Daphne asked unable to stifle her curiosity. She looked to Harry who was watching her carefully.

"You simply walk in front of the wall, thinking of what you need three times, and the room appears. Shall we sit down, or would you prefer standing?"

Daphne took another moment to look about at the room. It was actually quite comfortable looking. Had it been a bit bigger and loaded with bookshelves, it might have been the library back home. Daphne had to admit she was impressed with Potter's taste in comfortable rooms.

When she took her seat, she had noticed that Harry had already seated himself, both feet firmly planted flat on the floor, and his hands folded in his lap. He was watching her carefully. She suspected he was trying to spot a hint of deception in her. She couldn't really blame him at this point. He was clearly expecting to be attacked, and Daphne realized she had a substantial amount of hurdles to get over with Potter.

"We have a problem, Potter." she spoke plainly.

"I'm quite aware of …" Harry began.

"No. I mean besides the contract." Daphne said. "We have a trust issue. I can't trust you, nor can you trust me. Our prejudices and our pride prevents us from believing anything the other person says. Am I correct?"

"You are. So how do we overcome this?"

"We have two options. Blind faith, in which we simply make the leap that the other is speaking honestly, and will keep the discussions to themselves, or we make a magical oath."

"An oath?"

"As I said, we have only these two options, unless of course, you know how to brew Veritaserum."

"It's an interesting proposition. As I don't have any ideas of my own, I guess a magical oath would be suitable."

"Good." Daphne said satisfied. She pulled out her wand and clutched it with both hands. She surprised to see that Harry had his wand out so fast. She hadn't even noticed him pull it out.

"I swear upon my magic that I will not attempt to do harm to Harry Potter and will answer any question honestly for the next hour."

There was a slight blue light around Daphne, which faded quickly. Harry looked impressed and repeated her actions and words. When the light faded. Daphne set her wand upon the small table in between them. She sat back easily, crossed her legs delicately and breathed a little easier.

"What would you like to know?" Harry asked as he too set his wand in plain sight.

"Well, I thought we might start simply. When is your birthday?"

Harry actually grinned at this. "July the 31st."

Daphne actually liked potter's smile. It was easy, and striking. A far better look for the boy who seemed to be constantly scowling or brooding.

"Mine is August 19th." Daphne said evenly. "I expect presents from you now. We are engaged after all."

Harry gave a little chuckle. He looked at Daphne for a moment. "I never would have guessed you had a sense of humor."

"Why would you think that?" Daphne asked curiously.

"Well, word around the castle is that you're a bit cold to people."

"That is true. They all call me the Ice Queen. It is a way to keep unwanted people away from me."

"Don't you care what people say behind your back?" Harry asked.

"Do you? You should know better than anyone that people will say whatever they like, no matter what you do. If they believe something about you, there's little you can do to change their opinion of you."

"I suppose you're right." Harry said thoughtfully. "I do get irritated when people are talking about me, especially when they're spreading rumors, but there's never anything I can do."

"Exactly. Why waste time worrying what the populace thinks when it only matters what you think about yourself. I came up with the persona of the Ice Queen to keep away people who were of no use to me. Especially boys. Most boys just see my physical appearance and don't care for anything else. It's gotten worse with every year, but they keep their distance at least."

"A well thought out plan." Harry admitted.

"Not entirely. It's made dating difficult. Any boy that I felt was worthy of my attentions was to afraid of me." Daphne felt suddenly self conscious. She had not meant to reveal so much, but somehow it had just come out. She needed to even things.

"What about you? Word has it you and Cho Chang were pretty heavy last year."

"You believe everything you hear?"

"Part of why I'm asking." Daphne said, crossing her arms.

"Truth is it wasn't meant to be. I don't think she was ever truly interested in me. I think she was seeking some kind of closure over her and Cedric Diggory's …" Harry trailed off.

Daphne saw something in Harry's eyes. A sort of guilt. Daphne couldn't think of why Harry might be feeling guilt, but thought best not to ask.

"May I ask what happened?" She asked Harry. "I mean how it ended?"

"She thought I was interested in Hermione and kind of fell apart. She wouldn't give me a chance to explain." Harry shrugged. "I kind of figured out later that she wasn't truly interested in me."

"I never thought of that.' Daphne said, more to herself.

"What's that?"

"Oh. I just never really thought about someone not being truly interested in you. You're the Boy-Who-Lived. The Chosen One. It never occurred to me that there's more to you, or rather…forgive me for saying…less to you than that."

"No one really does. As you said, people think what they like, no matter what we do to change their minds. There aren't many people here who know who Harry Potter really is." Harry said softly. The pain in his eyes was clear, even to Daphne. His Reputation was nothing to him.

"I never wanted fame, contrary to what you might have heard. I'm not some attention seeking miscreant. If that's who you were hoping I'd be, I'm sorry to say that person doesn't exist."

"That's good." Daphne said after several moments. "I have no interest in the Boy-Who-Lived. I'm not one of those simpering fan girls who huddle in class rooms talking about how cute you are, or how amazing you are. To me, Potter, your fame means nothing."

Harry gave another small smile that Daphne could not ignore. She found herself giving her own little smile, and silence fell between them. She had to give the boy credit. She had expected some kind of ego maniac or haughty celebrity type similar to Lockhart, but the boy before her was nothing like that. She couldn't figure out why she ever believed him to be that way. Perhaps it was the years of hearing Malfoy preach to all who would listen about the vile ways I which Potter used his fame to his advantage.

But that had changed during the course of their conversation. She was beginning to see something deeper than the façade the public idolized. Harry Potter was something else. Something Daphne could not yet identify.

Daphne's watch read that it was after eight now. She stood up, smoothing the front of her skirt. Harry stood as well.

"Well," Daphne said. "For our first meeting, I think this went rather well. Shall we say the same time next week, Potter?"

"That will be fine. I will see you here next week then." Harry nodded.

"Good. And next time, if you sneak up on me…we'll be having our conversation in the hospital wing." She gave a wicked little smirk and sauntered out of the Room of Requirement. Harry once again found himself watching the sway of the blonde Slytherin's hips as she walked away.

"Well, that could have gone worse, I suppose." Harry thought to himself as he donned the invisibility cloak.

"So how did it go?" Tracey asked excitedly when Daphne returned. The two girls went straight for their dorm to get away from prying ears, and were sitting on Daphne's bed.

"Fine. He answered everything I asked."

"Well, what did you ask?" Tracey asked, leaning forward excitedly.

"I know you want to know every little detail, but don't you think it's private. You know, something just between us?"

"I doubt you two got into that deep a conversation." Tracey remarked, giving her friend a look of disbelief.

"For your information, no we didn't. But that doesn't mean I'm going to tell you everything that happened. Suffice to say that for our first real encounter, he impressed me. That's all you need to know."

"You really are horrible to do this to me. I'm your best friend."

"Yes, and as such you should respect my privacy. This difficult enough without you prying into it."

"Fine. But promise me you'll tell me stuff eventually."

"Oh fine." Daphne sighed. "I'm going to bed now."

Daphne changed into her sleepwear, which was little ore than a thing tank top and some shorts. She went through her nightly ritual, brushing her teeth and washing her face before finally slipping under her warm blankets.

Yet she found sleep elusive. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Potter staring back at her. He was sitting in the same chair he had been earlier in the evening, smiling at her. She like how his easy smirk lit up his emerald eyes.

She found him confident, not cocky, as she had expected. He was obviously uneasy, but she had not given him any reason to let his guard down. She had been surprised at how candid he'd been while they spoke. To hear him talk about the fiasco that was Cho Chang was surprising. She had not expected him to talk about something like that, at least not in their first encounter.

Daphne suspected that Potter might be angry at himself for spilling to much. But he hadn't been the only one. Daphne had felt she'd divulged to much as well. But she had done a decisively good job at keeping the conversation center on him. She would have to be careful next time. Potter would surely try to focus on her.

Harry lay down heavily on his bed. It had been an enlightening evening. Though, he had admittedly learn very little about his future bride.

Still, the girl had sworn a magical oath just to put him at ease and then rested her wand in plain sight. It was an amazing show of faith as Harry could have not taken the oath.

He thought back through the evening. Ha had donned his invisibility cloak and gone up to await Daphne's arrival. She had come alone, and stared at the portrait waiting for Harry to arrive. It had given him the chance to see if she were setting him up. When nothing happened, and she began to look impatient, Harry had begun thinking of a room where they could be alone, and comfortable.

Daphne had nearly jumped out of her skin when Harry had thrown the cloak off his head. He had found it a bit comical they way she had tried to act as if she hadn't been startled. He watched her very carefully as she examined the Room of Requirement. He knew that she would enjoy it, and was happy to enlighten her in how to use the room. After all, Harry had no claim on the room, and there were plenty of places where he could secret himself away without fear of being disturbed. Somehow he thought Daphne didn't know the castle quite as well as he did.

The conversation itself was actually pleasant. Daphne had been very forthcoming with her answers, though he was aware the conversation had been focused on him. He would have to be aware of that next time, and try to learn more about her.

He was also a little stunned by her sense of humor. Daphne had joked about expecting presents now that he knew her birthday. She had made him chuckle, which seemed to be a hard thing to do these days but she had done it with a trifle of a joke. Were it not for the fact she was in Slytherin, perhaps they might have been friends all this time.

For the first time in several months, it was not Ginny's face harry thought of when he fell into sleep.

Harry awoke the next morning quite confused. He got showered and dressed and joined Ron and Hermione for breakfast. As he ate in silence, he thought about his encounter with Daphne from the previous evening. When he'd gone to sleep, he had not thought of Ginny, as he had since late July, when he'd arrived at the Weasley's home.

At that moment, Ginny walked in the Great Hall, escorted by Dean Thomas as always. Harry watched them pass and even returned Ginny's little wave. Something felt different now. He felt, conflicted, undecided. Harry wondered if it was a result of the Contract.

"Hermione, Is it possible that the marriage contract could influence my emotions?"

Hermione looked up a little oddly at her friend. "I don't think so. Why do you ask?"

Ron looked up from his plate, mouth bulging with eggs. "Was at?" He mumbled through the food.

"It's just, well…I feel different. Confused." Harry admitted, his face burning.

Hermione glanced down the table to where Dean and Ginny sat with some of Ginny's friends, and a knowing smile began forming.

"I take it your night went well with Greengrass?" She asked slyly.

"You met with the Slytherin?" Ron asked incredulously. "I thought you were with Dumbledore or something."

"Yes, I met with Daphne, and how is it any of your concern?" Harry asked angrily.

"That's not how you're going to win over Ginny."

"Ron, In case you haven't noticed, Ginny's with Dean. Besides, Harry's betro…." Hermione began.

"Shut it!" Harry hissed loudly. Several heads turned to stare at the three friends, who tried to pretend there was nothing going on.

"Look, I went to talk with Daphne. It's really none of your business." harry whispered.

"What if she gets Malfoy or some of the other snakes? Who's going to have your back?" Ron asked sourly.

"I can take care of myself, you know. I don't need a babysitter." Harry said venomously. He got up and stormed out of the Great hall.

"I'm just trying to look out for him." Ron said a little angrily.

"Ron, Harry has got a lot to deal with. Can you even imagine what it would be like to not be with who you wanted to because your parents made other arrangements?" Hermione asked, staring at the doors Harry had just left through.

Ron looked at her then. He could feel a warmth spread in him that he always felt when he really looked at Hermione. He wanted to reach out and take her hand in his and tell her everything he'd been feeling since fourth year when he'd begun to realize what was happening.

But he didn't. instead he took a breath and pushed it all down inside. There was no way some one as great as Hermione would ever return his feelings. She was to brilliant, to gorgeous. She was far more than he deserved.

How could she ever see him in the same way that he saw her. He had been trying very hard this year. He was studying much harder, and he was constantly biting his tongue just to avoid arguing with her. Yet, he just couldn't bring himself to admit to her how he felt. Ron simply couldn't bear the rejection.

So he kept his feelings to himself, and tried to pretend it was nothing. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Hermione's friendship. She was much to important to him to risk losing over some silly feelings.

"Alright everyone, good practice." Harry said to his team as they touch down after practice. "I think we're going to do really well this Saturday. That's it. Get a shower and some rest." He said dismissing them.

The team began heading up to the Locker rooms when Harry had a sudden urge. He couldn't explain it, he just knew he had to act.

"Ginny, could you hold back a minute?"

The red head Fifth year turned and gave a sweet smile that made Harry quiver.

"Sure Harry."

"I…I wanted to ask, that is, I…" Harry stammered.

"What is it Harry?" Ginny asked, growing concerned.

Harry sighed and ran his hand through his already messy hair. He hadn't know what had come over him, but now he wished he'd not said anything and let her go. She stared at him with her bright blue eyes, a look of worry on her face. Harry had no choice.

"I know this is embarrassing, but I have to ask, how serious are you and Dean?"

Ginny's expression hardened instantly.

"Did Ron put you up to this? I'll hex his bits off." Ginny said, preparing to march up to the locker rooms.

"No. I'm asking.' Harry said, reaching out to hold the angry redhead back. "I'm asking for me."

Ginny stopped dead and turned back to look at Harry. His cheeks could have lit up the night with as red as they were. He was staring at the ground and nervously shuffling his feet.

"Wow." Was all Ginny could say.

"Yeah. You know what, just forget I asked anything. I don't know why I did."

"Harry, you have no idea how I wanted to hear you say that. If it had been last year, I would have thrown you to he ground and snogged you until you couldn't see straight. But a lot has changed."

You've no idea, Harry thought.

"I got to truly see you last year. I was able to put aside my ridiculous idea of who you were and really see you, Harry. I think you wonderful, and any girl would be lucky to have you. But that girl isn't me. I've grown up, and my feelings for you have changed, Harry."

Harry felt strange. He had never expected to hear this from Ginny. It was widely remarked on how Ginny felt about him. Or rather, had felt about him. He didn't know what he had expected, but this hadn't been it.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I just don't feel like that about you anymore. I'm so very sorry."

"It's ok Ginny. Really. To be honest, it never would have worked out, but I needed to hear it."

Ginny looked taken aback. "If it wouldn't have worked out, why did you ask about me and Dean?"

"I'd like to tell you, but I don't know if you'd believe it. In fact, I don't believe it, but it's happening."

"Harry, we're friends. That's not going to change. You've become one of my greatest friends. I thought you knew you could trust me. You did share the Prophecy with me."

"I suppose you're right. Ok. Here goes." And Harry began to fill Ginny in on everything, from his growing feelings for her, right down to the Betrothal Contract though he did leave Daphne's name out of it. Ginny remained calm, though she came close to tears as Harry revealed how he'd been feeling for her. She couldn't help wishing it had come one year earlier, but she had matured, and her childish crush on the Great Harry Potter had fallen away as she had begun dating other boys.

It was through those experiences that helped her chip away the rose colored image of Harry and see who he truly was. As it fell away, she became more comfortable around him and they had been able to speak and truly become friends. And then one day her crush was gone. Her romantic feelings were replaced by more family like emotions. He had become another brother, one that she proudly stood beside in the Department of Mysteries.

Ginny Weasley's dream of marrying Harry Potter had evaporated into nothingness.

"When did you learn of the contract?" Ginny asked, trying to brush aside the mourning of her childhood.

"On the train. It's pretty much unbreakable."

"Oh, Harry I can't imagine what you're going through. Is she at least nice?"

"I don't really know that yet. We've only just begun getting to know each other." He admitted.

"Is she pretty?" Ginny asked slyly, nudging Harry with her shoulder.

"Yeah, she is. I guess I got lucky there."

"Well, I suggest you let her see the real Harry Potter. I know things are really screwed up for you, but you can make this into whatever you want it to be. You have to decide."

"Do all girls believe in the fairy tale ending?" Harry asked chagrined.

"It's our nature to believe in the power of love, Harry. Contrary to what you might believe, there is truly no magic stronger. You just have to open up your heart and believe it's possible."

With that, Ginny Weasley went into the girls locker room.

Harry stared at the door for a moment before going into the boys locker room. As he changed he thought about everything Ginny had said. Her feelings had changed, and she was no longer interested in him. It had hurt to hear, but Harry knew that he needed to hear it, and needed her to say it.

Harry was unsure why, but he had a strange feeling that something was about to happen.