Chapter 97

Almost as soon as the young Potter heir did so, a feeling of dread welled up inside of him. The Head to the House of Greengrass suddenly seemed much more imposing then before. It was only thanks to his acute senses that he managed to figure out what was happening to him.

Magic. The chair had been charmed to somehow increase the negative emotions a person was experiencing. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it increased ones perception of dread that many people likely felt when in the Lord Greengrass' presence. Harry suspected Nathaniel Greengrass used this as a means to judge others and take advantage of their distracted state when they were doing business.

Harry stilled his mind and pushed back. He would not allow himself to be beaten by such a simple trick when there was so much on the line.

"Tell me, Heir Potter," Nathaniel did not look up from his work. "Why should I let my daughter go with you for her school supplies? Why should I let her spend any time with you at all?"

This man certainly did not beat around the bush. Harry was very glad he had spoken with Andromeda before hand and knew the man would do this, otherwise he may have made an attempt at small talk and destroyed any hopes he had of helping his friend gain some freedom.

"Because while the Ancient and Most Noble House Potter has been reduced to a single member, the name still carries much weight, both within the wizengamot and magical Britain as a whole," Harry did not hesitate to answer. "There is also the fact that The-Boy-Who-Lived is an international icon, known not just in Great Britain but all of Europe for the defeat of the Dark Lord who went by the title Lord Voldemort when he was but a year old. To not allow your daughter to accompany me could stain your reputation for the light families who will see this as an insult to me, as well as the darker families who are wondering why you are not taking advantage of your daughter's friendship with me."

Harry was not surprised when Nathaniel Greengrass did not even so much as flinch at the mention the Dark Lord's name. Not even a facial twitch. The man truly was as dead as people said.

"Even if an alliance between our two houses is not beneficial to you right now, given some of the families you are currently doing business with, it is never a good idea to burn down any bridges in this day and age."

This was the speech he and Andromeda had prepared for this moment. Ever since Harry had received a reply to his letter, asking for his presence at Greengrass Manor, the two of them had been working on a speech that would convince Nathaniel Greengrass to, if not ally himself with Harry, than at least leave the door open.

"Alliances in this day and age are never set in stone. Betrayal and backstabbing by people you are allied with who have their own political agenda and desires that run counterproductive to yours is not uncommon. Most battles are fought not with wands anymore, but with words and a combination of blackmail, favors and strong arm political maneuvers. But I am sure you already know that well, my Lord."

"I do," Nathaniel finally set down the quill he had been using to write with aside. He looked up into Harry's eyes, and as those dead blue irises met his own, the young heir to the Potter fortune just barely managed to contain his shudder. "Tell me then, what is to stop you from betraying me if I allow this? What's to say your entire reason for getting close to Daphne is not to use me and betray me at the last second."

This, right here, was why Harry had to tread very carefully with the Head of the Greengrass family. Anyone else would have never given a thought to this, never suspected that a child, even one as well learned and intelligent as Harry obviously was, could possibly think up the idea of getting close to a political adversary and stabbing them in the back later. This man would. He would not underestimate Harry because of something as simple and redundant as his age.

"Daphne," Harry answered immediately. It was only one word, but he knew that someone like Nathaniel Greengrass would understand the implications of what that single word, a name, meant.

"You care for her," it sounded almost like an inquiry, but Harry knew it was not.

"I do," there was no point in lying. Lord Greengrass would detect a lie the moment it issued from Harry's mouth.

"And yet you have not offered a bride price for her," Nathaniel countered, just like Andromeda knew he would. To him, Daphne was nothing more than a bargaining tool to be used and sold off in order to help his house ascend to new heights and grow in power.

"Because we have not gotten to that point in our relationship," Harry answered. Now came the most important part of this entire discussion. "Daphne is someone whom I have only come to know within the last nine months. I would like to think we have already established a connection, but our relationship remains rocky at best. And before deciding on marriage, I would like to discover whether or not the two of us would work."

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