A Delicate Balance

The Floo at Greengrass Manor flared up as Harry Potter stepped out of the fireplace. He involuntarily flicked his fingers as the soot vanished. He could immediately see the family resemblance as he saw the beautiful woman in front of him.

"Welcome to Greengrass Manor, Mr Potter," Elizabeth greeted him warmly.

"Thank you, Lady Greengrass," Harry smiled faintly, giving her a wrapped box. "Please accept this gift as a thank you for welcoming me into your home."

Elizabeth smiled as she accepted it and led him to the formal drawing room. When Harry entered, Cyrus got up from his seat and smiled. "Mr Potter, welcome to our home. It's nice to finally meet you."

Harry bowed slightly in respect as per their customs. "The honour is mine, Lord Greengrass," he said while moving to sit on the sofa.

"Daphne hasn't told us much about you, Mr Potter," Cyrus said after a pause. "She said she wouldn't betray your trust by revealing your secrets, even to us. We certainly understand that, and Elizabeth and I are happy that the two of you are getting along, but that hasn't made us any less apprehensive. You've been an enigma, of sorts, ever since that fateful night. I have never put much faith in the Boy-Who-Lived books, but I do have a few questions."

When Harry nodded, Cyrus took a deep breath and said, "I understand that Albus Dumbledore is your guardian."

Harry understood immediately. "There is no need to be alarmed, Lord Greengrass. The headmaster and I share a tense relationship. Believe me when I say I don't trust that man. I'm sure you were able to reach similar conclusions after Sirius Black's trial."

Cyrus nodded. He knew that Dumbledore had something to hide regarding Sirius Black. The old man had clearly known about Black's innocence, but there was no definite proof.

"However," Harry continued, "it is also a fact that Albus Dumbledore, the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, is one of the most politically influential people in the world. He is also my current magical guardian, even though he obtained the position using covert means. What you must know is that it is only a matter of time before I have someone else claim guardianship of me. After that, Chief Warlock or not, Albus Dumbledore will not be able to interfere in our affairs."

Cyrus and Elizabeth looked at each other. They were dealing with a cunning, manipulative boy. If they didn't know better, they would say that he was raised by a traditionalist family.

"My lawyers have gone through the betrothal contract, Mr Potter," said Cyrus. "And yes, there is no way out. Daphne may be handling this situation well, but that doesn't mean I would want to condemn her to a loveless marriage. My daughter is a very ambitious girl and I don't want her dreams to be shattered because of this predicament we find ourselves in."

Harry smiled slightly. "I don't expect anyone to give up their dreams for me, Lord Greengrass. I'm also stuck in the same betrothal contract against my will. I'll admit that I was very angry when I was informed about it, but Daphne and I have become friends over the past few months. I'm hoping that our friendship would strengthen over time, but I can assure you that I'm not interested in your daughter because of the money and influence she has to offer."

"You are surprisingly mature for your age," said Elizabeth slowly. "Not many eleven-year-olds would deal with politics the way you do, even for heirs of noble families."

Harry paused, wondering how much to reveal. "I was forced to grow up because of the manipulations of Albus Dumbledore, Lady Greengrass," he explained carefully. "You can read between the lines when I say that a magical child does not belong in a Muggle home. There were several incidents over the years which gave me a new perspective on things. I decided that I would not get crushed by anyone, especially not by the filthy Muggles that I am unfortunate enough to be related to."

Cyrus and Elizabeth were shocked. The Boy-Who-Lived was more traditionalist than anyone realised. Well, maybe not complexly; they didn't know him well enough to figure out his political views, not to mention he was still quite young for them to judge such matters. But one thing was certain. This young wizard was not a champion for Muggles like Albus Dumbledore had claimed him to be, which did ease their concerns a little.

"You say that you were raised by Muggles and yet you behave like a perfect pureblood," observed Elizabeth.

"I escaped my relatives when I was seven years old, Lady Greengrass," he clarified. "I've been living at Potter Castle, my clan's ancestral home, for the past four years. Dumbledore had no idea where I was and did his best to track me down, without success. Had the Ministry figured out that I was missing…"

He didn't need to finish that sentence. He knew exactly what would have happened to Dumbledore. The public would have been crying for his blood for losing their precious saviour.

"Well, it's nice to get things clarified," said Cyrus, as he stood up. "Please, let us adjourn for lunch."

Lunch for a joyful affair as the Greengrass elders dropped their serious masks and instead, smiled and laughed along with their daughters. Astoria, Daphne's younger sister, was quite astounded that she was sitting next to the Boy-Who-Lived. She kept asking him if he had really slain a dragon at the age of three and done the other heroic things. Daphne laughed when she heard Harry mutter under his breath about 'meeting his lawyers about those books.'

"I mean seriously," said Harry, shaking his head in exasperation. "How can a three-year-old boy tame or kill a dragon? If I spot a dragon, I'll get out there as quickly as possible. I don't have a death wish."

"Spoken like a true Slytherin," Cyrus laughed.

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