Chapter 1: A Stroke of Potter Luck

This is the rewrite. Ch1 remains more or less same. Changes from CH2

A STROKE OF POTTER LUCK

This changes everything. This just can't be happening. I thought looking at the damned piece of paper. It was more like a book. It was true then, 'The battle plan only survives the first encounter with the enemy.' One of the reasons I never planned anything. It was always Go with it, Potter.

And who the hell sets such ridiculously notorious standards on a marriage contract that it didn't even get activated for 400 years? Like really! I can tell one thing though, FLEAMONT POTTER was a jerk.

Oh god, he as much as went to set a standard for girl's breast size. I am just thinking about how much my fiancé's father was embarrassed when he received the contract. I sighed. I checked the time. They were late. Purposely I supposed. Wouldn't have wanted me blowing up in their face, would they now? I closed my eyes, using my Occlumency to remember who Daphne Greengrass. It did bring back cherished moments of my life at Hogwarts. Hogwarts had been nice.

Greengrass then. Little I knew about their family. They didn't support Grindelwald. But a lot didn't. You see, Brits saw him as a foreigner trying to impose his will over their country. I wonder how a dark lord was able to incite a feeling of nationalism within wizarding Britain. Oh, it did help that the Muggles were against Grindelwald's friend-pawn Hitler. Voldemort was a little more subtle on recruiting, so I didn't know. But Dave

Greengrass unnerved me a bit. I heard that name somewhere. Where?

"Lord Peverell," It was a heavy voice. Calm and commanding at the same time. Something told me whoever he was, he was irritated. If I had to make a guess, it should be Lord Dave Greengrass. Regardless, even before he had started speaking I had opened my eyes, survival reflexes. He stood tall, donning Acromantula robes. His jet-black hair smoothened down and his brown eyes boring into mine. Beside him stood a blonde-haired woman. Lady Greengrass, I assumed. And another girl. A younger blonde. Younger than I expected my fiancé to be.

I stood up and bowed. Damn Traditionalists. "Lord Greengrass, I presume?"

Of course, who else would goblins allow to enter in the marriage chamber? "You may be right, Lord Peverell..." He trailed off as he looked into my eyes. Trying to intimidate me, huh? Not of any use. He continued when I didn't flinch or whatever else I was expected to do. "Meet my wife, Lady Annette Greengrass and my youngest, Astoria Greengrass." My unfaithful eyebrows shot up in surprise. Who the hell brings their younger daughter to discuss their elder daughter's betrothed.

Regardless I greeted them and placed a kiss on their knuckles. Then, I also had to shake hands with Lord Greengrass. He had a firm hold. Mine was firmer.

"I wish we had met on better terms, Lord Peverell."

No, you wish we never met. If his eye's twitch was anything.

I smile unabashedly. "Regardless, we should make the best out of it." At this, Lady Greengrass smirked along with my to-be-sister-in-law. Nail in the head. Slytherins. Damn predictable.

Lord Greengrass just gave a nod.

"You know Dad, just drop your facade. We are going to be family after all, and there's nothing you can do about it," Astoria spoke. Ah! I like this one...

Lord Greengrass looked horrified and squirmed a bit while Lady Greengrass.

Oh yes. The contract was ironclad. I chuckled loudly and decided to put an end to his misery. "Good thing you brought my to-be-sister-in-law."

"Oh! I always wanted a brother to annoy!" Insufferable brat! How the hell did she end up in Slytherin? I was sure she ended up there as she wore Hogwarts robes.

Lord Greengrass grinned dropping his aristocrat attitude, "You dug your own grave young man."

Indeed. But, I was liking this family. My family. One I never had, though I had, and always wanted one I didn't have. Uh! Never mind. A smile crept on my face. "Call me Harry."

"Of course. And, you may do the same to us," Lady Greengrass smiled. "It's a bit relief that you aren't sticking to the traditions. We only follow them in bureaucratic parties."

An annoying cough took our attention to the goblin sitting behind the desk.

"Shall we?" I asked, not wanting to further angry the goblin. Snarky creatures. You see, I always held a calm, composed and respecting personality when I wasn't on a murdering rampage.

After receiving nods, I made my way to the right side of the table while they went to the left side.

"Let's not further waste time of Sir Griphook, and get straight to the point," I said giving a nod to the goblin. He wasn't surprised. I always showed him the same respect but I could tell the Greengrass were. "Were there any questions, that you wanted to ask?" Of course, what else did we meet? The damned contact was ironclad.

"Are you virgin?" Astoria asked. Subtle. Very subtle. I was prepared, though. I would have been quite saddened if she didn't stand up to my expectations. You see, I didn't like to be wrong. Griphook looked amused. Bloody sex-loving goblins.

I chuckled. "No, Astoria." While Lord Greengrass glared at her youngest. Astoria was little put out when I didn't react much. Probably wanted to embarrass me. Probably? Who am I kidding? Definitely wanted to embarrass me. And, as if I was gonna tell the truth. The contract had nothing to with virginity of either.

"Forgive my daughter. Tori is a bit – "

"Gryffindorish?" I jabbed back receiving a glare from the said girl.

"I was going to say bubbly, but your description is more apt, Lord Peverell." He chuckled.

"Harry," I corrected.

"Not fair," She huffed. I didn't know who she was. Damn, I didn't remember even if her sister was in my year. The Lone Gryffindor! That's what they called me.

"May I ask though, how did this contract activated two years later than it should have?" Lady Greengrass asked curiously.

"Who knows?" I snorted. "The clauses are quite ridiculous." Maybe your daughter grew up standard breast size for activating the contract.

Lady Greengrass looked quizzically at me while Lord Greengrass turned red. Uh-oh! He didn't tell his wife about the clauses.

Griphook cleared his throat, his eyes shining in mirth. "I believe that the contract got activated when Lord Peverell took his job at the Ministry. The contract states that both the parties should earn more than hundred galleons a month apart from their family businesses."

Thank God for my good goblin relations. I really didn't know which clauses to reveal without embarrassing her or me.

"I believe we should dissolve the post-marriage clauses, Lord Greengrass." I asked avoiding the questioning gaze of Astoria. She was cunning too. More than her mother. Shouldn't have called her a Gryffindor. Whatever payback she planned would be a bitch. How did I know? Experience.

"Call me Dave, Harry. And, yes I agree to that."

Of course, you do. They were more ridiculous than all the contract standards. Sex on the floor? I didn't mind doing it but putting it as a post-marriage clause? My idiotic ancestors. How the hell Fleamont Potter got the then Lord Greengrass to sign it, I would never know.

"Yes Dave, that would be for the best." Only this clause could be dissolved. And it would avoid the awkwardness of my life after marriage. Scratch that! My life would still suck.

"What those would be?" asked Lady Greengrass.

Griphook coughed again. I do pay him well. "Quite a few actually. Regarding what type of clothing to wear. Quite ridiculous. It would be wise to dissolve them." Griphook missed mentioning when to wear them and what to do after wearing them. Though I was more than grateful. It looked like Lord Greengrass was too. "Onto business?" Griphook asked.

I nodded my agreement and we soon signed another contract dissolving the clauses.

"Harry, we were wondering if you would like to meet Daphne?"

I get a choice! Wow! I almost rolled my eyes. Almost.

"Sure, Lady Greengrass," What was her name? Anna?

"Excellent! Be a dear and call me Annette, Harry!"

Oh yes, Annette. I scolded myself. I never did such mistakes on the job. This was the first time I came unprepared for a meeting, only because it was in Gringotts and I landed in England today. It was an inky option for me to move all the way from South Africa. Bloody laws...

"Lord Peverell," Dave started. I didn't correct him. He was being necessarily formal. I could tell.

He hesitated, "Daphne would like to keep her job after marriage."

"Hmm. I am quite comfortable with it. What does she do, anyways?" Duh! Who am I to stop her from working!? Oh, Head of her House.

"She works at Department of Mysteries. Doing god knows what."

I didn't hear the end of the sentence as I zoned out. Dave Greengrass was Captain of Griffin Team. Undercover Agent in the Department of Mysteries! Damn it! No wonder I didn't realise earlier. No one uses a name in their department. Wearing impervious cloaks and hoods. Then how do I know? I shouldn't know actually! This shouldn't be a problem. I hope!

"That's quite good actually," I commented putting up a smile which didn't look quite fake. At least I hoped so.

"What do you at the Ministry, Harry?" Astoria asked. She was observing the whole debacle.

"Oh, I lead the Invisibility Task Force and Muggle-Worthy Excuse Department. It is relatively a newer Department. They wanted to separate the Obviation Headquarters. Quite a busy department these days." Of course, it was a busy Department these days, with Tommy boy leading the army of idiots against the Muggles and Wizarding society alike. It was more of a cover job anyways.

"Ah, yes." Dave grimaced.

"Is there anything else?" Griphook asked.

I shook my head. Lord Greengrass just gave a nod to me before standing up, his family following.

"We shall take our leave then, Lord Peverell," I shook hands with him.

:::STUCK AMONG UNSPEAKABLES:::

Daphne sighed. Now for weeks, she knew that the contract was ironclad. Nothing would change it. Her father had tried her best to nullify it, but it seemed it wasn't possible.

"Can I atleast know who is it?" She asked her father in the comfort of the Greengrass Manor. Her father had forbidden her to see the thrice-damned contract or even know the name, reasoning it would be well if he didn't end up dead. She couldn't fault that logic.

"Lord Hadrian 'Harry' Peverell, and before you kill him, he did agree to let you work... We didn't dissolve that clause in the contract," her father said as he put aside a leather-bound book.

"And what should that mean to me? It's just a name." She snapped. It was thought to be an extinct line and she knew was going to marry a Peverell. She shuddered thinking it might have been the Dark Lord as Gaunt family did claim to be a descendant of Peverell line. It looked like it was a hell of a contract.

Her father nodded solemnly. He looked troubled, Daphne didn't comment. It all looked fishy.

He sighed finally. "We did all we could, it gave you few months before you both face the repercussions."

"Can I see the contract?" Daphne asked, knowing the answer. For some reason, her father didn't want her to know what was written in it. She did trust his judgement though.

Her father pointed at the leather-bound book with an amused look.

"THAT IS THE CONTRACT? Bleeding Hades!" She swore, it was more like an old textbook no one would read seeing the sheer size of it. "What the hell?"

Her father chuckled, "I would rather not have you read it. It isn't quite..." He trailed off, not knowing how to put it in words. She accepted it nonetheless. "Moreover some clauses were written in French, German, and even Gaelic." Her father commented shooting a glare at the book.

Daphne knew her father hated Gaelic runes and he must have required to translate them. "What do we know about this guy?"

He sighed, "Not much really. As a Greengrass, we know absolutely nothing."

Daphne narrowed her eyes.

"As Unspeakable Captain, it still took me hell of a work to gather information. From what I know, he studied all around the world, couldn't find his NEWT results and this is what I found, his OWL results." He passed her a piece of parchment.

Her eyes widened. It read, "PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL". What she could tell was, he held a lot of power and they knew almost nothing about it. Maybe, if she could use the Unspeakable resources...

"Don't bother Daphne, I already tried," he father reassured her, even before she voiced her opinion. He was an Undercover Agent after all.

Daphne shook her head, "Something is wrong! How can he hold so much power in the Ministry if he just appeared!"

"ICW is definitely involved," her father said as he rubbed his eyes.

"Peverell is the only remaining Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Britain, unless you consider House Slytherin, which is almost non-existent."

She snorted. Of course, it was non-existent, it wasn't as if the Dark Lord would show up in the Wizenegamont. It would probably a sight with Nathaniel Potter as star Auror, as the Prophet praised him. Apparently, he took down a Senior Auror on the first day of his job. It was a bit of a joke.

Defence education in Hogwarts was almost non-existent and she was sure Unspeakable training was much harder than Auror training, he was only good because he had apparently taught his gang of merry-men under Umbridge during their NEWT year. His father was surely a formidable duellist and a respected Captain Auror, but she was sure, her father could beat him as easily she could swipe floor with younger Potter. But he was much more competent than the rest of the idiots. And was even easy on eyes. Daphne scolded herself at her resurfacing crush. And asked a question instead, "You said he works in the Ministry?"

"Ah yes, he is the Head of Invisibility Task Force."

"The new Department? What goes on over there?" She had no idea what they did, only that they needed a separate Department because of an increase in need of Obliviators was crowding the old one. It was an odd department.

"It is a team of warders and curse-breakers," her father replied as he pulled out two glasses and a bottle of Firewhiskey. They rarely drank during the day, but she felt herself needing one.

"Huh?"

"Oh Daphne, where are you living? They were the ones who upgraded wards in the Ministry, and St. Mungos. While their basic concern is to hide the Ministry and Wizarding ventures like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade from Muggles, they did put up pretty powerful wards all around the Ministry. Even our department doesn't have any warders."

Daphne scowled at that. Nathaniel had infiltrated their Department, with school friends fighting for some Prophecy that too in her seventh year, from what she knew. She gulped down a nice measure of Firewhiskey.

"He is not a Death Eater as far as we know," her father said he finished his glass. "He was actually pretty nice sorta guy but..."

He let out a long sigh and got up from his desk and moved towards the door before pausing, "Your mother arranged a date with him, for tomorrow..." And he was gone. He was in no state to deal with his angry daughter and would allow his wife to do so.

Daphne scowled at the door. She knew it would come to this, but didn't want to go, as if it would make it more real. Oh, at least she would have her job. She would try and make it work she decided. Hopefully, that would be enough.

::::STUCK AMONG UNSPEAKABLES::::

"Do you think he will be late?" Annette asked her husband.

"I doubt that Anne," he replied remembering the polite man he had met yesterday.

"He better not be," Daphne scowled crossing her arms.

Dave snorted, "Your mother had the idea to make him wait at the bank, he hardly objected."

"As if he would!" Annette too crossed her hands, looking as stubborn as her daughter.

"We were an hour late, Anne dear."

Daphne chuckled, it was something she would do too. She wore a white dress that hugged her quite nicely. She knew herself to be beautiful.

It wasn't long before she felt a disturbance in the wards. He was on time. Exactly on time. She sighed and approached the door, normally it would be their elf to greet the guests but today was special.

She pulled open the door to see two mesmerizing green orbs gazing at her, his facial features were a bit familiar. His royal blue drees robes hung loosely, around his toned body. She gazed back at her handsome face and flushed as she realized that she was indeed checking him out, she saw a scar, then it clicked.

"Potter?" She choked. The infamous Potter twin... "Explain!"

He chuckled despite the obvious venom in her voice, he raised his hands in surrender. "If you allow me."

Daphne nodded stiffly, her wand had jumped into her hand before she leads him inside.

While her mother looked a bit confused but she knew what was going on, her father was on the edge, she could see his wand in his hand.

"Yes, my name is Hadrian 'Harry' Peverell, and I was once known as Harry James Potter," Harry replied calmly seeing the hostile look Dave Greengrass was giving him. "No, I am not a Death Eater, nor I support Voldemort."

"Why did you leave?" Daphne asked angrily, she knew him personally before he went all bonkers and left Hogwarts. They weren't friends as such. They shared the Arithmancy class. He was always soft-spoken, and she could see not much had changed. He was the only Gryffindor who acted more like a Slytherin, and the only boy outside Slytherin dared to talk to her in Hogwarts. He was quite intelligent too from what she remembered. Literally, a wolf in sheep's clothing. A Slytherin in Gryffindor.

"Ah, my parents under the guidance of GREAT Dumbledore, thought it would be a good idea to make my brother the Potter Heir..."

"So, it was just jealousy?" Daphne asked him incredulously. But she couldn't fault him too, he must have been always ignored in favour of his brother.

"No," Daphne could see him relax as soon as he tensed. "The problem was, I was already the heir."

Daphne's eyes widened, "You were disowned..."

Harry snorted lightly, "I really wouldn't have left Daphne, if they weren't so deep in Dumbledore's ar-" He cut himself as he looked at her parents and blushed lightly.

Daphne could see her mother was amused while her father was seething in anger. He knew how it felt to be disowned. He too was disowned by his father before his grandfather named him the heir against the wish of his father and disowning his father. It was quite a spectacle. She knew from a father that he would have preferred death rather. It almost cost him his old job, that of an Auror.

Harry cleared his throat with his face still red, he asked "You get the meaning... Umm.. Can we please get wands out of the way?"

Daphne realised she was still pointing her wand at him, so was her father.

"Apologies, young Lord," her father began respectfully, as he sheathed his wand. "Forgive our hostility..."

Harry waved it off before he smiled, "One can never be too careful during these days."

Daphne agreed but didn't voice her opinions.

"May I enquire about your OWL results, Lord Peverell? They were non-existent" Dave asked curiously.

Harry frowned, "Please call me Harry. The results were declared Private and Confidential to protect my real identity, but I don't see any harm to disclose them now, I got O in all but History, Care of Magical Creatures and Defence. I had A in them.."

"Wait. Why didn't anyone make the connection yet then?" Annette asked him. Daphne too wanted to know this. While Harry didn't look like a carbon copy of Nathaniel or James Potter, anyone who knew him before 'he went bonkers' could make the connection.

Harry smiled and pulled out a crystal which hung on his neck. He pushed a button on it and his facial features morphed, his cheeks were elevated and his nose changed a bit, it was enough to hide his identity as Harry Potter. He pushed it again and he was Harry Potter again. "Now the illusion is visible to everyone but a few specific people."

Daphne would be an idiot if she wasn't impressed. It was clearly a masterpiece, probably costing a few thousand galleons.

"I believe you both must take your leave," Annette said as she glanced towards the clock. "The interrogation can wait."

Harry chuckled, "I am so doomed.." Her mother's grin was anything but innocent. It was quite feral actually.

Dave smiled, "We will see you both later."

Daphne was sceptical about it but agreed.

"Shall we?" Harry offered her a hand. She took it and gave a nod. Soon they were outside the wards.

"Are we apparating?" She asked. She wasn't quite fond of the side-along apparition.

"Kinda," Then she felt and a shift and they appeared in some Alley. There was no pop or nauseating feeling, she was familiar to, it wasn't apparating. She looked at him questioningly.

"It is called Shifting, I learned it from a Saint in Himalayas," he replied smiling as he leads her. "I will teach you someday if you want to learn."

Daphne nodded and looked around. They were in France.

"Crystal Alley?" She often came here with her parents, but they usually took an international Portkey, apparating across borders wasn't really comfortable due to heavy wards around the borders, but they went across with ease. Too many surprises in one day.

"I lived here back then," He replied, not giving much information. "This place is much safer than Diagon Alley."

"Ah, thus the International wards weren't a problem..." she muttered more to herself. And it was definitely safer, France as a whole was much safer.

"Yeah, they recognized me as one of French citizens. And you were with me."

"Why did you return?" Daphne asked. Oh yes, if he didn't, the contract would probably haven't been activated.

"The contract," he said shortly, as they had reached their destination, 'Paradise Falls'.

"We are going there?" She asked numbly as they stopped. She always wanted to go there but they could never get a table as the reservation took months.

"Um... we can go somewhere else if-"

"No, no, no," She almost shouted.

Harry looked amusedly at her, so she scowled. "It is just that it takes months for a reservation and you couldn't have known then..."

Harry shook his head, "I didn't know."

"We own this place, Daphne." He continued softly as he used his free hand to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. She flushed at their proximity and kindness in his eyes as he mentioned 'we' instead of 'I'. His definite features even as Hadrian Peverell were sharp and refined. But, looking at Harry Potter was completely different. His kind eyes begged him to smile. She shook her head and nodded.

"Lord and Lady Peverell," a girl of seventeen smiled at them. She was standing at the entrance, wearing formal dress robes, and light blonde hair.

Daphne was a bit surprised at the title but Harry just shook his head.

"Meet Ellie," Harry said smiling. Ellie brightened and she gave Harry a fierce hug, and Daphne felt an emotion she had never gotten a chance to acquaintance with, jealousy. Harry was after all her fiance and Daphne felt she too would have liked to greet him like that. And also she couldn't help but wonder, who was this girl?

To her surprise, Ellie then turned to Daphne and pulled her too into the hug, making her crash against Harry, who chuckled. After a moment, Ellie pulled back.

"Ellie belongs to Dann family who co-owns the place. One of my oldest friends too." Harry clarified to Daphne. "And she was the one who designed the appearance changing crystal."

"Damn right! I am my best work," Ellie said happily as she dragged... ahem, led them inside. The floor was carpeted and the walls were golden and shinning. She pulled out her wand and waved it, a door appeared. "Nice to meet you, Daphne." She continued waving her wand.

"Same here, Miss Dann," she replied politely.

"Uhh! Not you too." She groaned in frustration. "Call me Ellie, this idiot too took quite a bit to call me Ellie."

Harry snorted, "You were the one to call her Lady Peverell."

"Oh hush! Have a nice time." She said as her wand came to a stop, she blew a kiss to Harry before marching away.

Daphne looked at her skipping away. Ellie acted more like a five-year-old than seventeen.

"That's Ellie for you. She acts bit insane... but she is genius," Harry commented, as he looked down at his crystal. Daphne turned back to Harry who was smiling at her.

"She is nice," Daphne commented, before she gasped looking through the door, it opened into outdoors. A table stood on the top of rocks, on the edge of a pond. The water fell from a height, a rainbow was present in the sky. It was beautiful, she had no words for it.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She nodded dumbly.

He took her hand in his led her through the door which disappeared the moment they crossed it.

He pulled out a chair for her, she smiled at her. "Thank you."

They had been looking at the waterfall for quite a while. Enjoying the comfortable silence.

She looked at him. "Were you in France all this time?" She asked.

"No. I moved from France, to Spain, Russia, Prussian Isles, Thailand, China, India and Japan and also Siberian Wiz. Apparently, Peverells have estates all around the world."

"That's quite a lot to travel in few years," Daphne commented as she looked into his green eyes for any kind of deceit. She didn't think that he would be an Occlumens but her father had forbidden her to perform Legilimency on her future husband. She would respect him. For now.

Harry shrugged. "I had a lot to do... And I learnt a lot along the way. Prussian Isles had best of warders, I ever met."

"You didn't take your NEWTS, did you?" She asked him, she knew he didn't as there were no records of it. But she wasn't sure. His records were more heavily guarded than that of a Senior Unspeakable, even an Undercover one.

Harry shook his head, "I took a Japanese equivalent of it."

Daphne raised an eyebrow at that. Japanese equivalent meant learning Japanese, which wasn't quite difficult if you knew someone who spoke Japanese.

"The monk who asked me to take it was a member of ICW too, so I didn't have any problems getting a job in Ministry."

Daphne snorted at that, "And it isn't as if they would refuse, Lord Peverell?"

Harry shrugged, "You know better than the rest."

Daphne nodded. "Where do you stand on the war?" It was one question that was troubling her.

He did not answer it immediately.

"Not very far from you." His answer was short.

"The Greengrass family has always remained neutral," she said, hinting for more information.

Hadrian sighed, "I am not interested in being the part of the war. It isn't mine to fight."

Daphne wasn't really surprised. Most of the wizarding world was in this mess because they felt the same way. "Why com back then?"

Harry did not answer and instead asked, "The Greengrasses have been always neutral, but what about you Daphne?" She didn't like where it was going. "I have travelled a lot and I know how Unspeakables work all around the world. Regardless, I will agree to your conditions."

Daphne was touched by this. Her emotions were in overdrive like the Muggle rollercoaster she sat in once. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart. She didn't know what force compelled her, but she leaned into him and placed her head on his shoulder, and she felt strong arms encircle her, she melted in the embrace. It was the best feeling ever.

"Are you an Occlumens?" She asked suddenly, making him jump a bit and tense his shoulders. It was like a reflex, just far quicker and he relaxed as soon as he tensed. Daphne had seen him doing the same before at her home. Such reflexes were only developed by those who lived in mortal danger. And he was an adventurer, so it wasn't unlikely.

"Yes." He answered truthfully.

"How good are you?"

"As good a curse-breaker should be..."

Daphne didn't know what that meant, instead, she looked into his eyes and attacked with Legilimency. She was amazed at his skills, his mind was void. Empty. And she felt trapped. And her shields collapsed suddenly and she was ejected out of his mind. As soon as she was ejected, her shields reformed again. It was painful. He wasn't using normal Occlumency. It was something more than that. Occlumency is defensive, not offensive.

Daphne blinked tightly as a headache was splitting her head open. She looked at him, afraid of his reaction, he merely shook his head and waved his wand, a vial appeared. A pain reliever. She didn't know where it came from. He opened it and gently poured it down her throat, and she drank it greedily. The pain soon disappeared. His eyes seemed a lot more darker and she shivered involuntarily.

"Sorry," Hadrian spoke after a moment, looking at her, concerned for her. "You just took me by surprise, and I reacted on instincts."

Daphne shook her head, "I should have warned you. You are too good I would say..." Daphne smiled at him. She had really expected him to be angry. "I am really sorry."

"You aren't bad yourself," he replied.

Daphne snorted, "You broke through them easily.." She was amazed at his skills.

"I don't think I would have been able to break through them if you weren't using active Legilimency."

"And also if I weren't in an emotional overdrive..." Daphne grumbled under her breath, and then she blushed and cursed herself.

Harry just chuckled. "Shall we eat?" He asked politely changing the topic smoothly, as he waved his wand and two menus appeared.

"Where did the vial come from?" Daphne asked as she picked up the menu.

"It is on the menu along with quite a few others..." Harry said absently as he stared at the menu card.

"What is Paradise Falls Special?"

"Whatever Ellie thinks is fit for today," Harry snorted. Daphne looked at him puzzled, he just shrugged. "It is often just some

tasty dish no one would have ever heard."

"Shall we try it then?"

"Sure, but they might not look as appealing as they are bound to taste."

Daphne nodded and ordered it. Things weren't always as they seemed to be. Two plates, a bowl containing noodles, and two other bowls containing boiling soup appeared. The noodles seemed to be silver and cold though and the soup was as clear as Veritaserum. She blinked. Twice. It wasn't something she expected. The food served itself on their respective plates. It was beautiful charm work.

She tentatively picked up a fork, at Harry's encouraging nod she tasted a bit of it. Her eyes widened as an aroma of flavours assaulted her nose and every flavour filled her mouth. She was in pure bliss. "This is so good!" She replied hurriedly and almost started shovelling food down her throat only to be stopped by Harry's amused chuckle. He would do that a lot, chuckle.

"Yes it is," he replied as they ate in silence.

"So, do you like swimming?" He asked breaking the silence.

"I am an adequate swimmer," Daphne replied proudly. She loved swimming.

"We will visit a beach sometime then and see how adequate swimmer you are?" He smirked.

"Is that a challenge?" Daphne smirked back. She didn't even think he could smirk until now. But she hardly knew him.

"Oh, I can smirk, Daphne," Harry replied as he wiped his face with a napkin.

She choked on the glass of water as she realized she had spoken it aloud. He chuckled and simply waved his wand and she felt at ease. "Thanks," she replied with a tinge of pink on her cheeks. It was another thing, the ease with which he did Magic. No movements, no incantations, just a flick and done.

Harry nodded and took her hand to stand. She followed him but she felt a bit sad about leaving the place. She felt the ward line dispose of as he waved his wand, And a door appeared in its place.

::::STUCK AMONG UNSPEAKABLES:::::

Hadrian Peverell's POV

The day was going good so far. I felt at quite at ease. I looked at her, she stood exactly five feet and eight inches tall. It too was a clause of the contract. Something about her made me feel warm inside. I was never good with girls.

Of course, I knew Daphne from before, that helped, but we didn't talk about that time. We were more like acquaintances. We were only together in a class for a year. My fourth year, Arithmancy class. No Draco, no Nathaniel, no trouble between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Of course, there was Granger, whom we both beat at every occasion. It just wasn't her class. She was good at remembering things, not something so fundamental and logical.

"We will come back if you want to," I said looking into her blue eyes. She was so beautiful! God bless Fleamont Potter.

"We can?" She asked happily

"We own the place, Daphne ."

Daphne smiled and kissed my cheek. I knew I was blushing again, my whole body was burning. Oh god, it was twice in a day. She didn't look much better.

I cleared my throat, and she just nodded and led me out into the Hall. We were heading towards the reception, I could see two figures standing at the reception and I tensed as I recognised them. A man with black hair and a woman with vibrant red hair. I placed my arm around her waist and pulled her a bit closer. She seemed to have recognised them too and was more than happy to oblige. Of course, I didn't complain when she laid her head on my shoulder, though she seemed to glare at the couple.

"Harry, Daphne! Did you have a good time?" Ellie asked from the counter and winked at me. "You did order a pain reliever, I see. I my opinion aspirin works the best though."

I coughed. Daphne smiled at the girl, while I glared at Ellie. The Potters too looked amused at the debacle.

"Miss Greengrass," Lily Potter greeted her. "And who this might be?" She asked curiously.

"Lily, if I had to guess, he would be her boyfriend." James said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, which did look quite obvious seeing their proximity.

"Husband," Ellie corrected.

"Betrothed for now," I corrected correctly, glaring at Ellie as I pulled out a Gringrotts card and placed it on the reception. I turned towards James Potter and extended his hand, "Hadrian."

"Only you would pay at your own restaurant," Ellie commented as she took the card, knowing I wouldn't take no for an answer. I ignored her, didn't look like Potters did, but they didn't comment.

James shook my hand less firmly, for an Auror, "James Potter and my wife Lily Potter.. Umm, you don't have a last name?" He asked jokingly. "It isn't as if we hate Muggleborns?"

"But, you do hate traditionalists from what I heard," I chuckled. "And it isn't as if you included Captain Auror and Lord in your title?"

James looked at me suspiciously, and I didn't blame him. I just raised my hands in surrender and said, "I am not a Death Eater if you are wondering, just Lord Hadrian 'Harry' Peverell."

Daphne just looked upon curiously while Mum was openly gaping at me, while Dad just looked off his rocker to me. Too drunk, I almost smiled at that.

"The warder?" James asked excitedly. "Bones won't shut up about you..."

Harry shrugged. The wards at the Ministry were quite tricky and powerful, they were using forty-nine wards in every department and more in each cubicle and entire Ministry. "Placing them was easier than managing them."

Daphne just seemed to be content with my shoulder... something was troubling her.

"Harry designed the wards of this place too!" Ellie commented before returning me, my card.

"We will take our leave then," I said pocketing the card. I nodded towards the Potters.

"I wish we could talk sometimes," Lily said. "What kind of runes are you using? We couldn't figure them out."

I felt Daphne tense beside me as I did the same. I knew her reason was different. "Apologies, Lady Potter, but that information is confidential, and even disclosing it to an Unspeakable too would require clearance..." I commented with a bit of edge in my voice. State secrets, Mum.

"How did you know?" James Potter blurted out.

I just feigned ignorance, "How did I know what? The wards?" Of course, I know Mum is an Unspeakable.

"Nothing, Lord Peverell. My husband is just a bit drunk. I beleive we shall take our leave..." Lily Potter replied. "It was nice meeting you."

And they were gone. I looked down at Daphne, she was scowling. Elite just rolled her eyes and waved her wand. A privacy bubble.

"You parents are idiots," Ellie commented harshly.

I smiled at her. Of course, they are idiots... At least, they did disown me and I wasn't answerable to any of them. "Yes, they are..."

"So?" Ellie asked as her face brightened, "When is the marriage?"

I shrugged. Whenever the contract permits... meaning on a full moon night, after Halloween at exactly 07:07 before we turn twenty-two, i.e. at least two to three years. Nonetheless, we would be declared married by then even if we didn't wed. The contract only prohibited mating anyone else.

"I don't really know," I said instead. "It is really upto Daphne." Ah! Bingo!

"We will see," she smiled and laid her head on his shoulder again.

I smiled and we disappeared to Greengrass Manor. I felt a little bad for leaving Ellie behind like that, but I knew she would understand. We appeared directly outside the main gate, on the edge of the ward line.

A/N

I got the idea (and stole it, well not really as I worked hard and put my brains(and time) and altered quite a few things) from a fic I don't quite remember the name, so apologies. And Grindelwald wasn't even in that fic, nor were James and Lily. Neville was the BWL, I think.

And of course, I don't own HP

Warning: THE STORY IS MUCH DARKER THAN IT LOOKS!