CHAPTER FOURTEEN: FROM FOUR TO SIX
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1996. Potter Manor
For the second day in a row, Harry awoke with two witches cuddled against him. Hermione was, of course, one of them. She had asked that one of the others join them and it was agreed that McGonagall would sleep with the couple that night. Mallory had gone home in part to pack up so she could move into the Manor by supper, but also because Harry told her about the binding of his magic. She would be stopping by St. Mungo's for the healing supplies she would need to unbind him. She had told him the process would take two weeks during which time he would not be able to use magic except under supervision because the effects of the unbinding were not predictable.
Oddly, Harry did not seem to mind. There was another wand he was enjoying practicing with and now had four witches with whom he could practice. As he thought that, he felt a hand on his member and looked down and saw that it was Minerva's. He looked over at her, who face was close enough to kiss and saw her wink. He then looked over at Hermione who was also awake and smiling at him.
"You know fucking her turns me on," she whispered to him. Who was Harry to deny her anything, so he did as he was asked and had sex with his former Transfiguration teacher, or rather he let her have sex with him as she was on top. Hermione never moved, resting her head on his chest and getting a close view of Minerva pleasuring him. One again, Harry held back until Minerva's second orgasm before he filled her with his seed. After a long cuddle that seemed to include Hermione as well, she gave Harry a long kiss before she rose from the bed to begin her day. For Minerva, that meant several house of paperwork at Hogwarts and then moving her things from her flat to the Manor.
When Minerva came out of the bathroom, still naked, Hermione was riding Harry. Hermione was still riding Harry when Minerva finished dressing and the couple came together just as she was getting ready to leave the room.
"Remus will be here at ten," she told the couple. "It's a little before nine right now."
"Plenty of time for a shower and breakfast," Hermione said in a husky voice. Harry interpreted it perfectly. What she really meant was plenty of time for sex in the shower and breakfast.
When Remus had arrived that morning Harry had been elated at first. Now, hours later, he sat in the conference room off his First Floor Study with Remus going through yet another ledger book Remus had retrieved from Gringotts. It was yet another boring inventory that reinforced only a few things. First, Harry knew it would be best to leave the managing of his financial affairs to the Goblins. They were the experts and he had no clue what most of this stuff really said. Second, Harry knew that the Potter Estate made him filthy rich and the addition of the Black Estate even richer. Even at the artificially depressed exchange rate at Gringotts, his accounts and investments alone were several billion pounds. His annual income was well over one hundred million and all he had to do to earn that was be alive.
He learned he was probably the largest landholder in all Magical Britain, if not Europe and was intrigued to see the number of Manors he owned and rented out to others. He was even more surprised to see who several of his tenants were. There were properties throughout the British Isles and Europe, not to mention some in the Bahamas and Caribbean. His Potter landholdings, excluding the Manor itself and the adjacent quarter million or so acres were all well managed and profitable.
Many of the Black properties, on the other hand, were not. There were thirty-four Manors or large homes that had not earned a knut in rent since the middle of the 1970's. All of the properties were occupied and Harry recognized most of the names as those of known Death Eaters or their families. One in particular caught his eye: Lucius Malfoy. According to the account Ledger, he had never paid rent but he and his wife had lived there since 1978, just after they married. The lease indicated he was to pay 4,000 Galleons a month or 480,000 per year. With accrued interest and penalties, Lucius owed him well over nine million. While the Gringotts Goblins generally did not disclose account information, when an unpaid debt of this magnitude was at stake, they informed the creditor, here Harry, whether the deadbeat could pay. If Gringotts liquidated all Malfoy property and holdings, they would still be in debt to Harry. The same was true of most of his deadbeat tenants.
Harry had a long discussion with Remus about this interesting situation. Harry had accepted the fact that, for the time being, he would remain on the main Potter estate, protected from the war that would soon consume Wizarding Britain until such time as he was ready to fight against both factions. But this bit of news gave him an idea. Remus listened and knew Harry was on to something. He watched intently as Harry wrote a letter to his Black Properties Account Manager and the Director of Gringotts regarding certain properties in his portfolio. While he might not engage that enemy in direct combat, with a single stroke of his quill, he had just crippled the Death Eaters. Letters would go out July 11th, the day after the reading of the Black Will, calling all rents due. The deadbeats accounts would be frozen except for payment of the debt. If, after 30 days, the debts were not satisfied, the deadbeats would be cast onto the street, their wives and daughters seized for sale on the slave market. It was cruel, but it was the law and it would cripple one side of this war allowing Harry to shift focus to the other. To his surprise, Remus thought it brilliant.
A knock on the door to the Conference Room broke up the financial discussion much to Harry's relief. The door opened and Hermione and Tonks walked in and the two women sat in chairs across from Harry. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, what did I do?" he asked.
"Nothing that I'm aware of," Hermione said. "Why? Feeling guilty?"
"No," Harry chuckled. "You two just look so serious is all. How was your visit with your parents, Dora?"
"It was interesting, Milord," she replied. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"While I was there, we were visited by Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. The Greengrass family has been aligned with House Black for centuries. Even though my mother was disowned, she is still friends with them. She and Violet were friends back in school."
"I take it this was not a social call?"
"No Milord. Alliances are two way streets and David Greengrass needs to speak with Milord Black."
"Me? Why?"
"He would not give much in the way of details, Milord. Death Eaters are leaning on him and have threatened his family. Unless he gave into their demands, they will kill his wife and daughters. He has five girls, Milord."
"What's the demand? He's to take the Dark Mark? Murder innocent people for sport?"
"No Milord. All he's required to do is sell some valuable property to you and give the proceeds to the Death Eaters and they'll leave him alone, for now. He took an oath on his magic to keep them from just stealing what they wanted."
"Wait, if they were going to steal the property rather than have it sold to me … I'm guessing they think Lord Black is either a Death Eater or a sympathizer."
"Yes Milord."
"Who do they think it is?"
"Draco Malfoy. It seems that the young Malfoy has been telling everyone who will listen he's soon going to be a Lord ever since the papers announced the date of the reading of Sirius's Will."
"Someone should have told the git not to count his chickens before they're hatched," Hermione observed.
"Two things are certain about the Ferret," Harry added, "he's stupid and arrogant. Not a good combination. So, what should I do with this?"
"Greengrass is a Black ally," Tonks said. "As Head of an Ancient and Noble House, when the Head of an allied House requests a meeting, you are honor bound to hear the man out."
"That's it? I don't have to do what he asks?"
"You just have to hear him out, Milord. You are expected to do more than just patronize him. If you refuse his request, you should give him a reasonable explanation. You don't want to damage your political and financial alliances without good cause."
Harry nodded. "When and where?"
"I would recommend a Muggle place," Tonks replied. "Somewhere open and I would also recommend soon."
"Tomorrow afternoon," Harry replied. "One O'clock. Hyde Park in London across from Kensington Palace."
"I will let him know, Milord," Tonks said bowing and then leaving the room.
THURSDAY JUNE 27, 1996, Potter Manor
Harry once again awoke with two naked witches in his arms. There was Hermione, of course, snuggled into his left side. She told him she loved going to sleep listening to his heartbeat. To his right was Mallory. He had taken his first dose of the potion she had brought him to unbind his magic the night before. He lay there, holding his girls close and not wishing to wake them yet. Hermione was still apt to sleep in, a side effect from her treatments following the near fatal curse and Mallory had suggested not to wake her early unless it was necessary. In a few weeks, she should return to normal.
While much of yesterday had been spent with Remus going over both the Potter and Black accounts, and even then it was little more than an overview, it was not as if he had not had a lot of sex. And even though Hermione had spent the day in the Library researching something and supervising the transfer of the Black Library from Grimmauld Place, it was not as if she had been left out. Harry had sex with Minerva and Hermione twice before breakfast. Hermione and he had oral sex after lunch. Then he had sex with Hermione and Dora after dinner. And of course, Mallory had slept with them and thus far that meant sex at least twice with both witches before bed.
Today, he had this mysterious meeting with Mr. Greengrass to think about. Dora had set it up after their after dinner "dessert." They would be meeting him in Hyde Park this afternoon. He figured with today's potential schedule, copious amounts of sex might not be in the cards. Still, he had two witches with him now. He was planning on having Minerva and Hermione for dessert this evening and, of course, Dora would be sleeping with them tonight.
Part of his knew he might as well enjoy this while he could. It was a lot to take in and, to be honest, waking up like this was very nice. There was the added bonus that he had not had a nightmare since the night before he and Hermione first made love. But, he also knew what was surely coming. Mallory had wanted children and from Hermione's research Harry knew she would probably have her wish within the year. Hermione's research also showed there was a high possibility that Minerva would have a child as well, again within the year. And Harry knew Hermione was taking no precautions. Her bond prevented it. She too would probably be a Mum within the next year. At least he sort of kept his promise to her Dad. Legally, they were married and the child would only be early if it truly was early.
Harry had wanted a real family for as long as he could remember. But he was not sure about being a Dad at sixteen. True, it seemed money was not an issue. Still, it worried him. He had expressed his concerns to Hermione and Minerva the other night and to Hermione and Mallory just last night. All three women assured him he would make a wonderful father. Still, he hoped they were right.
Harry heard a contented sigh from his right and could feel Mallory stretching her arms. He turned his head towards her and looked into her newly opened blue eyes. He could see her smile just before she leaned in for a brief kiss. Yes, he thought, I can definitely get used to this.
"Morning," he said smiling back at the witch. "Sleep well?"
"Wonderful," she whispered back so as not to disturb Hermione. "Good morning, my Prince."
"Prince?"
"In a way, you rescued me." Mallory then buried her head into Harry's chest. He soon could feel her tears and felt her shudder against him. Sirius, he remembered. She was in love with him and…
He held her tight and whispered: "I miss him too."
"Thank you," she said.
"I haven't done anything," Harry whispered.
"Y-you t-took me in," Mallory said. "You didn't have to. Y-you could have…"
"Mallory? I could not and would not sell you. That's just cruel. My first thought was to free you, but Hermione read about that and that's even worse. Then I met you and - well - I like you, so there's nothing to thank me for. If you should thank anyone, it's Hermione. I never thought she would accept this sort of thing, yet she has. Lesser of two evils, she says."
"What does that mean?" Mallory sniffed.
"It means she knows me probably better than I know myself. She thinks you'll be happier here with us than you would be otherwise. And, she knows I have what she calls a 'saving people' thing. I cannot sit idly by and let people suffer. She knows I can't and I guess figures that being with me in this way is better for you and for the others and for the ones I plan to purchase than any other option."
"Thank you, Harry," she said again. "Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
"I don't like my job," Mallory said.
"You don't like being a Healer?"
"I like that. But St. Mungo's… The hours suck. I always wanted my own practice. I was thinking and - well - there's over twelve hundred families in Pottersport last I heard, or at least there were and they all have to go to London for even basic care. We do have a small hospital, but it's mainly for injuries and such. I was thinking that, perhaps, I could open my own clinic for them, you know. I'd probably have to do house calls, but still…"
"If that's what you want, then do it."
Hermione finally woke up several minutes later as Mallory was mounting Harry's broomstick to give it a celebratory ride in thanks for her new clinic. After Mallory was finished and lay contented in Harry's arms, Harry told Hermione about what Mallory wanted to do and how he was going to support it. It was not long before Harry's basilisk was playing inside yet another chamber.
THURSDAY JUNE 27, 1996. Hyde Park, London, UK
Remus had shown Harry and Hermione how to travel to and from the Estate. He had brought them to London this day for the meeting that Tonks had arranged and shown them how to do it on their own, for later use of course. They were strolling towards the prearranged meeting place with the man. Having several minutes before they were supposed to meet him, they walked hand in hand enjoying the famous park, the lovely whether and each other's company.
"Still no clue about what this is about Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No," Harry admitted.
"Still want to go through with it?"
Harry nodded. "The Greengrass family has been allied with the Blacks for generations. I spoke with Remus and Tonks about this again this morning when you were doing your research in the Library. It is not prudent to turn one's back on an alliance. I would in a heartbeat if we're talking about a Death Eater family. But the Greengrass family remained neutral during the last war and is neutral as we speak."
"Tonks said they needed to sell some valuable property quickly," Hermione remembered.
"Remus believes that the Death Eaters are leaning on them," Harry nodded. "Basically, they can either pay the Death Eaters money, join up or die. Tonks says that the Greengrass family is not about to join up, but that they are not wealthy either."
"Why won't they join?"
"Although they are Purebloods, they do not support that agenda and never have. While they can hardly be considered a 'light' family, they most certainly are not Dark and have a reputation of hating the Dark Arts."
"Daphne is one of the few Slytherins who never picked on me or anyone else for that matter."
"She also did not join Umbridge."
"So what's your plan?"
"For now, I'm going to hear him out."
After another long kiss, the two lovers continued on the path towards the meeting. They soon saw their quarry, or rather they saw the young woman with spiked bubble gum pink hair standing next to a balding man and an older woman. Tonks had found their target and they slowly walked towards the possible threat. Tonks and the man and woman had their backs to Harry and Hermione. They walked around the bench and managed to catch Tonks' attention.
"Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass, I presume," Harry said formally.
The couple had been staring at the ground. They looked up and saw another couple standing before them. The young man had raven hair and piercing green eyes. He was dressed in what were obviously tailored trousers and a nice polo shirt. The young woman was at least three inches shorter than the man. She had long, curly brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a very nice and flattering light blue sundress.
"David and Vivian," Tonks continued, "this is Harry Potter and his Consort, Lady Hermione."
David Greengrass looked a little upset at this news. "I asked for a meeting with the next Lord Black," he almost growled.
"I am Lord Black," Harry said. He extended his left hand so that David could see the Black Family Ring.
David Greengrass nodded and seemed to pale a little. "My apologies, Milord."
"I am under the impression you were expecting someone else?"
"Indeed. I - er - well, everyone seems to think that Draco Malfoy is the next…"
"No doubt everyone includes the arrogant little bastard himself?"
"He made that point very clear to me only a few days ago, Milord. Of course, he was not wearing that ring."
"And he never will," Harry smirked.
"I - well, forgive me, but how?"
"Sirius Orion Black was the last Lord Black. He died without an heir and named me as his successor in his will."
"So you two are related?"
Harry nodded. "Second cousins or some such I am told. We are both descended from Phineus Nigellus."
"This is - er - good news, Milord. I am curious as to why it has not been made public yet?"
"There are reasons, Sir. The error will be corrected at the formal Will reading. I can assure you, though, I am Lord Black. That fact is both incontrovertible and unassailable."
"You have no idea how relieved I am to learn of your investiture, Milord."
"Dora told me that you have a matter you wish to discuss?"
"I don't know how well you are versed in Pureblood politics, Milord."
"I am arguably getting a crash course in it. But it may be wise to assume I know little or nothing, especially if it is important."
David Greengrass nodded. "The war is all about Pureblood politics," he said softly. "Everyone knows that You-Know-Who and his followers want Purebloods to control the world."
"Which would be funny," Harry interrupted, "when you consider that Voldemort…" the couple gasped at the name "is a Half-blood."
"What?"
"Voldemort's real name is Tom Riddle. His mother was a Pureblood. His father was a Muggle."
"So this whole war is a sham," Greengrass grumbled. "I always though so, just not for that reason."
"Explain please."
"The 'light' side is also lead by a faction of Pureblood supremacists. While it's not well known, Dumbledore also believes in Pureblood rule and has for decades. The only differences between the two sides are their chosen means to the same end and the degree of direct control they believe they should have over the Muggles.
"The Greengrasses, while Purebloods, never believed in such nonsense and we certainly do not believe we wizards have any claim to rule over the Muggles. We never have, not even in the distant past. The histories our children are taught are fraught with lies. The real truth belies the Pureblood agenda, most notably that without Muggle Borns, the wizarding race will not survive more than a handful of generations.
"Since both sides have little use for Muggle Borns in the end, we have remained neutral. With respect to the 'light' side, they leave us alone. But You-Know-Who does not believe in neutrality. We are either Death Eaters, supporters or the enemy. For political reasons, the Death Eaters have allowed a degree of neutrality to exist so as not to drive support to the other side. To remain 'neutral', families like mine are required to pay an annual tax to the Death Eaters.
"This tax is not cheap, but for years it was something I could pay. True, I had to make sacrifices. I have five daughters and they are the reason for living, but I have not been able to give them everything I could have by reason of the tax."
"And you had to pay this tax even when Voldemort was missing?" Hermione asked.
Mr. Greengrass nodded. "Admittedly, it was a lot less than when he was around and his Death Eaters active. As I understand it, the continued tax was used to bribe Ministry officials to look the other way and not aggressively seek to round up the remaining Death Eaters."
"Far be it for Lucius to use his own family's wealth on such matters," Harry said with disgust.
"When He returned last spring, the tax returned to the old levels. I have two daughters in Hogwarts and a third, Rachel, was supposed to start last fall. But the tax made Hogwarts too expensive. Daphne and Astoria continued, but we've been home schooling Rachel. Add to it the fact that in all probability she would have been sorted into Slytherin which according to my older girls is overrun with Death Eater spawn and we felt it best not to send her. Still…
"As I said, I could afford the tax, at no small inconvenience to my family. Then, after the fiasco at the Department of Mysteries, things changed."
"How?" Harry asked.
"Last Sunday, three Death Eaters appeared at my home to collect the annual tax. The tax was five times what it had ever been and far more than I could afford. Maybe they were singling my family out, I don't know, but the choice was pay or watch my entire family die. The problem was I could not pay. I did not have the money. I think they knew this."
"How so?"
"They gave me an alternative," Greengrass replied with tears forming in his eyes. "I must sell my two oldest as concubines to Lord Black before the will is read! They made me make an Unbreakable Vow on my life and the lives of the rest of my family!"
"And you were certain that Draco Malfoy was to be this Lord Black?"
Greengrass nodded. "One of the Death Eaters said so."
"And your Vow?" Hermione asked. "It was to sell them to Lord Black and not Draco Malfoy?"
"They were clear on that point. The sale was to the next Lord Black."
"Unbreakable Vow?" Harry asked Hermione.
"It's a dark magical vow, Harry," she replied. "If one breaks such a vow, they die. And he has bound his entire family!"
"No Miss," Greengrass said, "just myself, my wife and our three youngest daughters. Daphne and Astoria are not bound by the vow."
"Interesting," Hermione said. "Flawed yet very Slytherin."
"How so?" both Harry and Mr. Greengrass asked.
"Let's assume for the sake of argument that Draco would indeed become the next Lord Black," she said. "If Mr. Greengrass fails to sell his daughters to said Lord Black by the day of the Will reading, he and the others die. The two girls would then be orphans. It takes at least three weeks for a will to be probated, more often more than a month. Until then, the girls are Wards of the Ministry and…"
"Dumbledore would be acting as their magical guardian," Harry caught on. "And as he is selling witches left and right at this year's auction…"
"And as the auction is five days after the Will reading…"
"They would be sold anyway."
"And Draco would get them one way or another," Hermione finished. "But…"
"Draco's not the next Lord Black," Harry said with a smile forming on his face. "Any way we could - um - trick the vow?"
"No Harry," Hermione said. "One way or another, the girls will have to be sold as concubines."
"And you want me to buy them?"
"If there was another way, I would suggest it. There isn't, Harry. You know this is the right thing to do."
Harry nodded. "And you're okay with this?"
"We've already had this discussion, Harry."
"But they're Slytherins!"
"I can assure you, Milord, my girls are decent people," Vivian spoke for the first time sounding insulted.
"Harry, Daphne is the one girl in her House in our year who has never been a problem for us. She's quiet, but seems nice enough. Besides, think about it! Draco wants them. The Death Eaters want Draco to have them. He won't get them this way. In the big picture it's a small thing, but any blow to their cause…"
"Fine!"
"You know you'd never forgive yourself if you didn't do this…"
"I said fine, Hermione. Mr. Greengrass, are there any terms to this sale? Any documents you need to prove you've complied?"
"The Death Eaters will not allow me to accept more than 150 Galleons for them," Mr. Greengrass sighed. "I have the necessary documents with me. There's the Bill of Sale for your records, the Title to my…" he wept for a moment. Even though he knew this was the best he could do for them and his family, it was too much. When he cleared his head, he continued. "And a receipt," he said. "Seal the receipt with your House Ring. That should be the proof I need."
"So that's 300 Galleons?" Harry asked as he drew a bank book from his pocket.
"No Sir, 150 total."
"That cheap son of a bitch!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I have a feeling this was more a punishment than a true transaction," Harry said to her.
Harry sat on the end of the bench and began writing something. Hermione could see he was careful to use non-descript handwriting. He then sealed the piece of paper with the Black ring. He handed it to Mr. Greengrass. "This is a draft for 150 Galleons drawn on the Black Family Vaults," he said. "That should be further proof that you did sell to Lord Black."
"Thank you," Mr. Greengrass said with pain in his voice. He began signing the various documents he had brought with him while Harry was again working on another draft. Mr. Greengrass soon turned over the signed and sealed Bills of Sale and Titles to his two oldest daughters. Harry affixed the Black Seal to each and to each of the receipts.
"That concludes this transaction," Mr. Greengrass said formally. Harry nodded and handed Mr. Greengrass another draft.
"Fifty," Mr. Greengrass began, "fifty thousand galleons?"
"Drawn from the Potter Vaults," Harry said. "It should be untraceable."
"What's this for?"
"Get the rest of your family out of this country, Sir. Get them somewhere safe for now. In time, we will locate you and bring you somewhere safe where you can reunite with your daughters, but that may be many months from now at the earliest."
"You don't have to do this, Milord," Greengrass protested.
"You care about your family. I can keep your daughters safe, but it would be easier for me and for them to know the rest of you are safe as well."
"Th-thank you, Milord! House Greengrass will always remain allied to House Black."
"Is there anything else you want to discuss?" Harry asked. "For the time being, you are still their father and guardian." Harry made it clear that he wanted to know what Mr. Greengrass wished for his daughters under the circumstances.
"If it's not too much trouble," he replied, "I'd prefer that they no longer attend Hogwarts."
"Done!"
"And they be allowed to bring all their things with them?"
"Done!"
"And you won't whore them out?"
"Wouldn't think of it."
"I think it best if you explain to them why this has happened. I'm n-not sure I can."
"I'll explain, Sir."
Mr. Greengrass nodded sadly. "When would you like to take possession of the merchandise?"
"What's convenient for you?"
"You can take them now, if you like."
Harry shook his head. "Got too many irons in the fire today."
"Tomorrow morning? I'd prefer to do this sooner rather than later."
"Dora will be by tomorrow then. I'm really sorry this is necessary."
Mr. Greengrass shrugged as if to say it could not be helped. "Th-thank you, Lord Black. I am certain this is a better situation for them than otherwise. T-take care of m-my girls."
"I shall," Harry promised.
The Greengrasses stood up and Harry did as well as he folded the documents he had received and placed them carefully in his pocket. Mr. Greengrass shook his hand and nodded curtly before he and his wife turned and walked away. Harry could see they were both crying as they left. The whole situation sickened Harry.
"That's just horrible what happened to them," Hermione commented quietly. All Harry could do in reply was nod.
After a long pause, he turned to her and said: "Let's go home."
FRIDAY JUNE 28, 1996 - The Greengrass home, London, U.K.
It had been a whirlwind of activity at the Greengrass home when the elder Greengrasses returned from their meeting with Lord Black. The meeting was not discussed with the girls. As soon as their parents returned it was announced that the family was moving to Europe the next day. With the help of their two House Elves, the entire house was packed into several trunks. The furniture and most possessions had been shrunken down. Each of the girls had at least one trunk and, in the two eldest cases, two trunks with all of their clothes, furniture and possessions aside from one suitcase that contained a few changes of clothes and their toiletries.
They had slept in sleeping bags on the floor of what had been their living room that night. They awoke to an empty house and one by one got showered, washed and dressed in their travel attire. Their Elves were removing all but the personal trunks to wherever it was they were going. The elder Greengrasses were not saying, but looked clearly worried and for the first time in memory frightened. Breakfast was a simple meal, the last to be prepared in the only home the five girls had known. It was quiet as each was lost in their own thoughts.
Daphne knew what had caused this. She had seen the Death Eaters come to their home less than a week ago, but she had not overheard the conversation. Clearly, her family was in danger and was fleeing for their lives. She looked at her younger sister Astoria as she ate and knew "Story" had figured that much out on her own.
By the time the family had finished their breakfast, the elves had removed all but the personal trunks and luggage from the house. Daphne noticed then that her father was placing some papers in an envelope. She watched as he called and a strange owl responded. It was not the family owl and not a private one. A band on its leg proclaimed it was a rented Post Owl. Whatever Daddy was up to, he did not want anyone to know where they were going. Daphne knew this could only mean they were really in danger.
Once her father had sent the owl on its way to wherever, he led the family back to the living room. All that remained of their household possessions were the trunks belonging to Daphne and Astoria. Daphne found this odd, but decided it best not to ask any questions as he watched her father fashion two portkeys. Her Mum would obviously use one to take her three younger sisters to wherever they were going. Her father always took the two oldest. As soon as the portkeys were made, he handed one to his wife and she and the three youngest took a hold. She looked at Daphne with a very sad face as she activated the portkey and she and Rachel, Gretchen and Patrice vanished from sight.
The expression on her mother's face worried Daphne. Something was going on and it was not simply that her family was running for its lives. Something that involved her and her sister Astoria? She was expecting her father to join them. He turned to them and Daphne was stunned to see he was crying. She had never seen him cry.
"I'm so sorry," he said. "I do love you both." With that, he activated his portkey and vanished, leaving his two oldest daughters behind and blinking in shock. They had been abandoned!
Where her father stood, there was now a single piece of paper or parchment on the floor. Daphne walked over, still confused and picked it up. The side facing her was blank so she turned it over. She could tell it was a magical copy of some kind of official document based upon the less than crisp print. With increasing dread she began to read.
BILL OF SALE
June 27, 1996
Seller: David Adrian Greengrass
Buyer: Lord Black, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black
ATTEST:
I, David Adrian Greengrass, upon my magic do hereby attest that I am the father and legal and magical guardian of:
Daphne Rene Greengrass, born November 10, 1979, aged 16
Astoria Lynn Greengrass, born October 3, 1981, aged 14
I further attest that said merchandise is of bonding age. I hereby consent to their sale as concubines to Lord Black and that for 150G and other valuable consideration, said sale has been consummated.
She saw her father's signature on the page with the Greengrass seal as well as another seal she recognized as that of the House of Black.
"No," she said in a small voice as she began to cry.
"What is it, Sissy?" Astoria asked.
"D-daddy sold us!"
"What?" Astoria took the page from her sister and read.
"We're to be Draco's whores!" My life is over, Daphne thought as she said that.
"No," Astoria whimpered. "Why?"
"D-death Eaters," Daphne said. "They were here a few nights ago."
"Still," Astoria cried, "I thought Daddy loved us!"
The two teens collapsed into each others arms and cried. For each of them, being bound to Draco Malfoy was a fate worse than death. But they both knew there was nothing they could do about it. The only solace Daphne could think of was that the rest of her family and her sisters were safe, hopefully. The two girls never noticed the elves removing their trunks and luggage from the living room.
"What if it's not Malfoy?" Astoria asked.
"Wh-what?" Daphne replied.
"What it Malfoy is not Lord Black?"
"Th-then it's probably some old pervert!" Daphne replied, fighting back her tears. "Mum told me most young c-concubines be-become playthings for dirty, old men!" Daphne was certain any hope of a happy life was gone.
"If it could be anyone," Astoria said still trying to hope, "anyone in the world? I mean if we have to be concubines, who would you prefer as our Master?"
Daphne though about that. It would only be a dream as she was sure that slime Malfoy was Lord Black. It sickened her to think of that. Draco had been saying he was going to 'Tame the Shrews,' meaning her and her sister. He made it clear that if they did not willingly spread their legs for him, like many girls in Slytherin had, he would take them anyway. It was not so much a threat. Draco had raped a few of her housemates. Were it not for her and her sister's study habits and course loads, which had kept them in the library more often than not and Draco's own schemes against Muggle Borns in general and Gryffindors in particular, he might have succeeded by now.
It was also slightly fortunate that Draco was betrothed. He was engaged to Pansy Parkinson another girl in Daphne's year in Slytherin House and had been since he was young. He took her virginity in the House Common Room their Second Year. He wasn't even discreet about it. She had seen him shagging or getting sucked off by his betrothed more times than she cared to think. She also knew he had no problems sharing his girls. Pansy was frequently seen shagging Draco's two goon friends Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, who probably would never have been with a girl had Draco not ordered her to do them. Daphne knew that as Draco's concubines, she and her sister would be servicing the entire Death Eater Corps and it sickened her.
She thought about her sister's question. If she had to be a concubine and if she could choose with whom she would be bonded, who would it be? She knew it would not be any boy in Slytherin. They were either Death Eater spawn or future Death Eaters in the making and she hated them for that. There was a boy at school whom she knew she would have doffed her "Ice Princess" persona for had he been interested in her. It was not going to happen as she knew he hated Slytherins on principal. Still, if he had shown and interest, Daphne would have given him anything and everything. She barely knew him, but did know that she would be his if he wanted her. If the best she could hope for from him was to be his concubine, she would do that eagerly.
She told her sister and to her surprise, her sister agreed emphatically.
"Not like it's going to happen," Daphne said feeling the tears returning.
Astoria only nodded. They both knew they were screwed. And they knew they would be. It was not a pleasant thought for either of them and once again they hugged each other and cried for the lives they had lost. They never noticed the pink haired witch who appeared in their living room. Moments later, they were somewhere else entirely. They never felt the transition, but each noticed the change in light. It was a little darker now.
Daphne was the first to open her eyes and realize they were no longer in the Greengrass home.
"Sissy," she said, her voice filled with dread.
Astoria opened her eyes and saw they were somewhere else. "What happened?" she asked her older sister.
"No idea."
"Where are we?"
"L-lord Black's, I imagine but …"
"But what?"
"This isn't Malfoy Manor," Daphne said. "Not at all."
"You sure?"
"I was there last summer, Sissy," Daphne said. "Mum and Dad were invited and I went with them. This isn't it."
"What's that mean?"
"No idea."
"So Draco is not Lord Black?"
"Again, no idea. Maybe they bought a new place."
"Who - whoever it is, they are not poor."
"Still…" Daphne began.
Daphne soon realized they were not alone. There was another woman present. She had brown, shoulder length hair and a kind expression on her face.
"Who are you?" Daphne asked with hostility.
"I am Dora," the woman responded. "Now, if you two will follow me, Lord Black wishes to meet your acquaintance."
Daphne flashed red. Her hand dove into her robes, grasped her wand and she was drawing it to hex the woman before her. The woman merely flicked her wrist and Daphne's wand flew from her had to the woman. Daphne saw that Astoria's wand had been captured as well.
"Who the hell are you?" Daphne asked.
"A fully trained Auror," the witch replied.
"Well, if you think I will spread my legs for Draco Malfoy, I'd rather die so kill me now!"
"Me too!" Astoria added.
"If you two think you're ever going to shag that useless git, sorry to disappoint you," the witch responded.
"Draco's not Lord Black?" Daphne asked.
"No. Nor will he ever be."
"Then who is?"
"Follow me," the witch said. "You'll find out very soon."
"Probably some old perv," Daphne mumbled.
"Actually, he is about your age," the witch replied, "and quite dishy. And he can really throw a leg."
"What do you mean?" Astoria asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," the witch replied with a grin.
Daphne and Astoria rose and followed the witch, not sure as to what was going on at all.
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, age 15 (born 7/31/80)
Lady Hermione Jane (Granger) Potter, age 16 (9/19/79). Girlfriend/fiancé as of 6/18/96; CONSORT, HOUSE OF POTTER 6/23/96.
Nymphadora (Dora) Tonks, age 21 (7/12/74); Title of Interest to Sirius Black 3/18/74; Concubine By Proxy (Remus Lupon) to Sirius Black 6/20/87; Bound to Sirius Black, 7/22/93; CONCUBINE, HOUSE OF BLACK 6/24/96.
Professor Minerva Grace McGonagall, age 68 (2/17/28); Sold at Auction 7/15/43 to Charlus Potter, bound 7/19/43; Bound to Charles Potter 12/20/78; CONCUBINE HOUSE OF POTTER 6/25/96.
Doctor/Healer (Dr./Hr.) Mallory Michelle Grant, age 39 (1/23/57); Sold at Auction, 7/15/72 to Chance Virola, bound 7/17/72; Sold as gift to Sirius Black 3/18/74; CONCUBINE HOUSE OF BLACK 6/25/96.