Harry had given Dobby the freedom he sorely deserved, but his task was not over yet. It had been a couple of days since he had freed the elf, and Dobby had been happily at work without even bonding with Harry. He watched on with an amused quirk on his lips as the elf went about cleaning the massive garden outside, leaving no stone unturned, and with a smile, he summoned him.

"Dobby," he began, his voice filled with warmth, "I know you've been wearing those old rags for far too long. But you're not the slave of the Malfoys anymore. You are my friend, and you deserve something better."

Dobby's large eyes widened in surprise, brimming with unshed tears. "Harry Potter sir, is too kind! But Dobby does not need new clothes, sir. Dobby is happy as he is!"

Harry shook his head, reaching out and gently placing a hand on Dobby's shoulder. "I insist, Dobby. Clothes are a very important part of a person, and I've observed that they significantly affect how you view yourself. I've had something special made for you. I want you to feel comfortable and proud, as you deserve."

With a flick of his wand, Harry summoned a neatly folded bundle from a nearby table. The clothes were simple but elegant, made from the finest materials. The tunic and trousers were a deep forest green, embroidered with delicate silver threads that shimmered with protective charms. The ensemble was completed with a pair of soft, sturdy boots and a small cloak, perfect for an elf of Dobby's size.

Dobby's hands trembled as he accepted the bundle, his eyes filling with tears once again. "Harry Potter has given Dobby… clothes," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Beautiful clothes… Dobby is… is…"

"Not only free, but a friend as well," Harry finished for him, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "These are children's clothes but I know they'll fit you perfectly. As is usual, these are charmed to protect you, to keep you safe. You're not just going to be my elf; you're my friend."

Dobby sniffled, unable to hold back the tears. "Harry Potter is too good to Dobby! Dobby does not deserve—"

"Dobby," Harry interrupted gently, "you can to warn me, even though you knew how much pain it would cause you. It means a lot to me. I disagree when you say you don't deserve it. You deserve this and so much more. I'm sure you've been eager to be bonded to me. So, go on and try them on. We'll do the ritual afterward."

With a deep, trembling breath, Dobby nodded and disapparated with a soft pop, reappearing a minute later in his new clothes. The transformation was astounding. The rags had been replaced by the elegant attire, and Dobby stood a little taller, his eyes brimming with tears, and yet shining with pride. The clothes fit him perfectly, the green and silver complementing his complexion and giving him an air of quiet dignity.

"How do they feel?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.

Dobby beamed up at him. "Dobby feels… wonderful, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby has never worn such fine clothes! Dobby will cherish them forever!"

Harry smiled, his heart swelling with warmth and care. "I'm glad you like them. Now, if you're ready, let's perform the ritual."

Dobby nodded eagerly, his expression turning serious as he followed Harry to the center of the hall. Harry turned toward the elf, holding out his hand for Dobby to take. The house-elf did not hesitate for even a second as he immediately placed his small hand in Harry's larger one. Together, they stood facing each other, the air around them tingling with magic.

"Dobby," Harry began, his voice steady, "do you willingly pledge yourself to me, not only as my aide, but as an ally and a friend?"

Dobby gazed up at Harry, his eyes wide and shining with devotion. "Dobby pledges himself to Harry Potter, not only as an aide, but as a friend and protector. Dobby will serve Harry Potter with all his heart, freely and willingly."

A surge of magic flowed through the room, causing invisible runes on the floor to flare brightly for a moment before settling into a steady glow. Harry squeezed Dobby's hand gently and made a little cut on his finger, allowing a few drops of his blood to drop directly on Dobby's forehead where it vanished, absorbed into his skin.

As the last of the crimson liquid disappeared, the little elf's body pulsed with a warm light, sealing the bond between them. The air around them seemed to hum with the energy of their newfound connection, and the change was immediate. Dobby looked significantly healthier and there was a slight glow to his large eyes as well.

Harry smiled down at Dobby, who looked up at him with unwavering loyalty and affection. "Welcome home, Dobby," he said.

"Dobby will take care of this home for Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby declared, his voice firm and filled with determination. "Dobby will make sure everything is perfect! Harry Potter will never have to worry about anything!"

Harry chuckled, ruffling Dobby's head affectionately. "I know you will, Dobby. You've already proven that you won't disappoint me."

He released the elf's hands and they stepped away, the ritual complete. Harry did not know if he was imagining it but the manor felt different now. It was warmer, somehow more alive. With Dobby in charge of its upkeep, Harry knew that the estate would be in the best hands—or rather, the best small hands possible.

Together, they walked toward the large windows overlooking the sea, the last rays of the setting sun casting a golden glow over the room. Harry felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that he had not only gained an ally but also a true friend who had proven that he would stand by him through anything.

He glanced at Dobby who, in his new clothes, stood proudly beside him, his chest puffed out with a sense of purpose. For the first time in his life, it seemed as if Dobby felt not just like a house elf, but like someone who belonged, someone who mattered. And as he gazed at the creature, Harry felt that was the greatest victory of all.

-Break-

The early afternoon sun filtered through the thin curtains covering the massive windows of Greengrass Manor, casting a warm glow across the elegant sitting room. Daphne Greengrass paced back and forth, her slender fingers twisting the hem of her powder blue sundress. Her ice-blue eyes darted repeatedly to the ornate grandfather clock in the corner, its steady ticking seeming to mock her growing anxiety.

Marlene Greengrass, née McKinnon, watched her daughter with a mixture of amusement and empathy from her perch on a plush armchair. She sipped her tea, hiding a smile behind the delicate porcelain cup. "Daphne, dear," she said, her voice tinged with gentle humor, "you'll wear a hole in the carpet if you keep that up. Not to mention, you're making me dizzy."

Daphne whirled to face her mother, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks. "Mum, please," she huffed, trying to maintain her usual composure. "This is important. He's coming over for the first time..."

Marlene set down her teacup, her own nervousness flickering briefly across her features. "I know, sweetheart. But Harry won't arrive any faster just because you're wearing yourself out with worry. Besides, from what you've told me about him, I doubt he'd care even if we served him tea in chipped mugs."

"That's not the point," Daphne protested weakly, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her robes. "It's just…"

"You know, for someone who is just a friend, you are being awfully nervous," Marlene said in a teasing voice, smirking as she saw her daughter blush.

Daphne eyed her mother for a few moments before she sighed, slowly sinking into a nearby armchair. "You don't miss anything, do you?"

Marlene smiled gently as she set her cup aside and reached out to clasp her daughter's hands. "Only because I know you so well," she said softly, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her lips quirked a bit as she continued, "But I think anyone with eyes would notice easily."

Daphne stifled a groan as she eyed her mother. "What are you going to say to him?" She asked softly. "I think you should tell him everything. No need to beat about the bush. Just be direct and straightforward. He can take it."

Marlene's expression softened, a hint of guilt clouding her blue eyes. "You're right, of course. Merlin knows, I owe him that much, at least."

Daphne frowned as her mother straightened and stood up, walking over to the window. "Mum," she said gently, joining her mother and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "you can't keep blaming yourself. You had your reasons for staying away."

Marlene reached up to grasp her daughter's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Reasons, yes. Good ones? I'm not so sure anymore. I was his godmother, Daphne. I should have been there for him, should have fought harder to take him in after... after James and Lily..."

"You had no choice," Daphne insisted, her voice firm. "That man… he forbade you from ever reaching out to Harry. Used those pathetic vows to keep you enslaved to him! I know if you could, you would've run off and took Harry in without a second thought. And I can tell you confidently that once you tell Harry everything, he will understand."

Marlene sighed heavily; her shoulders slumped under the weight of years of guilt. "I sure hope he does. Still," she said, turning around and cupping her daughter's cheek lovingly, "looking at you now, seeing how much you care for him... I can't help but wonder if I made the right choice. Who knows how close the two of you would've gotten if you'd known each other your entire lives…"

Daphne's cheeks flushed again, this time not entirely from embarrassment. "I... I told you we're just friends, Mum."

A spark of mischief reignited in Marlene's eyes, and she reached out for this chance to lighten the mood. "Oh? And is that why you've been primping for hours, why you've changed your clothes three times, and why you keep stealing glances at your reflection in the mirror? I must say, I didn't think you'll choose to expose this much skin."

"Mum!" Daphne exclaimed, mortified. "I have not been primping! I simply want to look... presentable. And what skin? This is a normal sundress."

"That you've only ever worn when I'm the only one present," Marlene chuckled, patting her daughter's hand. Her eyes softened as she continued, "Darling, you'd look presentable in a potato sack. This," she gestured to Daphne's carefully styled hair and an impeccable hint of makeup, "is not just 'presentable'. This is 'desperately hoping to impress'."

Daphne opened her mouth to retort, then closed it again as any rebuttal refused to come out. Finally, a rueful smile tugged at her lips. "You really don't miss anything, do you?" she asked softly.

Marlene's expression softened, a wistful smile playing at her lips. "You know, Daphne," she began, her voice taking on a nostalgic quality, "Lily and I used to talk about this, back in our Hogwarts days."

Daphne raised an enquiring brow, her curiosity piqued despite her embarrassment. "Talk about what?"

"About how wonderful it would be if our children fell in love and married each other someday," Marlene admitted softly, her eyes misting with memories. "We'd sit by the lake, dreaming of the future. Lily would go on and on about how her son would be a perfect gentleman, brave and kind like James but with her common sense. And I'd insist that my daughter would be the most beautiful witch in all of Britain, with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue."

Daphne's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in shock. "You... what?" she sputtered, her usual eloquence deserting her. "You were planning our lives before we were even born?"

Marlene laughed, both at the memory and her daughter's reaction. "Oh, we were young and silly, full of hopes for a future that seemed so bright and certain. Being the best of friends, we thought it would be perfect – our families joined, our children happy together. A little piece of us living on through you."

"Mum," Daphne said, her voice softer now, tinged with a mixture of exasperation and affection, "you can't just... that's not how it works. Harry and I, we're not some childhood fantasy come to life. We're real people, with our own thoughts and feelings and..."

"Feelings that would be obvious to anyone who takes one good look at you," Marlene finished gently. "Daphne, love, I'm not saying you're destined to be together because Lily and I had some girlish daydreams. I'm saying that sometimes, life has a funny way of working out. And that maybe, just maybe, those two silly girls weren't so far off the mark after all."

Daphne was quiet for a long moment, her gaze distant. When she spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper. "Things are more complicated than you can imagine…"

"What do you mean?"

Sighing, Daphne told her mother about herself and Susan, their shared feelings towards a certain emerald-eyed wizard, and what Harry had confessed to them. Marlene's eyes widened as she listened, an expression of sympathy on her face as she gazed at her daughter.

"So that's what's going on," Daphne sighed.

Marlene reached up to cup her daughter's cheek, turning Daphne's face towards her. "Then you already know how he feels. What matters now is to resolve this situation, and I know how good you are at such things. And if not, then life is not done. You'll move forward. It's that simple."

The thought did not sit right with Daphne but she did not say anything, choosing to settle on a small sigh.

Smiling gently, Marlene continued, "But darling, from everything you've told me, from the way your eyes light up when you speak of him... I don't think you need to worry about anything."

Daphne leaned into her mother's touch, drawing comfort from the loving gesture. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because," Marlene said with a soft smile, "you may have my looks, but you have your father's heart. And that heart, my dear, is not easily won. If Harry has managed to capture it, I'd wager his own is equally ensnared."

The mention of her father made Daphne look down, her lips set in a thin line, and Marlene frowned, a pained expression growing on her face. She could feel her daughter's sorrow and it made her heart clench painfully to see her like this.

Before Daphne could respond though, the fireplace suddenly roared to life, green flames leaping high. Both women turned, startled, as a figure began to materialize in the floo.

Harry Potter blinked as he stepped out of the fireplace, a hand reaching up to wipe the soot off his sweatshirt. He was dressed casually, and his messy black hair was even more disheveled than usual, likely from the floo travel. As he straightened, his emerald green eyes – so like Lily's, Marlene thought with a pang – swept the room, landing on Daphne.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Marlene watched as Harry's gaze softened, a warmth spreading across his features that she recognized all too well. It was so similar to the look James had worn whenever he looked at Lily – a mixture of care and adoration that no amount of practiced nonchalance could fully conceal.

His gaze shifted to Marlene and she had to stifle a gasp. They were even more expressive and vibrant than Lily's, and for a moment, Marlene found herself thrust into the past.

"Hello," Harry greeted politely, and Marlene blinked, swallowing visibly.

"Hello," she whispered with a watery smile on her face. "Welcome."

Smiling tightly, Harry nodded.

-Break-

The dining room of Greengrass Manor was as opulent as the rest of it. A long mahogany table dominated the space, set for three with fine china and gleaming silver. Enchanted lamps hung from the walls, casting a warm glow that complemented the winter sunlight streaming through tall windows. The room was festive yet intimate, decorated with tasteful Christmas garlands and a smaller version of the grand tree from the sitting room.

Marlene sat at the head of the table, her posture perfect save for the slight fidgeting of her hands with the napkin. To her right sat Harry, his eyes occasionally darting to the woman who should have been a central figure of his life, but instead was a total stranger. Meanwhile, Daphne sat right opposite him, her sapphire gaze flicking between her mother and Harry.

"I hope you enjoyed the tour, Harry," Marlene spoke, breaking the terse silence as she served a steaming bowl of soup to each of them.

"I did," Harry smiled cordially as he accepted the bowl. "The garden stood out to me the most. It's enchanted to bloom all year round?"

"The newest addition, yes," Marlene nodded. "We set it up only months ago, after…"

She trailed off, but the meaning was lost on no one. Harry glanced at Daphne, only to find her fixated on her soup. Marlene's frown grew as she noticed and she reached out, squeezing her thigh gently. Daphne glanced at the mother and smiled thinly, nodding.

"It was Lily's creation, you know? The entire charm work that you see in that garden," Marlene said softly, a nostalgic smile on her face, and Harry perked up. "She was truly one of a kind. Would've given Flitwick a run for his money."

"I got some photographs from Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick… it was easy to see that you were one of her closest friends, alongside Neville's Mum."

Marlene nodded, swallowing hard. Both her friends had met terrible fates. "The best of friends, yes. From our first year at Hogwarts right up until…"

Once again, the meaning was lost on no one. Harry's jaw tightened, the reminder of his parents' death reopening a wound that could never fully heal.

Daphne sensed the growing tension and smoothly interjected, "Mum, why don't you tell Harry about the time all of you snuck into the Slytherin common room?"

Shooting her daughter a grateful look, Marlene turned to Harry. "Oh, that was quite the adventure. It was during our fifth year. We were all exhausted after the OWLs and James had this ridiculous idea that the upper year Slytherins had snuck in some firewhiskey from Rosemerta's. We were almost caught. That brilliant cloak and the map saved us," she said in a reminiscent tone.

As Marlene continued, Harry listened raptly, chuckling and shaking his head amusingly but as the tales wound down, that nagging question resurfaced, refusing to remain buried.

"It sounds like you all were very close," Harry said quietly, his eyes fixated on the now-empty soup bowl. "It's just… I can't help but wonder…"

"Why I wasn't there for you," Marlene finished, her voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent save for the soft crackle of the fireplace. Daphne reached under the table and took her mother's hand, giving her a supportive nod. Marlene smiled thankfully at her daughter and turned to Harry who was still staring at his empty bowl.

"Harry…" Marlene began, her voice thick with emotion. "I know that nothing I can say will make up for the years I was not there for you. But please… please believe me when I say that staying away from you, leaving you alone like that… it was the hardest thing I've ever done…"

Harry looked up, his emerald eyes – so much like Lily's that it hurt her to even look at them – meeting Marlene's blue ones. "I've been thinking about it… more than I would've liked to," he said slowly, eyeing Daphne who gazed at him with a frown. "Your husband was a Death Eater. Was he the reason why…?"

A small smile appeared on Daphne's face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, as she gazed at Harry. She knew… she knew he would understand. He had come up with a reason for her mother's absence, and he had struck gold. Had it been anyone else, there would've been shouting and disappointment, but Harry understood. It made the love she had in her heart for him soar even higher. It was for this very reason that when Harry admitted that even though there were reasons, being alone like that hurt, Daphne felt her heart break for him. She had never seen him so broken, so vulnerable. He had always portrayed himself as this strong young man shaped by the hardships he had endured. However, there still remained the child in him who had never been given the chance to grow with the love and care that he deserved.

Marlene nodded as she gazed sorrowfully at Harry, tears trickling from her eyes. "Of course it does. You deserved so much more, Harry. So much better. You deserved a childhood full of love and support… and a godmother who could be with you, no matter what the consequences might be."

"Those must be some severe consequences if you could not be there," Harry sighed, leaning back. He squared his shoulders as he straightened, fixing the woman with an intense stare. "I refuse to believe my parents would choose someone as my godmother if they did not believe she was worthy. I would like to hear more, please. About them, about you… and about these reasons…"

Smiling a watery smile, Marlene nodded, beyond grateful that Harry was giving her this chance. She could not have imagined he would be so open-minded and understanding about everything, but she was not going to look the gift horse in the mouth. She wanted to build a strong relationship with her godson, to give him everything she had missed out on, and to show him that he was no longer alone in this world. That he still had a family.

With a smooth swish of her wand, the cutlery disappeared and the main course – a roast turkey with all the trimmings – appeared on their plates. "Why don't we keep it lighthearted for the lunch? A story about your father's struggles with your mother, maybe? Let me tell you, the first time he tried to ask her out, it involved a badly transfigured bouquet and your father sprouting temporary antlers."

Chuckling, Harry nodded, and both he and Daphne listened intently to Marlene's story as they ate, the atmosphere in the dining room lightening up considerably. Daphne kept glancing at Harry throughout lunch, finding her feelings getting stronger for him as she did.

Even though there had been so many hardships in his past, he had truly turned out to be a remarkable human being – a feeling Marlene shared wholeheartedly.

-Break-

It had been a while since lunch and they had spent the entire time talking about Harry's parents' life at Hogwarts. The topic had been kept casual and lighthearted, but Marlene knew things would soon turn to darker topics.

She could see in Harry's expression that he was keeping those feelings hidden, but he very much wanted to hear her reasons.

"You deserve an explanation, Harry," she said softly, and Harry straightened, giving her his undivided attention. Marlene's eyes took on a faraway look as she started to speak, her daughter sitting beside her with her hand on her shoulder, a silent support.

Harry continued to listen quietly as Marlene explained how Cyrus Greengrass always had his eyes on her. It had come to harassment several times when they were at Hogwarts and the boy had been kept at bay by her friends who would never let someone like him come near her.

Things worsened when they graduated from Hogwarts and the war escalated.

"Ours was among the first family targeted by the Death Eaters, and you can guess who led the attack on us."

"Cyrus Greengrass," Harry muttered.

"His motivations were clear. He knew he could never have me, so he decided to resort to terrorism. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. My mother and my father, held in place with wands pointed at their throats, with no one coming to save us. He gave me a choice – become his trophy wife, or watch my parents die before being killed myself."

"Bastard," Harry seethed.

Marlene flashed him a small smile. "I had no choice. But not all was lost. The Death Eaters had this custom. Every marriage had to be approved by their Dark Lord. He wanted to ensure the marriage would yield true, pureblooded children, with no abominations."

Both Harry and Daphne wore looks of disgust as Marlene continued, "This came as the greatest boon to me. I convinced my healer to make it seem as if I was inflicted with a reproductive disease. There was no way I was ever letting that man lay his filthy hands on me. It was my fortune that Greengrass was ranked lower than the Inner Circle, and as such, not as important to their Dark Lord. There were not even deeper probes. They simply concluded that I was worthless. As you can imagine, Greengrass was livid, and he wanted to take it out on me, but it seemed he wanted to preserve the beauty of his trophy a bit too much. It was a reward for my suffering, I suppose, that he never tried to physically harm me."

Harry felt sorry for the woman who had suffered at the hands of this bastard, but confusion grew in his mind. His eyes shifted to Daphne who sat with her mother, and as if hearing his unspoken question, Marlene smiled softly.

"I never let that bastard touch me. Not only because I hated him with every fiber of my being, but because I had long given my heart to someone. If there ever was a man I wanted to be with, it was him," she whispered. "I had been married to Cyrus, but my heart belonged to him."

"Who are you talking about?" Harry asked searchingly.

"My father," Daphne replied instead.

Realization dawned on Harry in an instant and he gazed questioningly at Marlene, who nodded.

"Daphne is the only gift I have from the love of my life. I could not be with him, but I could most definitely carry something of his with me," she said with a gentle smile toward her daughter. "As you can guess already, Greengrass was livid when he found out, but his greed for a perfect trophy remained absolute. I could not run because of the vows that bound me to him. Rather foolish of him to not ensure I always remained faithful to him. I believed I'd won, you know? I had something of the love of my life with me, even though I had to live with that bastard. What could go wrong?"

Harry sat silently as the woman let out a mirthless chuckle.

"What could go wrong, eh? What about everything? Halloween night came, and my world was destroyed forever. Lily and James died, Alice and Frank broken days later, and not long after, I got the news that my love… he was thrown into Azkaban for being a Death Eater."

Harry's eyes shot open as the woman clenched her fists, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"I knew he was innocent. He was the furthest thing from being a Death Eater, but it seemed no one wanted to listen. He was just another body in a sea of dozens who were thrown into Azkaban in the aftermath of the war," Marlene sighed. "Greengrass was elated. He never touched me, both because of my presumed disease, and because he considered me spoiled goods… that pathetic cretin… but he made sure I was mentally tormented. He never relented from reminding me how Daphne would never see her real father… how he was rotting in Azkaban despite being innocent. He forbade me from ever even thinking about reaching out to you, or he would…"

Marlene trailed off, and Harry pursed his lips. He knew what the bastard would have threatened her with.

"I had no choice, Harry. I knew he would've killed my Daphne if I'd even thought about stepping out of line. In a way, I was surprised that he hadn't done it long ago. But it was only a few years ago that I realized what his true motive was. He could not just let me get away with my so-called infidelity, and he… he decided to destroy me in the only way he knew how to… by taking my daughter from me."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked faintly, his eyes on Daphne who stared firmly at the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Marlene noticed and she gently raised her daughter's chin, shaking her head lovingly.

"You were a victim, darling. I've told you. It was never your fault," she said softly. Daphne blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and nodded faintly.

Marlene turned back to Harry and sighed. "He decided to turn Daphne against me. Turn my daughter against me. He played the perfect, loving father to her, even though I could see the disgust in his eyes whenever he saw Daphne. He became her hero – something every father is to his daughter. But his intention was nothing but pure evil. It was not hard for him to fill the head of a little child with vitriol and hatred for her mother."

Harry glanced at Daphne who was working hard to keep her emotions in check. Marlene kept a firm hold on her hand, continuously offering her the support she so desperately sought from her mother.

"I lived in that environment for years. But at least Daphne was safe. She was not abused or mistreated in the slightest. That was enough for me," Marlene continued. "I had thought many times to tell Daphne about her real father, to show her Greengrass' true face, but I was afraid it would break my daughter. But as they say, truth comes to light one day."

"I overheard them when I got back from Tracey's," Daphne whispered. "I heard everything. My truth, his truth, and how he had been torturing Mum for years. I will never forget his face when he saw I'd heard it all… It was… It was as if years of pent-up madness had resurfaced at once."

"He knew the jig was up," Marlene took over the explanation once again. "And now, he had no issues with killing Daphne. He'd never loved her, and he knew it would destroy me completely. I stopped him, but he overpowered me easily. That was the first time he physically hit me."

"All I saw at that moment was that murderous face trying to choke the life out of my Mum," Daphne whispered. "I don't even remember raising my wand or what spell I used. All I recall is a knife from the dining table stab him through those mad eyes and it was all over."

As Daphne finished, the living room of Greengrass Manor was shrouded in deathly silence. Both the women were openly crying as they held each other while Harry breathed heavily, his eyes filled with understanding as he stared at them.

Slowly, he stood up and approached them, coming to a stop right in front of Marlene who gazed up at him with wide eyes.

Biting his lower lip gently, Harry reached out and pulled the woman to her feet before he surprised both of them by wrapping his arm around her, pulling her in a gentle hug.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," he whispered, and the dam broke. Marlene clutched onto him as she wept openly, years of despair oozing out of her. Beside her, Daphne was the same and Harry spread his arms. The younger blonde wasted no time and crushed herself to him, burying herself in the three-way hug as she wept against her mother's shoulder.

Minutes passed as they stood in an embrace, and Harry kept whispering reassurances to both of them. He could feel their pain and relief after everything that had happened, and now he understood why Daphne had been so vehement when she'd said Cyrus Greengrass was not her father. He'd thought it was because she hated him, but that was not the only reason. He had never been her father, period.

However, that begged the question as to who her real father was. Marlene had said he'd been thrown in Azkaban despite being innocent, and his heart went out to them once again. He wondered if there was a way they could free the man. With Cyrus Greengrass out of the picture, surely they all could be together.

He gently pulled away from the embrace and wiped their tears off, chuckling when Daphne swatted his hands away. He did not relent though and made sure he wiped her face properly, much to the amusement of her mother who took her seat once again.

"So that was the story in its entirety," Marlene said softly, and Harry nodded as he took his seat.

"I want to help you, Marlene," he said ardently, surprising the woman. "With Daphne's father. You said he's innocent. Surely we can do something to free him."

A pained expression grew on Marlene's face which was shortly replaced with a resigned smile.

"You think I haven't tried, Harry? I could not do anything with Greengrass around, but in these past months since he died, I've been trying to get something done. But there's been no progress. There are people, Harry. People in positions of power who don't want him to be free. They know he will have a lot of power if he gets out, and they can't let that power go in the hands of their enemy."

Harry's brow furrowed. "Who exactly is Daphne's real father?"

"I believe you've heard of him, Harry. Or seen him in those pictures McGonagall and Flitwick gave you," Marlene said softly. "Daphne's father is Sirius Black."

TBC.

Visit the link on my profile if you'd like to read more of all my fics. Chapters 29, 30, 31, and 32 of this one are already up.

Also, check out my other fics if you like this one.

Thanks for reading!