25Chapter 7 – Moving on
A/N:
Apparently (based on the reviews) I'm not hinting clearly enough that the second half of this chapter concerns Lucius Malfoy and what to do about him. I'm thinking about how to fix it, but in the mean time you have this note.
The discussions about contracts and sex picked up again before breakfast the next day. Shamefaced Hermione told Harry that she'd changed her mind, or at least softened her opinions. Thus she demonstrated true bravery.
The discussion, now no longer a debate, continued at breakfast, where Daphne joined them. Even though they'd agreed to keep the betrothal a secret, by dinnertime most of Hogwarts could make a pretty good guess. Such are the dangers of working with Gryffindors.
Ginny send a quick note to her mother, warning her that potioning Harry Potter could have legal consequences.
She received in reply some sweets, condolences and affirmation that she'd be alright. Ginny cried, mourning the future she'd never have, and felt relief.
Ron received a letter warning him not to do anything hasty. Not to be impatient. And to bloody well wait for Bulgarians to bugger of back to Bulgaria.
Draco, incensed both because something good happened to Potter and because Daphne made a fool of him, confronted Daphne in the Slytherin common room.
Daphne, who had prepared for the entirely predictable "ambush", eyed her support around the room. "Why don't you ask your father to ask my father what's actually in the contract we signed, daddy's boy?" she smirked.
"I think I will," he snarled.
Draco couldn't quite hide his pain behind his anger. This being Slytherin, people noticed. His support fractured. Daphne was safe for now.
Classes started again, and in addition to the normal coursework Daphne had to deal with Harry's incessant fretting about his screeching egg. It might be forgiven, then, that she was absent-minded enough to allow herself to be ambushed by Fleur Delacour and dragged into a classroom.
Before Daphne could assess her surroundings –a dusted room containing two Beuaxbatons students and some empty desks and cupboards– Fleur grabbed her by the sides of her head, bringing their faces uncomfortably close. In a low, urgent tone, she asked, "Does your father love you?"
"… yes," Daphne answered reflexively.
"Would your father trade you for anything in the world?"
"I don't think so." Daphne attempt to scan her surroundings was somewhat complicated by the fact that most of her view was taken up by Fleur's face.
"Would your father trade you for a pair of Veela women?"
"No." Daphne answered crisply, with a feeling of relief.
"Do you think you understand the situation?" Fleur questioned suspiciously.
Daphne wanted to pull away from the girl's grip, but it was clear Fleur had trust issues and this was helping somehow. So she accepted the indignity.
"My guess is that I've been offered as collateral to guarantee the safety of some of your family members?" she guessed.
"Close." Fleur acknowledged. "Your sister too."
Fleur was looking for any sign of shock, so Daphne showed none. They would be safe. Hopefully.
"You expected this?" Fleur asked. "Why?"
'Expect' is too strong a word really, Daphne mused. Father might have warned (or even asked!) her. But better not to dwell on the details.
"Let's say," Daphne began carefully, "there was a major poaching incident in France back in 1977, with smaller ones in 1987 and 1988." Daphne watched Fleur's face stiffen. "And hypothetically, if we knew who was responsible and wanted to stop them from ever doing it again…"
"Then you lock them in jail and throw away the key." Fleur hissed.
Daphne struggled to remain calm with their faces so close; she could see the flickers of fire and bird in Fleur's features.
"It's not so simple in Britain. For certain upstanding citizens poaching in France is probably legal under British law."
Fleur's snarl was feral, causing Daphne to flinch. At last Fleur released her.
Two wands were now aimed at Daphne, who raised her hands, feeling surprisingly relieved.
"I don't like this either," Daphne explained earnestly. "That's why we're trying to change things."
Fleur's dictated calmly and deliberately. "We're using a ritual of hostage exchange. You'll attend the remembrance of the sacking of Rouen on January 19."
Daphne bristled at her treatment, but also recognised an opportunity. "Would you join us?" she asked as sweetly as she could. "And perhaps you could invite Harry as well? I think he's never been to France."
For a moment Fleur softened. She gave a small nod.
A/N:
Thanks for the encouraging reviews!