Dear Daphne,

Word of your help in the case of Sirius Black has reached our ears, and to say we are impressed is an understatement; you went above and beyond what you were expected to do and saved an innocent man, that in itself is impressive. Your Grandfather also expresses his amazement and pride for you and would like to inform you that he will be starting your training once Summer break starts.

Personally i don't see the sense in you starting this training, it is outdated and will not necessarily contribute to your plans at large; but your grandfather has been adamant about it so I digress. Be prepared for everything he can throw at you, I'd say I'd be there to watch you progress but i will be on the continent for most of the summer; do your best and do not fail.

Stay out of trouble this summer, I'd rather not hear that my daughter is in a ministry holding cell because of some hair brained scheme.

Regards,

William Greengrass

Daphne sighed as she slowly folded the letter back up, looking out the compartment window at the platform, where hundreds of students were milling about, dragging their trunks behind them and onto the train.

'You look stressed."

The statement made Daphne jump slightly as she turned to glare at her boyfriend, who was grinning at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "first time i've succeeded in sneaking up on you." he said, carefully entering the compartment and sitting beside his girlfriend, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before looking to the sliding door, "where's the rest of 'team gryffindor'?" she asked.

"They're sitting with Neville and the others, said they wanted to give us some privacy since we don't know the next time we'll be seeing one another...so whats' wrong?"

"I said nothing." she muttered, tensing slightly as Harry put a hand on her back, gently rubbing her back.

"Don't lie love." Harry said softly.

Daphne sighed and handed Harry the letter, he took it and began to read it.

"Kind of impersonal don't you think?" he asked as he finished the letter.

"That's father…" she said, taking the letter back and putting it away.

"He never seemed to be the most loving of fathers." Harry said carefully.

"He was different...once upon a time, back when Mother was still there, he was warmer...more caring, he wouldn't hesitate to pick us up and cradle us when we were hurt, to kiss our cheeks and tell us he loved us...he'd take breaks off work to take us to the continent for summer break…" She looked down, "then she passed...and he was never the same, he became cold and withdrawn...threw himself into his work...drank too much.' she looked down, "it was a while before he was even interested in anything else."

Harry put his arm around her, pulling her in for a comforting hug. "What's your grandfather like?" he asked curiously, hoping to take her thoughts off of her father.

Daphne perked up, "he's amazing." she said, "he's a survivor of Grindelwalds war, fought alongside Albus Dumbledore and Newt Scamander. He says that he fought in the bloodiest battles, and even saved dumbledore a few times.'

"That's amazing." Harry said with a smile, "and he wants to give you training?"

She nodded, "he talks about it every year, but father never lets him, at least until this year."

Wow, well let me know what kind of training he has you doing, maybe I can join in."

'Maybe, you only have to stay with the Dursley's for two weeks right? So maybe around your birthday you can come visit him."

"That would be brilliant." he said with a grin, giving her a kiss on the cheek, Daphne chuckled slightly and turned her head, giving him a real kiss, soon they were fiercely making out against the compartment window, hands hesitantly wandering as they pushed their bodies together, Harry, feeling bold, let his hand fall down to Daphne's bum, giving it a gentle squeeze and making her gasp slightly.

"Harry," She breathed out, reconnecting their lips with a renewed vigour, letting out a whimper when Harry began to kiss her neck.

"Hey Daph do you have my-OH MY GOD!" Astoria groaned loudly as she opened the compartment door, then promptly closed it, making the two teens spring apart. Blushing furiously.

"Seriously, don't you two know a simple thing called a LOCK!" Astoria complained as she threw the door back open, putting her fists on her hips, "you didn't even close the blinds!"

"I thought you were sitting with Sally-Ann and Su?" Daphne muttered, fixing her hair while Harry just leaned back in his seat, a dopey smile on his face.

"I was, but I was trying to find one of my novels, and was coming to see if you have it."

"I don't know, check my trunk." Daphne said as she moved to check on Gryf, who had been curled up asleep in his cage.

"Okay, Harry can you help me get it down?" she looked at the boy, who was still staring vacantly at the wall, smiling stupidly.

"Um...earth to Potter?" Astoria said, waving her hand in front of his face.

"Uh...huh? What? Hey, what?"

"Can you help me with Daphne's Trunk." she said slowly, amusement tinting her voice.

"Yeah, yeah i got you." Harry stuttered, standing and pulling the trunk down and setting it on the seats.

"Thank you." Astoria said cutely, "If i didn't know better, I'd think that was the first time you and my sister snogged."

Harry scratched the back of his head nervously as he sat back down, Astoria soon found her book and left, leaving them alone once more.

"That...was embarrassing." Harry groaned running a hand through his hair as he leaned back.

"She just had to walk in." Daphne muttered, a slight blush dusting her cheeks as she leaned into Harry.

"Could've been worse…I think…"

Daphne looked up at Harry and smiled, "you're right, she could've walked in fifteen minutes later."

Harry turned a deep shade of red, his dopey smile returning as he thought about what could have happened if they hadn't ben interrupted. Daphne laughed softly and kissed his cheek. "Never change Harry, Never change."

The rest of the ride was quiet, with the two simply enjoying each others company, there was a small, tense moment when Malfoy had walked by and stared at the two with narrowed eyes, Harry had instantly tensed up, until Malfoy looked behind him and kept walking. Now they were collecting their luggage and getting ready to leave the train.

"Hey you two.' Hermione said, walking up to them as they stepped into the corridor, Ron following behind, his hands in his pockets, "how was the drive."

'It was good." Harry said, "what about you guys?"

"It was great," Ron said with a smile, then frowned, "of course there was this weird part where Su Li came by…"

Daphne raised an eyebrow, "that's weird?"

"Well...I mean she just opened the door and looked right at me, then she stuttered out a hi and ran off quickly after I asked 'hows it goin'." Ron shook his head, "Mental I tell you."

Daphne and Hermione shared a look as Harry shrugged, "probably just excited about her Summer vacation."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "both of you are hopeless." she muttered, taking Harry's hand and heading off.

"Hey! I think i do pretty good!" Harry defended while Ron spluttered behind them.

"Sure you do." Daphne retorted as they stepped off the train and looked about. They spotted Sirius almost instantly, he was still pale and sallow-cheeked, but the mans enthusiastic waving was hard to miss; he had also changed his clothes, gone were the shabby prison robes, replaced instead by baggy jeans and a Iron maiden T-shirt, covered by a worn leather biker jacket.

"Pup!" Sirius exclaimed, limping forward to wrap his godson in a hug.

"Hey sirius." Harry said with a grin, returning his hug, "how you feeling?"

"Better every day!" he looked over to Daphne, who was as standoffish as she was when he first met her, "Ms. Greengrass." he greeted cheerfully, "How are you this fine June afternoon?"

"Very good Mr. Black."

"Please! Mr. Black is my father! And I don't like being reminded of him, Call me Sirius...or Padfoot, I like padfoot, don't you like padfoot? I like padfoot."

Daphne rolled her eyes and smiled at him, "Padfoot it is then."

"Yay! She lets me be myself!" he sang, looking over to Ron and hermione, "Hello!"

"Hey mate." Ron said, waving while Hermione gave him a small wave.

"How are you feeling Mr. Black?" Hermione asked.

Sirius frowned, 'I'd feel a lot better if people stopped calling me Mr. Black."

Harry laughed at that, and was soon joined by his friends.

"So! What's everyone doing this summer?" Sirius asked conversationally.

"The Quidditch world cup!" Ron almost burst out, "it's this summer! Bulgaria vs Ireland! It'll be amazing! Harry! You have to come!"

"We'll definitely be there!" sirius declared, grinning happily as Molly and Arthur walked over.

"Sirius Black." Molly greeted, looking him over with a critical eye.

"Woman I kind of remember but would like to be reminded." he returned.

"Molly Weasley."

'Oh yes! Molly Weasley! Now I remember!" he held a hand out, "it's very good to see you again Molly! And I must say your children are amazing!"

Molly looked surprised as she reached out and shook his hand, "t-they are rather amazing aren't they?"

"That they are!" Sirius agreed before turning to Arthur, "And Arthur! It's been much too long!"

"It has, hasn't it." Arthur agreed kindly, and slightly awkwardly.

"Arthur here got me and James out of some really tough situations when we were younger." Sirius explained to the kids, 'may or may not have involved a flying motorcycle."

"A flying motorcycle?" Harry questioned.

"Yep! Which reminds me, Arthur, where is my motorcycle?"

"Last I remember Hagrid had it, probably keeping it safe somewhere."

"Or destroyed it when he thought I was a traitor." Sirius said offhandedly.

"Yes...or that…"

"Well, we must have tea sometime you two! I'd love to get reacquainted with your family again."

"And we would love to have you." Molly said gently, then turned to Harry, "you write when you can Harry dear, hopefully we can have you over sometime this summer."

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Harry said with a smile as the Weasley clan left.

"So, Daphne, where are your guardians?" Sirius asked, looking around the platform.

"I'm sure Artie is somewhere around here to take me and my sister back but-"

"Granddaughter."

The deep, raspy voice called from behind their group, making Daphne stiffen in surprise, she turned around to find her grandfather, standing in a very clean three piece suit, his long silver hair brushed and tied back into a lords braid, in his hand he held a black cane that was topped with a gold orb, he held a stern expression, which almost instantly disappeared upon seeing his granddaughter.

"Granda!" Daphne exclaimed, running forward to give him a hug, then quickly jumped back, falling into her rigid posture, "i'm sorry sir…" she mumbled.

Her grandfather chuckled and stepped forward to hug her, "don't say sorry for giving your old grandfather a hug." he said quietly, "it's good to see you again after so long."

"You too granda…"

"Cyrus Greengrass…"

Daphne looked back to Sirius, who was staring at her grandfather in reverence.

"Sirius Black." Cyrus said, slowly letting his granddaughter go and walking over to him, he put a hand on the gaunt mans shoulder, "It's good seeing you free once again son."

"It was all thanks to your granddaughter." Sirius said, scratching his head, "without her, i'm sure things would've ended for the worst."

"I agree with that statement." Harry piped up, shrinking slightly when Cyrus turned his attention to him.

"I'm sure you do, Mr. Potter." Cyrus said, before reaching his hand out, "Cyrus greengrass, good to finally meet you."

"Likewise.' Harry said timidly, shaking Cyrus's hand, "Daphne speaks very highly of you."

"Glad to hear that." he chuckled, letting Harry's hand go, "so, you're the one who stole my granddaughters heart?"

Harry turned a light shade of pink, "W-well...i mean...um…"

Cyrus laughed, "calm down boy, I'm only poking fun." he looked back to Daphne, who was similarly blushing, "though I don't think i'm far off the point."

Harry ran a hand through his hair, "I guess not…" he mumbled as Astoria suddenly shot forward from the crowd and tackled her grandfather in a flying hug.

"OOOF!" Cyrus weezed out, "Astoria." he rasped, "Good to see you again."

"Good to see you too granda!" Astoria said happily.

Sirius smiled at the display, then sighed, "as fun as all of this is, me and Harry should probably get to the Walrus and the horse."

"Walrus and a horse?" Cyrus asked in confusion as Harry started chuckling, "still playing your tricks then Sirius."

"Always." Sirius said with an easy smile. "It was...it was good seeing you again Cyrus."

'And you too Sirius, we must get together again some time, talk about the old days."

"Yes sir, that sounds great."

While the two adults were saying good-bye, the two lovers were quietly saying their own good-byes.

"Stay safe Harry." Daphne said softly, "and write to me every chance you get."

"I will, I love you."

"I love you too." he returned, giving her a chaste kiss good-bye.

"It was good meeting you Mr. Greengrass." Harry said, shaking the older mans hand once more.

"Same to you, Mr. Potter." Cyrus said, giving him a firm shake, "come along girls, it's time we get home."

Sirius and Harry waved goodbye as Cyrus put his arms around the two sisters and disapparated.

"Alright Pup, lets head on out." Sirius said, turning towards the exit.

"How did you know Daphne's Grandfather?" Harry asked.

Sirius paused for a few seconds, then said, "he trained me."

"Trained you?"

"Yes, trained me, he is a very sought after master of defense. On par with dumbledore, some may even say he's surpassed him."

"He's that powerful?"

Sirius nodded gravely, "He began training me when I was in fifth year, just after I got out of my parents house, never have I seen such amazing magic before, never before and never again. Dumbledore is astounding with a wand, but Cyrus…" he shook his head, "I Saw him take on a squad of fifteen Death Eaters on his own, and he left without so much as a scratch."

Harry's eyes widened at that, "he must be a great duelist."

"Heh, if that's what you wanna call it."

Harry looked at him in confusion, but before he could ask, the two were walking out of Kings Cross station and towards a very purple looking Uncle Vernon.

"Heads up, Ministry is letting me stay with them while you're there and they are NOT happy."

"Oh boy." Harry muttered.

"Don't worry, they won't try anything, old fat ass learned that my first day there!"

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Cyrus slowly walked through the halls of Hogwarts, his cane clunking loudly against the marble floors as he made his way towards the headmasters office, when he reached the gargoyle, it promptly sprang away from the entrance, allowing the wizened man to walk up the stairs, soon he was at the large mahogany doors that lead into the office.

"Enter." a tired voice called out, Cyrus pushed the doors open and walked in, looking upon the face of a very stressed looking Albus Dumbledore.

"Cyrus." he greeted, giving the man a wane smile.

"Alby." Cyrus returned, striding over and sitting in one of the leather chairs.

"Must you still call me by that name?"

"So long as it annoys you." Cyrus said with a smile.

Albus gave a weary sigh, "what can I do for you Cyrus?" he asked.

Cyrus narrowed his eyes, "you seem pretty tired, Albus," he said conversationally, "I'd have thought you'd be relaxed and ready for the summer break."

""Alas, the years are finally beginning to catch up with me...I'm old."

"You were old in 1937." Cyrus retorted, "there's something else troubling you."

Albus hesitated, looking past Cyrus towards his many contraptions.

"Don't lie to me Albus," Cyrus said before Albus could say anything, "we've been through a lot, you and I, and while I'd like to think you'd be truthful, I know from experience that you like to keep your secrets.'

Albus stared at him in surprise, then let out a light chuckle, "I could never get away with lying to you, could I?"

"It's your own fault, you were always pants at lying." Cyrus chortled, "I remember when you tried to lie to Charlus about that prank we pulled on him in seventh year, not only did he figure out you were the mastermind, but he also paid you back twice over."

"My hair still doesn't grow the same." Albus said fondly, then sighed, "I believe, we are about to enter a very dark time. And it is unavoidable…"

"Does this have anything to do with Voldemort?"

Albus nodded gravely, carefully opening one of the drawers, he pulled out a ragged book with a gaping hole through it's center, tossing it on the desk, where Cyrus picked it up.

"It's a journal, a very...torn up and destroyed journal, but a journal nonetheless…' he raised an eyebrow as he felt something niggling at the back of his mind, "there's...there's traces of dark magic from this." he muttered, looking at Albus.

"Indeed." he said gravely, "I'm not entirely sure what it was, but i'm sure I know it's purpose...this particular journal created a shade that slowly drained the life out of a first year student. Had Mr. Potter not stabbed it with a basilisk fang-"

"-this is very dark magic Albus...very dark...are you absolutely sure that you don't know what it is?"

"I have my suspicions...but nothing concrete.'

"Well then let me know everything you have on it and i'll be sure to do my own research." Cyrus said, then leaned forward. "Lets hope he only made one."

"That's all we can hope for."Albus said gravely, "but I assume you did not come here to speak with me about Voldemort."

"That I didn't, I came to speak with you about Mr. Potter."

Albus raised an eyebrow, "and what about Mr. Potter do you want to talk about?""

Cyrus took a deep breath, "I'd like to begin training him, alongside my granddaughter."

"Harry is still young, he doesn't need to worry about any kind of training."

"You and I both know that's a crock of horseshit." Cyrus said bluntly, "from the stories i've heard from my granddaughters, as well as from some of the professors, the boy hasn't had a normal year since before hogwarts, he's being targeted; and as you said, Voldemort is making a comeback, he needs to be prepared." he leaned back in his chair.

"I understand he needs to be prepared, but the training of the order is not the way to do it."

"And why not? I was trained under the order, as was Charlus, his great Grandfather."

"And we all saw how that ended." Albus said quietly.

Cyrus looked down, then looked back up, "the past is the past, we did what we did because we thought it was right...you did what you did because you thought it was right."

"And in doing what I thought was right, I got one of the closest friends i've had killed...all because I wouldn't listen."

"You're not the only one to blame Albus, we all know how hot my temper runs, and we both know who cast that first spell."

Albus slowly stood and walked to the window, staring out across the grounds, "you will keep him safe during the training? No unnecessary risks?"

"He will be completely protected," Cyrus agreed, standing, "I give you my word Albus."

Albus let out a sigh, "It is not like I can stop the boy if he's interested…"

Cyrus nodded, "you are welcome to come around to watch the training Albus, you're still technically part of the order."

"No, No, it's best I stay away." Albus said, shaking his head.

"If that's what you want." he said carefully, slowly turning to walk to the exit, "i'll keep you posted."

"Thank you...Cyrus."

"Anytime, brother."

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It was a tired Cyrus that stepped through the emerald flames later that evening, rubbing his eyes as he pulled his coat off.

"Good evening grandda!" Astoria greeted him from her spot on the couch.

"Good evening 'tori." he said to his granddaughter, ruffling her hair, "where's your sister?"

"Where else? In the Library."

Cyrus nodded his thanks and walked through the halls until he came upon the large mahogany doors that covered the Greengrass library, he quietly opened the doors and looked around. Smiling when he saw his eldest granddaughter sitting at one of the oak tables, reading a well worn book.

"A Midsummer night's dream." Cyrus said, making Daphne jump and turn to look at her grandfather, "possibly one of the greatest of Shakespeare's works, though not one that we currently have in this library."

"A friend loaned it to me." Daphne said quietly, closing the book and slowly standing up.

"Hmm...well best to get to business.' he said with a smile, "follow me, it's time for you to start your training."