Both Hermione and Harry got their prefect badges with the Hogwarts letter. Harry was surprised to get it, and even more surprised that Daphne didn't get one.
Daphne just shrugged. "Professor Snape doesn't like me. I know he has chosen Pansy as prefect, maybe because she seems closer to Malfoy, who is his godson. He probably doesn't know of the contract I had and that has now passed to Astoria."
"That's not fair!" Harry said.
"Life's not fair, yet we do our best," she answered.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Dumbledore visited a few days before the start of school. "I'm here strictly on school business," he told them. "I have a problem finding an appropriate DADA teacher. The minister insisted that I take one of his people for the job. I didn't like the idea, but having no other candidate, I was forced to accept. Now, as the minister has been removed, that person is also due for some long vacation at Azkaban. I urgently need a new defense teacher."
"Why don't you take Professor Lupin? He's been the best by far," Harry suggested.
"Alas, his furry little problem is now known and prevents me from hiring him. I also asked Moody and Sirius. None is willing to take the job."
"But how can I help you? I've not graduated yet."
"You haven't, but your elder wife has, and with excellent grades. I wish Fleur to become the new DADA teacher."
Fleur was amused by the offer. She had been debating with herself what to do while the others were at school. She could probably find some simple jobs at Hogsmeade, but none to really attract her. London could give her better job opportunities, but keep her far from her mate. The teaching job solved her problems. It would be challenging and interesting and would give her as much time to spend with her family as she wanted.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Although Fleur could apparate them to Hogwarts (well, to the gates only) they decided to take the train. They reached the platform early, and chose a compartment in the middle of the train. They were soon joined by Neville and Hannah, who seemed to have become a couple. Neville was surprised to see Daphne pressed to Harry's side, just like Hermione on the other side. He also noticed the Lady Black ring on her finger.
"I see some congratulations are in order," he noted with a smile. "I never knew there was something between you two," he added, waving at Daphne and Harry.
Harry tightened his hold on Daphne's shoulder. "There wasn't much chance for anything between us at school, due to house rivalry, but once we met at Sirius's house, it came with a flash."
Neville, who had already heard the real story up to Harry's birthday, opened his eyes wide. "Another flash wedding?"
Harry chuckled. "Yes. You should have seen the faces of Sirius and Lord Greengrass when they found out. Yet Daphne really wanted it, although none of us expected it to happen so soon."
"So, you're Lady Black now?" Neville asked Daphne.
"So it seems. I'm still not accustomed to my new name and title, though, and I don't know how my house mates will react to the news. Luckily, I don't have to stay at the dormitories any longer."
Neville's eyes widened again. "Oh, you're going to have your own apartment!"
"We actually save one apartment for Hogwarts. You see, Harry is eligible for an apartment as a Lord, and I am eligible as a teacher," Fleur intervened.
"A teacher? What are you going to teach, Professor Potter?"
Fleur laughed. "I'm still Fleur for my friends and family when not in class. I'm going to be your DADA professor, although I believe Harry could be just as good a teacher if he needed to."
Ron joined them as the train started moving. He only noticed Daphne after he sat down next to Neville. "What is this snake doing here?" he spat.
"Ron, Daphne is my wife now, holding the title of Lady Black. You should treat her nicely if you want to stay our friend."
"But she's a Slytherin!"
"No. She's a young, beautiful and attractive lady who happened to be sorted into Slytherin house, but she loves me and I love her. Be nice to her and she'll be nice to you."
Ron still seemed skeptical, yet paying some more attention, he saw the way Harry was holding her and the way she was looking at Harry. He still had his doubts, but she certainly deserved a chance, he decided. "Lady Black, please accept my apologies for letting my tongue run wild. I hope this won't happen again, but knowing myself I can't promise that. I hope you will be able to put me right and forgive me if ever I speak this way again."
Daphne, who was looking at him coldly, seemed to warm up a bit. "Well, Mr. Weasley, I forgive you. At least you are honest enough not to promise something you aren't sure you can control. I'm sure to put you in line whenever you step out of it." Her smile, although not as warm as usual, was enough to make Ron realize that there must be something good in this girl, even though she was in Slytherin house.
Fred and George came to visit a bit later. "We've heard you've taken...", "...another beauty out of circulation. Should we congratulate you...", "...or should we mourn for your difficult life...", "...having to cope with three sexy, beautiful and smart wives?"
Daphne, for whom this was the first exposure to the twins' pin-pong talking, started laughing so hard that she couldn't sit straight. Once she managed to control herself she said, "Here goes my reputation as the 'Ice Queen'. You two are fabulous!"
"We only try...", "...to get some laughs," they answered with a wink. "Beside, Lord Potter is our...", "...partner in business now, and we...", "...should keep in good relations."
Daphne laughed some more. "Don't ever change, you two!"
They only stayed a bit longer and then left to join the Gryffindor chasers.
Harry had noticed Draco arriving to the platform when still at the station and he expected a visit, although he wasn't looking forward to it. As expected, the door slid open about two hours into the voyage, revealing Draco Malfoy with his two body guards. Harry made sure to have his wand ready, yet Malfoy surprised him.
"Lord Potter, Ladies, I've heard of your marriages. Let me congratulate you for marrying three very smart and beautiful ladies. I hope we can stay at least civil with each other throughout this year."
Harry managed to answer. "Thank you, Lord Malfoy for the congratulations. I certainly hope the same. It would make life at school pleasanter."
Draco nodded curtly and left.
"That was quite a pleasant surprise," Hermione noted.
"How's that?" Daphne asked.
"He usually came to tease and belittle us, although not very successfully," Hermione explained.
"Maybe his new position, free from the influence of his father, is bringing some change for the better in him?" Harry mused.
Ginny also came to visit. "I've heard you have another wife now," she said, looking at Daphne. "I wish you and your new wife a lot of happiness," she said, yet it was evident that she had some difficulties saying anything, as her voice sounded choked and Harry noticed some wetness in her eyes.
"I need to go now," she said hurriedly and left.
It was only then that Harry noticed another girl, who had probably accompanied Ginny. She was a long-haired blonde who wore radish earrings and bottle-caps necklace. "Lord Harry Potter-Black, I wish to congratulate you on marrying these fine young women. Ladies, I wish to congratulate you for marrying this fine young man. I believe you'll all be very happy together," she said dreamily.
"Who are you?" Harry asked.
"I'm Luna Lovegood, although many call me just 'Looney'. I've been a childhood friend of Ginevra."
She bowed once and left.
"I can see why they call her Looney," Ron muttered.
"I believe she is a nice girl," Hermione said forcefully. "She may have her quirks, but who hasn't?"
Some of their class mates also came to chat a bit and some girls just wanted to confirm the gossip that started circulating, yet it was quite a pleasant ride.
Fleur left her mates once they reached the great hall, joining the teachers at the head table. Daphne wasn't sure where she should sit and eventually decided to join Harry and Hermione at the Gryffindor table.
"We'll sit tomorrow at the Slytherin table, if you like," Harry promised.
Once the sorting was done, Dumbledore stood up. "Another year starts, This one promises to be much more peaceful than its predecessor, as the greatest threat had been removed at the end of the last term. This has also brought a few changes. As you can see, we have a new teacher at the table. Professor Potter will be teaching DADA. She has Graduated Beauxbatons with excellent grades and we're looking forward to have her teach here for some time."
He stopped for the applause to calm down. "We also have some new Lords among our students. These will be given separate lodging, as appropriate for their new positions. Still, if they abuse this privilege, it will be limited severely. We trust them to act wisely."
He let some chat to take place before going on. "Last, but not least – we have a few married students now. They will also get their married suite and are expected to act wisely. Now- tuck in!"
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Fifth year was difficult for Harry. It wasn't the studies – with both Hermione and Daphne, not to mention Fleur, at his side, he was doing just great. It wasn't Quidditch either. He was enjoying his position as the seeker who never missed a game. Not even his additional duties as a prefect. He patrolled with either Hermione or Daphne, who got the position as soon as Snape found that Pansy was no longer Draco's favorite. It was basically keeping control of his mouth whenever he was near any girl but his wives. Either Daphne or Hermione were always close to him, keeping their ears cocked to his words, stopping him whenever he seemed to be even slightly excited about anything but Quidditch.
He had his perks, of course. Being married, they got an apartment all for themselves. Spending each night with three gorgeous naked girls was certainly not a punishment although it sometimes caused lack of sleep.
There was also the jealousy. Boys his age and older were extremely jealous of Harry having the best looking girls in school. Some had forgotten how they had treated Hermione in previous years. The girls were also jealous. Nobody knew how he ended up married, but none of the girls thought he would consider an additional wife. The fact that he was now known as Head of House Potter didn't help much. He was not only famous for his deeds and for his good looks, he was also very rich. That was a combination that proved too attractive for many girls who tried desperately to catch his eyes (or other parts of his body), hoping he would agree to make them his fourth wife.
His main problem, though, was Ginny. Unlike some other girls, she didn't try to follow him or catch him alone. She didn't even try to talk to him unless she needed to. Yet whenever he noticed her, she was looking at him with some sadness. It broke his heart to see her so sad. He had never planned to be with her in any way but as a friend, yet he knew that she had been dreaming of marrying The Boy Who Lived since early childhood. He thought she would be over that childish infatuation by now, when she was already fourteen, but this didn't seem to be the case.
Ron actually surprised him. After overcoming the shock of finding Harry married to a Slytherin, he seemed to accept everything. Harry had even overheard him telling his former dorm-mates, "Always expect the unexpected when Harry Potter is concerned." Harry couldn't agree more.
There was also Malfoy. Draco was now Lord Malfoy, as his father had died along with Voldemort. He asked for and was granted a Lord's lodging. It wasn't as large as Harry's, but was more than enough for a bachelor. Malfoy was quite furious learning that Daphne was now married to Harry and only grudgingly accepted Astoria in her stead, yet the younger girl managed to find her way to his heart quite quickly. He kept frowning at Harry whenever he saw him with Daphne, but seemed quite happy to spend his time with Astoria.
Draco was also politer now. He took his position very seriously and would do nothing that could possibly reflect badly on his house. He felt bad enough that he could find no excuse for his father's actions, as the social and political atmosphere were changing rapidly. Whenever he needed to refer to Hermione, he used "Lady Potter", just as he was referring to Harry as "Lord Potter". It was refreshing, in a way, yet Harry wasn't sure if the change was real. The prospect of them becoming brothers-in-law didn't seem to cheer either, but seemed to force them into a kind of truce.