"Can the secret be removed from them once they've done their work?" asked Daphne.
"I don't... yes," he said. "Maybe."
Harry gave a little snort and grinned, "Well, as long as you're sure."
Matthias smirked back. "It may just be easier to strip the existing Fidelius away and erect a new one once the dwarves have finished." "Or don't bother with the tunnel and trust to the security Hermione.
through
obscurity,"
said
"Huh?" asked Harry, confused.
"Everyone but a handful of people believes Potter Retreat to have been destroyed by fire," she explained. "That means, they won't be going looking for it."
Surprised, Matthias said, "That's a very valid point."
"Potter Retreat can be our sanctuary!" said Daphne a little excitedly. "All the portkeys used to escape in the escape tunnels can be pointed to there!"
Surprised, Harry said, "That's actually a very good idea. However, before we do that, can the magical trace left be used to track where the portkey went?" "Only if they know to look for it," said Matthias. "And, only if they know the escapees used a portkey to escape."
"A slight risk, then," said Harry. "Still, it's better than having the portkey take you to somewhere where another attack is occurring."
Nodding, Harry said, "Do it. It's the right thing to do." Turning to Hermione he smiled and said, "Good job, love."
"Harry will have to make them," said Matthias. "He's the only one who can create a portkey that will take people directly through the wards."
Nodding, Harry replied, "I'll get started on them tomorrow. First, though, we need to purchase a heap more quoits to make them." Though they had now reached the decision to move to Potter Retreat for a week - a week where Harry would be making the emergency portkeys - they still didn't leave until they'd gone and spoken to Sirius, Remus, Ant and Cele about the change of plans. Harry went on his own to see Sirius.
At the Black House, after his discussion with Sirius in the kitchen, he found Draco ensconced in the library.
"How go things, cousin?" he asked with a smirk, as he stood in the doorway.
Looking up, Draco smiled back and said, "As well as can be expected."
"Any news on Malfoy Manor?" asked Harry. "The goblins are still going through the place," sighed the blonde haired boy. "They're reluctant to inform us as to when they're likely to be completed."
"Best they take their time and not rush to try and meet an arbitrary deadline," said Harry.
"That's mother's opinion, too," said Draco. "Though, you did express it better than she did."
Harry walked over and sat in an armchair in sight of Draco.
Seeing the wistful expression on his ex-nemesis's face, Harry asked, "Something else troubling you?"
Draco took a few moments to gather his thoughts. With a slight shrug he said, "Olaf Parkinson has cancelled the contract between Pansy and me."
"Marriage contract?" asked Harry.
"Yes."
"I was reliably informed there was no marriage contract," said Harry, remembering Daphne's explanation of soon after they initiated the bond.
Draco thought for a moment before he said, "Truly, it was a contract contract in name only. Either party was able to withdraw without penalty. It would take a magical marriage for it to become ironclad. That is now highly unlikely."
Thinking for a moment, Harry asked, "You seem to be a little ambivalent to that news."
With a sigh, Draco said, "I am. I've known of the contract since my father deemed me old enough to understand what it meant. I was about... seven, I think... when he told me.
"For me it's been somewhat of an undeniable fact of life. When I came of age I'd be marrying Pansy. And the marriage would strengthen the alliance between our two Houses. However, I've never felt I loved her. At least, I don't know if I did or not."
With a small snort and smile, Harry said, "Trust me, if you loved her you'd know." When the other boy nodded in understanding, he said, "Did The Parkinson give a reason?"
With a sneer, Draco replied, "Apparently I'm now considered a blood traitor; no better than a mud... muggleborn. It matters not that I can trace my lineage back way beyond even Parkinson in some instances." "It never did, Draco," said Harry. "This war has only ever been about one man and his quest for power. He needed money and followers, and the place to get both was from the established and cashed-up ancient pureblood families. He lied, wheedled and convinced them that a lie was the truth.
"He's convinced folks that muggleborns get their magic by stealing it. That is a lie. He's convinced folks that any pureblood who doesn't agree is a blood traitor. That, too, is obviously a lie. He needs to lie to justify his actions. Think about how many ancient pureblood families have been wiped out by, or because of, Riddle and his thugs; and how many border on extinction. It'll be easier to see who, then, the real blood traitors are.
"However, now that the betrothal contract between you and Miss Parkinson has been cancelled, you now have plenty of options. You want to bring the House of Malfoy closer to the light; this is yet another opportunity to do so.
"Think about how many unattached witches there are of a suitable age at Hogwarts, who are either of the grey or could be considered various shades of that. Look for the future Lady Malfoy among those. And, for Merlin's sake, don't restrict yourself to just Slytherin.
"It might interest you to know that, while my fraternal grandfather was a Gryffindor, my fraternal grandmother was a Slytherin Dorea Black. Another such was Septimus Weasley and Cedrella Black. There are plenty of similar happy marriages that occurred in spite of the rivalry between our two Hogwarts' Houses."
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