The Luckenbooth

By: lbfan

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the creative world the books created. This is for entertainment only. No profit will be made from this.

Preface

The Order of the Phoenix meeting just adjourned. Arthur and Molly were slowly making their way out of the dark, dank halls of number 12 Grimmauld Place. "Go on dear. Go'in to talk with Sirius about her. I'll not be long." Other stragglers were walking past on their way out.

Mrs. Weasley looked back at him with a troubled expression. The two of them have been talking about this idea for many nights. They knew it had to be done and they were convinced that Harry wouldn't mind. It was just upsetting that this arrangement had to be done behind his back. "Alright Arthur. Don't be too long. I'll be waiting up." She gave him a kiss. It was more to calm her own nerves then to bid him good bye.

He watched her leave with a sad. His fingers caressed his lips in thought as he watched her walked out the front door with a heavy heart. Taking a deep breath, he nervously pressed down the front of his robes and turned back to the kitchen.

"Sirius?" Arthur asked hesitantly.

With one look, Sirius barked out laughing. "What's wrong Arthur? You look as nervous as a school boy asking out a girl."

Arthur looked towards the floor and anxiously rubbed the back of his neck in part embarrassment. Glancing nervously at Remus and Dumbledore he asked, "Alone?"

Remus and Albus gave him a concerned look before standing. Sirius straightened up. "Sure, is there anything wrong?" He waved down to the Headmaster and his friend to sit back down as he rose to leave.

Half turning to allow him pass, Arthur reassured him, "No, everything is fine. I'm just hoping you and I can keep it that way."

With his curiosity peaked, Sirius lead him up the stairs to library. The look of concern deepened as Arthur closed the door and placed wards up for privacy.

Arthur started to explain before he even took a seat, "Molly and I are concerned. The times are getting worse and it is looking more and more like the conditions of the first war are approaching. The times were very hard on everyone, but especially the young women."

Sirius sat down in a dusty lounge chair and flicked his wand at the fireplace causing the dirty bookcases around the room to light up with the warm flickering glow. He cringed as he remembered the atrocities specifically that his female friends had to endure.

Arthur continued, "It is Ginny, we are hoping that together we can prevent her from being used as a Pureblood slut."

Sirius squeezed his eyes shut at the painful memories that the name associated with. He alone couldn't bare the thought of this precious red head girl being used like that. "So you want to work something out between Harry and Ginny? What about Chang? What about Corner? Why Harry?"

Arthur took a deep breath. "That Corner fellow is already in the history books as far as Ginny is concerned, and from what I understand, Harry hardly even talks to Ms. Chang anymore. If there even was something between them, it had become obvious that it is also over. As for Harry, I think that it is pretty obvious that he is just starting to see her more than just a little girl, a best friend's sister, or even a friend."

Sirius nodded as he considered. "Yeah, the stolen glances did bring back memories of James and Lily." He barked out a laugh. "Chang had no chance. The penchant for red-heads have been in the Potter blood for centuries."

"We don't want either of them to feel as if it is forced upon them, so I propose that we keep it to ourselves until the times become desperate that it be reveled. If they do fall for others, it would just quietly invalidate if they go to too far or get married."

Sirius added, "Actually, this would prevent Ginny from successfully marring until Harry does. And once it is revealed, no one will even consider either of them until it is fulfilled or cancelled."

Arthur thoughtfully replied, "Molly and I have considered that. If it does come down to that point, then it would be more of a blessing then a curse for Ginny. And, Harry would probably be too busy saving the world to be tied down with any relationships. We will just word the contract to be binding on an individual basis rather than mutually as dictated by common practice. Besides, she may need to know even before your name is cleared. We can't have your name showing up in the register at the Ministry until then."

There was a moment of silence passed as Sirius considered the dilemma. "I pray this doesn't come to bite me in the arse. Harry hates things like this being kept from him. One thing that does comfort me is knowing that if this was Harry making this decision himself, he would do it without question. He's risked his life once for her. He'd do it again." Sirius nodded, "Let's do this." Strolling to the desk for a quill and parchment he said, "Betrothal Contract between the Weasley Family and Noble House of Black…"

A/N:

Note the term "Pureblood slut" will be explained in a later chapter as Harry discovers its meaning. For now, just know that it is a circumstance that may be cruelly forced upon pureblood witches when they are not married or at least betrothed.

This story is inspired by Foria's "The Den of Snakes."

Chapter 1

The day after the Battle of Hogwarts in the Headmistress's office:

Kingsley respectively sat beside Professor McGonagall's desk taking down detail notes as he was interviewing Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Well, it looks like we have it all. Don't worry about Gringotts or the Ministry pressing charges against you for anything. "

As he was putting away the quill and notes, he offered, "With all of this experience, would all or one of you be interested in working for the Ministry as an Auror?"

Hermione was honored. "Thank you, but after I put my life back together, I plan on apprenticing in law."

Bright-eyed, Ron jumped at the chance. "Yeah! When can I start?"

The surprising response was given by Harry, after he gave himself some time to think. Running his hand gently across the edge of the wood desk in front of him, he answered, "I plan on returning to Hogwarts for my seventh year, if I can."

Kingsley Shacklebolt sat back surprised, while Professor McGonagall looked at him in contemplation.

Harry didn't want to be apart from Ginny anymore. Since she had one more year to go, he wanted to be with her most of all.

The Headmistress seemed pleased. "Very well Potter. You may come back and finish your seventh year. A list of books will be sent to you at the end of July."

With a genuine smile, Harry thanked her.

"No, thank you," she responded. "I have a feeling that your presence will be most positive to our school this next year."

The three of them excused themselves from the meeting. The words from McGonagall were still churning in his mind. What does she mean?

They were talking excitedly amongst themselves as they made their way down to the carriages. The school was going to close early for the second year in a row. The damaged castle and ground would take many months to be fully repaired.

As they walked out the front into the sunshine, the evidence of the previous day's battle still dotted the grounds. Looking back at the castle, scorch marks and damaged walls were seen all over.

Harry quickly started looking around, not at the damage, but at the students. There were students standing around gawking at the Thestrals that they have never seen before. Others were solemnly filing into the carriages. It was clear they were anxious to put this school year behind them and escape to the safety of their parents.

All the way to Hogsmede and on to Kings Cross Station, Harry failed to find the certain girl he was looking for.

When they arrived at the station, they only greeted by Bill and Fleur. After the tearful reunion, they all Apparated to the Burrow.

When they arrived, Mrs. Weasley met them at the door, pulling them into hugs that crushed the air out of them.

Everyone was quickly put to work cleaning and returning the home to a livable condition.

It was clear that Ginny was distancing herself from Harry. She bore happy look on her face when he first arrived, but after that first moment she seemed irritated and hurt.

Harry watched her occasionally as she brooded and cleaned. She was paler than usually and excessively thin. She seemed bruised, but who wasn't after the battle the previous day? What caught his eye the most was a symbol on the back of her left wrist. It was difficult to see what it was because she was consciously pulling down that sleeve to hide it from him.

After the evening meal Harry stopped her before she went up the stairs to her room. "Can we talk?"

Hostilely she glared at Harry, then around at the others in the room. Without answering she stomped her way up to her room. He followed her to her room. He stepped into the room and closed the door at her request. "I missed you."

She cut him off before he could say anything more. "You left me! You said I would be safe at Hogwarts and away from you. Last year was hell!" Her voice full of anger shook the room, and her fists were clenched to her sides. "And while you, Hermione and Ron had each other, I was constantly in danger from the time the train pulled away from the station. It was like a lamb sent off to the slaughter." Stomping her foot, she continued. "Not even a word from you!" She started to sob. "You left again… Not a word… You died!"

Harry stepped forward to comfort her.

"NO!" Ginny stumbled back onto bed cringing in fear. "Just go," she demanded urgently, terror and bitterness biting into every word.

He stumbled back into the door, shocked at the pain and distrust. He would never want to hurt her. His hand blindly groped for the door handle behind him. One of the hair ribbons hung on the back of the door tangled itself in his fingers. He opened the door and stepped back. "Ginny…"

Again she cut him short. With more urgency and hostility she yelled, "Go away, Harry."

Pulling the ribbon from his hand, he offered, "Your hair rib…"

"Keep it. LEAVE!" The door seemed to act on its own as it shut in Harry's face. Stunned, hurt and confused, he slowly made is way down to the living room. Thoughts of self loathing started creeping into his mind as Ginny, his soul purpose for living, blamed him for the unknown trama she endured at the school over the last year. He wasn't sure what hurt more, the rejection, or the heart wrenching cries he heard from her room as he slowly descended the staircase.

Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a hug. "Perhaps you should go. Always remember we love you." Behind her, Mr. Weasley sadly put away a scroll he had in his hand.

Ron squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry mate. I'll take care of her."

Fleur and Bill seemed to have come to an agreement and were hugging each other.

Hugging him tightly, Hermione reassured him. "Everything will be alright. Don't blame yourself for anything. Remember that because of you we are alive and have the hope for a future." She kissed him on the cheek and looked into his eyes. A tear was welling up in her eye as she seemed to have clearly empathized with him. "Trust me?"

Staring into her eyes, he saw the confidence and love that has seen them through the tough seven year they had known each other. He nodded back to her. In the stress of the situation he didn't even bother to correct her, giving credit to only him.

Fleur, came up to him and grabbed his arm. "Come 'Arry. You an zay is zus at see cottage."

Remembering something before leaving, Harry asked, "What is the symbol on the back of her wrist?"

Hermione was quick to answer, "The Luckenbooth." Except for Ron, the others in the room seemed to fall in an uncomfortable silence. Hermione and Ron also seemed to have noticed the lack of response. Guess I have to figure this out later.

He said his goodbyes and quietly left with Fleur. Bill was going up the stairs leaving them to travel there on their own.