Signed in Blood

A.N. -ducks and covers- Don't KILL MEEE! I know! I'm such a bad person, I started ANOTHER one! If any of my Fruits Basket fans are reading this, I'M VERY VERY SOOOORRY! I'm trying to post (and finish) all of my post-OOTP fics because I have a feeling that by July 16th, they'll all be obsolete -sobs for her stories- (HBP-does a happy-dance- YAY! HBP!) So, stick with me ok-backs away form all of the people with sharp-pointy objects- WAH! I'mgonnadieI'mgonnadieI'mgonnadie! WAI! GOMEN NASAI-runs away-

Side note: The Patriots WON! Ohhhh YEAH!

Chapter 1- Letter from the Past

The air was chilly and there were signs everywhere that showed that snow would soon be on it's way, though it was the middle of summer. July 31st to be precise. Harry Potter's 16th birthday.

Harry sat in a cushy armchair in the den of 12 Grimmauld Place, just savoring the feeling of being content. Since Sirius had died, he had been surrounded by supportive and loving people. The very same people who had thrown him a surprise birthday party that was nothing short of wonderful.

Harry stood up when he heard footsteps. Remus Lupin had just entered the room holding Harry's snowy owl, Hedwig, who bore a letter and was covered in actual snow.

"I let her in through the kitchen," Remus explained. "It's started snowing. Odd weather we're having..."

"Yes, very," Harry agreed as Hedwig hopped form Remus's arm onto Harry's and patiently allowed her owner to untie the letter from her leg.

"Who's it from?" Remus asked.

"Dunno" Harry answered, turning the letter over a few times. "It has no return address, just my name..."

Remus looked at the letter in Harry's hands. "Wait, I know that..." he trailed off. "Here, I'll go feed Hedwig."

Harry looked at Remus quizzically as the man quickly tookHedwig and left. He shrugged and sat back down.

Harry inspected the envelope before opening it. It looked very old, and in shiny green feminine calligraphy simply said, 'Harry Potter.' He carefully opened the envelope and drew out the letter, which was also in green calligraphy. It read:

Harry,

This is your mother, Lily. If you are reading this, then I am dead. Happy 16th birthday, sweetie. I have something very important and scary to tell you, but first, the background.

I was raised in a time when pureblooded wizards arranged marriages for their sons and daughters as soon as they were born, often times before then. I, as a Muggle-born witch,was not bound by any such agreement. Amazingly, neither was James (your father).

Lucius Malfoy was promised to one Narcissa Black. Both were from wealthy pureblooded families. That did not stop Lucius from having mistresses. Or from chasing other women. I must admit, Lucius chased me, and though I ran, I was caught.

I loved your father very much and I wanted to remain pure for him. I told Lucius that I would promise him anything, so long as he didn't rape me.

I did an awful thing my son. I promised, in blood, that my first born child (male or female) would marry his first born child (male or female).

You must understand, a blood promise is not to be taken lightly. To break one means the loss of one's immortal soul, even after death. That poor soul is tortured for all of eternity.

I'm sorry my son, I'm sorry. The choice is yours. I love you.

Lily Potter

Harry let the letter float to the ground. This couldn't be right. His mother- his perfect angelic mother who sacrificed her life for his would never do something like this. He had to talk to someone. Remus.

Harry picked up the letter and headed into the kitchen.

Remus was standing with his back turned to Harry. He was staring up at the ceiling. "She told you then?" he asked as he ran his fingers through his longish chestnut brown hair. "Lily, I mean."

For the second time that night, Harry dropped the letter in shock. "You... knew...?"

Remus turned to look at him. "Yes. I was the only one Lily confided in besides Narcissa Black- I mean Malfoy. She didn't tell Siri and she most definitely did not tell James. We were her sole confidents."

"It's not fair," Harry whispered.

"I know," said Remus as he drew Harry into a hug, as he had done many times since the closest thing that either one of them had had to a family had died. "I've already spoken with Narcissa," he said softly. "They're expecting you at the Malfoy Manor in two hours. You'll spend the rest of your break there if you so choose. It is your choice you know."

"My mother," Harry said. "I'll do it for my mother."

"You'd better go pack then," Remus said, releasing the younger boy.

"Yeah... I guess so..."

-tbc-