(Ron's pov)

I had watched my sister's run in with the Slytherin girl from the alley. I had to hide my satisfaction as Ginny told the Death Eater fangirl in no uncertain term that Harry Potter would belong to her as soon as we saved him from their evil clutches.

Then, we would make sure to surround him with the right sort of people, and make him forget all about his so-called friends.

I hid from view as my little sister made her way towards me.

"I know that you're there Ron." She stated as I came out of the empty broom closet I jumped into.

"Good job on the lashing Gin. You certainly put the Snake in her place."

"Thanks. I just hate it when someone thinks she can take what belongs to me. And Harry Potter is mine. Nobody else will ever have him." She finished as we walked back to Gryffindor Tower together, talking about what we would teach the Boy-Who-Lived when we finally got him where he belongs.

(Harry's pov)

I looked up from my finally finished defense essay on how to (according to Lockhart) banish a yeti.

Daphne walked over to me, asking me to come with her because she wanted to have a private conversation. I nodded and we walked over to a portrait of a snake, which hid a seldom used room made for private meetings between Slytherins.

We entered the small green room and sat in the two chairs provided. A roaring fireplace kept the room warm so we could focus on the talk.

"I had just ran into the weaselette and she seems to be under the impression that you belong to her." She began. I wasn't really surprised that the redhead was trying to claim me, but I had expected as more direct move, not telling off my friends.

"She seems to be under the impression that I will run to her for a romantic relationship."

"She seems to believe that you have a marriage contract with her."

"Is that what she told you?"

"Not in so many words, but she implied it."

"Well, we don't have a legitimate marriage contract. When I went to Gringotts I learned about who I was. I keep it a secret because there are certain people that I don't want to find out how much I know. Needless to say that the mini weasel has no say in my life."

"Why would she think she does?"

"She was probably raised to believe that she would be Lady Potter. The truth is that someone, probably the Headmaster, had tried to make a marriage contract between Weaselette and myself. However, it is illegitimate, as it has never been signed. From what I understand both Lords have to be present to sign. The goblins have told me that the marriage contract was added after my parents were murdered, and that means that they couldn't have agreed to it, let alone sign the contract."

"You are right. Nobody but the Head of House or a magical guardian could sign the contract. In order for a magical guardian to sign a contract, magic has to recognize them as the guardian for the minor. If it doesn't the contract is automatically voided and the attempted signer can be imprisoned, especially for the sole heir of an Ancient and Noble House such as the Potter's.

"But the question is, why with Weasley? Why would Dumbledore try to force you into a marriage? And how did you get to Gringotts if you live with muggles?"

"Dumbledore probably wanted the marriage, so that I would become part of a Light family. It is obvious that he has an obsession with me."

"I agree with you on that. He is rather unhappy with you being in Slytherin. I've seen the way he glares at Draco and I when we are with you. But what about my last question?"

"When I got my letter my aunt had to explain that it was real. She may be a muggle, but she had already known about our world because she was there when my mother got her letter. Aunt Petunia had to tell me about what she knew of our world, which isn't much beyond where Diagon Alley is, and that my mother was killed on Halloween because of a war my aunt didn't quite understand. She took me to the Leaky Cauldron, but I had to go to Diagon Alley on my own, as she had things she had to do." I lied easily.

I hate lying to my friends, but I'm not ready to tell everyone the truth. When I do tell them, I want to be closer to taking out Dumbledore. I just hope that when I do, that I don't end up losing them as friends and allies.

I don't know why exactly I felt the need to assure her that I am not betrothed to anyone. I was glad to see that she seemed to feel better about her run in with the Gryffindor.

I watched, confused, as she stood up, a determined look on her face. She smiled at me and left.

I sat there a moment longer, wondering what that was about, before I decided to go on a walk through the dungeons.