A LeStrange or a Black (To Defy The Dark and Light)

by Lady Lilith La Belle

When she was born, rumors were spread that she was deformed and ugly. When she was born, rumors said there was a curse on her. When she was born, she was beautiful, healthy, and a key. The Dark Lord wished to control her. Dumbledore wished to take her into the Light. But she is neither. Family Draco/OC, Friendship!Ginny. Friendship!Hermione. Friendship!Harry.

4. Chapter 3: Snake Pit or Snake Den

With all the dramatics that involved Voldemort over, the headmaster flew from his chair to stand. Flinging spells all around the hall and looking obviously disappointed with what he found. Falling back into his chair, Headmaster Dumbledore said no words. He simply sat and spoke neither to the professors or the bustling students. The man whose sleeve was leaking the black mist earlier stood with an abruptness that all the upper years immediately went silent as they were familiar with the professor. He swept his gaze over each table until they rested at the Slytherin table. His gaze pausing at Harry before looking back at Ravenclaw's table. Ensuring he had every student's attention, he spoke in a calm but forceful manner that everyone could hear.

"Students...it would appear that any lingering doubts of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's ability to return to be put to rest. You have two answers to this question. Yes, he would have returned. When and where we know not. He could have returned in these very halls due to stupidity of ignorance and blind faith in someone other than yourself to face him. He could have returned silently to work his terror of the First War behind the scenes. But that did not happen. The second answer, it will not happen. No, he was not killed by a mere baby. He was merely out of commission in wait for revenge and rejuvenation. So...dear students, it seems that our esteemed Harry Potter is not the chosen one...and no one will be, because this dark stage in the wizarding world is put to an end by Magick herself. So...I suggest every single one of you give thought to what you intend to do without the lingering threat of eternal darkness under the rule of a Dark Lord who would subjugate every witch and wizard regardless of their blood in the end."

Stunned to silence, most students put their heads down in thought while a few kept their gaze on the professor to think over his words. Seeing no one in my year speaking but in shock, I took it upon myself to address them,

"Subjugation. Promises. Resurrections. The war. It makes sense now doesn't it?"

Harry looked at me with severe confusion and uncertainty. Blaise raised an eyebrow and curtly nodded for me to continue. Several of our years were looking at me. All at our table were listening, as were several others from the other tables who could hear me,

"I for one know all about the appearance and disappearance of Voldemort. Do not fear the name, it is made up. I mean it. Everyone knows my name, knows who my father is. Who my mother was before she gave that life up. All except for you Harry Potter. But no one knows where Voldemort came from.

Self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort came about publicly in the '60s. With him came promises of ridding the Wizarding World of muggle-borns who would see to the end of our traditions and call us outdated and barbaric for keeping our magic tied to our roots and promises of greatness. All lies. He was no pureblood like some of those who followed him. He was a half-blood who gave up his original identity in a dream of grandeur.

He brought only problems. He presented problems we wished to solve that ended up as lies and false promises. He tortured his own followers when things didn't go his way. He mutilated himself in the fixture of a snake to seem unworldly and immortal. His obvious followers were purebloods and half-bloods who wanted power and the ability to do crimes unforgivable.

As everyone already knows, yes, my father was a death eater. My mother joined his cause in the later end of the war. But that doesn't make me a junior death eater that grown-ups today run away from. That doesn't make me a blood supremacist. I believe in the traditions of the wizarding world. If practicing and participating in historic rituals on All Hallow's Eve, Yule, and so forth makes you think that I am a dark witch who would curse anyone for any reason beyond my own protection, then Magick should take her gift back from you.

We are students of Magick. We are here to know how to yield and practice all forms of magic. But since the war with Grindelwald, our traditions have been forgotten in the name of keeping muggle-borns happy. I call that false. Our traditions are dying because no one bothers to teach them, especially here. Not just that, but because they don't bother to learn them. My mother and Aunt told me stories of muggle-born students turning their noses up at our traditions and practices in the name of their muggle religions and politics. Rituals are only practiced by pureblood witches and wizards. Why? Because half-bloods and muggle-borns are raised in muggle thinking. Thinking that they have no obligation to learn more than the curriculum they are given because they already have it in their minds that we magical are backward."

Harry looked at me oddly with borderline hostility that unsettled me,

"You sure sound like you don't like muggle-borns though."

I rolled my eyes,

"I do. My argument is, if you REALLY are so proud to learn magic and be in the magical world, the VERY least you can do is look into our traditions and ways! I mean this seriously. We are a complex society with rules and laws and class. Hogwarts has not celebrated All Hallow's Eve in nearly a century and is instead regarded and celebrated as the muggles call it, Halloween. Yule is now regarded as Christmas when we magical are not Christian! None of the solstices are acknowledged nearly as much as they should. No one has been giving enough thanks to Magick and it's no wonder she took matters into her own hands. The magical world was on the verge of dying and letting the traditions that energize and keep the balance of magic die out. It was only a matter before our exposure to the muggles and the end of ALL magic. We would all perish and witch hunts would start again. As the muggle-borns well know, muggles have a habit of stamping out things that are different. Things that they can't explain and would exploit without our consent.

Voldemort twisted these reasons I just gave into reasons to hate and be violent. I am by no means violent. I don't hate muggles, but the Statue of Secrecy is in place for a VERY good reason. It doesn't matter that the last known witch hunts were centuries ago. They still go on to this day in every continent. It took us centuries to recover from so many witches being burned and drowned. Mutilated and harmed. In the past 500 years, nearly 200,000 witches were killed by muggles. In the last century...30,000 because of the two muggle wars. Japan's wizarding society was nearly decimated in the nuclear bombing. All in all, the wizarding world has lost 55,000 witches and wizards in the last century. Their blood matters not. They had the power to practice magic and died by muggle means anyway. Do any of you know the numbers of witches and wizards lost directly in Grindelwald's tryst for power? During the first war? Respectively, 5,000 and 3,000. Please, compare these numbers by that which was caused by muggles."

The muggle studies professor looked positively green and about to faint. The staff, including the Headmaster, were all listening to my words. But the Headmaster then turned distrustful,

"Dear young LeStrange, you know little of war. Your parents had the misguided misfortune of joining the wrong side of the war. Their hate of muggles, muggle-born, and the light drove them to their fates. I hope you do not follow in their footsteps...I say this to all my dear students who are children of death eaters as well. With Voldemort gone, we have no need for any more dark lords."

My blood boiled, as did many other students. A mumbling started amongst the students when a 5th or 6th-year student stood on Hufflepuff table and pointed at the Headmaster,

"Please Headmaster! Do not speak of the light as if it was the right side to be on! My family stood neutral during the war. No one was capable of fighting. No one was capable of spying. Yet where were you and your supposed light side when my home was attacked by death eaters and ransacked by looters before Aurorers came? When my older sister was beaten, tortured, and raped for simply existing. Taunting my family. Calling my father a blood traitor for marrying and having children with a muggle-born. Using cutting curses on my mother till she bled out on the new carpet of my room. Where were you Dumbledore when even the bloody papers said that you were the only wizard he feared?!"

His friends wrestled down him from his stance on the table, but as soon as he was done, a student at the Ravenclaw table stood on their table,

"You say that everyone who joined -Voldemort was evil and dark, through the context you gave. I'll have you know, sir, my cousin was a Hufflepuff and joined that cause. I had a Gryffindor aunt who died in crossfire with Aurorers trying to protect my cousin. The war wasn't about houses or blood really. It was to give a maniac with a superiority complex more power with each death, light, dark, or neutral. Statistics showed that what Miss Lestrange stated is true. You may keep the deaths and figures of the war restricted from books here at Hogwarts, but many of us are able to look elsewhere for facts. You don't have any books regarding grey magic, many magical creatures, and several honored magical people in magic history are notably missing as well. Many of us 4th years and above have to use our Hogsmead trips to get the books that aren't here for our papers and to study for NEWT's!"

The Headmaster looked grave as if a secret had been revealed. His expression turning from bewildered to a disappointed grandfatherly look,

"Now, now-"

Cut off by the sound of hands banging on the table of Slytherin, several students stood on top of our table,

"Since we were sorted, you and many other professors have ignored and undermined us. If any of us finish a task first in class, we get no points, hardly any recognition!"

"We've been targeted by bigoted bullies calling us junior death eaters since the war ended!"

"Professor Snape is the only professor who regards our safety from the other houses' insistent belittlement!"

"You do nothing to discipline the students who hurt us!"

"ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE GRYFFINDOR!"

"Who are you to assume that Miss Lestrange is anything like her parents?! You don't know her character!"

"And you don't know any of ours!"

"Many of you have looked at us as threats when in the grim reality, what the Hat said is true! Gryffindor is full of bullies. Too hyped off of their own pride to find out the truth."

"Short-minded!"

"Bullies!"

"'Funny pranksters who mean no harm' after they poisoned our food to transfigure our hands! Disabling us to defend ourselves from attacks!"

"Being pulled into dark alcoves to be manhandled and called an inbred whore!"

"Being hexed in an 'empty' hallway!"

"No more Dumbledore!"

Looks of shock and blushes graced every face in the Hall. The Headmaster looked gobsmacked,

"Students... I'm sure that all of this is-"

"A MISUNDERSTANDING!"

All the standing students and many sitting down chorused all at once. All looked anger and fed up. Gryffindor was oddly silent and glanced at one another until an upper-year also stood up and calmly spoke,

"Every year, at the end of year feast, you give us sudden extra points. You always make us second place...even if we were forth. Slytherin has won for the last seven years I've been here and you sudden add points in order to give us a confidence boost we don't need. All the other houses who worked so hard for their points are always enraged at us for this. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw could be in a tie and you'd just put us above them instead of breaking the tie. We only see you at meals unless we are called to your office for our behavior and even then, no points are deducted. How can you award us points for showing up to class on time when Ravenclaws and Slytherins are always first to classes? How can you award points for a well-played quidditch game when Ravenclaw won the quidditch cup? Your blatant favoritism has lost me good friends I had in other houses. We never asked for it and you keep giving us room to do such childish things. I've never participated in the bullying or instigated such actions, but I've never done anything to stop it. For me, that ends now. I'm one of the few to remain in my house and I fully intend to put an end to such actions, BUT I DON'T WANT ANY POINTS AWARDED TO ME FOR IT! Enough is enough, and I think I can safely say, we've all have a surplus of it."

Silence echoed in the Hall and Professor Snape looked at each student still eyeing the Headmaster. No one making a move. Heavily, he rolled his eyes and turned to the Headmaster,

"Dumbledore, I'd say that these students took things too far tonight..."

The Headmaster smiled and nodded at my Head of House and was about to speak when the professor continued

"if the were wrong.'

Several gasps and looks of intrigue took over the hall. Professor Snape continued,

"From my first day at Hogwarts as a student, there was an abundant bully problem. Mostly directed at Slytherin by Gryffindor, but not just us. The Hufflepuffs were 'easy pickings' as the Marauder's would say. I am sure that more than a few of you have heard of the Marauders...but let me tell you, they were great friends to themselves and their house, but not at all to Slytherin. They thought themselves smart, targeting the potential Deatheaters. Make no mistake though children, all they did was antagonize more students to join Voldemort's side of the war! Bullying for years, to any year student, it didn't matter so long as there was an embarrassment and returned fire. Many decided that they did not wish to be targets of the Marauders, so those who did not join the supposed dark joined the light. They laughed alongside the Marauders. Pointed and encouraged the bullying so that they would be safe. Many of the bullied remembered the faces of those who laughed and many of them are now dead. You Dumbledore, Minerva, Flitwick, Pomona...you all did nothing. You allowed the students in your care to become nothing but future war casualties, spies, fighters, killers, rapists, and insane. The number one bully that you allowed was marked a war hero ten years ago..."

A grave look struck the Headmaster's face and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach. Sharply looking at the student seated beside me before staring hard at our Head of House, Headmaster Dumbledore shook his head,

"Don't Severus."

A bitter smirk set on Professor Snape's face,

"Why? Because 'it will mean more trouble for you to tell too many others,' 'it's just boys being boys,' 'they'll grow out of it'? I can assure you Dumbledore, it lasted till the very last day in attendance here. Even after he got the girl he wanted because she no longer bothered to try to stop him. Your little martyr created more death eaters than he killed or arrested. When he was fighting death eaters instead of protecting civilians who were trapped in the crossfire, all those people saw was a man too caught up in his glorious honor fighting a war to care for them. Those people later on tending to either turn blind eyes to crimes they witnessed or joined Voldemort. Especially when James Potter's curses accidentally caught one of their loved ones. Collateral was vast and your fighters caused a lot more. Deatheaters had targets and killed on purpose. None of your fighters even apologized after. Even Sirius Black is responsible for Bellatrix Lestrange's descent to madness. So, that is why I have my doubts about his supposed betrayal."

My full attention was to my Head of House. Sirius Black was my mother's cousin, making him mine as well. He was the ministry acclaimed betrayer of the Potter's. Not that I believed that. Mother would have included that in her occasional letters.

Sitting beside me, Harry was frozen still. Taking in all the facts and all that the students were saying was a lot to take in. Forcing myself to snap out of my thoughts I placed a hand on his ghostly white. His complexion getting paler by the minute.

"My...father...was a...bully... like the Dursley's...like them...a bully...a bully..."

Holding his hand, I leaned close to him,

"I've heard stories of my aunt's time at Hogwarts...she didn't name names but she did mention 'the Marauder menaces' from time to time. My aunt never gets mad, but she's broken a few glasses after saying the title. But Harry, no one is going to expect you to be anything like your father unless you give them a reason to."

Those blazing green eyes snapped to me as he loudly declared,

"I would never bully, belittle, or harm anyone! All the lies people have been telling me! That my father was great! That I look just like him and have his smile...I don't want any part in war or that kind of life. I want to be just Harry!"

---

Walking to our common room, everyone was silent. All the years following the lead of our Head of House since all of the Perfects and Head Boy and Head Girl were also resorted. Everyone had so much to mull over. After Harry's declaration, our Head of House nodded to Harry with a relieved expression. However, the Headmaster stood once more and went around the table to the hat, grabbing it roughly and shacking it. He demanded it to wake and resort Harry into Gryffindor immediately as he claimed that Slytherin was already damaging him. Many of the older years began to call the man senile and delusional. All the students had returned to their seats and not a moment later Ministry officials burst into the Great Hall. A squad of twenty Aurorers led by a no-nonsense looking woman. They stormed all the way up to the Headmaster who had still been shaking the hat. Upon gaining his attention, he addressed them,

"Amelia, what are you doing here?"

Keeping her gaze on the Headmaster,

"It's Minister Amelia Bones now. Fudge lost his magic, as did several other ministry officials and workers. Most of them died shaking violently in front of crowds of witnesses as black mist erupted from their left forearms. All were suspected death eaters. All after a worldwide broadcast by Magick herself. She took a lot of magic from witches and wizards tonight. I was appointed by Magick herself. Now that I don't have a bribe seeking leech above me as Minister, I can finally proceed with what should have been done Halloween night ten years ago.

Albus Dumbledore, please let my squad escort you to the Ministry for questioning on the events of All Hallows Eve ten years ago. Sirius Black is also bring brought in for questioning. It seems that he never got a trial."

We all stood in front of a collum with several stone snakes wrapped around it. The snakes hissed and Professor Snape lowly said,

"Diamondback."

We all heard him clearly and took the name to memory as the collum revolved to reveal a short staircase into our common room. The colors were mainly dark green with silver embroidery. Even the fire in the fireplace was green. Lamps lit the room brightly as we entered. Each year huddled together in order by year. Professor Snape stood in front of the fireplace and looked at each face before starting his speech.

"Welcome to House Slytherin. I am Professor Snape, Master of Potions, and your Head of House Slytherin. As a member of this house, I want no one to make the mistake of thinking that this house is for tomfoolery or evil. No doubt, some or even all of you have heard that Slytherin is the house that houses death eaters. That Slytherin is the house where only dark witches and wizards go. Let me assure you...these are all wrong. The war was indeed fought by many witches and wizards of different houses on each side. Now, let me go over the house rules as we have many new faces who do not know of the stature of our house.

Firstly, the curfew is implemented strictly. 6th years and up, your curfew is 10 pm. Unless you are a Perfect, Perfect curfew is at midnight. 3rd and 4th years, your curfew is at 9 pm. This is ample enough time to get into your research for class papers and projects. 1st and 2nd years, your curfew is at 8 pm. This is so that you will not be exhausted from exercising your magic each day. Magical exhaustion can occur often between the ages of 11 and 13 once you have gotten your wand.

Secondly, we do have a small library here in the common room that will pull books from the library. Surely, I know you former Ravenclaws are distraught at the loss of your grand library in your former common room. Study groups are implemented by year. Each year will form at least 2 different study groups, each with a student who excels in a particular subject to cover and ensure that we have top-notch grades in each class. First years are normally given a month to from their study groups since they are new and do not know their subjects yet. But a month is usually enough time for a student to determine which subjects they suffer or succeed in. As for all the rest of you, I will give you two weeks.

Thirdly, detentions will be served by me in this house. I know that those of you who were from other houses presume that I do not implement punishment or deduct points for behavior in my house. Let me tell you... that accusation is false. Unless you want to be scrubbing cauldrons by hand, pre-measuring ingredients, and testing class potion concoctions I suggest you abide by curfew and my rules.

Fourthly, house unity is important. I usually give speeches on how you all need to remain in packs of three or more in class and when going about the castle. This rule has been implemented in order to prevent attacks on our persons. As you all witnessed at the Feast, it does not always work out. Your former housemates may take it upon themselves to seek revenge on their friends for being resorted here and I can assure you that some of your friends will retaliate in their confusion and anger.

Fifth, there will be no bullying of any kind. Pranks are prohibited. There will be no experimentation on fellow students or others. I think this school has seen enough humiliation of others for some time. If you wish to conduct any kind of prank or issue a prank war, you must have the approval of all Heads of the Houses. Failure to comply especially with these rules will result in suspension and in any extreme cases, expulsion.

Six, under no circumstances, are you to argue or fight publically. What happens in this common room and your dorms will stay there. We must promote unity among ourselves and to all the other houses. None of you are rowdy Gryffindors who hold all of their drama in the halls for gossip to spread. None of you are uptight Racenclaws with their heads stuck in a book to ignore reality and promote gossip. None of you the silent and ignorant Hufflepuffs who kept to themselves because they feared to be taunted by the other houses. No...you all are now snakes. Do any of you know what snakes are, what they do, how they act? Do not attempt to answer. I will tell you.

Snakes are normally solitary animals who know how to take care of themselves. They know their needs, their goals, and how to accomplish them. They are patient, resilient, and can work well with others when needed. Snakes are scaly with no arms or legs but they keep moving forward. They do not let their loss of limbs hinder them from their goals. They form snake pits for protection and furthering their legacy. They form dens to protect their family and as a means to keep enemies at bay. So, this house can be your pit to further your own needs, our your den to be your home.

The choice is yours, but do not let your choices bring down others. Those actions are for Gryffindors. We excel to be better, not because of blood or superiority, but because we want to stand out. Rest well my snakes. I suggest you all arise by 6 am in the morning. Breakfast is at 8 am every day and at 9 am on weekends. I suggest you all make your way to the Great Hall as a unit tomorrow. Show that this is your true home and that we are strong."

Mutters started with the older students who knew each other. The Slytherin's who weren't resorted talked amongst themselves. Professor Snape looked down at us first years, his gaze lingered beside me again. Some emotion I couldn't recognize flickered across his face before he spoke to us directly,

"First years, I normally have to give a speech about expecting to be ignored and overlooked by your professors. Each Head of House does show favoritism in their own way. Pomona and Flitwick show the least, but Minerva...Professor and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall is also the Head of House Gryffindor. She will often only call upon her lions for demonstrations but is somewhat likely to let other houses answer her questions. Now, when her lions do not know answers to her questions, she will call upon students from other houses.

Yes, I was once a student here not too long ago myself. I know very well the behavior of the professors. Since my time here as a student, we've had only three new additions to the staff. I, myself, am included. During my time as a student, Slytherin's held themselves with as much grace as they could muster. Therefore, I expect every student to carry themselves with care of how they look. Hair neat, clothes clean and in order, keep your manners, always keep a respectful tone with one another and with your classmates even when they don't, but you can be informal with students you are close with.

Another thing my dear students, don't let anyone call you a snake as a derogatory term. A snake is our emblem and our Founders familiar. We are not slimy or inherently dark just because of our sorting. Do not let anyone make you think you are anything but who you are.

This is an institute of learning and you all need to take care of each other or the lions will hack at the straddlers, the ravens will pick at out eyes, and the badgers will eat you for dinner."

Now, we started to talk with each other. Harry stayed at my side silently. As gently as I could muster, I whispered to Harry,

"Harry, you need to socialize. At least introduce yourself to everyone and hear their names. It's polite and it will leave a better impression than sticking to my side since I'm the only one you know in our house."

Giving the smallest nod, Harry finally looked up from the floor and at the other students. When he made eye contact with Blaise Zambini he walked right up to the other boy and shakily spoke his introduction,

"Hello, my name is H-Harry Pott-ter. This is my first time attending a m-magical school and knowing about magic."

The other boy stuck out his hand and Harry stared at it for a moment before grabbing and shacking the boys had.

"Blaise Zambini, Heir of House Zambini. That Harry Potter is how you should conduct yourself when making a formal introduction. Don't worry though, my new aquintance, I'll help you learn about wizarding manners."

Seeing that Harry was in capable hands, I introduced myself to all my housemates. Some were lleased to meet me, others still wary. The Weasley twins didn't maintain the wizarding manners and instead gave a banter introduction jumping back and fourth of each other to make one sentence. They got a lot of looks for this and the older years began to try to correct the boys when Professor Snape came forward, he was watching everyone exchange introductions,

"Mr. and Mr. Weasley... you both should know of the wizarding tradition on how to formally introduce yourself to new people."

The twins exchanged a glance,

"But Professor" "We're Blood Traitors" "To all the other Pure" "Bloods and haven't had" "To introduce ourselves" "at all in such a manner."

Raising an eyebrow, Professor Snape formed a small snarl,

"So, your parents think it best to leave their children ignorant of how to compose and maintain a constructive life here in the wizarding world? Hold your tongues boys! Let me say this once, you both are of Pureblood and you have titles. When people mmeet you, they should know that you are more than eccentric twins with a horrible knack fir embarrassing others. Did your parents tell you that by not introducing yourself correctly to others, you are insulting not only your ancestors who fought to get titles for their families, but also everyone you interact with. It's no wonder the Weasley family is so low in the sociable spectrum. No doubt your parents have been insulting every connect or alliance they could have mad by being so informal.

In case you are wondering boys, yes, many people blame it on your father's obsession with muggles. They think that his lack of duty to the wizarding world is the death of the Weasley and Prewitt lines. By introducing yourselves in sice a joking manner, students and adults will only view you two as jokes. That is why pranking and jokes come after you get to know people. That is why your father cannot get a better paying job. His lack of regard or care for traditions and his lax attitude depicts him as a gullible and bumbling fool with too many children to feed, and a wife who refuses to work while her kids are home and at school.

Especially your mother. She is the last of the Prewitt line who can pass the title to her children should they wish it so the magical line doesn't die. But I'm guessing with all the six Weasley males to now grace these halls, it has not come up. This is your first warning boys, learn your true manners or keep suffering your low income lifestyle."

The soft but harshness of the professor's tone made the boys go pale and they then stared at each other deeply, as if communicating through their thoughts. They rest of us resumed introductions as the twins went to talk to our House Head privately. Most of the girls in my year weren't terrified of me. A few were scared. Others indifferent. The older years looked down at us first years with some sort of sympathy in their eyes. Once introductions were completed and the Weasley twins returned and started giving correct formal introductions, all was at ease. Harry returned to my side with Blaise in tow. I nodded in acceptance of their company, not that I'm sure if Harry understood what it meant. Another lesson for another time.

"Zambini, Harry, nice to see you two. I was worried that Harry would become my shadow for a moment or two. You two seem to have found some commonalities."

Harry shook his head and pushed his glasses up on his face,

"Bl-Zambini is nice. He's agreed to teach me more of traditional manners and such."

Zambini gave a nod towards me and a slight bow to which Harry looked bewildered,

"Miss LeStrange, pleasure to make your acquaintance again. I thought surely spurn my existence after Pansy and Draco's whole drama this past summer."

Raising an eyebrow and slightly shaking my head,

"Of course not Zambini. My cousin knew what words he should have said to dissuade Parkinson from her dastard attempts at flirting. Draco should never have brought you into the position to speak against me. Because I know of the position he put you in, I know you did not mean to offend me."

Poor Harry was looking between Blaise and I with confusion until I turned to him,

"Pansy Parkinson has it in her mind that she will marry my cousin, Draco Malfoy. She finds the aspect of an arranged marriage to be romantic and feels that my cousin is her only option. However, my Aunt and Uncle will never agree to a marriage contract between the two under any circumstances. Draco knows this but allows the future tart to try for his favor. I think he just likes the attention."

Ending with a huff, the two boys shared a glance before Harry spoke,

"Arranged marriage? Is that a thing in the wizarding world? There's so much I don't understand and nobody told me until today. Even you two have given me more information on our culture and manners that now I know why you speak like an adult Are-Miss LeStrange."