Disclaimer: Nope, just checked. My gonads are external. Ergo, I am not Rowling.

AN: Poll results. In the question of who should Harry marry, the top five responses are:
Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass, Nymphadora Tonks, Susan Bones, and (surprise!) Bellatrix LeStrange. When I added the PMs and Review votes, Astoria Greengrass became tied with Bellatrix.
So, although I am NOT restricting myself to those candidates, they are high on the most likely list.
Some worried about Ginny Weasley, but of 216 votes, she received 2. I think Fanfiction has ruined the Ginny/Harry ship, mostly because the idea she potioned him is too credible to discount.
I enjoy the Harry/Hermione ship and Herms did come in 8th, that ship has been done too many times and far too well for me to pretend to challenge it. Robst has some of my favorites for the H/Hr ship.
If "original character with little screen time" or "original character peripheral to the story line" had been chosen, Harry would have married an OC child/baby and it would have stayed in the background. Kind of glad that did not win! Would have been interesting to write, but very difficult to keep it credible.
I am disappointed Pansy did not do better. I read a fan fic, Shades of Grey, in which Pansy gained more depth than usually provided to her. It was quite enjoyable.

Chapter 16

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice, concluded

Harry was speechless. Bellatrix was the most devoted of Voldemort's followers and, rumor has it, insane.

Waving his hands rapidly while shaking his head in negation, "You said we would avoid the children of Death Eaters. Bellatrix IS a Death Eater! The Dark Lord's most fanatical, according to "The Rise and Fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". You said we would not consider anyone who would turn me over to Death Eaters. Now you want me to actually MARRY one? What the Hell, Draco?"

Draco savored the moment. It was so much fun rattling Harry's cage, in Harry's best interest of course. Smiling he explained, "Well, there are benefits to Bellatrix. One, she is pureblood. She knows tradition, etiquette, and the social graces as well as any pureblood. After all, she is a Black. Any children from her would have an ironclad right to the Black line, and would probably become Heir."

Harry nodded with annoyance, "Yes, yes, I see that. But you are leaving out a few things. One, she is crazy. And not an 'aw it is so cute she thinks that way', but in a 'We the Jury, find the Defendant' sort of crazy. Two, she is a Death Eater, as I might have mentioned previously," Harry smirked, "and Three, she is in Azkaban for the rest of her life! Please tell me what benefits could possibly counter her negatives…" Harry sat back and waited, secure in the knowledge Draco could not possibly come up with an acceptable reason, nor even a 'well that doesn't totally suck' kind of reason.

Draco smirked, after all, it was his most practiced expression, second only to his sneer.

"Harry," Draco began, "there are very few circumstances which can't be manipulated to better benefit one's self or one's allies."

"In this case Bellatrix's advantages are many. Some include what you labeled as disadvantages. Crazy people can be manipulated, sometimes, into doing things you could never talk a sane person into doing. Her being in Azkaban prevents her from turning you over to her fellow Death Eaters and most importantly, did I mention she is in Azkaban for the rest of her life?"

"How is her being in Azkaban for the rest of her life a plus for me?" Harry asked, almost fearing the response as he began to think Draco might have a good answer.

"What are the top three reasons a marriage fails? One, Finances. Two, Religion. Three, too much familiarity. You are rich, so finances are a non-issue. Not living with her makes religion a non-issue, as you can go to any religious service you wish, or not go at all, again as you wish. She will be unable to successfully push for a given religion for the children. And three, she is in Azkaban… for life… after an Heir is born, you never need to see her again, unless you want to. As far as political marriages go, it is almost perfect!"

Harry sighed heavily as he allowed his head to fall to the desk again. "The way you say these things, they almost sound rational. But we know they are not…"

"Reason is over-rated," Draco smiled.

"Surely there are other options," Harry whined piteously.

"Of course!" Draco exclaimed, "Many options. Should I be forced to kill my father, my mother becomes an acceptable choice. She is the sister to Aunt Bellatrix, and thus a pureblood Black. However, she is not in Azkaban, would be difficult to manipulate, and would likely end up controlling you and your wealth in short order. Andromeda Tonks, nee Black would also be acceptable due to the bloodline, but she was disowned by The Black, thus her children could not become Heirs to the Black family. Although that would not prevent them becoming Heir to Potter."

Harry's head snapped from the desk as he asked, "Tonks, as in Nymphadora Tonks?"

Draco nodded, "Yes, Andromeda is her mother, thus Nymphadora is my first cousin."

Harry sat up straight, shaking his head as if to clear it of cobwebs. "So, Andromeda is the MOTHER of the SEVENTH year 'puff who has been flirting with me." Harry's face was blank as he considered this.

Draco nodded again, "Yes. As I mentioned, she is a pureblood Black, even disinherited her bloodline is considered superior to any non-pureblood. While I have no contact with a disgraced member of the family, I am led to believe she is a good person. Her upbringing would give her all the poise and grace you would need in a wife. And while she would likely manipulate you to some extent, her morals would prevent her doing it to your detriment; unlike my mother."

"Okay…", Harry stammered, "talking about marrying your mother is just creepy! Let's leave her as an absolute last resort… please?" Harry ended with a whine.

Draco laughed, "Of course! After all, she is not even potentially available until after my father's passing, which I hope to be a great many years from now. Andromeda is likewise married, but as the saying goes, 'things happen'."

Harry's face lit up as he exclaimed, "Right and Bellatrix is married to Lestrange! So she can't be considered either!" A deep sigh escaped Harry as he found the escape from that particular marriage hell.

Draco smirked. (Harry was really starting to dislike that expression.) "You would think so, wouldn't you? And it is true, as far as it goes. However, the Lord Black could annul that marriage for cause, as both spouses are in Azkaban. Also, Azkaban is not a safe place to house prisoners. Things happen. Aunt Bella's husband could meet with an accident any day. Dementors are foul things…" Draco allowed his voice to trail off, letting Harry consider the thought more carefully.

"So, you could arrange for Bellatrix's husband to have an accident?" Harry considered. Another Death Eater gone to join his master. The thought did not disturb him as much as he thought it should and the fact it was not more disturbing was actually more disturbing than the original thought.

"Harry, Harry, Harry," Draco soothed, "I would never be so gauche as to arrange such a thing."

"But if someone happened to think they might curry favor with you if 'something happened', then your hands would be clean, the problem would be solved, and you would acquire a bit of black mail on the person who thought he was helping you," Harry admitted.

"Well, I would not be one to turn down an unasked favor or a bit of future leverage. You know that by now."

"Yes," Harry admitted, "I am beginning to figure that out."

"Excellent!" Draco applauded. "Compared to the politics a Head of House must manipulate effortlessly, this would be child's play."

"Draco, we are children." Harry lamented.

"Exactly! Which is why we are doing this now." Draco's smile would not be out of place on an angel, it was so bright and disarming; yet another weapon in his arsenal.

"Okay, we have covered babies and older women. Including your mother," Harry shivered in the oak desk as that thought played merry hell with his imagination. "Can we talk about some girls closer to my age? You know… like… MY age?"

Draco snorted before continuing, "Of course Harry."

Draco's planned to introduce the concept of the very young and much older to get Harry used to the what should be considered in choosing a wife, knowing girls his own age would look much more attractive when compared to the previous examples. A subtle bit of manipulation, but it was in Harry's best interest and would help them both achieve their long-term goals more efficiently.

"We have already mentioned Ms. Greengrass, a Slytherin in our year. She is an exceptional candidate. She is currently betrothed to a young man who will take her name, thus continuing the Greengrass line. But" Draco waited expectantly.

"Yeah, yeah, 'things happen'. I got it," snarked Harry.

"Exactly. Glad to see you are getting the hang of it."

"In addition to Ms. Greengrass and her younger sister Astoria, among the suitable matches are Susan Bones, Luna Lovegood, and Nymphadora Tonks. Ms. Tonks would be better as a mistress or concubine, since her father is a mudblood." Noticing Harry's snarl of displeasure, "My mistake, since her father is a first-generation wizard. Better?" Draco apologized half-heartedly.

At Harry's sharp nod, Draco continued, "Ms. Tonks has a highly desirable trait, as she is a metamorphmagus. The easiest way would be to find a genealogy which would pronounce her pureblood." At Harry's raised eyebrow Draco nodded, "Yes, it is done far more than anyone will ever admit. The problem is her parents are still alive, so a rumor Andromeda was unfaithful would be met with forceful denials which would likely include a paternity test. As 'Ted' is still alive, proving his paternity would be child's play, thus an implausible solution."

Harry pondered, "But what if Ted really is NOT Tonk's father? I heard somewhere that a lot of people do not have the father they think they do. There is a chance she is one of them."

"Excellent thinking! That is indeed possible, although we should not put too much weight to the theory until after we have determined if it is true. But I like the way you are thinking. Very Slytherin! But, for the moment we will place her in the 'Nice but No' category with Hermione and Fleur."

Draco looked at the diagrams on the board, waving to 'Susan Bones', "Ms. Bones is the Bones Heiress. It is an old and well-respected family, and well-propertied. Ms. Bones will likely choose for a line continuation marriage, keeping her name and birthing a male Heir to the Bones line. This does not help you beget a Potter Heir, but does spread your bloodline into the Bones line. If they were not in danger of becoming extinct, that would be reason enough. However, her Aunt is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Not quite the political angle we have been seeking, but a solid mark in favor of the match."

Harry nodded before speaking, "It sounds like most of the possible matches are the last of their line and would prefer a line continuation marriage."

Draco nodded sadly, "The last century has been hard on the magical world. The Dark Lord and Grindlewald get all the attention, and they are the largest single factors, but there are so many other smaller factors which get little to no attention. The summation of all these factors has dropped the birth rate to unsustainable levels. Most couples are only having one child. In a generation, almost half the current Houses will either be extinct or passed to bloodlines with the most tenuous of claim. As a group, the magical world is dying. Without the mud… first generation magicals, we would be gone even sooner. Eventually, when we are older, we will need to address this. But not today."

Harry paled under the enormity of Draco's statement. His own House was almost gone, residing in only himself. Many Houses were now dead. More Houses were dead in all but name. Reviving the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter was going to be much harder than he had ever imagined.

"Please," Harry whimpered, "tell me you have a plan."

Draco's small smile confirmed he did. "Yes, but I can't tell you. I am working on something, but until you can guard your thoughts against those who would violate your privacy, I can't tell you."

"Can you help me guard my thoughts?"

Draco paused, considering options, "Yes and no. Yes, I could help you develop occlumency barriers, but it is a multi-year process. By the time you graduate Hogwarts, you would be adequate to hold off all but the most powerful legilimencers," Noticing Harry's confused look, "Occlumency is the art of defending your thoughts. Legilimency is the art of invading the thoughts of another."

Draco turned and paced as he scrambled for a solution. There was no way Dumbledore would go seven years without entering Harry's mind. Draco snorted, he would be surprised if the Headmaster had not done so already!

Turning back to Harry, "I have an easy solution, but like all easy solutions, there are some drawbacks. Some rather serious drawbacks. The price for this particular solution is, you will never be able to learn legilimency. Never. The advantage is, your mind will become impenetrable. No one will be able to read your mind… ever. Also, the method is … uncomfortable. But if you want, I can make it happen… I think…"

Harry considered this. Not being able to keep secrets would make re-establishing his House almost impossible. He would willingly endure pain if it helped him regain his House.

Harry nodded, "If you can make it happen, I want it."

"Very well," Draco nodded. "It may take me some time, but I will get it as quickly as I can. Until then, avoid looking any of the teachers in the eye. I know Dumbledore and Professor Snape are both legilimencers. There may be others in the school I don't know about."

"As an aside," Draco continued, "we have both been using common language during this meeting. You can do that with those you trust implicitly, meaning almost no one. Outside of those circumstances, you should avoid contractions; can't, won't, etc. Removing them from your vocabulary will increase the distance between you and those who are not Heads of House. You must distance yourself from the common wizard in every way you can. This will help cement your status as Lord Potter instead of Mr. Potter."

"Back to the original topic, choosing your wife, there is one more I wish to mention; Luna Lovegood. She is a year younger, thus will start Hogwarts next year. Their family is another which outspent its income, reduced to relative poverty, although still well off by Weasley standards. Her mother died a few years back and it devastated the girl and her father. He buries himself in his work, if you can call chasing imaginary animals work, and she … well… she is… different. You know how Bellatrix is described as scary dangerous insane? Luna could be described as gentle, innocent, and harmless insane. Her mother's death and her father's lack of support caused her to withdraw. She lives in her own world, almost literally. But she is beautiful, has a lovely voice, loves to dance. Her family would surely accept a dowry to fund their next few decades of creature searches, especially if you promised any non-heirs could take the Lovegood name to preserve the House. However, her drawbacks are many. She would be unfit for the social circles you would need to navigate. There is literally no telling what she will say next. She has a grace and elegance that is uncanny, but completely undirected in proper social graces. And she is intelligent with a capital I. Imagine Granger level intelligence, but without any concept that some things should not be considered. She is amazing, making her departure from reality even more tragic."

Harry stared wide-eyed at Draco's almost passionate description of Luna Lovegood, who until now was just a name on the board.

"How do you know so much about her?" Harry queried.

"Well, I guess I can tell you since this is still covered under your previous oath. I was once to be betrothed to Luna on my tenth birthday. Everything was proceeding according to schedule. We had met many times, taken walks together, even danced together. I was looking forward to our betrothal with more than Duty in my mind. Then her mother died and my Luna died too. Her body was still there. She still spoke with me, but the connection we had was gone. I wanted to proceed with the betrothal, but my father forbade it. It is the only time I have ever drawn a wand on my Father. I cast the most powerful offensive spell I knew, a stinging jinx, and he allowed it to hit him. He then proceeded to teach me why my temper must always be contained, especially when it is hard to do so. A lesson I will never forget."

"I'm sorry," Harry stammered.

"Don't be. Life is cruel. Learn that lesson and little will surprise you."

Harry nodded, not wanting to intrude upon Draco's thoughts further.

"Back to topic. Of the witches we have discussed, I suggest Daphne as the very best choice. Her family masquerades as neutral, but they are darker than they want anyone to know, but they never support Dark Lords, including The Dark Lord. The appearance of neutral will satisfy everyone. The Dark side will see you are moving closer to them than they ever expected. The Traditionalist will be happy to see you bringing Potter into its traditional role. The Light will accept a neutral marriage without over much concern. Strangely, you will find the most resistance from the neutral Houses, as they know House Greengrass is dark gray at best. She has a sister, so should be willing to take your name and let her sister continue the Greengrass line. They seem to dabble in politics, unless you know what to look for. House Greengrass controls almost a third of the Wizengamot without appearing to control any. There is a reason they are all Slytherin."

"Second choice, I suggest Luna. Her drawbacks will require you to take a second wife, consort, concubine, or mistress to play the part of host and social butterfly. Luna will never be suited to social circles. She has a disturbing habit of telling the truth, and that can't be allowed. Still, I believe she would make you very happy."

"Third choice is Aunt Bellatrix, for the reasons we have already discussed. Her environment would make it easy to control her. As your wife, you could push for her to get better accommodations, healthcare, nutrition, etc. You could even give her a complete bedroom with ensuite, as long as you didn't try to remove her from Azkaban Fudge would be quite agreeable, as long as sufficient gold passed his palm."

"But first," Draco grinned.

Harry was learning to feel uneasy when he saw that grin.

"But first, we must find a way to let people know you are 'on the hunt' without just standing up and announcing it. That would be tres gauche."

Harry thought Draco looked like he enjoyed plotting way too much.

*Breakfast in the great hall, the Monday morning after the Tonks/Harry common room 'I have to get married' scene*

As normal, the noise levels were highest shortly before classes start. Late risers trying to grab a quick bite to start the day. Early risers catching up on the latest gossip, cross checking homework answers, and making the general din nearly deafening. Just another normal breakfast.

Owls had delivered the papers and letters from home. All had been read, discussed, gossiped about, and put away.

Just as students were starting to leave the great hall for class, a wave of silence moved across the hall. Nudged by their fellows, those who had not noticed were pointed to the ceiling where one of the largest owls anyone had ever seen circled the ceiling. A minute later the owl dived to land with a great backwash of wings and air, on the table in front of Lord Potter. Holding for an ornate scroll in its claw, every pureblood stopped breathing as they watched Harry Potter accept a VERY Traditional betrothal scroll from the owl. Ms. Bones handed the owl a plate of bacon, it was a very large owl, but the owl looked upon the plate with condescension before ruffling its feathers and taking flight. Apparently, bacon was beneath it.

Harry examined the scroll carefully without opening it, then with a theatrical sigh exclaimed, "C'est le lundi. J'ai dit vendredi prochain." Looking one last time at the scroll, Harry placed it back on the table, as he lifted his hand he chanted, "Brûle en enfer", then walked away as the scroll burned to ash, leaving nothing but the central rod and ornate end caps.

"POTTER!"

Only one source for his name in that tone, Snape.

"Yes, professor?" Harry asked mildly as he stopped and turned.

"Ten points from Hufflepuff and a week of detention with me for endangering your fellow students." Professor Snape snapped.

Harry looked at Dumbledore.

Professor Sprout looked at the Headmaster.

Headmaster Dumbledore pretended to be oblivious.

"Lord Potter will be serving his detention with his Head of House." Professor Sprout said in a calm voice as she rose from the table to face Snape.

"You can't do that!" Snape snapped again.

"You would be amazed what I can and can't do, given the desire." The Head of Hufflepuff said mischievously.

"Headmaster!" Snape… well… you get the idea…

"Pomona," Dumbledore tried for his 'let's be reasonable voice'.

"Albus," Pomona snarked back, but not taking her eyes off Snape. She smiled softly as she noticed Filius moving to the side, whether to avoid her attack or to avoid hitting her if it came to wands, she still found it amusing. The wand Filius was palming seemed to suggest the latter, rather than the former.

"Before you move that wand any further, PROFESSOR Snape, I request you consider where your potions ingredients originate. While you are considering that, consider the expense of finding an alternate supplier." Professor Sprout said conversationally.

"Pomona", Dumbledore's voice rose, trying to get her attention.

"Albus, that is the second time you have called me. Is there something I can help you with?" The almost comedic tone was disrespectful, as she had intended.

"Professor, what do you think you are doing? You have interrupted another professor in the course of disciplining a student." Dumbledore said forcefully, trying to instill control, his of course, into the situation.

"I think I am saving Professor Snape's life." Pomona smiled as she winked at Flitwick

"You can not possibly think that child is any danger to a fully trained wizard!" Snape was definitely losing his cool.

"Oh, you never know. He did kill a Dark Lord that had you and the Headmaster running scared."

"Now, Pomona" Dumbledore tried once again.

"Headmaster, if you continue to use my given name, people will begin to talk."

Filius was fighting to maintain his composure as he saw the wide-eyed look Dumbledore gave the back of Professor Sprout's head.

"Besides," Pomona said, "I didn't mean I was saving him from Lord Potter. We all know how Snape feels about Lord Potter," she loved the look on Snape's face every time she said 'Lord Potter' "I am saving him from me. I will not sit back as Minerva does and watch this… teacher… abuse my puffs. Especially when the Headmaster and his Deputy witness the incident and refuse to intervene. So, I am. If you want a dead potions master, let him go to Snape for a detention. I will accompany Lord Potter to each and every detention and if he crosses the line, even once, you will need a new teacher. Are we clear?"

"Severus, Harry will be taking his detention with his head of house." The Headmaster said with finality.

"But…" Snape roared.

"DO NOT FORGET YOURSELF, PROFESSOR!" Dumbledore's voice did not increase in volume, but somehow its 'weight' grew against everyone until it was stifling. Here was a taste of true power, and it did not need a magazine.

Without another word, Professor Snape whirled, cape billowing as he left the great hall in a snit, slamming the doors shut behind him.

"Everyone, go to class. That includes you, Lord Potter," the Deputy Headmaster commanded the students.

Or rather… the remaining students.

Looking around, Harry noticed all the purebloods were gone.

AN: Thank you for the reviews and PMs. They definitely inspire me to write more. Seriously, THANK YOU!

AN: The French should translate as "This is Monday", "I said next Friday", and "Burn in Hell". Sadly I do not speak French and used Google translate. My high school French from many years ago told me the translations 'looked about right'. My idea was to do something the purebloods would likely recognize, which could be said openly, but would be simple to translate. (I assume the pureblood families would teach at least a basic understanding of French and Spanish, both being nearby and nice vacation destinations.

AN: The 'incantation' Harry used was not a spell. The scroll itself was spelled to burn when released. The 'incantation' was just misdirection and showmanship.