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After having lunch in the school kitchens, Harry walked towards the quidditch pitch to fly. She had not flown for almost a week and it felt like ages to her. As she moved towards the grounds she gazed around the corridor which was filled with additional students who had returned after holidays, sighing she realised how much she was going to miss her late evening meetings with Tom as her dorm mates were back, he won't be coming through that window anymore.
"This is only for few more weeks. " She told herself as she would be staying with Tom once the school term ended, then they would have plenty of evenings and mornings together.
She picked one old broom of the school and was closing the shed when someone cleared their throat. She turned around and found about seven, or eight, or maybe nine witches standing in front of her in a semicircle, they were not in their uniform so she couldnot identify their house,but she recognised Myrtle at the corner.
The witch in the centre cleared her throat again, Harry gazed towards her and raised eyebrows when realised that it was none other than Connolly. She almost did not recognise her with shoulder length hair, then started thinking why would she cut the hair... maybe because shorter hair were easier to manage ... hmm.. maybe she should cut her hair too... but longer hair were easier to tie.. confused confused .. she should check with Tom what type of hair he prefer that would be easier and...
"... UNDERSTAND? " Connolly shouted.
Harry shook her head and stared at her confused " What? Were you saying something? "
Connolly almost growled with irritation, "Witch I said stay away from my boyfriend. "
Her statement made Harry chuckle, " Who? "
"Don't act as you don't know... I know about your reputation you boyfriend stealer.. Myrtle here told me everything about you. You first seduced Marcus away from her and once you were bored with him you left him then attacked him in Great Hall, and now you are using love potion on my Tom making him forget all about me ... he just.. aaahh " And she covered her face with her hands then started making howling noise.
Harry just stared at her.. she was such a bad actor, even Dudley used to act better while crying.. at least he never covered his face to make strange screaming noise.
"Look what you have done you idiot Puff.. " The witch on the right shouted.
"We will teach her.. " the other one said.
"How can some stupid Hufflepuff witch could think about stealing boyfriend from Raven.."
"Yes look at her.. "
Harry looked around as they said so many things about her. She knew those girls were there to attack her. She did not feel scared at all, she could very well take care any of them, however currently they had upper hand as she was outnumbered by them.
The girl on the left raised her hand to quiet her fellow housemates, "I think we should just leave a great example with her so no other witch in future ever dare to do such thing with.. " Suddenly she stopped and gazed towards the right side of broom shed, "What are you doing here? "
Harry followed her gaze and found not one but a whole group about fifteen witches standing there, she recognised few from her classes and others from Greathall, they all were from Slytherin, and it was not just fifth year but there were witches from fourth, sixth and seventh year too. She stared at them as they walked and stood in front of her, hiding her completely from the view of Ravenclaw witches.
There was few seconds of silence, after which the Slytherin witch in front of the group said, "You will have to pass through all of us if you as much as want to look at her. "
Harry recognised that voice from her Potions classes, it belonged to that Prince witch.
Then the other voice that she was sure belonged to Connolly said, "But she gave love potion to Tom. She has done some dark magic on ... "
Before she could even finish the Slytherin witches started laughing. "Dark magic? Love Potion? You think such techniques would fool Tom? "
When none of the Ravenclaw witch replied, the Slytherin witch added, "I think you haven't read today's Daily Prophet. There was a big news on the second page saying we finally have a Slytherin heir to take the title of Lord Slytherin. The title that last time only belonged to Salazar Slytherin as none of his future heirs were capable enough to gain it. And the heir who finally gained Lord Slytherin title is none other than our very own Tom. "
Again none of the Ravenclaw witch replied but Harry could tell that their mouth must be wide open in shock. Tom never told her about any news to be published in Daily Prophet about his Lordship. She frowned, he did mention about Goblins informing Ministry about his status. Maybe someone in the ministry informed Prophet as taking the title of Lord Slytherin was a big news. Her train of thoughts stopped when she heard Prince continue.
"There was one more news there that the new Lord Slytherin is already engaged to a fellow Hogwarts witch and has signed a Marriage contract with her. "
She waited for few seconds for that news to sink in with Ravenclaw witches, then added, "And the name of that witch is Harry Evans. You think she fooled Lord Slytherin into signing marriage contract and used love potion on him? You can't sign contract with blood quill if you are drugged with some potion. And to say that Tom is your boyfriend is the most ludicrous statement ever, we all know he just asked you for Hogsmead to make Harry here jealous. "
Harry was surprised that Tom allowed the news of their enagement to be shared with so many people, he knew it would effect their privacy, but no one would dare to cross the line with her. She realised that this was what her fiance wanted... he did not want Marcus like scenarios that's why made that publicised so everyone should know that she belonged solely to him.
"We are warning you to stay away from Harry.. else.. "
Prince left the statement unfinished to let them know that the consequences could be very dangerous.
None of the Ravenclaw witch could say anything after that and they all left.
Harry who was hidden from their view did not see them leave and was startled when one by one Slytherin witches turned towards her to introduce themselves and congratulated her. She never spoke to any of them and their friendly behaviour was really a big surprise for her.
"Congratulations for becoming the part of Slytherin family. " Price said as she reached Harry.
Harry smiled, "Thanks "
Prince shook her head, "You don't need to thank any of us. You are the part of our family now and we protect our own. Actually its us who should be thanking you."
On Harry confused expression, she smiled and said, "Thanks for making Tom so happy. None of us ever seen him in such a good mood. He really changed ever since he is with you. "
Harry blushed hard and smiled back at Prince.
Most the the Slytherin witches exchanged glances and giggled on seeing a blush on Harry's face at the mention of Tom's name.
Prince was also beaming, she nodded at her fellow fifth year then gazed back at Harry and said, "I think we should leave now. Call for any of us if you ever need any support or help."
Harry gazed as they left then picked up her broom to fly.
Sirius balanced the tray then carefully added three drops of bat blood in the potion, he smirked as it turned into the desired colour.
He was sitting in one of the many abandoned classroom in Hogwarts after creating wards around the room so no other would enter, the reason for the protective wards was the potion which he never expected himself to ever make. He hated dark magic and that potion was one of the darkest potions in the wizarding world, it was one of the heavily guarded black family secrets. As a future head of the black family he learnt about it during his younger years from his grandfather. It would take long to brew but he was ready to wait. It was the question about Harry's future and he would do anything to protect it.
He read that morning paper, the contract made it impossible for him to take her away from that snake. He had been ignoring her as it was too painful to see her with Riddle. He really missed his Harry who hated Dark Lord and was just like his best friend James. He would get her back.
He stared at the potion, few more weeks then he could put his plan into action.
"Tom?"
"Hmm"
"Can I cut my hair short?"
Tom opened his eyes then stared at his fiance, he was resting his head on her lap as she was playing lightly with his hair while sitting against one tree on the edge of the forest.
School had opened two days back and as the detention for a month took away Harry's free evenings, they hardly got chance to spend more than few minutes in each others company. But the free period during same time that day finally gave them chance to spend some quality time with each other.
"Why?"
She smiled and said, "They are easier to manage. "
"Hmm.. " He looked at her long hair which were creating a dark curtain around her face, he touched her cheek then ran his fingers through her hair.
"I like them long. " He murmured as he met her gaze.
She knew she must be blushing as he stared at her. He just kept on gazing at her face captivated by her blush, then put hand behind her head and pulled her faced down to kiss her lips. Her every kiss felt divine to him, her scent, her moans, he craved for more of her like some drug.
"I love you" He said once the kiss ended.
"I love you too. "
He smiled then closed his eyes as she started running her fingers through his hair again.
"Tom?"
"Hmmm"
"I think there is something wrong with this locket. "
He opened his eye and looked towards the locket which was once made for Salazar's wife but now belonged to his fiance. "Why?"
"It keeps on vibrating."
Tom sat up and touched pendant of her locket. " Vibrating?"
She shook her head, "Not now. But it happened yesterday after Transfiguration class. And today when I was passing by Great Hall. "
He narrowed his eyes then stood up. " Come lets meet Salazar. "
He forwarding his hand to help her stand. " I think I know the reason but need to confirm with him."
After few minutes, they were standing in front of Slytherin founder's portrait, which was staring gravely at Tom as he told him about Harry's locket.
" ... So does that mean that someone is trying to do magic on her? " Tom finished by asking this question.
Salazar nodded, "And if it vibrated then it means its not some school jinx but a powerful curse. Good thing it has powerful protective old goblin magic to protect the wearer, we never know what those curses were for."
Tom squeezed her hand and she looked towards him.
Anger was clearly visible on his face but he took a deep breath as he met her gaze, "Harry you won't be travelling alone in the school corridor anymore. "
"But Tom?"
He shook his head as he knew she would hate losing her privacy, " Somebody is trying to attack you, and I can never take any chance if it concerns you. "
She looked down at her feet, she won't be getting any of the time alone in school anymore, she knew now one or two Slytherin or may that house elf Tipsy would be following her everywhere.
"Its only for your safety dear." Salazar added.
She looked up at Tom thinking that it was only for few weeks till school finishes, and nodded, "Okay Tom."