Title: Goblet of Magic
Author: LunaBard
Pairing: SS/HP
Rating: PG – 13, for innuendos
A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed! Thank you Artemis Luna Diana for telling me about the anonymous reviewing thing and Minnie for telling me how to fix it. Also I got a Beta now, Wolf Lupin. I'll still be posting as I finish since I do a pretty good job of editing myself, but I'll change them around with beta-ed versions. If I make any major changes, I'll let ya' all know.
Summary: Every Wizard and Witch in the world has to ask a GOBLET if their allowed to get married!?! What's this why would they ask a GOBLET, is that what you asked? Simple, it's proper etiquette to ask your Mother for permission to get married.
Chapter 1: I GET TO CHOSE!!!!
'There has to be something I can do!?! How could they try to force me to marry that disgusting pansy! Just because he's a pureblood, the only pureblood we haven't married into the past ten generation means nothing. I'm powerful within my own right – I could make it without a husband,' Vedita Goyle thought to herself. 'Damn it, the line's moving again! I have maybe ten more people in front of me before I have to ask for permission to marry from Our Lady. Okay don't panic – think. How does the ritual work and where's a loophole!?!' thought Vedita as she slowly inched forward, leaving only seven more people in front. 'Once the Goblet is asked, her verdict is final and divorce is impossible. You may marry only once, but if the match doesn't meet Her approval than She'll chose your BEST match – NON-NEGOTIABLE! That's it! You can give her a choice of who to marry you to. I can ask her to choose between Zaried and another. Who though?' Vedita queried to herself. "Al'righty Miss your up next," interrupted the Master of Ceremony.
Standing in a perfect poise, as befitting her lineage, Vedita began with a smirk. "Oh Lady, the time has come when I must seek for Your knowledge and allowance. For it has been decreed that I marry. Yet I ask You, as is my right to present You two names -" Not a single word could be heard within the Gallery of the Goblet of Magic. Instead of using the well known words of the Binding ceremony, the eldest child of the Goyle line was using a little known phrases. Vedita's parents stood rigid; her father stood with cold anger at his daughter's rebellion of his chosen match for her. Her mother stood just as rigid, but inside she laughed as her daughter outsmarted her father and the entire pureblooded regime. Yet at the same time, the family of Zaried Flint stood in outrage. The humiliation they felt at that girl's nerve. "– first, Zaried Flint chosen by my family for me and the second, Harry Potter."
As before, no word could be heard in the gallery. Yet the nervous movement of complete disbelief could be felt. She had asked for the Boy – Who – Lived, the Destroyer – of – He – Who – Must – Not – Be - Named. And now everyone waited to see what their Lady would decide. Would She give a yes or a no? And for those who were in the know, they wondered who She would pair with their Savior.
A soft pink glow and the warmth of a thousand spring night was felt by the first three layers of people within the gallery. The Goblet of Magic roared to life with a bit more enthusiasm, their Lady had been given a choice. She would have more room to play with as now the Rule of Pureblood was null for a time. She could choose the most perfect matches, her children deserved the best. And so Her liquid – self swirled through the goblet, moving through the fountains as She had not done in over two thousand years. First She thought of the poor child above her, beseeching Her to chose someone of interest, of power, of kindness and love. 'Zaried Flint would most certainly not work. And one of Her most favored would not do as well; she was no match for Harry Potter though other wording would have allowed it. Perhaps, yes he had served Her well and deserved a bit of martial bliss.' Blowing out some of her liquid - self into the air, not giving the Quill a chance to write a single letter, She wrote:
Vedita Goyle is bound with great bliss to My master of ceremony, Aries Diggle.
Continuing to blow out liquid until it finally splashed Aries, de – aging him to his early twenties, thirty years in his past. Aries froze as his mind made rapid progress over what he was witness to, 'I had never asked for permission. Having never found anyone I wished to hold and love. I had almost forgotten that I could be chosen. And my bride is looking me over with – did his eyes deceive him – an appreciative gaze!?!' 'Oh my, I didn't expect this . . . but I must admit he is good looking. And he seems to be nice, perhaps this well work. I think I love my Mother!' Vedita thought as she got progressively more excited.
Yet the Goblet of Magic was not done. Gaining the attention of the entire gallery once more, Lady Magic once again began Her reasoning. 'Now to think of one of Her sons, Zaried Flint. He was made of a more gentle persuasion. He thought more deeply and need someone who would care for him, yet able to deal with his family. Ahhh, here we are My precocious little curse – breaker. He'll be able to defend himself and his new husband, yes they well do each other lots of good.'
Zaried Flint is bound to My most precocious curse – breaker, William Weasley.
Continuing to blow out the fountain, a bubble of bright pink appeared with a letter – a note from Our Lady Mother, to Her son in Egypt where he broke the curses placed on ancient pyramids. Her son was now wedded, he most certainly need to be informed. 'A Weasley! I'm going to married to a Weasley, oh and I most certainly remember Bill. I remember watching him when I was in my third year. And could he fly! And that cute grin – THANK YOU MOTHER!!!'
"Hey Bill look at that! It looks like someone is now married," shout Ted Smith a muggleborn co – worker of Bill's. "Yea I wonder who –" began Bill as the pink bubble appeared straight in front of him. "I suppose … umm, what I mean is…" "Bill, knock it off, hurry up and get out of here. We can finish up here. Your married now, go find out who you're bound to," interrupted Ed Vang. And so Bill apparated home, to tell his Mom and to meet his mate.
The gallery was dead silent. Everyone knew what was to happen, the Boy – Who – Lived was to be married off next and nobody wanted to miss this one. Everyone watched as the Goblet of Magic bubbled and swirled. Thinking on who She wished for Her most powerful son to date, the Lady questioned Herself, 'So sweet and kind, yet he has led a harsh life with those undeserving Muggles. My son has shown his greatness of character by accepting My gift of serpent speech and his great knowledge of the past sets him apart from the others. He's not ruled by the past, but guided. Who shall deserve him and he them? My son wants to be allowed his own privacy, yet he's incapable of saying no to anyone. His mate must be able to stand up for him. And we must remember that he loves the tall, dark, and male. Oh, his mind has most certainly been turning toward THAT direction now. Now that My twisted son has finally come back to Me, he may place his mind in other arenas. Ahhhhhh, my seductive son will do. His caress of My liquid depths most certainly endears him to Me. His wit will make for a perfect balance toward My hidden serpent and after a bit of shaky start, they'll find a love, and a common ground. I'll have to do a bit more interference, though. Oh but I haven't had such fun in such a long time.' And so the Lady of Magic blew two pink bubbles out to inform the new couple. Strangely, She also sent out a regular white bubble to Her Favored son, to gain his help with dealing with His brother, and the two mates. With that everyone within the gallery saw the most shocking news ever:
Harry Potter, My most powerful Son is bound to My most seductive potion master, Severus Snape.
And in the gallery no one moved or made a sound. The Goblet of Magic slowed to a stop, loosening her grip on the Quill. For now She has put many great events into place. No one moved until one lone voice spoke up, "Bloody Hell! That greasy git … seductive!?!" With that word quickly spread, winding up on the ears of every major news paper of the magical world.
Chapter 2: Two Pink Bubbles and A White One
"Harry what are you doing up their? Much less out here! You should know by now that you can't be out in the Forbidden Forest – it is forbidden," asked Hermione. Rolling his eyes, Harry began mischievously, "Let's start with the last question, I do know better. Better enough to know that the boundary for the forest starts at the next tree over. So I'm not in the Forbidden Forest. The second question was about being here, I like it out here. I can read quietly without Ron wanting to play chess or Dean asking questions about Quidditch. First question what am I doing up here? I'd just finished reading through my Family Book that you bought me for my birthday yesterday. Thank you again on that. Anyway, I wanted to learn more about the Goblet of Magic that my Ancestor Verpes Potter was influential in making. So of course, I took a page out of your book 'Mione, and I'm reading about it in my quiet place, known to all of the birds and squirrels as the Potter Tree." Stiffling her giggles, 'Mione asked, "So you liked my present? I new you would like it." The two best friends met each others eyes and broke out laughing.
Climbing down, Harry began to poke Hermione when they both saw a bright pink bubble floating their way. Stopping in front of Harry, Hermione looked at him and the bubble questioning. "It's a bubble from the Goblet of Magic, Hermione." "The Goblet of Magic?" "Yea, before anyone in the magical world can marry, the Wizard or Witch has to go and ask permission from the Goblet. She gives the final say so." "I remember that, I read it in Magical Things That Everyone Needs to Know for the Muggleborn by Venus F. Trap. But why do you have a bubble in front of you. You haven't gotten married have you?" Hermione stated uncertainly. "Yea but if someone asks to marry or be bound to me than the Goblet decides the best match for EVERYONE involved in the asking, including me. . ." mumbled Harry. Looking at Hermione, Harry started again, "It would seem that somebody did ask for me and now I'm married or bound or whatever… Hermione I'm too young! I just killed Voldie! What more do they want!?! I just wanted to enjoy my last year of Hogwarts without anything going wrong. Now I'm bound to someone that I probably don't know! I wanted to buy my own place and start my own garden, and there's the book that I'm working on. You know I want to become famous for what I know – not for killing Voldemort!" "Calm down Harry, maybe there's a way aro-" "Their isn't a way around this! I have to have SEX with this person within twenty – four hours or the Goblet will make me. And what if it's a girl! You know I don't swing THAT way!" "Harry, they say the Goblet chooses your best match – I'm sure Our Lady Mother would at least choose someone within your persuasion," Hermione said as soothingly ass possible. "Yea, your right. He has to be someone I can live with – Yea, 'Mione your right, there's nothing to be worried about," Harry laughed nervously.
The bubble continued to float in front of Harry, while both Harry and Hermione stared at it. Slowly raising his hand to grab the envelope that would tell him who his husband would be, Harry hesitated. Uncertain, with shaking hands, he touched the bubble and with a soft 'pop' the envelope that would change his life, floated down into his grasp.
***
"You sniveling cretins, can't you manage to brew a simple potion without blowing it up at least once? Of course not!! Hufflepuff might be where the loyal toil, but they most certainly don't toil at their homework! Get out –" Snape shouted, when all suddenly a pink bubble floated through his classroom door. Everyone turned quiet, this was the sixth year class and almost everyone knew who the pink bubble was from. Those that didn't were quickly, but quietly informed. Their evil, greasy Potion Master was now bounded. Their Lady Mother had just inflicted some poor soul with the greasy git. And they all were holding their breath in terrified anticipation.
Floating ever closer to the 'most seductive' of Her children, did the bubble go. Severus raised his hand in tightly concealed hope, but complete disbelief. After all, he himself could barely believe that someone had asked for him or he had been chosen as a mate for someone else. No one saw him in such ways. Did they? No of course not. Finally, the bubble floated just above his hand, when all in the classroom heard a 'pop' and they all saw a soaked professor with a letter in his hand. "Who ever thought this would be a great joke …" Severus was interrupted by the sudden need to rest against his desk. He was de – aging in front of the entire classroom, from thirty – eight to thirty to twenty – seven to twenty – three. Standing up after a quick rest, Severus drew his wand, "Transifigio mira." Looking into a seven foot tall mirror where his chalkboard had once been, Severus inspected his reflection. And what he saw was himself. At twenty – three.
Collapsing in his desk chair, Severus remembered his class. "Your dismiss. Get out of here." Slowly, so as to not invoke the wrath of Snape, they all slowly moved out of the room. The last sixth year Hufflepuff would be the only witness of her Professor's shaking hands as he opened the note from Lady Gaea. As all the Hufflepuffs were free they all ran to tell the rest of the school the news. Snape was bound by the Goblet of Magic; they had seen the pink bubble.
***
A white bubble was seen floating through fields of rue and violets by the centaurs. Across faire circles and through bogs of deadly hinkypunks, it slowed as it entered the manor lands of the Dumbledores'. Moving past the large hills across the lake and past the actual manor, the white bubble of Our Lady drifted into a large maze – like – house. "Oh my, Milady has sent me a bubble – a white one. Will let's see what she needs," Alberforth supposed absent-minded. 'I wonder, usually She just tells me –' Reading the note that had been dropped into his hand, Alberforth starts dressing in some slightly eccentric robes, he was need at Hogwarts. The Lady needed him to run interference.
Crackling green, the fireplace came to life as Albus Dumbledore suckled a sherbet lemon. "Will hello brother, what brings you to my humble abode?" asked Albus while offering his candy dish to Aberforth. "I got a white bubble from Milady, Albby," Alberforth stated, while grabbing a handful of lemons and sitting on a pile of books. Annoyed Albus glared, "Don't call me Albby or would you like me to drag up your old name, Goat – boy. And what did the Lady want, that She sent you my way?" "That wasn't my fault you know. The goat was Marilyn, who happens to be a shape-shifter and she wanted to try a few new postions. And I in my courageous self, decided to give into her fantasy. Nothing wrong with that now is there? Marilyn and I are quite happy, thank you," Alberforth slurred around the cracking of the sherbet lemons. "Anyway, Our Lady just sent out two pink bubbles today. It would seem a young lady was being force to marry. You probably know them, they did go to Hogwarts. Vedita Goyle was to marry Zaried Flint; however, she used the old wording where she gave two names so that Our Lady Mother could choose anyone, pureblood, half blood, and muggleborn. She used Mr. Potter's name. Since they were incompatible-" "Wait a minute, your basically saying Harry's to bound to someone and now your running interference-" "Don't interrupt Albby, what would our mother say? Anyway, as I was saying, Vedita was married to Milady's master of ceremony, Aries Diggle. Zaried Flint was married to Milady's most intelligent curse – breaker, Bill Weasley. Now since Mr. Potter was involved in the choice, he was bound . . . to Milady's most seductive potion brewer – Severus Snape."
Falling into his chair, Albus thought, 'I'm too old for this. There well be an uproar.' "Albus, Milady has sent me to explain this to you and the entire school. I'll be giving a little history lesson. Also, I need you to extend Snape's suite and find a temporary professor as they'll be getting to know each other for a week's length of time. Milady is going to be helping them," explained Alberforth. "What your saying is that you're a marriage broker, as the muggles call it," sighed Albus. "Yep."
***
To My Most Powerful Son,
How I've loved watching you grow in your power and knowledge. I've watched as you accepted your serpent self and I glow every time you speak to your serpent siblings. They truly need a good example after My twisted son's example. Now I'm giving you the chance to give yourself true happiness with one who can make you truly happy, and you him. For you, I've written this short note, so that you may understand that he is the best for you. You have much in common; otherwise I wouldn't have chosen him for you. He's been given his youth back. Now it is time for you to know his name, Severus Snape.
Mother
Slowly, everything blurred and only the two words his Mother had written for him stayed clear, Severus Snape. Ignoring all around him, the trees, the squirrels, and even Hermione, Harry slowly made his way to the dungeons in a blur.
***
To My Most Seductive Brewer,
How I've watched you suffer. I've offered you all that I could through your potions. Trying to soothe your pains, yet I can not be there for you like I wish. So another shall be. Remember, no to people are the same and your first glance is most times deceiving. His life is full of great strife at a young age, before Hogwarts. Give him a chance to show you who he is, he is a great complement to you. His true gift be as to your brewing as a gardener is to a cook. Allow me to tell you My seductive son your chosen: his name is Harry Potter.
Mother
Stunned from just seeing the pink bubble, Severus could barely understand what was being said in the note. On auto-pilot, Severus left the classroom. Making his way down through his dungeons, his mind held to two words, one name: Harry Potter. Moving into his rooms he collapse with a glass of amber liquid and tried to understand just what happened.
***
"Everything finished Alberforth. Harry's items have been placed in Severus' rooms and the Lady's wards snapped into place, right after I saw Harry enter the chambers. He looked like he was sleepwalking, he ignored everything," Albus told his brother worried. "Don't worry Albus. Have faith in Magic, for She will see to them. As I will see to your staff and the students," smiled Alberforth.
Walking into the Hall, Albus and Alberforth sat down. Waiting for all of Hogwart's population to settle, when this finally happened Albus stood. "Many of you have heard of the pink bubble that was seen in Professor Snape's sixth year class. Not all of you know what it means though. I myself was informed by my dear brother, and he shall explain to the rest of you." As Albus sat, Alberforth stood and began to explain, "Not all of you are aware of what happened three thousand years ago, so I will give a short explanation. Magic was spreading, trying to infuse with all living being. Including the mundane, however for Her to do this She would have to pull the rest of Herself out of the magical world. Not willing to become mundane, a council was called and ceremonies were conducted to Bind the Magic to Her children. The final part to this binding was the job of the youngest magical species, Wizard – kind. Our answer was the Goblet of Magic. The Goblet holds a piece of Our Lady Mother, Magic. What's special about this Goblet is that when one wishes to marry or mate, they must ask permission. For the Magic is a sentient force, and our use of Her means that we must bow to Her will in part of our lives. Our ancestor decided that marriage would be a good arena for Her to flex her muscles. So even now, we ask for Her permission. However, if She doesn't agree with whom we wish to marry, then She will decide who we do marry. For She knows every magical human's name and who they are, She is Our Mother. Marriage or binding as it is also known as is unbreakable – Her words are final. You marry once and only once, no divorce. It is until Death do us Part. The pink bubble that some of you saw in Potions is how She informs us. I well be here for the rest of the school year to teach every year about the Council that saved the magical world. But now onto what you all wanted to know; who is bound to Professor Snape. In the exact words of Our Lady Mother, Gaea, 'Harry Potter, My most powerful Son is bound to My most seductive potion master, Severus Snape.'"
Author: LunaBard
Pairing: SS/HP
Rating: PG – 13, for innuendos
A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed! Thank you Artemis Luna Diana for telling me about the anonymous reviewing thing and Minnie for telling me how to fix it. Also I got a Beta now, Wolf Lupin. I'll still be posting as I finish since I do a pretty good job of editing myself, but I'll change them around with beta-ed versions. If I make any major changes, I'll let ya' all know.
Summary: Every Wizard and Witch in the world has to ask a GOBLET if their allowed to get married!?! What's this why would they ask a GOBLET, is that what you asked? Simple, it's proper etiquette to ask your Mother for permission to get married.
Chapter 1: I GET TO CHOSE!!!!
'There has to be something I can do!?! How could they try to force me to marry that disgusting pansy! Just because he's a pureblood, the only pureblood we haven't married into the past ten generation means nothing. I'm powerful within my own right – I could make it without a husband,' Vedita Goyle thought to herself. 'Damn it, the line's moving again! I have maybe ten more people in front of me before I have to ask for permission to marry from Our Lady. Okay don't panic – think. How does the ritual work and where's a loophole!?!' thought Vedita as she slowly inched forward, leaving only seven more people in front. 'Once the Goblet is asked, her verdict is final and divorce is impossible. You may marry only once, but if the match doesn't meet Her approval than She'll chose your BEST match – NON-NEGOTIABLE! That's it! You can give her a choice of who to marry you to. I can ask her to choose between Zaried and another. Who though?' Vedita queried to herself. "Al'righty Miss your up next," interrupted the Master of Ceremony.
Standing in a perfect poise, as befitting her lineage, Vedita began with a smirk. "Oh Lady, the time has come when I must seek for Your knowledge and allowance. For it has been decreed that I marry. Yet I ask You, as is my right to present You two names -" Not a single word could be heard within the Gallery of the Goblet of Magic. Instead of using the well known words of the Binding ceremony, the eldest child of the Goyle line was using a little known phrases. Vedita's parents stood rigid; her father stood with cold anger at his daughter's rebellion of his chosen match for her. Her mother stood just as rigid, but inside she laughed as her daughter outsmarted her father and the entire pureblooded regime. Yet at the same time, the family of Zaried Flint stood in outrage. The humiliation they felt at that girl's nerve. "– first, Zaried Flint chosen by my family for me and the second, Harry Potter."
As before, no word could be heard in the gallery. Yet the nervous movement of complete disbelief could be felt. She had asked for the Boy – Who – Lived, the Destroyer – of – He – Who – Must – Not – Be - Named. And now everyone waited to see what their Lady would decide. Would She give a yes or a no? And for those who were in the know, they wondered who She would pair with their Savior.
A soft pink glow and the warmth of a thousand spring night was felt by the first three layers of people within the gallery. The Goblet of Magic roared to life with a bit more enthusiasm, their Lady had been given a choice. She would have more room to play with as now the Rule of Pureblood was null for a time. She could choose the most perfect matches, her children deserved the best. And so Her liquid – self swirled through the goblet, moving through the fountains as She had not done in over two thousand years. First She thought of the poor child above her, beseeching Her to chose someone of interest, of power, of kindness and love. 'Zaried Flint would most certainly not work. And one of Her most favored would not do as well; she was no match for Harry Potter though other wording would have allowed it. Perhaps, yes he had served Her well and deserved a bit of martial bliss.' Blowing out some of her liquid - self into the air, not giving the Quill a chance to write a single letter, She wrote:
Vedita Goyle is bound with great bliss to My master of ceremony, Aries Diggle.
Continuing to blow out liquid until it finally splashed Aries, de – aging him to his early twenties, thirty years in his past. Aries froze as his mind made rapid progress over what he was witness to, 'I had never asked for permission. Having never found anyone I wished to hold and love. I had almost forgotten that I could be chosen. And my bride is looking me over with – did his eyes deceive him – an appreciative gaze!?!' 'Oh my, I didn't expect this . . . but I must admit he is good looking. And he seems to be nice, perhaps this well work. I think I love my Mother!' Vedita thought as she got progressively more excited.
Yet the Goblet of Magic was not done. Gaining the attention of the entire gallery once more, Lady Magic once again began Her reasoning. 'Now to think of one of Her sons, Zaried Flint. He was made of a more gentle persuasion. He thought more deeply and need someone who would care for him, yet able to deal with his family. Ahhh, here we are My precocious little curse – breaker. He'll be able to defend himself and his new husband, yes they well do each other lots of good.'
Zaried Flint is bound to My most precocious curse – breaker, William Weasley.
Continuing to blow out the fountain, a bubble of bright pink appeared with a letter – a note from Our Lady Mother, to Her son in Egypt where he broke the curses placed on ancient pyramids. Her son was now wedded, he most certainly need to be informed. 'A Weasley! I'm going to married to a Weasley, oh and I most certainly remember Bill. I remember watching him when I was in my third year. And could he fly! And that cute grin – THANK YOU MOTHER!!!'
"Hey Bill look at that! It looks like someone is now married," shout Ted Smith a muggleborn co – worker of Bill's. "Yea I wonder who –" began Bill as the pink bubble appeared straight in front of him. "I suppose … umm, what I mean is…" "Bill, knock it off, hurry up and get out of here. We can finish up here. Your married now, go find out who you're bound to," interrupted Ed Vang. And so Bill apparated home, to tell his Mom and to meet his mate.
The gallery was dead silent. Everyone knew what was to happen, the Boy – Who – Lived was to be married off next and nobody wanted to miss this one. Everyone watched as the Goblet of Magic bubbled and swirled. Thinking on who She wished for Her most powerful son to date, the Lady questioned Herself, 'So sweet and kind, yet he has led a harsh life with those undeserving Muggles. My son has shown his greatness of character by accepting My gift of serpent speech and his great knowledge of the past sets him apart from the others. He's not ruled by the past, but guided. Who shall deserve him and he them? My son wants to be allowed his own privacy, yet he's incapable of saying no to anyone. His mate must be able to stand up for him. And we must remember that he loves the tall, dark, and male. Oh, his mind has most certainly been turning toward THAT direction now. Now that My twisted son has finally come back to Me, he may place his mind in other arenas. Ahhhhhh, my seductive son will do. His caress of My liquid depths most certainly endears him to Me. His wit will make for a perfect balance toward My hidden serpent and after a bit of shaky start, they'll find a love, and a common ground. I'll have to do a bit more interference, though. Oh but I haven't had such fun in such a long time.' And so the Lady of Magic blew two pink bubbles out to inform the new couple. Strangely, She also sent out a regular white bubble to Her Favored son, to gain his help with dealing with His brother, and the two mates. With that everyone within the gallery saw the most shocking news ever:
Harry Potter, My most powerful Son is bound to My most seductive potion master, Severus Snape.
And in the gallery no one moved or made a sound. The Goblet of Magic slowed to a stop, loosening her grip on the Quill. For now She has put many great events into place. No one moved until one lone voice spoke up, "Bloody Hell! That greasy git … seductive!?!" With that word quickly spread, winding up on the ears of every major news paper of the magical world.
Chapter 2: Two Pink Bubbles and A White One
"Harry what are you doing up their? Much less out here! You should know by now that you can't be out in the Forbidden Forest – it is forbidden," asked Hermione. Rolling his eyes, Harry began mischievously, "Let's start with the last question, I do know better. Better enough to know that the boundary for the forest starts at the next tree over. So I'm not in the Forbidden Forest. The second question was about being here, I like it out here. I can read quietly without Ron wanting to play chess or Dean asking questions about Quidditch. First question what am I doing up here? I'd just finished reading through my Family Book that you bought me for my birthday yesterday. Thank you again on that. Anyway, I wanted to learn more about the Goblet of Magic that my Ancestor Verpes Potter was influential in making. So of course, I took a page out of your book 'Mione, and I'm reading about it in my quiet place, known to all of the birds and squirrels as the Potter Tree." Stiffling her giggles, 'Mione asked, "So you liked my present? I new you would like it." The two best friends met each others eyes and broke out laughing.
Climbing down, Harry began to poke Hermione when they both saw a bright pink bubble floating their way. Stopping in front of Harry, Hermione looked at him and the bubble questioning. "It's a bubble from the Goblet of Magic, Hermione." "The Goblet of Magic?" "Yea, before anyone in the magical world can marry, the Wizard or Witch has to go and ask permission from the Goblet. She gives the final say so." "I remember that, I read it in Magical Things That Everyone Needs to Know for the Muggleborn by Venus F. Trap. But why do you have a bubble in front of you. You haven't gotten married have you?" Hermione stated uncertainly. "Yea but if someone asks to marry or be bound to me than the Goblet decides the best match for EVERYONE involved in the asking, including me. . ." mumbled Harry. Looking at Hermione, Harry started again, "It would seem that somebody did ask for me and now I'm married or bound or whatever… Hermione I'm too young! I just killed Voldie! What more do they want!?! I just wanted to enjoy my last year of Hogwarts without anything going wrong. Now I'm bound to someone that I probably don't know! I wanted to buy my own place and start my own garden, and there's the book that I'm working on. You know I want to become famous for what I know – not for killing Voldemort!" "Calm down Harry, maybe there's a way aro-" "Their isn't a way around this! I have to have SEX with this person within twenty – four hours or the Goblet will make me. And what if it's a girl! You know I don't swing THAT way!" "Harry, they say the Goblet chooses your best match – I'm sure Our Lady Mother would at least choose someone within your persuasion," Hermione said as soothingly ass possible. "Yea, your right. He has to be someone I can live with – Yea, 'Mione your right, there's nothing to be worried about," Harry laughed nervously.
The bubble continued to float in front of Harry, while both Harry and Hermione stared at it. Slowly raising his hand to grab the envelope that would tell him who his husband would be, Harry hesitated. Uncertain, with shaking hands, he touched the bubble and with a soft 'pop' the envelope that would change his life, floated down into his grasp.
***
"You sniveling cretins, can't you manage to brew a simple potion without blowing it up at least once? Of course not!! Hufflepuff might be where the loyal toil, but they most certainly don't toil at their homework! Get out –" Snape shouted, when all suddenly a pink bubble floated through his classroom door. Everyone turned quiet, this was the sixth year class and almost everyone knew who the pink bubble was from. Those that didn't were quickly, but quietly informed. Their evil, greasy Potion Master was now bounded. Their Lady Mother had just inflicted some poor soul with the greasy git. And they all were holding their breath in terrified anticipation.
Floating ever closer to the 'most seductive' of Her children, did the bubble go. Severus raised his hand in tightly concealed hope, but complete disbelief. After all, he himself could barely believe that someone had asked for him or he had been chosen as a mate for someone else. No one saw him in such ways. Did they? No of course not. Finally, the bubble floated just above his hand, when all in the classroom heard a 'pop' and they all saw a soaked professor with a letter in his hand. "Who ever thought this would be a great joke …" Severus was interrupted by the sudden need to rest against his desk. He was de – aging in front of the entire classroom, from thirty – eight to thirty to twenty – seven to twenty – three. Standing up after a quick rest, Severus drew his wand, "Transifigio mira." Looking into a seven foot tall mirror where his chalkboard had once been, Severus inspected his reflection. And what he saw was himself. At twenty – three.
Collapsing in his desk chair, Severus remembered his class. "Your dismiss. Get out of here." Slowly, so as to not invoke the wrath of Snape, they all slowly moved out of the room. The last sixth year Hufflepuff would be the only witness of her Professor's shaking hands as he opened the note from Lady Gaea. As all the Hufflepuffs were free they all ran to tell the rest of the school the news. Snape was bound by the Goblet of Magic; they had seen the pink bubble.
***
A white bubble was seen floating through fields of rue and violets by the centaurs. Across faire circles and through bogs of deadly hinkypunks, it slowed as it entered the manor lands of the Dumbledores'. Moving past the large hills across the lake and past the actual manor, the white bubble of Our Lady drifted into a large maze – like – house. "Oh my, Milady has sent me a bubble – a white one. Will let's see what she needs," Alberforth supposed absent-minded. 'I wonder, usually She just tells me –' Reading the note that had been dropped into his hand, Alberforth starts dressing in some slightly eccentric robes, he was need at Hogwarts. The Lady needed him to run interference.
Crackling green, the fireplace came to life as Albus Dumbledore suckled a sherbet lemon. "Will hello brother, what brings you to my humble abode?" asked Albus while offering his candy dish to Aberforth. "I got a white bubble from Milady, Albby," Alberforth stated, while grabbing a handful of lemons and sitting on a pile of books. Annoyed Albus glared, "Don't call me Albby or would you like me to drag up your old name, Goat – boy. And what did the Lady want, that She sent you my way?" "That wasn't my fault you know. The goat was Marilyn, who happens to be a shape-shifter and she wanted to try a few new postions. And I in my courageous self, decided to give into her fantasy. Nothing wrong with that now is there? Marilyn and I are quite happy, thank you," Alberforth slurred around the cracking of the sherbet lemons. "Anyway, Our Lady just sent out two pink bubbles today. It would seem a young lady was being force to marry. You probably know them, they did go to Hogwarts. Vedita Goyle was to marry Zaried Flint; however, she used the old wording where she gave two names so that Our Lady Mother could choose anyone, pureblood, half blood, and muggleborn. She used Mr. Potter's name. Since they were incompatible-" "Wait a minute, your basically saying Harry's to bound to someone and now your running interference-" "Don't interrupt Albby, what would our mother say? Anyway, as I was saying, Vedita was married to Milady's master of ceremony, Aries Diggle. Zaried Flint was married to Milady's most intelligent curse – breaker, Bill Weasley. Now since Mr. Potter was involved in the choice, he was bound . . . to Milady's most seductive potion brewer – Severus Snape."
Falling into his chair, Albus thought, 'I'm too old for this. There well be an uproar.' "Albus, Milady has sent me to explain this to you and the entire school. I'll be giving a little history lesson. Also, I need you to extend Snape's suite and find a temporary professor as they'll be getting to know each other for a week's length of time. Milady is going to be helping them," explained Alberforth. "What your saying is that you're a marriage broker, as the muggles call it," sighed Albus. "Yep."
***
To My Most Powerful Son,
How I've loved watching you grow in your power and knowledge. I've watched as you accepted your serpent self and I glow every time you speak to your serpent siblings. They truly need a good example after My twisted son's example. Now I'm giving you the chance to give yourself true happiness with one who can make you truly happy, and you him. For you, I've written this short note, so that you may understand that he is the best for you. You have much in common; otherwise I wouldn't have chosen him for you. He's been given his youth back. Now it is time for you to know his name, Severus Snape.
Mother
Slowly, everything blurred and only the two words his Mother had written for him stayed clear, Severus Snape. Ignoring all around him, the trees, the squirrels, and even Hermione, Harry slowly made his way to the dungeons in a blur.
***
To My Most Seductive Brewer,
How I've watched you suffer. I've offered you all that I could through your potions. Trying to soothe your pains, yet I can not be there for you like I wish. So another shall be. Remember, no to people are the same and your first glance is most times deceiving. His life is full of great strife at a young age, before Hogwarts. Give him a chance to show you who he is, he is a great complement to you. His true gift be as to your brewing as a gardener is to a cook. Allow me to tell you My seductive son your chosen: his name is Harry Potter.
Mother
Stunned from just seeing the pink bubble, Severus could barely understand what was being said in the note. On auto-pilot, Severus left the classroom. Making his way down through his dungeons, his mind held to two words, one name: Harry Potter. Moving into his rooms he collapse with a glass of amber liquid and tried to understand just what happened.
***
"Everything finished Alberforth. Harry's items have been placed in Severus' rooms and the Lady's wards snapped into place, right after I saw Harry enter the chambers. He looked like he was sleepwalking, he ignored everything," Albus told his brother worried. "Don't worry Albus. Have faith in Magic, for She will see to them. As I will see to your staff and the students," smiled Alberforth.
Walking into the Hall, Albus and Alberforth sat down. Waiting for all of Hogwart's population to settle, when this finally happened Albus stood. "Many of you have heard of the pink bubble that was seen in Professor Snape's sixth year class. Not all of you know what it means though. I myself was informed by my dear brother, and he shall explain to the rest of you." As Albus sat, Alberforth stood and began to explain, "Not all of you are aware of what happened three thousand years ago, so I will give a short explanation. Magic was spreading, trying to infuse with all living being. Including the mundane, however for Her to do this She would have to pull the rest of Herself out of the magical world. Not willing to become mundane, a council was called and ceremonies were conducted to Bind the Magic to Her children. The final part to this binding was the job of the youngest magical species, Wizard – kind. Our answer was the Goblet of Magic. The Goblet holds a piece of Our Lady Mother, Magic. What's special about this Goblet is that when one wishes to marry or mate, they must ask permission. For the Magic is a sentient force, and our use of Her means that we must bow to Her will in part of our lives. Our ancestor decided that marriage would be a good arena for Her to flex her muscles. So even now, we ask for Her permission. However, if She doesn't agree with whom we wish to marry, then She will decide who we do marry. For She knows every magical human's name and who they are, She is Our Mother. Marriage or binding as it is also known as is unbreakable – Her words are final. You marry once and only once, no divorce. It is until Death do us Part. The pink bubble that some of you saw in Potions is how She informs us. I well be here for the rest of the school year to teach every year about the Council that saved the magical world. But now onto what you all wanted to know; who is bound to Professor Snape. In the exact words of Our Lady Mother, Gaea, 'Harry Potter, My most powerful Son is bound to My most seductive potion master, Severus Snape.'"