Title: Golden Boys

Author: Seadragon

Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance/Humor

Rating: Pg-13

Warning: Contains slash. Also abuse, death, foul language. Don't like it, don't read it.

Summary: The two voices faded into the blackness, along with their owners, who had unknowingly just decided the fate of two people. It was a scary thing, to think that your life could be changed before you were even born. But it was done, and now they could only wait.

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Chapter 5: Explanations and Disappointments

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"What does this mean?!" James Potter shouted, the Headmaster not even flinching. When the Head Boy had nearly passed out at the table, going so white he rivaled the ghosts, Dumbledore had called him to his office so James could tell him why.

Whatever he had expected, it certainly wasn't this.

James had thrust the letter in his face, and had proceeded to scream as loud as was possible. Already he could feel himself going deaf. It wouldn't be long before someone came to check if James had killed him. It would be a welcome relief. After all, he didn't doubt that the boy could, if he really tried.

He actually didn't know what the letter meant, or where it had came from. But they would have to find out, it looked serious. He read it again, not quite believing the words that were settled neatly on the page.

Mr James Finn Potter,

We, Finn Mascelli Potter, and Artemureus Harmond Black, have arranged for your marriage to Sirius Abscador Black. He will be arriving at your school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from Durmstrang Institute, tomorrow. You cannot get out of this. Further details can be found in the books; The Potter History, The Book of the Blacks, The Book of Gold, Purebloods Through the Ages, Wizards, Witches, and Arranged Marriages, A Binding Pact, and, The Final Understanding.

Sincerely,

Finn Mascelli Potter

Finn Mascelli Potter

Artemureus Harmond Black

Artemureus Harmond Black

P.S.- We wish you all the best.

He read it. Re-read it. And read it again. He had known things like this happened once upon the time, but not in recent years. Which meant this had been pre-planned, and by pre-planned, he meant years, and years, and years before.

"I'm sorry James, I don't know what to say. I do, however, know who these people are." Dumbledore said, re-reading the names at the bottom. "And I believe we have these books in the school library, including the only copy in existence of The Potter History."

James stopped mid-rant to stare at his Headmaster.

"Is that all you have to say? I have to marry a guy, and that's all you have to say?!"

"Uh, James?" He got the boy's attention again and offered him a weak smile. "Tell me, why exactly did you receive a Howler this morning?"

James threw a lamp at him.

Apparently this was a touchy subject.

"Well who are they then?"

"Excuse me?" He looked at the teenager with a weird look on his face. He had gone from a rage-filled, lamp throwing boy, to a calm, rational boy. It was a little frightening.

"You said you knew who they were." He said calmly, nodding at the letter he still held in his hand.

"Well, Finn Potter is your grandfather, and Artemureus Black was his life-long rival. Actually, the Potters and the Blacks have been enemies for hundreds of years." Dumbledore said, the hate had been legendary when he was a child.

"Then why wouldn't I know about it?! I am the only living Potter!"

"Exactly, you're the only one left. Your parents and all your family died when you were young. You were just never told, so the hatred died." Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment. "And Sirius Black, he was down for Hogwarts, but his parents shipped him off to Durmstrang instead. In fact, your friend Jack has two brothers at Durmstrang. Adrian and Marshall, I believe."

James looked slightly surprised. "I didn't know Jack had brothers."

"Oh yes," Dumbledore said. "And three sisters too. Slightly younger, they were sent to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. He was the only one in the family who came to Hogwarts."

James finally realized that he and Remus weren't the only ones keeping secrets in the Gryffindor House, though theirs were probably the most dangerous.

"All I can suggest though, is to read those books they listed, maybe it will tell you something more about this."

James nodded, took the letter back, and turned to leave.

"And James?" He turned around again to look at the Headmaster. "I'm sorry."

James sighed and walked out, letter in hand. Some things just weren't fair, and this was definitely one of them.