Sophie Malfoy: Lol, flip it around.
chocolatedemon: Eh, I think they're just trying to raise money or something. I suppose I'll explain more in the next chap.
Harry wandered the corridors listlessly; this House competition thing was becoming a big deal to the students. He really didn't see what was so fun about a stupid auction, or why people would actually buy their fellow students.
The Slytherins would without question. He reminded himself, thinking along those lines, he wondered what the other Houses were doing. Probably something stupid.
Still, he hadn't seen Malfoy. He was worried, Lucius didn't make threats loosely, well he did but he always meant them in the end.
"Tomorrow is the beginning of Dumbledore's foolish competition. Be ready for me."
A shudder ran through Harry as he remembered the blonde's forewarning.
Bloody wanker. He growled and continued on his way.
He walked outside and shielded his eyes against the glare of the sun, the area where the "competition" would take place was large and people were already milling about. Each House was given a certain area to set up their "stations" as Dumbledore so eloquently put it.
There was a shield around the Slytherin station so that no curious eyes could see what was planned until everything had officially started. Harry didn't know what was to be shown himself, even though it was his idea in the first place.
He mentally shrugged; he had better things to do then ponder over the madness of his House. He sighed wistfully and rubbed at his bare neck, he had been forced to leave the Runespoor in its box, safely tucked away next to his bed.
I never thought I would miss the annoying prats. He smiled endearingly.
"Reminiscing about a past lover?"
Harry blinked back to the present and looked down at the simple table set up. "Excuse me?"
A Ravenclaw sixth year looked up at him from her position behind the foldable table. "You seemed deep in thought." She explained.
"Oh." Harry rubbed the nape of his neck with a slight frown. "Just thinking I suppose." He turned toward the odd sight before him and cocked his head.
"Is this the Ravenclaw station?" He asked doubtfully.
The dark eyed boy sitting next to the witch nodded distractedly as he remained focused on the tome within his eager palms. "Yes."
"What are you supposed to be doing?" Harry was confused.
He glanced up from his book. "We're raising money." He replied as though it were obvious.
"How?"
The girl sighed and pointed toward the box in front of them. "With this box."
"Does it do anything?" Harry looked at it curiously.
The pair shared twin looks of disbelief.
"I knew Slytherins were stupid, but this is ridiculous." The wizard shook his head. "People put money in the box."
"Why?" Harry blinked. "Do you give them something?"
"No." The witch replied.
"Who the heck would put money in if they don't get anything in return!" Harry exclaimed.
"The most logical route is to have a simple donation box, instead of such extravagant shows as the other Houses are producing." She rolled her eyes. "Do you expect us to have dancing bears or perhaps dragons?" She asked sarcastically.
Harry nodded. "I'd pay to see that."
The boy waved his hand in a shooing motion. "Well then go, you won't find that here."
Bloody Ravenclaws, they always think they're so smart. Harry turned away from the pathetic stand. They're definitely setting themselves up for failure. Logical route my arse.
He wandered around until he found the Hufflepuff station by following his nose. Harry inwardly sniggered at the display; he should have known the emotional Hufflepuffs would do something so cute.
"A bake sale?" He smiled at the chubby boy behind the pay booth.
The rosy cheeked wizard smiled nervously. "Would you like to buy something?" He asked politely. "Everything is fresh."
Harry glanced at the wide variety of sweets and baked goods. "Hm, I'll have a bag of chocolate chip cookies." He decided, reaching for his money pouch. "And a bit of licorice too I suppose."
The Hufflepuff's eyes lit happily as he prepared Harry's order. "That will be three Galleons and eight Sickles please."
Merlin! These cookies had better be able to do my homework with the price the Hufflepuffs are charging!
"Thanks." Harry grinned instead, he needed these for his plan after all, there was no sense in angering his supplier.
He took his purchases and strode toward the shadowed trees, he needed someplace quiet. His work didn't take long, a few whispered incantations and the cookies had been laced.
He shifted and began walking with his head lowered, which was probably why he bumped into someone.
"S-sorry!" A worried voice stuttered out.
Harry lifted his face and smiled at his brother's plump friend in surprise.
"Peter!" Harry glanced around. "Have you seen James?"
"N-no." Peter shook his head in denial. "But I'm g-going to meet up with him right now, d-did you need something?"
The Slytherin held up the limp bag of cookies, the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting around their heads. "I wanted to give these to him." He's expression began to fall in disappointment. "But I suppose if I can't find him…"
"I can take them!" Peter offered quickly.
Harry handed Peter the bag of cookies and smiled disarmingly. "Can you give these to my brother for me; and tell him that I wanted to apologize about the other day?"
The chubby Gryffindor nodded eagerly. "Of course! I'll take them right now!" He bounded away happily.
The youngest Potter smirked as he watched the odd teen run out of sight. He knew Pettigrew didn't intend on taking the sweets to James; the fat lard would hole himself up somewhere and undoubtedly stuff his face.
But that was just fine; the spell would work and take care of the first Marauder. Just as planned. A little spell and the poor fat boy would be suffering from the after-effects of the magical laxatives. Harry winced in sympathy; it was going to be a long day for the Gryffindor.
Oh well.
The green eyed boy turned at the crunch of dry leaves under foot and froze. Harry snapped out his wand just as a spell shot toward him.
Shit.
He fell into darkness.
--- --- ---
"Have you seen Wormtail?" Remus frowned worriedly.
"Who cares?" Sirius shrugged. "The rat's probably off at the Hufflepuff table, they were selling cookies you know."
The three Marauders continued walking around the grounds, the stations had all been set up and everyone was looking around at the different Houses.
James shook his hair out of his face and squinted toward the sun. "Should we go back to Gryffindor and look for him?" He suggested.
"He's fine!" Sirius huffed. "He'll either catch up to us or he's at the Gryffindor station dancing."
Remus pinched his bicep. "Don't be so crude. Peter's our friend whether you like it or not."
Sirius pouted and turned away sulkily.
"Hey, you want to go see the competition?" James grinned suddenly. "It looks like they're drawing a crowd."
"Slytherins?" Sirius perked up.
The werewolf nodded. "I suppose we should see what we're up against." He admitted.
They quickly jogged across the grass, it hadn't been that far from their previous position after all, and stood before the Slytherin area.
"What the hell are they doing?" Sirius demanded as he surveyed their new surroundings.
"Language Padfoot." Remus chided and lightly smacked his chest. "Though I do agree with your sentiments." He grimaced.
The Slytherins, in short, were selling people.
A medium sized stage had been erected and a group of students were forming around the platform. The auction had already begun and a few students had been sold to the audience. It was the way they were earning their audience that was so appalling.
They had silver chains and cuffs circling the ankles of those on display, perched on silky pillows were two very provocative looking wizards, drawing attention to the Slytherins' station and earning more onlookers.
"Wow, they're hot." Sirius breathed.
"Excuse me?" Remus glared.
Sirius flushed and held his hands up pleadingly. "Er, they should go put some shirts on." He said nervously. "I mean, they must be cold in only those little loincloth things." Remus glared again. "Not that I like them! Or their lack of clothing!"
"You're digging yourself a deeper grave Black." James commented as he acknowledged the Slytherins' attempt to raise money.
"I didn't mean I wanted to see them! Not that it wouldn't be fun to see how the auctioning will – ow! Remus!" Sirius whined as he was smacked upside his head.
"Next time keep your mouth shut and listen to James." Moony retorted, forcibly grabbing his boyfriend's arm in case he got any bad ideas and decided to wander off.
They stepped closer, earning leering winks from the chained males.
"It figures the Slytherins would choose to do something so degrading." James muttered beside Remus and Sirius.
"As though you Gryffindors are any better." A snide voice broke into their discussion. "I could have sworn I saw a circus tent set up at your station, I suppose it reflects all the muggles within your House. Have you finally put them where they belong, in cages?"
Sirius scowled at the aristocratic blonde. "Shut it Malfoy, I'm surprised you aren't up there selling yourself off with your mates." He nodded toward the Slytherin stage. "Merlin knows you do it enough for free, might as well get paid for once."
Lucius turned up his nose at the obvious insult, choosing to sneer instead. "I'd much rather be the one bidding, I hear there are some very fine specimens up for auction."
James didn't like the glint in the Slytherin's eyes. "Harry had better not be a part of your fucking show." He growled warningly.
"My show? Why Potter, it was your brother's idea." Lucius informed gleefully.
A dark flush stained the Gryffindor's cheeks. "I don't care who's idea it was, I want to know if Harry's to be sold or not!"
Remus nervously tugged at James' robes. "Prongs, I think you'd better look back at the stage." He gulped.
Both James and Lucius shifted their attention and hazel eyes widened in surprise while Lucius smirked.
"And now up for sale is Harry Potter!" The auctioneer called.
--- --- ---
Harry stared out at the crowd. How the hell had he ended up here? One moment he was talking to Peter and the next he was being pushed on stage! Damn Lucius! This was undoubtedly his fault!
I swear I'm going to kill him when I get my hands on him. He glowered at the upturned faces. This had to be the worst moment of his life, well, maybe not the worst, there was that time he had swallowed –
"Let's start the bidding at one Galleon!"
He glared at the wizard selling him off, some stupid Gryffindor that had volunteered to be the auctioneer. Something Jordan, the name wasn't really important, what was important was glaring at the dark skinned fiend until he burst into a ball of flames.
He didn't think that would be happening anytime soon.
One Galleon! I'm worth more then that! Harry huffed and turned toward the crowd that had gathered. He paled upon seeing his brother's furious face and Lucius lifting his wand to bid.
"We have one Galleon! Do I hear five?" Jordan continued.
"Ten!" Lucius raised his wand again with a cool grin.
"Ten, we have ten Galleons, anyone willing to go higher?" He glanced about the crowd. "This is a lovely wizard my friends, surely you want to spend the day with – "
"Fifty!"
"Did I hear that correctly? Fifty?" Jordan searched for the raised wand and laughed. "Ah, it seems James Potter has decided to enter the fray. We have fifty Galleons then; do I hear fifty-five? Sixty?"
Lucius pushed James back and raised his wand. "One hundred."
Merlin kill me now! Harry's eye widened. He must be serious if he's willing to lose that much.
"Damn you Malfoy!" James screamed, trying to lunge at the cocky blonde, but failing with the extra weight of Remus and Sirius holding onto his arms.
"Wow, one hundred!" Jordan yelled across the crowd. "It looks like we're going to have a winner unless someone else bids! That's enough to buy a pretty decent broom!"
The blonde laughed. "I'll even add fifty-six Sickles and two Knuts."
Please someone do something, anyone but Malfoy. He scanned the on looking faces desperately and halted on one particular sneer.
Severus, he was here! Surely he would save him!
His gaze lit hopefully, locking eyes with the shadowed wizard. Severus stared at him, an unreadable expression on his face as he slowly turned away.
No… Harry's eyes widened in horror.
"Sold, to Lucius Malfoy for one hundred Galleons fifty-six Sickles and two Knuts!" The whispers broke out. "Come up and collect your prize Mr. Malfoy!"
Harry was numb as he watched Lucius slide easily through the crowd and up to the stage. "Darling." He held out his arms mockingly before easily pulling Harry away by the arm.
This can't be happening. Harry stared at the spot Severus had been standing in. He left me.
As he was pulled past his brother and his friends, Harry managed to send them a wounded expression before they were lost in the crowd.
He had been sold.
--- --- ---
Severus paced angrily through the halls. This was ridiculous, he didn't care if Harry was sold or not, really, he didn't!
Potter, he's Potter now. He silently growled to himself.
"Severus, what's wrong?" A feminine voice asked.
He turned toward the witch he had chosen over the boy, there were slight similarities between the two, and he was starting to realize that now. The green eyes, the stubbornness that decided their actions, everything was drawing to one conclusion. How had he not seen it before?
He was trying to replace Potter.
With someone that reminded him of the stupid boy.
"Severus?" Mia questioned again, curious as to his silence.
"It's nothing." He forced past clenched teeth. He was too tense; too many emotions were running through his head at that point.
The utmost thought was of betrayal.
He had betrayed Harry.
Potter dammit!
He couldn't deal with these feelings. Too long had he been cold, he had never thought that anyone could get past his shields. Let alone a worthless little boy! One that he was using for a means of revenge!
I don't care, I don't, I can't. He chanted. He had been doing that a lot lately, and after seeing the lost look in Harry's eyes, it had become too much.
"I have to go." He muttered.
Mia blinked in surprise. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No."
Without glancing back Severus left for the Slytherin common room. Mia glared at his departing form.
"Fucking Potter."
AN: What will happen next? We'll see in the next update! Oh, and the money stuff, Harry pretty much paid 25 bucks for cookies, and Lucius paid around 757.18, mister big spender. Lol, later.
-Red