Dear Marvalo,

If you are reading this letter, which is highly unlikely, that means I have given in to the annoyance of Blaise and finally written to you.

I say unlikely instead of impossible because with Blaise I have learned that he enjoys turning the impossible into improbable. He's a menace, honestly. I don't know why I tolerate him.

I hope this reaches you in good health and you've been keeping up with your dastardly Dark Lord deeds. What am I doing now, you may ask? I am hiding from the school in the old charms classroom, writing you this letter while Blasie and Draco argue like an old married couple.

You will not believe the amount they argue for the stupidest things it's a wonder I haven't gone insane yet.

I do not want to alarm you, but you might want to purchase a copy of the daily prophet and then sue them immediately. The news of our courtship has broken it seems and the school has gone mental.

It seems the ladies of Gryffindor had a crush on you [hah] and seem to think trying to kill me equates to dating you or having your attention. I hate this stupid school.

I am unsure if I will be staying at Hogwarts any longer now. Honestly, I want to leave right now. Many people may look to hurt or harm me to get to you. Perhaps I may take my NEWTS independently, at the ministry so that I do not have to stay here any longer than possible.

My father has not sent a letter yet, but we are preparing for a visit. After I'm done writing this letter, we shall probably go to Snape's office and hide in there. I and Draco will most likely be home by the end of the week.

I shall hope to see you soon.

Yours,

Hadrian Malfoy

Albus Dumbledore was having a bad week. It had been a series of bad weeks, in fact, but this day put the cherry on top.

A student of his had been in a relationship with the Dark Lord, and he had not known. He usually did not believe what the prophet posted in their newspaper; it was mostly gossip approved by the ministry. It dragged in the names of every well-known person.

Even him on a couple of occasions. He had disliked it, but had let it continue for a while until they had found a new victim to 'expose'.

But for Hadrian Malfoy, being in a courtship with Lord Voldemort was not something he expected from the boy. The staff described him as smart and talented but had made several mentions of his horrid temper.

The Malfoys were avid supporters of The Dark Lord and had been in his follower ranks for three generations now. Dumbledore knew there was no way Lucius Malfoy did not know that Lord Slytherin was Voldermort, so perhaps their son did not know that he was to be married to the Dark Lord. He couldn't possibly imagine he would want to go through with it if he knew the truth.

This was the only theory that made sense considering the way he acted around the man by what he had observed the day Voldermort had spent at Hogwarts.

When Dumbledore discovered the boy was the missing Potter sibling, he tried to court him to the light side but quickly gave up. It seemed the boy was as fearsome as rumors said and had an amazing level of control over his magic. He had been impressed with his performance in classes and the like.

But the boy had been set in his ways and, with the upcoming war, he would not waste time with allies who would turn on him at any moment.

But now it seemed he had an opportunity to turn the boy towards the light side. After all, he would offer his help in getting rid of the contract and offer a safe haven from the wrath of his parents. He was sure the boy would fall right into his palms.

There was a knock on the door and all the sleeping portraits jerked awake. Lucius Malfoy entered with an expression of disdain on his face.

"Ah, Lord Malfoy, what brings you here?" He said with a genial smile, "Please have a seat," he said, gesturing to the bright red couch in front of his desk.

With a sneer, Lucius Malfoy sat on the chair looking at Dumbledore as if he was a bug on a man's shoe.

"I've come to withdraw both my sons from Hogwarts," Lucius said slowly.

"How are the boys to take their NEWTS then? " Dumbledore said calmly, as he felt panic rising in his chest. How was he going to persuade the boy to switch sides if he wasn't at Hogwarts?

"That is my business," Lucius said with a snap, handing Dumbledore letters that he had written for this very purpose.

Dumbledore placed the letters on his desk and nodded as he crossed out the names of both the boys on the ledger.

"If you're sure my boy", Dumbledore said with a disappointed sigh that had never worked on Lucius.

"Good day, Headmaster", Lucius muttered as he swept from the room robes billowing around him.

"Now that the knowledge is public, you are to strictly follow the courtship rules, Harry." "There will be no fighting on this," Lucius said as he smoothed down wrinkles in his robes.

They walked into the private sitting room as the hearth lit up. The cold room slowly began to warm as the chill from being outside dissipated Harry sat down on the chair he preferred.

"What?" Harry asked, utterly confused.

"The contract that you signed, Harry," Lucius reminded him slowly.

"Yes, I remember the contract, father." "I mean about the rules. Surely you were not serious about it," Harry shot back calmly.

"I assure you all the terms were thoroughly discussed by the Dark Lord and myself," Lucius said.

"What?" Harry whispered softly as he stood up in outrage.

"It seems you have not taken the rules seriously, so you have only perhaps skimmed through them. I shall refresh your memory," Lucius said, resignation clear in his tone.

Harry just nodded dumbly as he sat back in his chair as his mind buzzed. He hadn't expected to follow the traditional courtship rules, but he knew without a doubt that was what his father would insist on.

"Term one, there shall be three months of equal amounts of chaperoned and unchaperoned dates planned by the courter. The dates shall take place in public and shall be a time for the couple to get to know one another," Lucius said.

Okay, this was not so bad. He could go on dates even if they were accompanied by someone. Marvalo was very adept at wards, and it wasn't like anyone was going to test the Dark Lord's patience.

"Term two, the contract shall only end after the completion of NEWTS and any further studies Hadrian Abarax Nova Malfoy wishes to pursue and shall be agreed upon by both the parties."

This was... to be expected. He suspected his father didn't want the Dark Lord to make him incapable of a job or dependent on him. If he hadn't known his father's intentions, he would have been offended.

"And penetrative sexual contact shall only take place after marriage and once all the other terms have been fulfilled."

Harry winced, and then his temper flared. How dare they presume to know when he would-Oh, no. His annoyance must have shown on his face because his father grimaced as well.

"There are other terms such as the dowry and properties that were exchanged along with investments I have made in your name, but those are the only ones that apply to you, Harry."

He nodded silently as he stood.

"I shan't argue with you, father, as you have much to do with the article itself. I will be going out and I shall be back by dawn, goodbye," Harry said before his father could get a word in edgewise.

Harry turned on his heel and walked out of the room and towards his father's office. He was going to have words with Marvalo.

"When were you going to tell me exactly?" "Harry he said as he stepped into the office.

Marvalo, who was sitting working at his desk carving runes into something, jerked his head up. "Merlin Harry"

"What?" Harry said with a frown.

"You look divine," Marvalo said as he stalked toward Harry and leaned down for a kiss.

The kiss was cut short when Harry pulled back and glared at Marvalo for distracting him.

"When were you going to tell me, Marvalo?" Harry asked again.

"What Minx?" Marvalo said with a playful smile.

"That you've conspired with my father and put a lock on when we can have sex," Harry said with a frown.

"Harry" Marvalo started.

"Do not Harry me. Why is it in the contract?" Harry said.

"I wanted you to have the decision." He paused looking at Harry softly "I believe we can wait until our marriage for anything that you feel okay doing and then YOU decide when we move forward with Harry. Not for me. I want you to do it for yourself. Our relationship is not based on sexual contact. I will be honest, I have come to enjoy it and our time together. But if you do not want it, then I do not either. And that is why I left the decision up to you. You get to decide Harry. " Marvalo said quickly before Harry could refute his statements.

"Sentimental Fool", Harry muttered shyly as Marvalo hid his face in Harry's neck

"Oh darling, but I'm your fool"