The Ties That Bind

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: In a world in which the House of Potter is politically and magically neutral, James Potter is betrothed to Adriana Malfoy, and nothing goes the way anyone expects. JP/OFC. AU.

Rating: T for language, violence, and mild adult themes.

Author: tlyxor1.

The Ties That Bind

Chapter One

When she offers him a smile, demure and pretty, his stomach lurches. He's not sure if it's nerves, or dread, or something else entirely, but the knowledge that he'll marry this girl - this young woman - in less than a year makes him quake, and James Potter isn't sure it's all out of justified, unbridled terror.

Her name is Adriana, of the House of Malfoy, and she is everything Lily Evans is not. She is a traditional pure-blood, soft-spoken, quiet in her cleverness, delicate and beautiful, and James is afraid she'll one day shatter like glass.

"Adriana," James greets. He offers her his gloved hands, thanks Merlin that dragon hide successfully conceals sweating palms, and gently squeezes her own lace covered hands when she settles them in his. "It's good to see you, my Lady."

"Likewise, James," she answers, daintily curls a lock of white gold hair behind her ear, and queries, "What can I do for you, though? As I understand it, you and your friends should already be causing mischief."

James laughs, sheepish, and resists the urge to comb a nervous hand through his hair. "It seems my reputation precedes me."

"Quite," she agrees, glances at the other girls in her carriage, and offers, "Would you like to sit down?"

He acquiesces with only a moment's hesitation, content to settle in the empty space beside his betrothed. It's a tight squeeze, their thighs in contact from knee to hip, and it takes all of James' concentration to follow the conversation between Adriana and her companions.

"What subjects are you taking this year, Heir Potter?" Narcissa Black - Malfoy, soon - queries.

"Ancient Runes, Arithmency, Charms, Defence, Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration - all N.E.W.T level."

It's a subject selection colloquially dubbed the 'Suicide Seven', simply due to the workload, course weighting, and the absurd number of emotional or mental breakdowns triggered by them, collectively.

Narcissa and the other girls make no secret of their surprise. Adriana's already aware, of course - they've had a lot of time to get to know each other - and they discuss what James ought to expect with a workload like his.

Eventually, however, Narcissa asks what James suspects she's been curious about since his initial revelation.

"Is Sirius taking the same subjects?"

"Yes," James confirms, "Begrudgingly, mind you - he hates Herbology - but Lord Black insisted."

His exact words had been, "The House of Black hasn't provided an heir with as much potential as you in generations, and I'll be damned if you throw that away."

Up until that point, Sirius had been under the impression he'd been unequivocally disowned by his house, but apparently he'd forgotten to take into consideration the fact no one listened to Walburga Black's crazy, pater familia included.

In all actuality, Sirius had been named the Heir Apparent when it became obvious that he refused to follow anyone blindly, and he'd subsequently spent the remainder of their summer elbows deep in lessons with Lord Black. It had all been done so begrudgingly, but when Lords Arcturus and Alfhard had pointed out that Sirius could eventually change everything about the House of Black, James' best friend hadn't been able to refuse.

Let it never be said that Sirius Black is not ambitious, resourceful, or cunning, because he is. He simply hides those traits behind a vernier of Gryffindor courage, chivalry, and a great deal of arrogance.

"Do you know what you want to do when you finish school?" Emilyn Prince enquires. She's a Ravenclaw in their year, with a disdain for Severus Snape generally reserved for the Marauders, and she is apparently Adriana's closest friend.

"Not yet," James admits, "There are a lot of things I need to consider before I make that decision."

The hours pass by, and James eventually excuses himself to visit with his friends. He departs with a kiss to Adriana's cheek, bids them a pleasant afternoon, and meanders his way to his friends' usual compartment, unsurprised to find them gathered there.

Sirius is sprawled across the length of one of two bench seats, arm thrown over his eyes and wand emitting colourful sparks from his free hand. Alternatively, Remus has his nose tucked in a book, and Peter has gorged himself on a truly impressive array of sweets, the crumbs and wrappers scattered around him like confetti.

"Allo, mates," James greets, kicks at Sirius' feet until his stockier friend sits upright, and then drops gracelessly into the space vacated, "How's life?"

"It's fine," Remus replies, "Same old. A little more dangerous, what with everything, but nothing I didn't expect."

Sirius grunts noncommittally, and Peter shrugs. Evidently, neither of them have anything to say.

"Everything alright?" James asks Remus.

His tawny haired friend grimaces. "Greyback has been making overtures. He wants me to join Voldemort's crusade. I've talked my parents into leaving the country."

"What a fucking twat," Sirius contributes, "Hasn't he ruined your life enough? Bastard."

"Evidently not," Remus sighs, closes his book, and queries, "How were your holidays, James?"

James informs Remus and Peter of his betrothal to Adriana Malfoy, of the plans to marry her during Beltane, of his thoughts concerning the matter.

"She's a nice girl," he concludes, "I think we could be friends, if nothing else."

"I'm sorry things didn't work out with Lily," Remus offers, "I know you were banking on her."

James shrugs. "No use dwelling on it. Not like it matters anymore."

"That's true," Remus concedes, "I hope things work out, at least."

"Thanks, Moony. I appreciate it."

The rest of the train ride passes. He spends part of it revising his summer homework, but mostly, he and his friends take the opportunity to catch up after eight weeks of sporadic visits, occasional letters, and one particularly memorable mirror call. Eventually, however, the train reaches Hogsmeade Station, and the quartet disembark for another year at Hogwarts.

"Are you ready for N.E.W.T's?" Remus asks.

"Is anyone?" James parries. "Merlin, I'm still not sure if I'm ready for O.W.L's."

"Your results say otherwise," Sirius contributes glibly.

"Yeah," Peter agrees, "Myself, on the other hand…"

"Whatever," Sirius waves off the subject, "Who cares about O.W.L's? We're sixth years, damn it."

"Yeah," Remus agrees, hauls himself into one of the thestral-drawn carriages, and drops into an available seat, "Because I'm so enthusiastic for N.E.W.T's."

James drops into the seat across from Remus, glances out the carriage window, and sighs to himself. His schoolmates ebb and flow like an ocean tide, but even as they board carriages and reunite with friends, the divide between Death Eater sympathisers and everyone else is painfully, blatantly obvious.

No doubt, tensions will eventually come to a head at some point throughout the year, and James wonders who will be left standing in the fallout.

Sirius kicks his feet onto the bench between James and Peter, twirls his wand between his fingers, and shrugs nonchalantly. "It's not all about N.E.W.T's, mate. There are girls, and pranks, and there is quidditch."

"And your priorities astound me, Sirius," Remus deadpans.

"Whatever," Sirius laughs, shrugs again, and holsters his wand, "I have a feeling about this year. It's going to be a good one."

James prays his friend is right, but as he watches Bartemius Crouch Jr hex a Hufflepuff fourth year from behind, he opts not to hold his breath.

He's not sure he'd be able to handle the disappointment, otherwise.