Posted 12/10/2013, Edited 3/2/2015
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This is a work of fiction, based on the book series by J.K. Rowling. Neither do I claim ownership nor do I intend to.
Chapter Ten - Negotiations
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The next day, the beginning of the weekend, Harry had explained his lesson with the Headmaster up until his departure from the room, but leaving out his realization about his ultimate fate - he didn't need them to worry about something that couldn't be changed. They had reacted almost exactly like he had imagined. Ron had been too shocked to speak coherently, instead stuttering about an immortal Voldemort. Hermione on the other hand had toyed with the idea of investigating potential containers on their own. She had abandoned the plan relatively quickly, for her standards at least, when she realized just how little she had to go on.
"Well, we're with you and Professor Dumbledore in any case and help you in any way we can," she had finally told him. Then she had stormed off, grumbling about something. Ron had excused himself soon after that, and it had fallen to Dean and Seamus during breakfast to fill Harry in. Apparently, Harry's two best friends had provided a bit of entertainment the previous evening when Ron had complained about the lack of potential dates. Hermione had naturally felt insulted, and from what Seamus had said between chuckles, a lot of the girls had agreed with her. The following shouting match had ended when Katie Bell had reminded Hermione of her homework.
The consensus among the boys had been that Ron really needed to learn to choose his words more carefully and clean up his act if he ever wanted to land with a girl. Well, a girl except Hermione, Seamus had corrected, and Harry had agreed. She wouldn't mind too much being with Ron, if only so she had a better justification to have screaming matches with him. Seamus had left Harry at breakfast to talk to a seventh-year he had his eye on. Dean on the other hand had decided to improvise a football game, all he needed were a few players, and when Harry had refused, the other boy had run off.
Shortly after that, Neville had sat next to Harry bearing the most surprising news of the day.
"You remember the... family business I helped you with over summer?" he had asked in a low voice. "Well, it seems it is not as finished as we thought it was. Bulstrode cornered me yesterday. They want to meet again. I don't know why, honestly, and it is your choice."
"I don't know," Harry replied, "don't I already have enough to do? And anyway, wouldn't it be tricky to get a goblin in here? Or are we to go to Gringotts again?"
"Well, no. They want to do it as soon as possible while still away from prying eyes. In short, it would make sense to do it here, at Hogwarts. I mean, we're past mid–November, so they don't have that much time anymore until she comes of age. And Gringotts... well, they wouldn't give a room without someone watching us. Goblins don't trust wizards."
"So, meeting them without being watched..."
"An unused classroom, for example," Neville provided.
"... with two of them. Don't get me wrong, but... how do we make sure they're not trying anything? I trust both of our spellwork, but they might have learned a bit too," Harry pointed out. "I'd feel safer with someone there to keep them... and us, I guess, in check."
"You think it is a trick?"
"You don't?" Harry countered.
Neville pondered the question. Finally, he shook his head. "Confronting us in school is not a problem. I know you can beat them with your arms behind your back. We just have to make sure it's not a trap. I considered the possibility, but I'm not worried –they'd have to be mad to go against you. True, they're Slytherins –if they do plan something, they'll try to show up with reinforcements. But... I think they're sincere. It's not so uncommon to meet once more, if only to clear the air."
"Alright, I get it. You think I should go then?"
"I think," Neville began, considering his answer, "you show go. And I think you should make sure we're not ambushed."
"What do you have in mind?" Harry countered. "Have the DA stand guard?" He blinked at his own suggestion. "Do you think I could get them to do that?"
"Hmm. No. I don't think so. This is meant to be kept under wraps, right? Having a dozen people involved would make them apprehensive, and the last thing you want when keeping a secret..."
"Is letting people know you have one, yes. Well... fine, I'll meet them."
"This weekend?" Neville whispered.
"Fine, this weekend, just make sure you arrange it properly, room and all. How about... oh, I know, how about tomorrow around teatime? Most just traipse back to their Common Rooms anyway, Ron will be busy eating and Hermione too focused on checking her homework. It'll give us, what, two hours?"
"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
Sunday, Harry joined Ron for an early tea. Neville on the other hand had gone to the greenhouses. Since Hermione was too busy looking over her homework and a few references, he had gone alone. At quarter to four, Harry left the Great Hall and Ron and went to a well-hidden nook on sixth floor.
"Everything went alright?" Neville greeted him.
"Fine. Ron's just begun, I stalled him a bit," Harry replied and, ducking behind his friend, quickly pulled out the Marauder's Map. "Alright, there's Bulstrode. Seems she's checking the corridor."
Neville pointed to another corner of the map. "And there's Greengrass coming, down the stairs."
"Alright. You know the drill. Slowly, watch your steps," Harry told him, and while Neville kept an eye out, Harry quickly threw the cloak over himself. Together they walked down the stairs, Neville in the lead, Harry carefully following him. The less time they were seen together on their way to a secret meeting, the better, they had reasoned. Additionally, Harry suspected Neville secretly enjoyed this Cloak and Dagger business.
According to plan, Harry ducked behind a suit of armour a few feet from the door. Checking quickly on his map, he found only Neville, Greengrass and Bulstrode in the vicinity. He carefully folded his cloak and stuffed it under his clothes with the map. Then, he ducked into the corridor and leisurely strolled into the room.
"Good afternoon, Potter," Greengrass greeted him. Bulstrode jerked her head in what might have passed as a nod.
"Yes, hello," Harry replied. "It's been a while." He carefully picked a seat with his back away from the door. Just because no one had waited for them didn't mean he trusted the girls. "You wanted to talk? I thought we had cleared it up last time? I can't help you with your problem right now, and there's still a lot of time left for you."
"I still looked further into it. I have found a way for it to still work without involving Narcissa Malfoy, assuming we keep silent about it until it is a done deal," Greengrass began. "And last time, we reached no satisfying conclusion since you left because a settlement hadn't seemed possible, not because you had no interest. You even hinted at possible assistance in the future, should the Malfoys not act on their own."
"I'm listening, but I haven't decided yet. And just for the record, I'm also not saying I'm interested," Harry told her. Would it be a problem if he disarmed both girls, just to be on the safe side? Probably, he guessed.
"Fair enough. Our solution is actually fairly simple: House Black has no Head since the death of the last, Sirius. For whatever reason, you were elevated to Second Rank over the last year. For purposes of these contracts, you would normally need a member of the family to sign the settlement in your and your House's stead, but as you said, there is little chance of you managing to convince either of the surviving Blacks to do that.
But since House Black has no Head, your guardians or close blood relatives should be able to sign for you specifically as well. It would be very easily disputable by other families, yes, but once we get it done, the Malfoys would not protest too hard, I think. Objecting this gift would not be wise for them, especially since you can let it run its course and have Draco fulfil the obligation; if they'd insist on seeing the contract through, they'd reveal their intention of only wanting the money."
"My guardians or relatives..." Harry mused. "Couldn't the third Black sister do it, then? If guardians can..."
But Greengrass shook her head. "She was cast out of the family, disinherited, correct? We covered that the last time." Receiving a nod, she continued, "She can't do it because she was specifically marked as not acting in the interest of House Black. As such, she and her descendants cannot help you there, unfortunately. But a guardian or an adult relative of yours would work. That should give you some freedom to work with, right?"
"A relative then." Harry thought about her suggestion. "You are still offering the deal if I get House Black to dissolve the contract?" She nodded, and he continued, "And these relatives... what about them? How close do they have to be? Second cousin twice removed?"
"Aunts, uncles and grandparents of the bloodline. I'm willing to... reward them for their time as well. They seal the deal with their magical signature..."
"Wait, magical signature?" Harry interrupted.
"Yes, Potter," Greengrass sighed. "Of course their magical signature. It is a binding contract primarily by magic, not law, between two pureblood families. Now then, they sign the settlement..."
"Sorry to interrupt you once again, but it won't work, I fear," Harry said. "The Potter line is dead. No uncles, aunts or grandparents as far as I know. And on my mother's side, there's not a single witch or wizard. Muggleborn, remember? They are about as Muggle as one can possibly be. I doubt they could sign something with a magical signature."
"They made Muggles your guardians?" Greengrass interrupted, blinking in surprise.
"Yeah, so?" Harry countered. "It's not like Muggles can't take care of a wizarding child, Muggleborns grow up decently."
"Sure, but..." Greengrass hesitated on the verge of some thought. "Never mind. No other relatives?"
"None that I am aware of. Are you sure it has to be a close relative? Otherwise, I could look into the Potter side more. Or that the third Black sister really can't do it?"
Bulstrode answered, and Harry was surprised to hear her speak in a soft voice; he had expected a growl from the large girl. "We are sure, yes."
"Well, what about assigning someone as my guardian? That might work, right?" Harry tried. "What if I assigned, let's say, one of the Weasleys as my guardian?"
"It's not that easy, Potter," Bulstrode countered. "Ignoring for a moment that you should already have someone for that role..."
"My relatives? Other than that, I don't know anyone."
"Your relatives, then -for the moment, at least. Ignoring the idiocy of appointing someone as your guardian who cannot fully act in your stead, appointing a new one so close to your maturity will draw attention and is bound to make someone suspicious. Additionally, it takes a while for all the proper channels to... agree."
"To bribe them, you mean?" Harry asked shrewdly.
"Something like that, yes, although it might be better to call it convincing the right people," Bulstrode began. "Anyway, guardians are a very tricky business. Assuming no other connection, simply relegating the position to someone who will sign does not meet the requirements. Just think about it, if it were that easy, you could just walk up to any beggar in the street and have them sign any form you like. No, Potter, it is too late to work the guardian angle. By the time it is approved of, you will be an adult already. So, no wizarding relatives?"
Harry shook his head. Hearing the burly girl talk more than a few words was almost surreal. But then, Neville had set up the meetings with her, so it was obvious she corresponded in more than grunts.
"No." He looked around the room for something to say. To be honest, he had been curious about the meeting. Not only had it distracted him, he had really wanted to hear what Greengrass had cooked up. It seemed as if Fate hadn't just dealt him a bad hand. Maybe for that reason he felt for the girl. True, it was not her life on the line, but it was still not something she wanted.
"Again, I'm sorry I can't help you," Harry told Greengrass. He rose from his chair and bowed slightly to her.
She stared off into space. In fact, she hadn't moved at all since he had told them about his lack of magical relatives. Well, it had to have been a shock for her. But maybe, just maybe, she would learn to deal with it. And hey, who knew, maybe Malfoy died soon? Then she'd be free once more.
He bowed to Bulstrode as well, careful to keep his eyes on her nonetheless. With the business concluded, he made for the door, when a low voice behind him stopped him in his tracks.
"What if we went through with it?"
Harry whirled around. He wasn't sure he had even heard something, it could have been his imagination, after all. But looking at Bulstrode told him he hadn't been the only one who had heard it. The heavy girl stared at her friend –or acquaintance or whatever they were –wide-eyed. Her mouth hanging open, Harry was reminded of a confused Mountain Troll he had met years ago. But confused or not, she was stunned speechless. Finally, she seemed to have caught up with reality again, and started shaking her head.
"No, bad idea, Daphne," she began.
It took Harry a moment to get over the shock this gave him –Bulstrode sounded very concerned and even slightly panicky. He didn't know Slytherins even cared enough about one another for that, and he hadn't expected the brutish Bulstrode to show sympathy.
"That wouldn't solve anything," Bulstrode added, "it would only make it even worse!"
But Greengrass didn't pay her any attention; she had risen from her seat and stared at Harry and, at his side, Neville. "What if we went through with it?" She asked in a stronger voice. As Harry looked at her, he could see her mind working furiously, figuring out a plan for the new situation. "It's the contingency plan I had. There's some way for you to trump Draco's claim, so if we manage to have you take that route... What if we go through with the contract? And what if... what if we let an heir clause take effect? Or something similar, I'm not picky." And as she said that, something glimmered in her eyes.
Bulstrode jumped a foot to the side. She continued staring –this time, in shock –and she too seemed to realize something Harry couldn't. "It could work, yes. Not a perfect solution, but workable under the right circumstances. Assuming..."
Neville stepped forward, mumbling to himself. "Not bad. Of course, it is close to the least favourable solution for everyone involved. And simply repaying the debt won't work, since we're speaking about..." He stopped mid-sentence and began striding. "And the properties would need to be kept separate."
"Yes, of course." Greengrass waved his comment off without averting her eyes from whatever she saw behind Harry. "But that's not a problem at all. Safeguards would have to be put in place, before you mention that; I don't want to be tempted to kill Potter just so I can get out of the marriage sooner."
"Yes, yes, understandable," Neville agreed without looking.
Bulstrode grunted. "And there can't be a clue about that arrangement beforehand –a deal like that with Potter... Still, not impossible."
"But it would work, right?" Greengrass asked. "Assuming we can get everything in place without people noticing..."
"Would someone please explain to me what you are talking about?" Harry threw in, and it broke their spell as they stared sheepishly at him.
"Sorry," Neville said. "We were bouncing ideas off of one another. Well, more like talking about the same idea. See, before, we discussed dissolving the contract before it took effect. No marriage at all between the families was our goal earlier, and both of you would have had very little to do with each other. Well, that won't work, unfortunately –Greengrass can't buy out, I'm assuming; no one you know can sign for you or is willing to. But the marriage contract actually only states that members of both houses have to marry and sign an individual contract for the two involved in the arrangement, nothing more, strictly speaking.
"As it is a political alliance firmly rooted in traditions, stuff like that separation thing... divorce, right? Well, that wouldn't work. However, in the actual contract the couple would sign as part of their marriage, there can be clauses that can end the marriage, even if a divorce is out of the question. Heir clauses come to mind, for example. If no heir is produced in a reasonable time..."
"... seven years," Bulstrode supplied.
"Right, if no heir is born within, say, seven years for example, the marriage would be seen as unsuccessful, but the obligation Greengrass is currently faced with, the outstanding contract we discussed would still be fulfilled by the marriage," Neville finished. "So that's what we were talking about. Remember what I told you about the contract back in August? That you can decide the outcome by becoming Acting Head for a while? Well, if we manage to get the two of you to marry..."
"To have to marry, Longbottom," Greengrass pointed out with an odd, enigmatic smile.
"Well, alright. If we manage that, then we could put a clause in the agreement, the contract between you two, about heirs within a reasonable time frame and all you'd have to do is make sure the marriage stays unsuccessful and... err..."
"And after that time, we go our separate ways," Greengrass wrapped up with pursed lips. "Naturally, since we are already considering the possibility of the marriage failing, we will have to protect our prized possessions; it is not unusual for young couples to keep the properties and wealth apart anyway, so there won't be trouble on that front. And we would have to ensure no one kills the other one. Again, not that usual. So that's what we came up with. A marriage to fulfil the outstanding contract with a likely but not assured out a few years down the line. We both keep to yourselves and nothing worse happens."
"And you just decided that? Without any input from me?" Harry asked testily.
"It is still only a business arrangement, Potter," Bulstrode replied with a roll of her eyes. "You'd be married on parchment, but wouldn't have to do anything more."
"It still leaves a great number of questions, though! Why would Greengrass choose to go along with it? For that matter, why should I? Marrying me for any stretch of time is making you a target. What do you mean, 'a likely but not assured out'? How do you want to pull that off, anyway, to have me marry her with no one noticing what is going on? How do you expect to keep all that secret?" He waved his hands around speechlessly, gesturing for dozens of other, invisible points in the air.
"I would be willing to pay royally, should you agree," Greengrass said. "And it's simple, actually. After my birthday, I will be locked in the contract, and the first member of House Black who will be adult or something similar will be the caught in the obligation. So all you'd have to do –and it is so simple I can't believe I didn't see it before –is sign something as Acting Head of House Black. That's why you were elevated to Second Rank, right? Longbottom indicated just now he told you about that, so that's the reason you are here in the first place. Well, some official document would suffice to activate the contract. As soon as you sign something as Acting Head of House Black, the marriage contract will activate and lock you in as well.
"As long as the contract is active for both sides, you can't simply step down as Acting Head. With us both as fully recognized members of our families, we would have to marry and short of you dying, Malfoy will have no chance or risk as far as the contract is concerned. There would be no need to keep anything secret about our marriage and I seriously doubt we could keep it secret in the first place. Malfoy at least would learn about it one way or the other. Following the plan we were talking about would be cheating to activate the contract like that, true, but still completely acceptable. Hah!"
"And why would you go along with it? Why not offer it to Malfoy and leave me out of it? Why not offer him a personalized contract?" Harry stormed.
"My reasons are my own," Greengrass tried, her voice suddenly cold.
"Marrying me will put you on the hit list of the Death Eaters," Harry countered. "Do you have a death wish?"
Greengrass glared at him, but after a tense moment, smiled delicately. "Most of them are purebloods. They know the rules. If it is by contract, it won't really be a decision for either side. I will be bound by the traditions. Oh! Woe upon me!, I am such a poor girl, caught in an obligation I can't back out of for fear of betraying our honoured ways of living!" She raised an eyebrow challengingly. "As long as I am believable, I have a good chance to come out of it alive. As long as we stay well away from each other and don't look too friendly whenever we do meet, I won't be in any real danger. When you die, I'll be free once more. If we both manage to live until the Heir clause comes into play, we get to go our separate ways. Again, as long as I convincingly play the distressed pureblood daughter, I should be reasonably safe."
"But marrying Malfoy..."
"... is not an option. I prefer... I will be fine. I'll lose my freedom of choice for a few years of my life, but that's it. I can live with that." Greengrass seemed quite certain.
"These clauses you keep mentioning..." Harry began.
"Marriages by contract are meant to last, but if the marriage doesn't work out, there are ways to end it. As long as we aren't too friendly with each other, heir clauses are one way to do that in our case."
"Well, you have it planned out alright, but there's still hardly anything in it for me apart from 'royal payment'," Harry told them. "Marrying you, that favour is a lot bigger than finding someone who can sign a few papers." Of course, since he would die soon anyway and end the marriage, it didn't really matter either way, but he still strongly disliked the idea of playing along just to do her a favour. He had a will, and as long as he lived, it was his duty to earn as much gold as possible to pass on to his heirs. Of course, now that he thought about it, he needed to change his will or Greengrass would get everything he owned. Thanks for that, Hermione, he thought wryly.
She balled her fists in frustration. Ah, so that was why Ron constantly opposed Hermione, Harry thought, as he watched the girl before him try to regain control of herself. Yes, needling someone, infuriating them, was actually amusing. He felt a lot less interested in gold all of a sudden.
"Look, Potter," she pressed out. "In a few years, I would pay you a lot."
"I have enough gold," he countered.
"Heirlooms..."
"I have a vault of them as well."
"Political power."
"Don't want it."
"A family name to back you..."
"Don't need it."
"Contacts..."
"Don't need them either."
"Rare books..."
"I don't like reading all that much, to be honest."
"Someone teaching you proper etiquette or how to dress decently, help with one of your stupid shenanigans..."
"Quite unnecessary. Now then, if that's all?" And he turned to leave.
Greengrass rattled on. "My gratitude, a future favour, a chance to irritate Malfoy, a..."
"Wait," Harry interrupted. "Irritate Malfoy?" He didn't know why he had said it, but he had, and he had also faced her again. Both Neville and Bulstrode gaped at him.
"Honestly?" Greengrass asked disbelievingly. "Out of everything, out of gold, power, rare knowledge, that's what got your attention? Gold, power, knowledge you pass on, but irritating Malfoy gets you interested?"
"What can I say?" Harry shrugged. "You have your traditions to follow, and I have mine. But joke aside, I thought he'd be happy with the result? He'd be free if I get involved, right? That's what you said; if we marry then he'd be safe too. No risk, you said so."
They stared at each other. Finally, Greengrass shook her head. "While he can't dissolve the contract and might not want to marry me, the latter would give him access to money again, something he does want. That's probably why they cancelled the negotiations with my family, and it is likely the reason they haven't done anything so far. One way or another, they want gold, either by forcing my family to buy out or by leeching off our income. Blocking Malfoy from that wealth would probably annoy him, especially if he sees these much desired resources go to you."
"But I wouldn't have access to it, right? You said, err, keeping properties apart, and all that?" Harry pointed out. "So I shouldn't have..."
"But Draco would only see what he might have gained had you not intervened," Greengrass sighed exasperatedly. "Also, he does not like to lose to you, and he would see it as such, I imagine. There might also be a vault set aside specifically for... the happy couple, and in there might very well be a fair bit of gold."
"... While that sounds like a fun plan, it still doesn't convince me to play along. Ignoring that I would paint another target on my back for opposing the Malfoys..."
"It wouldn't make that much of a difference, would it?" Greengrass asked. "If the Malfoys are law-abiding citizens..." Neville snorted humourlessly, but she continued as if she hadn't heard anything. "... then they won't lay a hand on you. If they are indeed in league with the Dark Lord, then they won't dare defy his wishes and equally won't lay a hand on you."
"And how would you know his wishes?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow. "Talked to him lately?"
"Whatever you might think of me, Potter, I am not stupid. The Dark Lord probably feels hurt in his pride to see you still walking around. He has to kill you himself to prove his superiority. And for that, he needs you alive –he will have ordered his followers to keep you alive. Also, I noticed Draco's behaviour. Just last year, he was happy to see you get in trouble; this year, he keeps back. Some may attribute it to him becoming more levelheaded, but I am guessing he just prefers to sit back and wait for the Dark Lord to exact his revenge. Whatever you may think of Draco, he isn't stupid either; getting in the way of the Dark Lord is not a good idea, and going against you hasn't really worked that well in the past anyway."
"You'd still be safer with Malfoy," Harry said, "even if he took everything of worth that he can get his hands on and pulled out your golden fillings or whatever."
"Fillings of what?" Bulstrode threw in, glancing at the others in the room.
"Of the teeth. It's... never mind, it's a Muggle thing," Harry replied. "The point is, associate with me and you might die."
Greengrass stared at him and Neville for a moment. Then she locked eyes with her companion. Whether they had some means of silent communication or not, they broke contact after another moment with Bulstrode rolling her eyes and Greengrass sighing.
"Draco has... changed," Greengrass spoke carefully. "The arrest of his father must have hit him pretty hard, and he's grown up. He's on exemplary behaviour as far as I can tell, but... he's grown up and, I think he might want to look strong. He wouldn't kill me himself, no, but would he stop others from doing it? Should his wife die, Draco would inherit a bit of gold and be free once more. And don't forget that vault possibly set apart for the happy couple the contract will bind together, another source of gold for Malfoy that he would gain full access to once I'd be dead; not much, but still a welcome income as well. So, for me, it is a choice between death only if either of us makes a mistake," she indicated all four in the room, "or possible death, should I go along with a Draco who'd have something to gain from marrying me. You on the other hand are too noble to take advantage of the situation and too noble to object being taken advantage of."
"So that's your plan, then? Marry me and play the unfortunate pureblood to the world?" Harry asked.
"Yes, until the personalized contract has run its course or the Dark Lord kills you," Greengrass agreed. "He won't wait for long, I'm sure, and once he's done with you, I'll be free once more."
It was Neville's turn to gape at her. Harry on the other hand pursed his lips. "Charming. And you will probably be not the least bit sorry once I kick the bucket?"
She smiled crookedly. "I would certainly act very happy to be free from you." Her face fell. "But make no mistake –I hold no ill will towards you. In fact, should you... should we go through with it, you would do me a huge favour. There was a reason why I originally offered that loan between the houses and not us personally –that way, even if we both die for some reason, it would still be respected. The purebloods in our society would not dare to ignore such an arrangement. I may not particularly like you, Potter..."
"Always ideal when marrying..." he threw in.
"... but I don't hate you either. If we go through with this plan of mine, as long as I act convincingly and keep my distance from you, I will only lose a few years of my life. Now that I think about it, I don't even have to act as if I dislike it all the time. If I claim to be waiting for your almost guaranteed death in the next years to inherit your wealth..."
"Not bad either," Bulstrode agreed. "You could be reluctant about the marriage, but still claim to try to make the best out of a bad situation. Again, as long as no one learns about these plans, it could work."
"I'm not asking you to agree on the spot, Potter," Greengrass told him. "As long as we set it into motion after my, but before Draco's birthday, it will work out. We can explain it as an accident with me dismissing the possibility and you simply being ignorant of the consequences. It does sound much like you, in any case. Just think about it, alright?"
He held up his hand. "Neville, could you try to get the finer parts of that suggestion worked out right now? What would need to be done, what would have to be included in the deal, that kind of stuff? I'm not saying I agree, but... I'll need a moment to think about it."
"Well, I..." the other boy looked around uncomfortably. "Alright, if you want me to." He walked over to the girls.
Well, that sounded like quite an arrangement. Harry tried to sort it out in his head. Marrying Greengrass had never been part of his visions for his life. But then, she had a point, how long would his life be, anyway? So, they would sign it in the clear knowledge that it would end in a few year's time. He would die, of course, either before or after, so he had little to gain or lose. But he would stop Malfoy, keep him from getting money again, which was important for the war. And Greengrass would owe him a big favour –a plus as that could prove useful sometime. If he played it just right, he might even secure his heirs a fine present a few years down the line.
What would the stories say about that, Harry wondered. A reckless adventure? Or maybe The Greatest Love Story Ever Told in the wizarding world? Star-crossed lovers? Oh, that would just be the best part of it, wouldn't it? Making it out to be another cruel trick of fate. Only, it would be Harry's trick, and he'd have the last laugh. For once, he'd know it all to be lies; for once, it wouldn't be the public having the upper hand. If he played it just right, maybe he could do another exclusive for the Quibbler. But no, he had to play the part of the disgruntled boy who, by traditions that weren't his own, had been deprived of his choice. Only he wouldn't be. He could, for once, decide. And it felt great.
But what to do? If he refused their plans, everything would continue as it was. Greengrass would marry Malfoy, who'd get rich while she might die in an unfortunate accident. That sounded like the Malfoys, no matter who would be calling the shots behind the stage. And he, Harry, would die, end of story. On the other hand, if he agreed to the plan, if they managed to pull it off, he'd have secured the gold and kept it from the Malfoys at the same time. He would have made an impression, changed his own life, no matter how little. Also, if their theories were correct, he'd have saved someone even if no one would learn about it. And, yes, he, Harry, would die.
His death, therefore, was a certainty. The only difference would be the life expectancy of Greengrass, and where the gold of the Blacks would end up. And Harry had no interest to let the Malfoys get their hands on anything to give to their master; Voldemort already had enough power as it was. But if Harry wanted to go through with it, he needed to act fast –after all, who knew how much time he had left? Walking over to the others, he was still unsure of what to do. Keep well away from the contract and risk the Malfoys rise to power? Or play along with Greengrass' plan, marry and possibly save her as well as potentially influence the outcome of the war?
"So, what have you figured out so far?" he asked them.
"Well," Neville began in a low voice, turning to Harry. "We've outlined a few of the major points. Keeping the properties separate, the proper escape clauses. There is a snag with that you might not be aware of, though." He bit his lip. "See, they are meant as an out should things not work between you two, not as a guaranteed end to it. They cannot contradict the intention of the personalized contract you'd put in place. As such, the clauses will only work properly if you, err, don't rule out the possibility of fulfilling them from the beginning.
"In this case, the Heir clause will only work if you don't know for certain you will take advantage of it –if you know for sure there can never be an heir from the union with Greengrass. That's the problem with these clauses for marriage contracts in general." Harry understood where they were going with it, but kept quiet and listened to his friend's explanation. "Let's say you write up a contract for another generation. You decide, as has become custom in the last decades, to limit it as far as possible, after all, it is only meant as part of the traditions and not to be fulfilled. You don't want to tie your children up, only fulfil the obligation of writing one to seal the alliance. So, you limit it to the next generation, only direct descendants of both families, born no more than a fortnight apart. It's highly unlikely, but still possible. Even if you try to restrict it to exactly a fortnight, the clause could still be fulfilled if the births are exactly that fortnight apart. But if you add a line about both children being born under a new moon..."
"That wouldn't be possible," Harry agreed.
"Yes, and the clause connected to it would be ignored, leaving you, depending on the wording, with a contract for the next generation, but one without either time constraint on the actual birth dates. Or perhaps even a contract in general, without the restriction to the next generation. Any two children who meet the other requirements –let's say, blood purity –would be seen as suitable. It is the same with an actual marriage contract between two specific spouses. If you write in an heir clause, but already know it never can or will be fulfilled, you try to undermine the contract itself, the binding of the two families in this case. A clause that is meant to do that from the start will not work and simply be ignored, you see? There has to be the, err, possibility for the heir clause to not be fulfilled. That's why we decided to use a very loose phrasing –unless an heir is born within seven years, the marriage can be dissolved, but does not have to. That way, it should work. It gives a choice to both of you seven years later, and it doesn't require the marriage to end. There would still be the possibility of you deciding to continue."
"What do you mean, there has to be a possibility for it not to be fulfilled?" Harry interrupted, having a hunch about that as well.
"In the case of an heir clause, a child would have to be born within the set time, so there needs to be a possibility for you two to... try, at least." Neville braved on, despite his blush. "Or we could, let's say, demand a male heir with the name Theophilius. It is technically possible, thus acceptable. But if you already know you will never name any child of yours Theophilius, you intend to counteract the contract, and it would not work. These clauses are meant to enhance the underlying agreement, to build on it, not undermine it from the beginning."
"And if I hold a poll? A dozen names, one of them Theophilius?"
"Acceptable."
"Theophilius, if I score a goal in the last Quidditch match before the birth?"
"Unlikely, especially since you are a Seeker, but acceptable."
"If I score two goals at the same time?"
"Since there is only one Quaffle, it is not possible and therefore not acceptable. You see? That is why we chose the loose clause. There is less of a chance of you intentionally undermining it; as long as you don't rule out the possibility. As long as you don't find her repugnant or know you... Naturally, we couldn't put it in writing yet."
Harry leaned back. "And the parts about each other not trying to murder one another, right?" He asked loud enough to draw the girls' attention. "They are part of it too?"
Greengrass nodded.
Harry looked to the window. "There is no way your family will just stand by and let it happen," he pointed out. "Or are you honestly trying to tell me they'd be happy about you marrying the Boy-Who-Lived, painting a target on your back?"
"They couldn't do a thing to stop it if all goes according to plan. As long as you sign something as Acting Head of House Black after my birthday so I'll be locked in, but before Draco Malfoy's so you are the first of House Black to get signing power for your house and equally obligated to take part, everything will work out just fine. Once we are trapped by the contract, neither of us can simply back out. That way, very little suspicion will fall on me, it will instead look like simple misfortune. My parents couldn't intervene if they wanted to as the contract would be binding either way."
"Neville? May I speak with you for a bit?" Harry asked and led his friend to a corner.
"You want to know what I think about it, right?" Neville began. "Well, I'm a pureblood. True, I am also a child of our generation, but I have learned the traditions. This... arrangement... will, at most, cost you seven years. But on the other hand, you'd earn a bit of gold, gain perspective, and her gratitude. I can't tell you to do it. I wouldn't do it, but then, I also wouldn't try to outfly a dragon, yet you did it and lived. But this deal could be a lot worse. Seven years is not that much. And she does have a point, loathe as I am to admit it. Better you than Malfoy, he'd just use any power and gold he'd gain for his father's master."
"That's what I was worried about, too," Harry agreed, but in his mind, he saw the choice laid out for him once more. It wouldn't cost him seven years, of that he was sure. His end was already predestined; his only choice was what to do with the time until he died. He'd be very busy with the war anyway. Harry gave Neville a slight smile, and, catching the eye of Greengrass, beckoned her to the corner.
"You are crazy, you know that, right?" he began.
She shrugged jerkily. "So are you, from what I heard. Why is it important?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair. He had never been good with thinking things through; he had had Hermione for that at Hogwarts, trusting his gut more than his head. He locked eyes with her. "I have to think about it first. But if I learn you are scheming behind my back, if you so much as try to trick me..."
"... you'll growl and grumble, but won't do anything truly harmful to me?" she finished, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably, yes," he admitted with a snort, giving up on his bluff. "But you could have at least tried to look nervous."
Greengrass gave a sigh. "There's next to nothing you can threaten me with that is worse than the likely future with Malfoy. But fine, consider me warned, Potter."
Shaking his head, Harry watched her for a moment. "You are right, I am crazy, so it would be par for the course. But do you really want to go through with it? It is a high risk."
She stared at him, for the first time up close, and he couldn't help but notice the determination in her eyes. "It is very likely my best option. I'm doing it for myself, not you. Tell me when you've decided." And with that, she turned around and walked back to her seat.
She hadn't made the decision any easier.
Wow, that one was difficult for all the wrong reasons. Well, Daphne and Harry interacted once more and the plan starts to take form. Stick it to Fate, Harry! Show Fate you aren't taking everything lying down!
Also, no Runes info dump. Aren't I nice?
Lastly, the position of Acting Head is only meant for small business matters. Handling a bit of gold? Sure, why not, there's enough where that comes from. Disowning or reinstating someone? Long-term consequences. Would you entrust the Acting Head with that who is only substituting for the Head who is not yet around?
.
As was pointed out, Lee Jordan was in Fred and George's year and should have left already. Katie Bell, on the other hand, is in the year above Harry; since it doesn't matter who reminds Hermione, I changed it to Katie.
