Boy who Lived betrothed
Sources say that Harry Potter, the Boy who lived has been betrothed to Marcus Owens Flint, the heir apparent of the Flint line. One source has this to say: "Oh it was so romantic, Flint walked straight up to Harry the week after school began and handed him the betrothal contract in front of everyone. That night Harry sat with him for dinner, they looked so in love!"
Another source had been quoted saying "I heard they plan to marry at the Flint Yule Gala!"
Our happy couple was unavailable for questioning, but one thing is for sure, wedding bells are in the air for the Potter and Flint heirs and this reporter pans to be their every step of the way!
Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet
Harry read and re-read the article as fury blazed in his eyes as he looked up from the article, his eyes locked on a smirking Marcus Flint. What made it worse is he couldn't confront the Bastard without bringing the betrothal or the contract up.
"Well, he didn't break the terms of the agreement." Hermione stated softly as she looked at Harry. "You made no such deal with the rest of his house, and it's not beyond him to goad you into breaking the agreement." She stated and Harry glared as he stabbed his eggs. A petite Hufflepuff third year walked up to the enraged teen.
"Is it true? Are you and Flint getting married on Yule?" The excided third year asked, and Harry opened his mouth before stopping himself. If he said it wasn't true, he would still be talking about the contract, meaning he would be violating the terms of agreement and then he would be painted a lire when he came back married to the smug bastard.
He stood up angrily and walked over to the Slytherin table just as Flint stood up to face him. Harry reared his hand back and went to slap the smug look from the prates face when Marcus caught it, twirled him around until his back was connected with Marcus's hard chest.
"You shouldn't be so upset my sweet. I will use every available resource to make you break the agreement. It's the Slytherin thing to do after all." Markus stated with a smirk, the words were whispered into Harry's ear, and he had no doubt what the older man was doing. The rest of the school would see their stance as Marcus saying something to placate Harry as a lover would.
"I hate you." Harry snarled and Marcus let out a laugh of amusement.
"No, you don't, and it pisses you off. Now off you go, you don't want to be late for Potions." Marcus stated as he released Harrys arms.
"Unless you would like me to walk you to class, in which case that can be arranged, keep the Puffs and Ravens away from you." Markus stated with a dangerous smirk, a dare for Harry to accept.
Harry hissed as he stormed off to where Hermione and Ron stood, both looking amused and slightly worried.
"You need to have better control on your emotions Harry, if you nearly break the agreement after one day how are you going to keep from breaking it until the end of the year?" Hermione asked as she passed Harry his bag only for a large hand to snag it away and a smirking Marcus to be standing there as he deftly lugged it over one shoulder.
"I don't want you to walk me to class." Harry hissed; his face flamed with embarrassment.
Marcus didn't respond, he simply raised an eyebrow, his free arm wrapping itself around Harry's small waist.
"Unless you wish for the whole of Hogwarts to hear what I have to say my sweet you will lead the way." Markus stated as he began walking with a reluctant Harry beside him.
"Your first lesson will be tonight after dinner in the Slytherin common room." Marcus stated once they were outside the potions classroom. "To keep you from breaking curfew I have asked for a bed to be placed in my dorm, if your friends decide to join you in your lessons there is a bed set up for Granger in Daphne's dorm. As for Weasley you can be the sweet little hero and give him your bed, mine is big enough for two." Harry glared as Markus walked off with a smug smirk.
Classes were hell. Harry was sure the world was out to get him. Two hours with Snape was bad enough but he kept most of his barbs to himself, instead he kept giving Harry odd looks. Then he had an hour with McGonagall whose looks kept switching between curious and pitying, and then as if that wasn't bad enough he got a letter from the headmaster saying to come see him after lunch.
"Come with me?" He asked Hermione who nodded.
"I'll take notes in Bin's class." Ron stated making Hermione smile at him. Harry barely touched his lunch, not noticing the frown on Marcus's face as he watched the younger boy. Harry looked as if he were walking to his doom as he and Hermione made their way up to the headmaster's office.
Surprisingly, or perhaps maybe not so much surprising, all four heads of houses were in the Headmasters office when they entered. "Good after noon Headmaster, professors." Hermione greeted as she tightened her grip on Harry's arm in hopes of comforting her friend.
"Ah Miss. Granger, I was unaware of you coming to this meeting." The headmaster stated with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm afraid it may be necessary if this meeting is about what I fear it may be about sir." Hermione stated diplomatically.
"Indeed?" The headmaster stated, confusion rolling around in his eyes as he indicated for them to take a seat. Hermione just hummed.
"I asked her to come with me sir." Harry stated as he flopped down in one of the seats, Hermione rolled her eyes as she carefully lowered herself into another.
"I am guessing this is about the Daily Prophet article sir?" Hermione asked, getting straight to the point.
"You would guess right Miss. Granger." McGonagall stated evenly making Hermione nod.
"Then I was right, I do need to be here." Hermione stated as Harry sighed and slumped down in his chair.
"Why might that be?" Snape asked his voice dark and silky.
"Harrys not allowed to talk about it to anyone outside of our house, Or Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass. The five adults blinked.
"Perhaps you should start from the beginning Miss. Granger." The headmaster stated after a moment and Hermione let out a giggle.
"The beginning would take all day professor. May I give the shortened version of events and then answer any questions you have?" The headmaster thought on it for a moment before nodding.
"That may be for the best." He agreed.
"Alright then, Dorena Potter Nee Black, Harry's grandma was betrothed to Mingard Flint, she was six years younger than Mingard and while at school she fell in love with Charles Potter by the time she was of marriage age Mingard had already taken over as the head of the Flint family. She pleaded her case to her betrothed and begged him to allow her to marry Charles, he agreed so long as a supplementary contract was made." Hermione began in what the Gryffindor's affectionately called her 'lector mode.'
"Yesterday Mingard's descendent Marcus Flint brought the contract to light as Harry is of marriage age by our laws he has no choice but to marry Marcus Flint, the heir apparent of the Flint line. Last night we were asked to join Marcus for dinner where an accord was made between Harry and Flint. Basically, the terms are Harry will agree to be taught pure blood customs and traditions, he will accompany Flint to the Yule Gala as his date, but nether may mention the betrothal, marriage, or the contract. If both have met these terms, they will be married the week after Flint graduates." Hermione stated as Harry slumped even lower in his seat.
"If this accord is broken, then what are the repercussions?" Snape demanded and Hermione sighed.
"It depends on who breaks them. If Flint breaks them Harry has until he graduates to find a husband and marry, or he will have to wed Flint. If Harry breaks them then on Yule, he will marry Flint and spend the rest of the year in the Dungeons as Flint's wife. Flint is allowed to tell anyone in his own house, and his parents of the betrothal, and Harry is allowed to talk with Ron, Zabini, Greengrass, myself and our house about it." She stated as Harry muttered under his breath.
"What about the daily prophet?" Sprout asked with a look of worry in her eyes.
"A rather ingenious move on Flint's part, if it weren't so back handed, I might have applauded him. I am sure he had several of the Slytherin girls write to the Daily Prophet, because Harry allows his anger to get the best of his judgment. If Harry had confronted him, he would have had to mention the contract and the betrothal, thus making Harry his wife. Not to mention the article gets rumors circulating which Harry can neither confirm nor deny without breaking the accord, and since most people mistrust the Slytherin's they are bound to badger Harry until he loses his temper." Hermione stated before a smirk spilt across her lips.
"Like I already said it is a rather ingenious plot. Of course, it will take a plot just as underhanded to trap him in the same manner." The way she said it had the professors looking at her and Harry who both shared a rather Slytherin smirk.
"It should be fun." Harry stated after a moment of thought.
"Harry, the Flints are a very old, very powerful family. It is not a good idea to antagonize them." The headmaster warned gently making Harry and Hermione both grin.
"Headmaster," Hermione stated drawing the professor's gazes to her. "Flint is asking for a good game and in this case the winner takes all. Flint moved first, he captured a handful of pawns in one fell swipe, but has yet to capture our queen piece, now it's our move, but we intend to take his bishops, castles, and Knights. We already knew this would get out, he underestimates us, once we have a plan in motion, he will be well on his way to ether losing or drawing." She stated and worry entered the headmasters face.
"What plan might that be?" McGonagall asked and Hermione shared a grin with Harry.
"It's Harry's idea really, he's brilliant somedays. We plan to turn the rumor mill in our favor. Lavender and Parvati are going to make the next move, placing several rumors in motion and poor Harry is going to be heart broken, when word gets out that Flint was tired of waiting for Yule and took comfort from some unnamed, and faceless woman in Hogsmeade only for poor Harry to catch him, and so shortly after Flint had allowed his friends to shout the joyous news of the impending wedding when Harry had begged him to wait until their marriage was a bit closer. It will be such a tragedy." She let out a laugh as she stood, and Harry got to his own feet.
"Well, we best be off, we have Harrys heart to break, and all of that." Hermione stated as she linked arms with her best friend. The moment they were out of the office the headmaster placed his head in his hands as his body shook.
"Albus?" Minerva called softly only for his laugh to be let loose.
"I am afraid Harry has played his part very well, I often forget that boy was supposed to be in Slytherin." The aged headmaster stated when his laughter had died down, getting incredulous looks from everyone. It was well known that Harry Potter was the epiphany of Gryffindor.
"I did say he would do well in Slytherin, but the boy had to argue. Asked me who is more the snake; the one that is in the snake pit or the one who could hide in the lion's den." The hat stated from where it sat on the stool in the corner.
"He would never have survived in my house." Severus snarled.
"I have not seen one more fitting for Slytherin house since Salazar himself, that boy is pure trouble when he allows his Slytherin side to show. You can be sure this is going to be an interesting year." The hat stated with a chuckle.