Harry made his way through the castle to Ancient Runes with his friends. Halfway there they met up with Willow and a some other Slytherins headed for the same class. His sister immediately felt his inner turmoil and moved to hug him. She looked at the Slytherins and said. "You guys go on ahead, I'll walk to class with my brother."
Blaise moves everyone along and they continued down the hall. Willow turned back to the Gryffindors and asked. "What happened?"
Dawn told Willow about the Boggart. The young Wicca was at a loss for words. It made sense that Harry's greatest fear would be losing her but for the Boggart to turn into such a violent representation of that was surprising. It would mean her brother stressed on this quiet a lot.
"Harry, I know that was horrible to see but I'm alright. There's nothing to worry about." Willow said trying to comfort her brother.
"Isn't there? Sirius Black is hunting for both of us and your betrothed to a monster. There's plenty to worry about." Harry said in a low growl. The boy then walked past his sister not bothering to see if his friends were fallowing. Hermione and Ron gave Willow apologetic looks as they fallowed Harry to Ancient Runes.
"I'm sorry Willow." Dawn said sadly. In some ways she knew how Harry felt. Buffy was also one to put herself in danger to protect everyone, regardless of how it made everyone feel. Her friend didn't mean to hurt Harry, but she did so regardless.
"Come on Dawn, let's get to class before we're counted as late." Both girls fallowed the three Gryffindors in silence.
The girls walked in and saw the Gryffindors sitting down on the front row. Harry had set himself in the middle of Ron and Hermione at the far end of the table. Willow walked up to Ron and politely asked him to move over. Ron looked back and forth between the girl and his friend, not really wanting to get in the middle. He finally sighed and moved over. Dawn sat down next to him at the very end of the table.
The redheaded Witch turned to her brother and said. "You win Harry, I'll break the contract."
The boy turned to his sister in surprise. "Really, you're not just saying that? How do you plan to break it?"
Willow slouched in her set as she realized that there wasn't really a plan yet. She had figured Voldemort would coming back and order his Death Eaters to attack innocent people. When Vincent attacked someone, their shared Promise Rings would alter her. She'd then teleport to him and stop the attack. The act of harming an innocent person would violate one of the contract's stipulations alloying Willow to annul it.
"I don't have a plan yet, but I will soon. I'm asking you to please be patient, it will be done by Christmas at least." Willow said.
"What about, ..you know, .. what we talked about during the Summer." Harry asked awkwardly looking around. He did think Willow would want one of her secrets known by the whole school.
Willow answered Harry in Parseltongue. "I doubt the Crabbe family will care that I like girls. That would only work if I came out of the closet to the whole Wizarding World. I wasn't really planning on doing that so soon after joining, but I will later. Though if it come down to it I'll snog Hermione in the Great Hall."
Harry has to choke back a laugh so he could hiss back. "That was mean Willow." Then he thought about what his sister said and asked her hissing. "Is Hermione into girls like you?"
"Not that I'm aware of but I don't think so. I'm almost positive she likes Ron actually." Willow responded as their Professor finally walked in. All Harry could do at the moment was wait until later to ask what she meant.
Professor Bathsheda Babbling was a thirty something year old Witch with long black hair that she kept pulled straight back, except for the bangs she kept cut short on her forehead. She wore simple yellow robes and stood about five foot five inches. She was levitating a pile of papers that floated above her head. After reaching her desk, Ms. Babbling turned around to address the class.
"Good morning everyone, please take out your books and turn to page thirteen. We're going to jump right into Egyptian Runes. You have thirty minutes to review with your neighbors and then we will have a class discussion." She said.
Ancient Runes turned out to be one of Willow's favorite subjects. She had experience with it thanks to magical rituals the Scoobies had performed on several occasions, however, this was the first time she was given such an in depth history and theory behind the drawings. The class ended too soon for her liking.
Willow turned to look at Harry as she packed her bag. "I kind of have a favor I wanted to ask you. I was planning on sitting with Dudley at Dinner and was hoping you would sit with me."
Harry turned to tell her no but stopped when he looked into her big, pleading, hazel eyes. He just couldn't say no. "Fine, If it will make you happy but I won't like it."
As the two walked out of the classroom with their friends slightly ahead of them, Harry turned to Willow and asked in Parseltongue. "So, what did you mean by Hermione liking Ron?"
Willow just looked at her brother and hissed. "Boys, are all of you so thick headed? It's pretty obvious to us girls. Pansy even told me about it during Summer because she was wondering if I'd seen them kissing. Apparently, several Slytherins are convinced there secretly going out."
Harry walked down the hall trying to picture his two best friends holding hands and kissing, but he just couldn't see it happening though. They liked one another just like they liked him, but they were polar opposites. One was into Quidditch and food and the other studied for fun and could read a book bigger than ether boy could left in a day.
As everyone came to the Great Hall, Willow continued to the Hufflepuff table. Harry looked at his friends and said. "Me and Willow are going to have Dinner with Dudley. I'll see you in the Common Room."
Hermione and Dawn smiled at him but said nothing and Ron laughed a little at his friend. "Guess Willow gave you the puppy eyes mate. Ginny used to do the same to me, but it losses power over time. Give it about five years and you should be good." Harry grumbled inaudibly and walked off to join his sister.
As the Potter twins walked up to Dudley, Willow noticed he was sitting alone. There was one empty space on either side of him and no one sitting across the table in front. Both Potter sat down across from there cousin.
Dudley looked at them cautiously and asked. "What do you two want?"
"Nothing really Dudley, we are just wondering how you've been." Willow started. "Do you like your classes so far, or are you having trouble?"
"Had Potions with Ravenclaw. Tried to make a potion and accidentally spilled my cauldron all over that overgrown bat and he gave me weekend detention." Dudley grumbled. "This school sucks."
Harry was trying to come up with something to say. He genuinely started feeling a little bad for his cousin. He was about to ask if he'd lost any house points for the incident when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around he saw Susan Bones looking at him curiously.
"I know the rule about family eating with each other at mealtimes but you don't have family members in Hufflepuff." She stated.
Harry just gave her a raised eyebrow look and told her. "Dudley Dursley is my first cousin. In fact, he's my only closely related family member besides his mom and my Grandfather."
Ernest Macmillan, who was sitting across Susan, just gave Harry a skeptical look. "What are you on about Potter? Everyone knows your mom was adopted by the Muggle family that raised her."
Willow had stopped talking with Dudley to listen in on the conversation. "Actually, I was the one adopted by a Muggle family. My mom and Dudley's mom are half-sisters and are cousin is by coincidence a Muggleborn Wizard. There for we are related by are Muggle ancestry."
Several Hufflepuffs had looks of disbelief on their faces. Dudley on the other hand had a smug smile on his. He had told his housemates that he was related to Harry and Willow, but no one believed him. They had all thought he was lying to make himself look cool.
"So, are you really the one who taught Dursley the Static Shock Charm then? He used it on Macmillan when he called him a liar." Justin Finch-Fletchley asked. He was sitting on the other side of Susan.
"Yes, it was me though I told him to only use it in self-defense." Willow said giving Dudley an angry glare. "Not retaliation for name calling."
Her large cousin looked down at his empty plate in shame. "Sorry Willow, it won't happen again."
It wasn't much longer that the food appeared, and conversation stopped for the most part. Dudley pilled his plate rather high with roasted potatoes and chicken. His manners were like Ron's, something the other Hufflepuffs didn't seem to appreciate. Willow scooted a plate full of greens closer to the overweight boy and gave him a pointed look. Taking the hint, Dudley scooped some of the vegetables on his plate as well.
Susan looked at Harry and asked. "So, Harry, have you and Ginny Weasley kissed yet? The two of you haven't been seen coupling very much."
The boy was a little taken back by the question. He wasn't really sure how much to tell her ether. About the only thing they did was kiss on the cheek after they signed the contract. Willow saw her brother's dilemma and said. "They've been busy so far, but Harry asked her to Hogsmeade during the Halloween visit."
Harry looked at his sister bewildered. When the hell was this discussed. Ginny was only in second year so she couldn't even go to Hogsmeade yet.
"Oh, I heard about that rule." Susan said. "Something in the Hogwarts rule book about betrothed couples needing a chance to socialize outside of a school setting. I'm surprised the Weasley's have agreed to let you and her go out unchaperoned Harry."
"Nothing is final yet Susan. Mrs. Weasley is having trouble with Ginny growing up as it were, but Mr. Weasley is ok with them going." Willow said. She was going to have to contact Drusilla about getting with Arthur and Molly as soon as possible.
Luckily the desserts appeared, and Susan forgot about her inquires for the moment in a piece of chocolate pie. After Harry and Willow were through eating they excused themselves. The young Wizard lead his sister to an empty classroom and closed the door for privacy.
"What the hell Willow? You know perfectly well that I haven't asked Ginny to Hogsmeade. I didn't even know I could." Harry said angrily.
"Calm down Harry, everything will be ok. I'll contact Dru about getting with the Weasleys for permission and you ask Ginny to Hogsmeade before someone else blindsides her." Willow said.
"Bloody hell, I need to find Ginny now. Can we meet later or are you headed back to Slytherin House?" The boy asked.
"It's getting late, so I'll go do my homework and try and avoid Vincent Crabbe. Going straight to my room should do it." The redhead said. Willow hugged Harry and quickly left.
Harry made his way through the castle to Gryffindor. After crossing the threshold, he located Ginny by the fireplace talking to Colin Creevey. The frustrated boy walked over to the two and sat down beside the younger girl.
"High Ginny, high Colin." He said trying to sound casual.
"High H-H-H-Harry." The second year boy said nervously. "Me and G-G-Ginny were just discussing homework that's all! I swear!"
I took a moment for Harry to realize why Colin would be so nervous. He supposed some guys would get mad if another boy was talking to their girlfriend, but Ginny was only his friend. Colin, and pretty much everyone else, didn't know that though.
"It's ok Colin, just don't let me catch you putting moves on my girl." Harry said jokingly. "I do need to talk to you in private Ginny."
"If you to need privacy I can leave." Colin said. He quickly grabbed his bag and left even as Harry tried to tell him he didn't have to.
The raven haired boy just looked at the retreating boy bewildered. "Anyway, ... Ginny would you go with me to Hogsmeade this Halloween?"
The poor embarrassed girl had been setting there silently the whole time with a bright red face. When Harry sat down she didn't know what to do or think. Colin hadn't helped the situation ether with his misunderstandings and know Harry asked her out to Hogsmeade. Things had begun to progress much to quickly for her liking.
"Ok Harry." Was all she managed to get out before she bolted of the sofa and up the stairs to her dorm room.
Harry once again watched amazed as another little kid ran away from him. He couldn't possibly be that intimidating could he. Ginny had a crush on him sense she was little, and Harry saving her life last year probably didn't make it easier, but he'd hoped she could at least talk to him every now and again.
Harry was so lost in thought that he didn't even register when Fred and George sat down on either side of him. Both twins wrapped an arm around his shoulders so he couldn't get away and asked simultaneously. "Exactly what did you say to our sister?"
"Nothing honest. I just asked her to Hogsmeade." The scared boy said.
Both twins relaxed a little and set back on the sofa. Fred, or it could have been George, said. "Poor little Harry Potter, you got all the girls a flutter and don't know what to do."
"Yeah, poor Harry Potter ..."
"... all the girls chasing after him..."
"... swooning over him..."
"... fighting over him ..."
"... obsessing over him ..."
" ... just what is he to do about his girl troubles?"
"Oh, shut up you two." Harry said red faced. "Girls don't chase after me.
"That's because they are being discreet. Hermione has probably thought about snogging you once or twice herself I bet." George said.
"Yeah and know that you're engaged to our sister, all the girls are clamoring to be her friend." Fred said.
"Just so they can be best friends with Harry Potter's future wife and possibly be in the wedding." George finished.
Harry just groined and hung his head. He never wanted to hurt Ginny and know, apparently, she was being bothered by jealous girls wanting to be her friends for all the wrong reasons. Looking between the two idiots sitting on either side of him reminded him of his own sister's problem, Theodore Nott.
"You guys wouldn't mind helping your little brother's best mate out would yeah?" He asked eagerly.
The twins exchanged looks, they appeared to be having a private conversation without talking. Finally, Fred said. "That depends on what you need from us and why."
"Let's just say one of the Slytherins needs to learn why you don't mess with my sister." Harry told them with an evil smirk.
"George," Fred said. "How are we supposed to dell with a brother in law scarier than us?"
"We heard about the exploding potion Harry. We haven't even been back a week and Willow's been attacked three times ..." George began.
"... So, we have decided you need a way to watch over your dear sister even from a far." Fred finished pulling an old piece of parchment from his robes.
George looked around to make sure no one was watching as Fred gave the parchment to Harry. What happened next surprised both redheads as Harry asked. "Where did you find my Dad's old map?"
Meanwhile, back in the Slytherin dorms, Willow had finished her school work and was setting cross legged on her bed meditating. She was still trying to think of a way to break her contact with the Crabbe family and had still come up with nothing.
"Willow?" She heard Pansy call from the other side of her closed bed curtains.
"Yes Pansy, did you need something?" She called back.
"No, just seeing if you were here or not. Vincent was looking for you at dinner and someone thought they saw you eating with the Hufflepuffs." She said back while opening the curtains.
Willow had already showered and was wearing a set of red robes. Sense she couldn't sleep tonight the thought of visiting Harry in Gryffindor was appealing. She was curiously beginning to wonder when Harry's sleep cycle would change to be more like hers.
"I did eat with Hufflepuff. I decided to visit my cousin Dudley and see how he was doing." She told her friend.
"Oh ... well that's nice I guess." Pansy said while biting her lower lip. It was obvious by her body language that she was nervous about something. "Vincent was looking for you and asked me to see if you were here. Do you want me to tell him you're asleep or something?"
The redhead looked at her friend questioningly. Why was she automatically assuming Willow needed her to lie? Just as the Witch was about to tell the dark haired girl not to bother with Vincent, the door banged open and Bulstrode stormed in.
"Potter you in her? Crabbe wants to talk to you right now." The overweight girl bellowed.
Willow looked at Pansy who seemed to be on the verge of tears. The empath could fell the fear radiating of her friend in waves. The dark eyed girl looked between Willow and Millicent as she made to stand between them, putting on a mask of smugness. "Willow isn't feeling well Bulstrode, she'll talk to him in the morning." She said trying to sound superior.
The thick girl just scoffed at Pansy and said. "She looks all right to me." She then turned to Willow and said rudely. "Your betrothed is in the unused classroom just down the corridor waiting for you. I would suggest you not keep him waiting for long." She then turned and left threw the door.
Willow rolled her eyes and looked at Pansy. Taking a stab in the dark, she asked. "So, what did I miss at Dinner?"
Pansy crosses her arms in front of her chest and stood straighter. "Willow, you need to understand how things are done in Slytherin. I understand you have family and ... friends in other houses but loyalty to Slytherin should come first. You must also think of your future, the life you and Vincent shall one day have after you marry."
Willow tried to keep a straight face but failed as she started laughing. "I'm sorry Pansy but you look hilarious trying to act pompous." (giggle)
The Pureblood girl stomped her foot in frustration and exclaimed. "I'm serious Willow, you don't know what was talked about during Dinner!"
The Wicca looked up at her friend only to see tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks. The sight of Pansy breaking sobered Willow up quickly and she asked. "What happened?"
"Your behavior has reached the ears of several prominent Purebloods and there not happy. Several think that the Crabbes and Victor Whitehall are weak because they can't control you. Today at Lunch, in which you sat with Gryffindor, Vincent got a letter from his father. He's not happy that people think the Crabbes are weak and has told his son to... control you." Pansy said.
"Out of curiosity, what did the great Rigel Crabbe suggest Vincent do to control me?" Willow asked in a cold quiet voice.
Pansy refused to look at Willow because she knew if she did then the dam of emotions would break open. The hallway door opened yet again, and Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis walked in. Both girls noticed Pansy was on the verge of tears and Willow angry face.
"I take it you told Potter about Crabbe's letter at lunch?" Tracey asked seriously.
"Do you want us to go with you to see him Willow?" Daphne asked in a formal manner. She looked like she was mentally preparing for a fight.
Willow, on the other hand, was trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with Slytherin. This couldn't be some kind of common problem that they faced every year could it.
"Daphne, has there been a relationship similar to mine and Vincent's before?" Willow asked the blonde Witch.
The girl gave Willow a wide eyed look and said. "You did not just ask me that. What do you think Potter? Are society was built on old customs and traditions, and arranged marriages, especially in Slytherin, are still common practice. My own sister is betrothed to Draco Malfoy." Daphne finished with a sour face.
Tracey continued. "There are also times when the bride and groom don't see eye to eye on all issues as well. If the groom is from a more ... traditional family they may be told to motivate the Witch into being more like minded. At least in public to protect their honor."
Willow began to rub her temples and think about the issue. It made no sense, Snape and Dumbledore had to know about this so why hadn't they put a stop to it. Then again they probably couldn't do anything unless someone complained to them directly.
Looking at the three Slytherins around her, Willow asked. "So, where does everyone stand or is everyone trying to staying out of it?"
Daphne sighed and said. "For the most part my family tries to be neutral in political matters. We also try and stay out of other people's personal issues unless we have no choice but to get involved. Tracey and I have decided to help you if you need us to."
"I'll do what I can to help keep your relationship with Vincent Crabbe civil." Pansy stated trying to regain her superior attitude.
Willow turned to look at Tracey Davis. "I was told you believed in the traditional ways. Why would you help me?"
The brown haired girl rolled her eyes at the question and said. "Let's get this straight. I believe Purebloods are superior to everyone else. That doesn't mean I believe everyone else should be eradicated, murdered, enslaved, or whatever. The Dark Lord was the worst thing that ever happened to our world and I'm grateful your brother stopped him. He made everyone blood crazy monsters."
The redhead looked at her housemate and said. "Tracey, I'm grateful you want to help me but understand something. Voldemort didn't make the people like the Malfoys monsters; they were monsters to begin with. All Voldemort did was give the Pureblood Elite a flag to rally behind." She decided not to mention the fact Vincent had already killed someone without being a Death Eater sense she had no proof, and she didn't want to scare her friends.
Willow stood up and gave a sharp hiss. Sr. Huggs crawled out from underneath the bed and raised his head to be level with his mistress. They had a quick conversation and then walked out the door. The three girls looked at one another and made to fallow the Wicca and snake.
The girls made their way out of the Common Room without being stopped or asked any questions. They walked down the Slytherin Corridor and to the unused classroom. When Willow entered she saw Draco, Gregory, Vincent, Blaise, Theodore, and Millicent standing in a group by the back wall. There was also three other older Slytherins she didn't recognize standing of to the side. Sr. Huggs coiled around the redhead's feet ready to protect her if need be.
Blaise was the first to speak when he noticed her and said. "There you are Potter, thanks for coming. I don't know if you've met Slytherin Prefects Zoe Accrington and Darius Berrow and Quidditch Capitan Marcus Flint yet."
Willow looked the older students over. Zoe was a tall, light blonde haired girl with ruby red lips and paper white pale skin. Darius was a very tall dark skinned young man with short black hair and a goatee. His eyes were cold as he looked Willow over.
Marcus Flint was gangly with black hair and a slightly slouch. If you could judge intelligence by appearance then he was the dumbest person in the room. From what Harry told her Willow knew the boy was mean and nasty.
Zoe walked up to the group of girls and extended her hand to Willow. "It's nice to meet you Ms. Potter, you've done well in your studies so far but we're a little concerned about your social behavior."
"Mainly, you don't seem to honor your house over others. You should have backed Malfoy with the Hippogriff, and your socializing with Mudbloods makes both your family and the Crabbe family seem like Blood Traitors." Darius stated. The older blonde girl shot him a dirty look at the word Mudblood but made no attempt to correct him.
"My cousin is Muggleborn. Do you expect me to sever all communication with him just because of that?" Willow asked.
"Yes," Vincent growled in a low quiet voice. "You should distance yourself as much as possible from that fat fool of a Hufflepuff and that American Mudblood you brought to Hogwarts. The very fact she insinuated that Slytherin would be her house almost made me curse her."
"Let's not loss are head her people, I'm sure we can resolve this issue peacefully." Blaise said trying to sound casual while stepping between Crabbe and Willow.
"Peacefully? Like when Theodore Nott threw Crystallized Dragon's Blood in my potion this morning?" Willow said glaring at Blaise.
"If you'd behave more like a future wife of Vincent Crabbe than corrective actions wouldn't need to be taken." Theodore shot back.
"Enough all of you." Draco said exasperated. "Perhaps the issues we've been having are getting out of hand. Berrow is correct Willow, you should have backed my father and I on executing the Hippogriff. However, I agree with you about the potion incident."
Flint sneered down at Willow. "You should devote more time and energy to your future with Crabbe rather than hold on to silly idle headed ideas. The only family that should matter to you is the one you'll make with your betrothed."
Willow was trying extremely hard to not let her magic come out. The problem was she didn't know how to argue her side with the fanatical Slytherins. How do you convince a bigot that there wrong?
"So, are we agreed then that you'll break ties with the Mudbloods?" Goyle asked as Crabbe was still breathing deep with anger.
Millicent looked angry; she had wanted Vincent to knock some sense into the uppity Half Blood. She noticed how the four girls came in together and how the three harlots flanked Willow ready to defend her. She hated all of them but especially the redhead. The cruel Pureblood girl had been the only Witch with both the blood status and wealth to marry Crabbe until Willow came along.
The three third year girls where looking between Willow and the rest of the room occupants hoping the redhead would just agree. Willow was contemplating unleashing her magic to scare them off but refused to because she was beginning to rely on it too much, just like back in Sunnydale. Draco and Blaise were preparing to stop Vincent should he decide to do something stupid and the older students were simply waiting to see what happened.
Willow was about to tell Vincent where he could stick his ideology and wand when there came a loud pounding from the other side of the classroom door. Tracey, being the closest, unlocked it. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dawn, Fred and George came crashing through. The Sunnydale Wicca was shocked she hadn't sensed her brother approaching know that she was aware of his fear.
"What's going on in here!" Harry demanded.
"What are you doing here Potter? This doesn't concern you or your friends." Malfoy said angrily.
"I suppose you felt my moods and came running Harry? Is that also how you tracked us down?" Willow inquired curiously.
"What? Oh Yeah, that's it." The boy answered quickly. "Why are all you Slytherins meeting my sister outside of your house?"
"We are simply addressing matters that concern our house and the reputations of certain individuals. We are simply having a discussion nothing more." Zoe Accrington said as she walked forward to take charge. The younger Gryffindors seemed to back down a little but Harry got up in her face.
"You could have had a discussion in your common room. You didn't have to drag my sister all the way out her to talk." He spat. Harry then turned to Willow and said. "Come on Willow, we'll walk you back to Slytherin."
The redheaded Witch looked around the room thinking. She didn't need Harry to protect her, but she didn't want to fight her housemates at the moment. Vincent still looked angry and felt murderous. Her three friends from Slytherin were scared, even though they weren't showing it, and probably wanted to leave. Darius and Flint felt mad and Zoe felt respect for Harry. Nott and Goyle where on the same page as Vincent and Draco and Blaise were anxious.
Coming to a decision Willow said. "Thank you Harry, that would probably be the best for everyone. Pansy, Tracey, Daphne, you guys coming with us?"
The three girls fallowed the Gryffindors out into the hallway. Fred and George held the door open for the younger students and waited for them all to go ahead before shutting it in the remaining Slytherin's faces.