Touched by Death – Chapter 31 (Advancing in Preparation)
The third task was getting closer and closer as each day passed. And Harry was getting slightly more worried as each day went by. The feeling that something would go wrong was getting stronger and stronger. And worse, Harry had no idea what to do about it. And he hated the feeling that he really couldn't do anything about it. That the only thing he could do was wait and watch and hope that one day he'd figure it out.
Marcus and Terence were confident that Harry would pass the last task with no problem. Even Harry friends shared their opinion. Marcus could see the pride those three Gryffindors had in his boyfriend. And the faith in Harry looked to be even stronger. He'd never been so glad that Harry dropped his old friendships with two others that resided in Gryffindor House.
Marcus still kept an eye on Harry to make sure that the fake Moody wouldn't try anything. But the man seemed to go about his day, as if unaware that his disguise was discovered. Which was exactly how him and the professors wanted. Several of the faculty were doing the same, though they didn't make it obvious. After all, that would just give them all away and make things possibility ten times worse. Though, Marcus wouldn't have realized they were doing so, if he wasn't already acknowledged by these past events.
That was when things started to go wrong.
And it wasn't even because of Barty Crouch, Junior masquerading as Alastor Moody.
It came in the form of one, Sirius Black.
"Marcus," Sirius' voice was insistent. There was no mischievous grin on his face. "We need to talk, urgently."
That struck Marcus into quick action and both made their way to the Room of Requirement. If there was a room in the castle that provide privacy, it was there.
"What's going on, Sirius?" Marcus asked, confused.
Sirius didn't say a word but passed a scroll of parchment over to his heir.
Marcus silently took the parchment and unrolled it. His jaw dropped. "They can't be serious!? Why now? Of all times?"
Sirius didn't even crack a joke about his name. "It may mean that his return is getting much closer than any of us expected."
Marcus huffed angrily. "What about when me and Harry signed one merely weeks ago?"
"The Goblins are checking as we speak. I'm highly confident that mine will overrule theirs. They may be part of the Sacred 28, but I'm still have the standing of an Ancient and Noble family."
Marcus cursed under his breath. He didn't even want to imagine what Harry's reaction would be to this. But he knew that he needed to bring it to his boyfriend's attention. The timing was horrible, as the last task was mere days away. He couldn't help but remember the parchment that Sirius brought to him and Harry weeks ago.
"Sirius, what is the meaning of this?" Marcus asked, not finding it funny in the slightest. The urge to curse Sirius was getting stronger as each second passed.
Harry wasn't saying anything, he was just gapping at the parchment that Marcus held with a crushing grip. It was a miracle that the parchment hadn't ripped by now. No doubt the parchment held charms to prevent that.
"This isn't to say you both are to get bonded right away," Sirius started to explain. "This is for both of your protection. There is a risk that Marcus' parents can still draft a marriage contract."
Harry's eyes were starting to shine with tears at the thought of Marcus being taken from him. "But it wouldn't hold, would it?" His voice was begging for Marcus and Sirius to banish his fears.
"Even with Marcus being my heir, he is still their son. Which is why the Goblins and I think it would be in the best interest of you both to sign. This would seal the fact that the Flints' will no longer have any control over Marcus," Sirius' tone was hard. He wasn't going to allow the Flints to have any control over his heir. He would make sure of it that they had no hold over their precious 'son.'
Marcus released the tension he had been holding, "thank you, Sirius. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."
Sirius smiled.
"How can you guarantee that they won't try?" Marcus asked.
Sirius shrugged helplessly, "I can't. But this should stop their efforts. The Black family still holds a lot of power. We are just lucky enough that they haven't tried anything yet."
Marcus nodded as he took the quill from Sirius, instantly noting it was a blood quill. He was never a fan of those quills, but for a contract like this, it was required. He made a hiss of pain as he signed his name, Marcus Cahir Black. He watched as his name on the parchment glowed golden for a moment before fading. Marcus handed Harry the quill without a word. He felt a grin of satisfaction that he would never have to use the name Flint again. He was a Black, not a Flint and maybe someday, a Potter as well.
Harry's hand slightly shook, but his eyes looked determined down at the parchment. Without making a sound, he signed his name. Harry felt his hand throb with pain for a moment before it vanished. And just like Marcus' name, his glowed golden before it faded. The young Gryffindor stared at his hand in wonder, magic would never cease to amaze him. He honestly hoped that it never would.
Sirius nodded in approval. "I still expect you both not to bond for a while. But I couldn't let you both not sign this. I still hate your parents, Marcus, but you and Harry both deserve happiness. And who am I to not allow that."
Marcus nodded, "I'm glad you did, Sirius. I know my parents, they'll try something."
Sirius looked firm at Marcus' words and he knew that he would do anything possible to not let the Flints' succeed to take away who he thought as a son and future husband of his God-son.
Harry grasped Marcus' hand, "thanks, Siri. Even though I hate the idea that his parents may try something." His cheeks went red, "I'm glad to know that one day we can bond."
Marcus placed a kiss on Harry's forehead, "it'll take a lot for them to drag me away from you."
Harry melted into the touch before nodding to Marcus' words. "Don't forget that both me and Sirius will put up a fight. You won't get away from us that easily."
Marcus chuckled, "surrounded by Gryffindors… what ever will I do?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't go starting to act like a Hufflepuff now," he teased.
Marcus shoved at Harry lightly, he still fell to the floor with a laugh.
Sirius snorted at their antics. "If you two are quite finished, I need to get this finalized with the Goblins. Though Marcus, Master Head Xurnak has requested you to take a look at a certain room. He said there was something of interest there. He said you would know what he meant."
Marcus nodded his head. "I do, thanks Sirius."
Marcus stared down at the parchment that Sirius had given him in disgust. He should have known this would be coming. And down in his hands was a marriage contract. It had been signed by Lord Flint, but there was no signature where his name should have been. And Marcus had no intention of signing it either. No doubt there were probably dozens of compulsions layered within the contract. The Heir ring currently on his finger was giving him protection from it.
Not caring if Sirius was in his presence, Marcus set the contract on fire and watched as it burned.
"Marcus," Sirius voice was stern. "That was Fiendfyre," his tone wasn't pleased.
"I know," Marcus' words were blunt and uncaring.
"You realize that's a dark curse," Sirius commented.
Marcus sighed, "I know. Curse breakers are required to know it. And some of my tasks, I'm required to use it. And since its burnt to crisps…"
"The contract didn't take hold," Sirius finished with a nod. "Its good to know that they wouldn't be able to overrule mine."
"That doesn't mean they won't try again. And they'll want to know why I was able to burn it and ignore its compulsions," Marcus growled.
"Are you going to tell me why you're required to use Fiendfyre? You could have lost control," Sirius asked, hating the Flints more as each second passed. Even his parents would not have placed compulsions within a marriage contract, and it was a known fact that a lot of his family had inbreed.
Marcus shrugged. "I wouldn't lose control; the Goblins require a strict processing to make sure of that. There are certain curses objects that I've been tasked to destroy. And using Fiendfyre is the only way they can be destroyed."
"That still don't explain much. But I'm aware of the confidentiality required, so I won't ask much. I do ask that maybe sometime you will be able to tell me," Sirius relented.
Marcus nodded. "It may be a while before I'm able to do that. But I promise I will. I would if I could, but the Master Head Xurnak has forbidden it."
Sirius nodded in understanding, "if he has forbidden it, then it is for a good reason. Has this have anything to do with last summer?"
Marcus nodded, "it does. I'm sorry, Sirius. I can't say much more. But I promise to tell you when I'm able to."
"As long as it doesn't threaten yours and Harry's life. Though Harry may not like that."
Marcus smiled. "As far as I'm aware, it won't."
Marcus' smile quickly turned into a grimace, he already knew how much Harry probably wouldn't like it.
"Good. Well I have an appointment with the Goblins to let them know of these events. And see if they can do anything against the Flints," Sirius said with a grin.
"Let me and Harry know."
Harry was draped over one of the chairs in the Headboy's common area. That's where Neville, Seamus, and Dean found him and tried to hide their amusement. Harry looked absolutely bored while sighing continuously. Yet somehow the sight didn't surprise them much.
"Not bored, are you Harry?" Dean teased.
Harry slightly jumped, not expecting the voice. He gave a fake glare towards his friends. "Was not funny," he grumbled.
"It so was," Seamus quipped in.
"Oh, cheer up, mate," Neville remarked with a grin. "Can't be all bad, you have pretty much the entire Slytherin house behind you." Having an idea that Harry was probably brooding about the last task.
Harry rolled his eyes, though he didn't deny the statement.
"So, where is Marcus?" Dean asked.
"Something to do with his work with the goblins," Harry mumbled.
"Well that's good, isn't it?" Seamus asked. "He's been training for years for this."
"Yeah," Harry commented.
"There's something you're not saying, Harry," Neville noted with a frown.
Harry shrugged.
Dean and Seamus started to look concerned.
"Come on, Harry. Spill, obviously something's bothering you," Dean commented.
That was when someone walked in, but nobody paid it any attention, since the three Gryffindors were focused on Harry.
"I don't know… it's just that Marcus has this certain task and been secretive lately," Harry finally mumbled.
"Don't you dare think that Potter," Terence growled, not bothering to use Harry's first name.
Harry's head shot up fast to see who spoke. He slightly tensed up, before realizing it was just Terence.
"He told you that he would tell you eventually, didn't he?" Terence questioned.
Harry nodded slowly, trying to get what Terence was trying to tell him.
"Then he will. There is obviously a reason why he can't say anything now. No doubt, he's doing it for your protection. If he knew you were thinking that, he'd curse you for those thoughts," Terence's words were firm.
Harry made a small laugh at that, knowing it was true. Though he also knew that Marcus would feel extremely guilty that he couldn't tell him. But it still was confusing on why Marcus would be gone for hours on end. It just made no sense to him. And he knew it would be a lost battle to try to get it out of Marcus.
"He said something about it was a task set by the Goblins," Harry said quietly.
Terence nodded, "Goblins are notorious for their confidentiality. Which is a trait that Marcus has to hold as a Curse Breaker. He takes his responsibilities very seriously, as you have seen."
Harry nodded, "I'm just overthinking…"
Terence snorted, "that you are, but you are a Gryffindor after all. I honestly have no idea what Marcus is doing either. But I also trust in his judgement and I know that he would never do anything to hurt you or any of your friends. In fact, he's probably doing the opposite and whatever he is doing could be something to ensure your safety. I do not know for certain, but I'm positive that I am right. But… I do think you need to focus on the task coming up, because that is the most pressing concern. And I know your friends will agree with me on that."
Neville, Dean, and Seamus nodded their head in confirmation. After all, they had seen personally that Marcus would do anything for Harry. Even though they were all curious on whatever task Marcus had been set to. But they knew better to question it.
"Yeah, okay…" Harry sighed. "Thinking maybe the tournament is just getting to me."
Terence gave a sympathetic smile, "Harry, that's bound to happen."
Harry gave a grateful smile.
"How goes your classes?" Terence asked, attempting to change the topic.
That seemed to cause Harry into a fit of giggles.
Seamus just glared at his friend. Which only seemed to make Harry laugh even harder.
"Am I missing something?" Terence asked.
Neville's lips twitched at the memory of earlier that day.
"Seamus thought it be a great idea to burn off his eyebrows… again," Harry explained, though it took a few moments to get his words out. Since he kept chuckling before he could get all his words out.
Terence snorted, though he could clear see that Seamus' eyebrows were indeed scorched.
"Not funny," Seamus grumbled.
"Oh, it totally is, just like first year, eh mate," Dean commented with a grin.
"Shut it," Seamus grumbled.
Neville, Dean, and Harry just seemed to laugh even harder at that. Even Terence was starting to chuckle.
It was beginning to become an interesting day. He wouldn't be surprised if Seamus didn't hear the end of this for a good week or two. Especially if Dean and Neville had anything to do with it. After all, three of his best mates shared a dorm in Gryffindor Tower.