Hello again dear readers! Thanks to those who reviewed w/almost all positive feedback & I'd just like to address a few things...
1. I got a request not to kill any semi-important characters, such as Sirius, Dobby, Weasleys, etc., but I can't really not do that...I'm sorry, because losing those close to him, will cause Harry to mature and I think it's too cliché if the Light suffers no hurtful losses, it just makes the War uninteresting and predictable; I won't kill everyone, but some will have to die to as the story progresses
2. I do not intend on making Harry a pu**y in this story, he's gonna butt heads with people and cause a lot of conflict with his soon to be wifey; but he'll still be Harry in the sense that he'll listen to Dumbledore or Hermione, but not unconditionally and without question
3. I am not that into Dumbledore or Weasley bashing, those stories are just depressing and predictable, sorry, but if you don't like it don't read it:)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Harry slowly grasped the man's hand and shook it. As he met his eyes warily he said "Oh-uhm-hello, I'm..."
"I know who you are. There's not a witch or wizard who doesn't know of Harry Potter," Mr. Greengrass stated, the edginess clearly heard in his voice.
That shut Harry up for a couple of seconds. As the man beckoned Harry to follow him to his office, he thought to himself, 'Where have I heard that name before...Greengrass. Did one of this man's children go to Hogwarts?'
"Oh, I didn't think about that..." said an embarrassed Harry.
"It's quite alright Mr. Potter, I'm sure you've had a lot on your plate these days. What with the Prophet and all that rubbish," Mr. Greengrass continued in a more polite tone.
Harry grimaced at the reminder of the smear campaign. He was surprised that a Ministry employee was even talking to him in such a polite tone.
"I believe you by the way...about the Dark Lord's return. It's obvious Dumbledore's not some senile old man looking to oust Fudge. For God's sake, he's denied the job multiple times, so why would he want it now? Anyway, there's quite a few here at the Ministry that do, but the majority have chosen to remain ignorant of that fact," he said with bitterness in his voice. Stupidity was something that he loathed with every fiber of his being.
"Uhm, thanks I guess. From what I'm told though, everyone here thinks me and the Headmaster have gone completely bonkers."
As they approached a dark mahogany door, Cassius turned to Harry and said "This is it." He opened the door with a simple wave of his wand. There was a series of clicks until the door apparently opened itself. He was then ushered inside.
As Harry got his first look around the room, he couldn't help but be reminded a little bit of the Slytherin Common Room, which he last saw in his Second Year. Their was a small fire bringing warmth to decently lit room. The furniture was made of black leather over a Slytherin green rug in the center of the office. The desk was the same color as the door, a dark mahogany. As he continued to look around he noticed the portrait above the fire place, with it's occupant apparently sleeping soundly. The man was in a black wizarding robe, with a bowler hat. This reminded Harry of Fudge and caused his mood to sour. 'Old codger,' he thought.
"Please sit."
Harry lowered himself into a rather comfortable chair, sitting across from Mr. Greengrass, who sat behind his desk.
"Can I offer you anything? Tea perhaps?" Cassius inquired.
Harry made a face that clearly sent a message of distrust. Upon noticing it, Cassius let out a light hearted chuckle. "Come now Mr. Potter, not everyone is a Death Eater set out to kill you," he joked.
Harry let out nervous laugh. 'This is uncomfortable,' he thought.
"Uhm...I guess tea would be fine," Harry said.
"Very well then. Mimzy!" Mr. Greengrass called. That was when a house elf wearing a potato bag for clothes popped right next to Harry who jumped to the other side of his chair in suprise. "Yes Master," the little elf squeaked. "Please get Mr. Potter and myself some tea would you?" The elf ran over to the cabinets in back of the office and brought out a tray with tea cups. It was little more than ten seconds later that the elf reappeared with a tray of tea. 'That was quick,' Harry thought.
"For you," said the elf, while she handed him the cup.
"Thank you" Harry said.
"Thank you Mimzy, you are dismissed."
'Could be poisoned,' Harry thought. Ever since meeting the real Mad-Eye Moody he felt that he was becoming rather paranoid.
Seeing that Harry was eyeing his tea with suspicion, Cassius opted to take a sip. Harry, not seeing anything happen to him, finally felt at ease and began drinking the tea.
"Now Mr. Potter, I think that it is time that we get to the matter at hand..."
"Which is?" Harry inquired.
"Tell me...Harry...if I may call you Harry...what do you know of magically binding contracts?" began Mr. Greengrass.
Harry, who was taken aback for a moment. 'That's an odd question.' He began to remember his past year at school. "Well, there was the one with the Goblet of Fire and the Triwizard Tournament. I know you can't get out of it because you could die..."
"Exactly Mr. Potter, exactly. To attempt to defy a magical contract is suicide," Mr. Greengrass paused for a moment, "Now, do tell me, have you ever heard of a marriage contract?"
Harry was feeling very uncomfortable now. "Uh no...sir...I'm not sure I know where you're going with this. You seem like a handsome fellow, but I'm not into that..."
Mr. Greengrass gave him an odd look, before giving a light chuckle. "Severus said you were just like your like your father. Quite the joker he was. But jokes aside, a marriage contract, in our world, is used among prominent pureblood families to marry off their children into other pureblooded families. They're becoming more rare, what with Dumbledore and his liberal ways, but still happen."
"Where are you going with this?" Harry inquired.
Mr. Greengrass paused for a few seconds, before he suddenly got up from his chair and moved towards a safe that was to the right of his desk. He tapped the different numbers on the dial seven times, which reminded Harry of when Hagrid brought him to Diagon Alley his first time. Mr. Greengrass was careful to block the contents of the magical safe with his body, making it impossible for Harry to look around him. He didn't know the boy yet, so trust would have to be earned on both accounts. Harry saw him pull out a single piece of paper, before quickly shutting the safe. After apparently reading it over he sat back down.
"You need to see this," he said quietly before handing it to Harry who took it cautiously.
"What is it?" asked a curious Harry.
"Just read it and we'll continue once you're done," said Cassius pointing at the document on his desk.
Harry's gaze fell to the top of the document. His eyes quickly widened in surprise once they saw the title of the document. There in fine, black letters was the answer to why Mr. Greengrass had chosen to speak to him.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT CONSTITUTING THE UNION OF THE HOUSES OF GREENGASS & POTTER
Harry narrowed is eyes and looked up at Cassius with a questioning look. He met his gaze as Cassius stated "Continue...there's more." Harry looked back down at the document, continuing to read.
The couple to be wed is to be consisted of the next female of the House of Greengrass and next male of the House of Potter who are of the same age. The purpose of this document for marriage is for political, monetary, and personal reasons concerning the two families. The bridal dowry is 2500 Galleons, which is to be exchanged upon signing. Also, the Potter and Greengrass families shall assist one another in political and economic exploits.
Upon the signing of this contract, the marital union between the House of Greengrass and House of Potter will hereby be magically sealed and not subject to any attempts to render it null and void. If the descendants to be married fail to be wed within one month after the younger of the two descendants fifteenth birthday or fail conceive an heir within 3 years of the marriage, in accordance to Pureblood and Wizarding custom, both shall be immediately stripped of their magic, henceforth and forever.
Signer on behalf of the House of Greengrass: X Theseus S. Greengrass
Signer on behalf of the House of Potter: X Darius A. Potter
Signatures of the witnesses: X Charlus H. Potter
X Cyrus A. Greengrass
Harry held the contract in his shaking hands, shock written on his face. He must have reread it around three times before setting it down on the desk. There was a long silence, with Cassius sitting patiently in his leather chair, occasionally sipping tea. Harry couldn't believe this was mind was racing a million miles a minute.
'Marriage,' he thought, 'but I'm only fifteen and still in school. The damn thing even said I have to make a kid by the time I turn eighteen...I always wanted a family, but I wanted to settle down first.'
"What the hell is this? Some sort of sick joke!?" Harry yelled angrily. 'Is it too much to ask that once in my miserable life that I could at least decide for myself who I would be spending the rest of my life with. But noooo...that just wouldn't fit into fate's plans to constantly screw me over.'
"I can assure you Mr. Potter, I do not joke about things as serious as this," Mr. Greengrass stated solemnly.
"I'm only fifteen dammit! Can't you just cancel the stupid thing?"
"No, the contract clearly states that upon signing it is not subject to any attempts to nullify it."
"That's not fair!" Harry practically screamed.
"I'm sorry to tell you this Mr. Potter, but life isn't ever fair, in fact it's a big pain in the arse. I thought a person whose been in your situation would understand that," said Mr. Greengrass in a cool, calm voice.
Harry quieted down at that. He glared at Cassius and thought 'Stupid bastard. The nerve of him. So I have to get married before I go back to school? That's just freakin' great!,' he thought.
There was a brief silence while Harry mulled over what it all meant.
"And here I thought I was going to have a good day...So what does this all mean?"
"It means you are engaged to my daughter Mr. Potter," Cassius stated matter-of-factly.
"Obviously."
"Your sarcasm is duly noted Mr. Potter."
"No, I meant how do you plan to keep your own daughter safe? If you believe me about Voldemort then you must know what kind of danger that brings her into. I'm not exactly the safest person to be around right now."
"We've contacted Headmaster Dumbledore and he said every precaution would be taken considering yours and my daughter's safety. For example, we won't tell anyone who can't be trusted."
"I just saw him! Why didn't he tell me about it?," said an outraged Harry. 'Another thing Dumbledore keeps from me,' he thought to himself angrily.
"What if I refuse...say no...then what?" said a rebellious Harry.
"Again that is in the contract. Are you sure you even read it? Anyway my daughter asked the same question, and as I told her, your magical core will be ripped out of you. That means you'll have very little chance of survival because a our magical core is entangled directly with our life force. I personally don't recommend even considering that as an option, due to the long, painful dying process."
Harry's eyes widened in shock. 'Fuck,' he thought. "So there's no way out of this? Surely there must be!?" said Harry in barely more than a harsh whisper.
"Afraid not Mr. Potter," was Cassius's reply.
Harry just looked at the ground. 'I'm only fifteen and I have to enter an unwanted marriage with someone I don't even know...'
"What's her name? Your daughter's?"
"Daphne and she's in your year at Hogwarts. She's a lovely girl, a bit rough around the edges but a good person. Also, after some heavy resistance, I've managed to convince her to agree to meet you, that is if you agree of course. If you accept the offer, then floo over to Greengrass Manor in two days time a noon."
'Could be a trap,' yelled a voice in the back of Harry's mind that sounded oddly like Mad-Eye Moody. "Ok I guess, but there's someone I need to bring with me...a family friend slash bodyguard if you will," Harry told him. 'Wonder what Sirius will think about this mess...he'll probably just laugh.'
"That'd be fine. We'd love to meet him," Greengrass replied.
"So this is really happening? I'm getting married in a month?" Harry asked in a defeated voice. 'Please say no,' he thought. He was begging in his mind that Mr. Greengrass would just say 'syke,' and tell him it was all a miraculous prank. He didn't though and was disappointed.
"Yes, we're not entirely happy about it either, I mean, with the Dark Lord's return, this practically put a target on my families back, but we're trying to make the best of it. I recommend you do the same. Oh and please take this," he said as he picked up the contract and put it in Harry's hands. "It's a copy I had made for you, there's another one in your Family Vault, but seeing as you aren't of age, you won't be able to access it."
"Is-is that all Mr. Greengrass?" Harry asked standing up. He folded the contract up and put it in his back pocket. 'I'm gonna have Hermione look at it.'
"Yes, that just about sums it up. Do you need someone to escort you out Harry?" Cassius offered.
"No, I'll manage, thank you for the tea," he replied quietly.
As Harry left Cassius's office, he caught up with Mr. Weasley who was looking at him with concern.
"Are you alright Harry? Did he do anything?"
"No, no Mr. Weasley, he just wanted a little chat." Upon seeing Arthur's suspicious look, he reassured him by saying "Don't worry, we'll talk about with everyone once we get back. Believe me...we'll have a lot to talk about..."
Arthur didn't look completely satisfied, but seemed to accept his answer. With that they began walked back to the lifts, with the thoughts in Harry's mind in a frenzy.
Fate truly did hate the one known as Harry Potter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; And thank you to hornet07 for pointing out my mathematical error:)please review