Here's the update for the "Harry Potter: the Serpent Lord". Enjoy!

* Review response:
geetac, Nanashi113, Gruffard, ALPHAQ69, raw666, The Swordslinger, Kairan1979, serialkeller, Lord Xantos A. Fowl, FaleronDrace, skywiseskychan, alex, Wyrtha, Penny is wise, Shadowdude333, senpen banka, JPElles, Ten no kaitou, Mari Wollsch, Some guy, CMVreud, pandora vanity, Guest, angelitocabezas, thank you for your reviews, folks!
The Sinful, thanks for spotting those - fixed. Right after you posted the review actually. Just been too lazy to reply back then.
joseph33759, CourtingTheMoon, *grins a conspiratorial grin* you shall see that soon (not this chapter though).
Dragon and Sword Master, alas, the Third task will be a lot like a canon one. =( Can't think of anything really original, though I hope to make it not a carbon copy of what, I'm sure, you've read a hundred times already.
Dakoda, J.K.R. never said what had happened to Slytherin monies; all that we know is that the line degenerated into near-squibs and incestuous Gaunts. And I don't feel like creating a huge story of how that had happened right now, excuse me for this. I'll try to give at least some brief explanations of how I see it happening within the rest of the story.
draconic skysong, yes, there will be. Actually, either in the next chapter, or in the one after it.

* Disclaimer: I DO NOT own "Harry Potter" and its characters in any shape or form. Same with "Freezing" anime/manga series or anything else I might mix in.

"human speech"
"wraith speech"
'human thoughts'
"powered speech / true prophecies by the seer"
"spells / parseltongue"
messages

chapter 66: Preparations for the new life

It was the beginning of the first week of March when Harry received a report from Violet stating that some progress with the Ministry for Magic has finally been made. It looked like the Ministry was ready to pay each of the four champions one and half thousand galleons as a compensation for not informing them about certain details of the magical contract with the Goblet of Fire. Harry was to receive another five hundreds galleons for his forced participation.

Of course, this will be happening behind the scenes as the stuck-up bastards in London didn't like admitting their mistakes, especially publicly. Truth to be said, Ms. L Bridget admitted that they managed to get even this much out of the Ministry only because her colleagues – Victor Krum's and Beauxbaton academy's barristers – had repeatedly threatened the British Ministry for Magic with turning this fiasco into a very big and very public international scandal...

Violet also said that while neither she nor her colleagues were satisfied with this, they all could see that pushing for bigger compensations or even trying to make the Ministry publicly admit their overlook would meet such a great resistance that doing that pushing for more will not lead to either champion gaining anything.

And as much as Harry disliked it, he could see that the L Bridget heiress was right and he should quit while he still had something gained from this. When he held a meeting with other champions to discuss this, they all reluctantly agreed that seeking proper justice from the British Ministry for Magic will only see them losing whatever little they managed to gain from it.

~/ *** \~

Later that very same week, Draconica received a letter from home... Apparently, dear old Lucius was either in a very bad mood or had hit his stash of fire whiskey when he had received yet another report about his daughter's continued association with – to quote him – dirty half-bred scumbag Potter. And he appeared to be afraid that because of this her fiance would reject her, bringing more shame and financial issues to house Malfoy.

The bottom line of this all was that a special training in behaving like a proper lady was awaiting Draconica once she was back home for the summer holidays. The blond beauty wasn't sure exactly what that 'training' was, but it didn't sound like something she would enjoy.

Normally she dealt with her father all on her own, but right now she couldn't think of anything that would save her from those horrors. Thus, the pretty vixen sought Harry out, in hopes that he might be able to come up with something to resolve this situation...

"Doesn't sound like your father planned a fun summer for you, 'Nica." The young Potter summed up after he finished reading that letter. Then, he fell silent for several seconds, before continuing: "Unfortunately, there is little we can do. Lucius, as the lord of a Noble house, has a lot of power. He could force you into this even if you were a legal adult." The Malfoy heiress nodded slowly, almost mournfully: she had of course known this already, but being reminded of how little freedom she had... This was actually rather painful... Meanwhile, Harry continued: "But lord Malfoy will lose his power over you, should you get yourself ...um ...another Lord." A look of understanding appeared on Draconica's face.

"Yes, but... Haven't we decided that we will wed on the Summer Solstice after our OWLs?" She asked. That indeed had been their plan, even though keeping Lucius pacified this long was not an easy task by any means... Not that it mattered anymore, apparently.

"We did." Harry confirmed. "But... Yes, I know that the bonding is until death do us part, but... I'd rather have you with me, safe and sound, even if we're not ready for that, than..." He didn't finish, mostly because he himself had no idea what unpleasant things Lucius had planned as his daughter's 'reeducation' in the ways of life.

"Well..." 'Nica breathed out as she moved to sit even closer to Harry. "It actually doesn't sound bad at all, even if I'd rather we marry when we're ready." Yes, they both were still fourteen; no matter how ...deep their relationship was, they simply weren't ready to become a family. And they both knew this... Circumstances, though, apparently decided that their union should happen sooner rather than later. After a brief pause, she asked: "So... When will we wed now?" Harry sighed. Honestly, that wasn't something that could be decided on spot.

"U-um... Well..." The green-eyed wizard began awkwardly. "We probably can be done with the official part in an hour or two, but the bond needs to be consummated. It can probably be done even here, at Hogwarts, but I think that Slytherin's cottage would be a more appropriate place, no? We can always christen some classrooms later on." He joked in an attempt top lighten the mood a bit. It seemed to work as the blond beauty let out a chuckle while playfully punching his shoulder. The young lord Potter-Slytherin continued then: "But even if it is like that, some arrangements need to be done before that." He made another pause while estimating the best timing for his and 'Nica's bonding. "I'd say that the last weekend of March is about the earliest time we can go ahead with this plan. Easter holidays would better, though."

"Alright." Was the blond vixen's reply. Then she asked: "Anything I can do to help you with organizing it?" Harry was silent for a couple of seconds, before giving his answer:

"If you could have your family's barrister attend the ...official part of the wedding at Gringotts – to confirm that both of us are doing this on our own free will – without your father getting wind of, it would fantastic." Draconica shook her head while her fiance nodded in understanding: the barrister of the house Malfoy was not likely to keep Lucius out of the loop about this. "...Well, your account manager would suffice too, though Ministry would rather the attestor is human."

"That could work..." The pretty blonde said. "And why not have both? I'm quite sure that Daphne could fill the role of a human witness well if worst comes to worst." The young lord Potter-Slytherin let out a chuckle.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, but, yes, she would." A pause. "Though, since the official part of the bonding ceremony will be taking place at Gringotts, Daphne will need to get there and then return to the castle. Without the staff knowing it. I can leave Hogwarts pretty much anytime I want as I'm a legal adult. And it will be the same for you too... Daphne, on the other hand, doesn't have this privilege."

"I see..." 'Nica said as she nodded.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Vi-... Ms. L Bridget wouldn't mind dropping Daphne at the Hogwarts gates after the official part of our ceremony is over." Harry assured her.

~/ *** \~

The Saturday came and Harry decided it was high time to start making arrangements for his and Draconica's bonding. After the breakfast, he sneaked out of he castle and, once he was outside the Hogwarts extensive wards, he apparated to Diagon Alley. There, the Gringotts bank was his first stop. Since he had scheduled a meeting with his account manager earlier via owl post, the young wizard simply had to ask one of the tellers to get someone to guide him to the Goldsaw's office.

"Good morning, master Goldsaw." The green-eyed teen greeted, once he was seated across the table from his account manager. The said goblin returned the greeting, before asking:

"What business do you have with Gringotts today, lord Potter-Slytherin?" Harry was silent for a couple of seconds, thinking of the best way to answer the question.

"I'm getting married on April the second, master Goldsaw." He said finally. "And for that purpose I'd like to rent a small ceremonial chamber here at Gringotts. Preferably, in the early afternoon, but if that is not possible, morning should work fine as well... I'd also like you to be present there during the official part of the ceremony." The goblin nodded.

"My congratulations on finding your mate, lord Potter-Slytherin." Goldsaw said. "I'm sure that Gringotts will be happy to provide you with the ceremonial chamber you're requesting." Indeed, the

goblins were well-known for their love of money, and they will be getting quite some gold from this; not only from lending the facilities for the ceremony, but also from the Slytherin vault's ensured activity as well. "However, I'd like to ask, why do you want me to be present?"

"Thank you." The green-eyed wizard replied. "And I'd like you to be there as one of my attestors – should there be any problems later on, I'd want you, master Goldsaw, to testify that the bonding was done properly, in accordance with the wizarding law and both my fiancee and I went through it out of our own free will." The Potter and Slytherin accounts manager nodded.

"Very cautious of you, I like it." The goblin said. Harry nodded him a 'thank you', before continuing with his request:

"I did hear that Gringotts has miniature versions of Thief's downfall, right? The ones that are used to check the guests of some extra-important meetings that take place within these wall." Goldsaw nodded as the goblins indeed had those. "I'd like to rent one for my bonding ceremony."

"I can't actually promise that I will be able to arrange for one for you, lord Potter-Slytherin." The goblin said. "And even if I will be able to, it won't be exactly cheap. But I can understand why you want one. I shall do what I can in order to help you... and your future mate."

"Thank you." Harry said with a small bow. "As the final part of my business with Gringotts today, I'd like to order a one-way portkey to Gringotts to bring my fiancee, her human attestor and myself there for the bonding ceremony." He made a small pause, before adding: "Owl me this portkey when everything else has been arranged, master Goldsaw."

"I shall do as you ask, lord Potter-Slytherin." Was the goblin's reply. Since this concluded his business with his account managed for today, Harry thanked him once more and, after wishing him a profitable day, left Goldsaw's office. He still had to visit the Slytherin vault to retrieve the lady Slytherin's ring...

Stopping down there for a quick chat with the Salazar's portrait, the green-eyed wizard got the ring in question. It was one of the very few valuables in the vault that were there before he became the lord Slytherin; and only the fact that it was bound by the family and, thus, unsellable had ensured that it wasn't sold to gain some cash when the house Slytherin was reduced to beggary in the early sixteenth century.

Exiting the Gringotts bank, the ring safely in the inner pocket of his jacket, Harry headed down the Diagon alley, towards the building owned by the 'Carter, Bridget & Ashford' law firm. He had scheduled a meeting with Violet via an owl post earlier, and it was almost time for it now.

While the arrangements for his bonding would be the main topic today, the young Potter wanted to learn about the progress that the witch had made in building the case against Dumbledore as well... Hopefully there was some and soon they will be able to bring the old manipulative wizard to justice...

~/ *** \~

Harry stopped several steps away from the professor McGonagall's door. He had gone over this talk in his head maybe a hundred times, but now that he was about to actually speak to the deputy headmistress about this, he couldn't help but feel nervous. While the Hogwarts charter most definitely was on his side there, the green-eyed teen was still secretly fearing what might happen to his and Draconica's plans, should professor McGonagall say 'no'.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, the young Potter knocked on the door – after all, if he continued just standing here, unsure of himself, nothing will happen. There was an unmistakable sound of large and haphazard piles of parchment being moved around, before the head of the Gryffindor told him to come in. Harry didn't waste any time and quickly slipped inside professor McGonagall office. And, indeed, he could immediately see an entire mountain of parchments on her desk: apparently, she was busy grading the transfiguration essays of upper years when he decided to pay her a visit.

"Good afternoon, professor." He greeted the deputy headmistress, who was eying him with a critical eye, no doubt trying to understand the reason for his visit.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Potter." She returned his greeting "What can I do for you? I don't think you are in any need of help with you academics." Indeed, Gryffindor students usually came here when they were falling behind in academics. It was no surprise that professor McGonagall thought about it first... Harry shook his head.

"No, professor, I'm not here for that reason. However, I'm still in need of your help as the deputy headmistress." The young Potter said. "I would like to put forward a request for a married quarters to be prepared for my fiancee and I. We'd like to move in right after the Easter break." As per the school charter, any married couple within the castle walls was eligible for a small apartment in the southern wing. Even if the last time a pair of students made use of married quarters was all the way back in the eighteenth century...

"Oh... I see..." The deputy headmistress of Hogwarts finally said after a rather long pause. It was clear that this request was absolutely nothing she had been expecting, and it really did caught her unprepared. After another pause, albeit a shorter one, the transfiguration professor continued: "This is the most unusual request, Mr. Potter. Those married quarters you are speaking about weren't used in decades if not centuries; I'm actually quite unsure about the condition they are in. I will, of course see what the elves can do to fix an apartment properly..." Professor McGonagall paused again, her mind finally catching up with what Harry had said about the reason he needed those quarters in the first place. "Mr. Potter, you are getting married?"

"Yes, we do..." The dark-haired teen replied. Then, seeing a tirade that the Scot witch was about to unleash, he hurriedly placated the deputy headmistress: "And no, that is not the reason; we're not expecting already, and we do not plan to have a child until we're both ready for it." Making a short pause, Harry added: "We'd both rather marry a bit later, but... there are other circumstances forcing our bonding this soon." Professor McGonagall visibly calmed down.

"Very well, I shall take your word for it, Mr. Potter. You've been a ...rather responsible young man so far, and I hope you will not disappoint me." Apparently, Harry thought, they will indeed be granted a married quarters. "By the way, Mr. Potter, you never said, who is going to be your Lady Potter." Hogwarts' deputy asked in a tone that seemed to be far too friendly for her usual stern self.

"And don't you know the answer already, professor?" The green-eyed wizard asked back. He was quite sure that despite him and 'Nica trying to be subtle, pretty much everyone in the castle at least suspected that they were in some sort of a relationship. And the young Lord Potter could easily see that the deputy headmistress had no troubles in understanding whom he was talking about. "Though I must admit that my fiancee will not be the Lady Potter: I have another lordship, and the name suits her much better." After a second-long pause Harry added: "I hope that one day we will have a proper wedding... You shall be a welcomed guest there, professor."

"Oh... Thank you, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall replied. "And my best wishes." Not waiting for the green-eyed teen to respond, she continued: "And like I said, I'll do my best to arrange a married quarters for you and your fiancee, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you, professor." Harry replied with a small polite bow. "You're most helpful." The room turned silent for several seconds, before he spoke again. "I see that you are busy, professor; I shall not take any more of your time. Have a ...productive afternoon, professor." With another polite bow, he stoop up and walked out of the deputy headmistress's office.

As he was walking back towards the Gryffindor tower, the young Potter couldn't help but think that he was really lucky that professor McGonagall was so cooperative today. She had helped Draconica and him a lot by providing them with an apartment in the married quarters... Well, not providing yet, Harry correct himself, but he had no doubts that she'd have one ready for them once they return to Hogwarts after the Easter break.

That's all, folks!
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