WOW! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE RESPONSE THIS STORY HAS GOTTEN! THANKS SO MUCH. HOPE YOU LIKE THE NEXT UPDATE. LET ME KNOW. BTW, IF I WAS JK ROWLING, I'D LIVE N A MANSION, NOT A GEORGIAN HOUSE.

CHAPTER 3

Bellatrix watched the newest addition to the Slytherin seventh years with a wishful eye. He was everything she sought. He was neutral, as both his houses were grey families, and she heard him discussing muggleborns the first night. She hated the self-styled Lord Voldemort only for his crimes against the purebloods, as she loved blood above all else, but Lord Conte-Chandler had made some excellent points, and if muggleborns honored tradition, she would tolerate them over the murderer of purebloods. The Lord Conte-Chandler was handsome, but it was his kindness that shone through when he spoke to Severus Snape, his sister, and the frightened third year who had informed him her last name was Chandler, and she would like to recognize him as her head of house, that drew her to him like a moth to a flame.

"Bella." Rodolphus Lestrange sat next to her. "My father sent the contract off last night. Likely it will be signed in a month, the standard waiting period." She shivered and pushed her plate away, not responding. She hated the Lestranges, and their fanatical devotion to Lord Voldemort. She was sure if she wed him, she would be bound to Rodolphus's will. It was what almost every Lestrange bride experienced. She would not willingly bow to Voldemort, so her mind would almost definitely be shattered.

"Good day, Scion Lestrange." She said firmly. She spotted Regulus entering, and leaned in to pass on the news, begging him to have her uncle drag it out, and possibly find another suitor. He squeezed her arm in support before taking a seat next to Severus Snape. A week ago, Snape had signed a contract with the Chandler house, and both his sleeves were decorated with the crest, signifying his service. She had not yet met the Lord Conte. Lucius had been busy with affairs, finalizing his own happy betrothal with Narcissa. Perhaps, in the next few weeks things would calm down.

She went to her classes reluctantly, still mulling over the handsome Lord. He had shown preference for no girl, rather seeking a groom for his adopted sister, as the rumor went. She wished he would show a preference, so she could either get her hopes up, or accept it without the daydreaming. It was not knowing that was the worst.

Lily stared gobsmacked at the Lord in front of her. He was down on one knee, pleading with her to understand. "I thought you were dead. No one else survived. Your body had vanished, but that was not unusual. I had Hermione grab hairs from your brush, and I used them in a heritage potion to know for certain. Cousin." He said softly. "You are from a cadet branch of the Contes. Your son will likely not inherit the Lordship, but you are a pureblood, and you get certain benefits from being included in the house. For one, you get preference in this world, and for another, you get protection from my name. Contes don't use marriage contracts very often, either, so while I can arrange a betrothal with a wizard of your choice, I can make sure you are never forced into a marriage because you feel pressured. As a Conte, you have prestige in the world. Your words carry weight. People will listen to you, Lillian."

"Lillian?" She finally asked, the only thing she was making sense of right now.

"Your true name. You were almost three at the time of the attack. You probably managed to tell your adoptive parents the first part of your name, but not the second, and they kept it. Lillian Morgana Conte."

She fainted. Luckily his wand was ready, and he caught her before she hit the ground. When she awoke, he showed her the family tree, modified to show himself as a cousin and not her son. With this true story, modified only to add his inclusion into that past, he could change his mother's life a bit. He could make her a respected member of their community without dying. "Okay... What do I do?" He taught her the vow, and she said it. "I, Lillian Morgana Conte, daughter of Elizabeth, acknowledge Hadrian James Conte as my Head of House, and willingly accept the family heritage, it's magics, and it's rules. I will bring honor to my house, and keep the balance of magic, as Contes have always done, so mote it be."

A flash of magic spread to her robes, and the Conte crest appeared on her chest in silver. A small ring appeared on her right hand. "You are my next of kin, so the ring is the House ring, though you will not be able to inherit, but merely be regent until the next male is of age, like your son, should you have one, if I have no heir."

"I understand. Can I have some books on etiquette?" She requested quietly.

"Speak to Hermione. She has some, and she can teach you a lot more." Harry informed her. "I have Potions to go to, but think about a prospective husband, too, Lily. You may not realize it, but you are very attractive to purebloods, and now that it's known you're are a Conte, I will receive many betrothal requests. If you at least have a prospective suitor, I will be able to put them on hold easier."

Lily nodded, understanding. "James Potter... What do you think of him?" She asked suddenly.

"He's a good man. You may not realize it, but the pranks his friends and he pull make it very easy to laugh at those many would otherwise fear. Would you fear a Death Eater who you have seen in a rather humiliating situation? No, you would be confident you would be able to defeat them, and that confidence may mean the difference between living and dying. He has already approached me on the subject of Hermione, offering to chaperone her for me as we are in different houses. It provided an alliance between House Potter and I, and I think he would be good for you." Harry said seriously, before heading to class, leaving Lily dumfounded in the middle of the hall.

"Lord Conte!" James called out to get the man's attention. Although originally doubtful, the man had proved himself worthy of the Conte name with his obvious neutrality, and firm moral standards.

"Lord Potter." Harry acknowledged. It pained him to know his grandparents had died not a day after his return to the past.

"I wished to speak to you about Miss Conte, Lillian, not Hermione." He said nervously.

"You would like to be her chaperone, no?" Harry guessed.

"I would, my Lord, but it would not be appropriate, as I wish to pursue her. What I would like to ask is if you would consider a betrothal contract, should I get Lillian to agree. I have been rather taken with her for a long time, and..." Here James lowered his voice. "...my magic has acted wonky around her for years. The Potter family grimoire spoke of Potters finding their soul mate this way, by trying to unconsciously bond, and well..." He trailed off helplessly as Harry nodded.

"I understand completely, and she is attracted to you. You have my permission to pursue her. Perhaps I will approach House Black about their heir chaperoning my sister. You are friends with the Scion Black, Sirius, correct?

James nodded. "That's a brilliant idea, Lord Conte. I thank you."

"My sisters will need the right husbands to be fully happy. I believe you will give Lily the support she needs for her to not be a trophy wife." Harry told him sternly.

"I could no more make her a trophy than extinguish the fire in her soul. Lord Conte, I am in love with her. I have been for years. I could never hurt her." James told him earnestly.

"I know." Harry turned on his heel. "And by the way, call me Hadrian."