An Existing Loophole – Chapter 4 (Stipulations)
Over the next week, Harry had taken the habit of never going back into the Great Hall if possible. If he wanted something to eat or it was time for lunch or dinner, he would go to the kitchens. He would either eat it there or find another place to eat at.
It was very handy since none of the students of Hogwarts really knew about the kitchens of Hogwarts. At least the House Elves didn't mind his presence when he requested food. They were happy to make it for him.
So, the secret of him hiding in the kitchens was safe. Well… almost safe. There were two students that were familiar with the location of the kitchens. Those two students happened to be Fred and George Weasley.
Knowing this, Harry made sure to bring his Invisibility Cloak with him in case he ran into one of them. He didn't know if it was something that Ron may have said to his brothers or what. They had seemed okay while he was the Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Now… they just seemed colder. Some of their pranks had even been aimed at him.
It made him wonder if them giving him the Marauders Map had been a play or not. It would probably be impossible to find out since Harry had no intention of approaching them.
There was a fleeting thought if they were mad at him because they wound up getting grey and white hair from trying to enter their name. They weren't able to be champion and so they might think of him differently since he was one of the Hogwarts' Champions.
He really didn't feel like he was part of the Gryffindor House. Though Harry was sure that this behavior was probably worrying to Theo and Blaise. He had quickly lost the pair of them after Creatures that day.
Brushing aside their comments and remarks.
The Gryffindor knew that he could sit at the Slytherin table but that would make him even more of an outcast than he was already. He really doubted that the entire Slytherin house would be okay with a Gryffindor eating with them, especially if that Gryffindor was Harry Potter.
So, he did what he did best, ignore the issue and hide when he could.
The rest of Monday had been more of a breeze than it had that morning but that was only because he didn't have anymore classes. He would have had Divination if he hadn't dropped the class last year.
The rest of the week, he couldn't say the same for. But he didn't forget about the two names that Theo and Blaise had said.
Higgs and Montague.
He had even tried to approach them several times over the next two weeks. He still had a limited time from when the first task of the tournament was supposed to be. Each time had been a failed attempt.
All because every time he took a few steps, he would chicken out and almost run in the other direction.
Harry's eyes squeezed shut, he wasn't sure he could do this. How was he supposed to go through with this if he couldn't even approach them and ask the bloody question!?
The other houses were out of the question. He was considered an outcast and pariah to them. He had gotten to the point of not wanting much to do with Gryffindor. Even in his first or second year, it had been bad. But this felt worse… It obviously left Slytherins but that made him felt a bit uneasy. But with Blaise and Theo's friendship, he lost most of the animosity for the house. At least he knew of Montague and Higgs. He really didn't know many of the other older Slytherins. But like Blaise had said, they may have Betrothal Contracts. He didn't want to make himself more a fool than he already felt.
And as every day passed, Harry tried to hide near the back of the classroom, ignoring everyone. Somedays had been more successful than others. Especially when you weren't required to partner up with another student. His Charms and Transfiguration classes kept to that, and he preferred that. History of Magic was a joke and there were times he felt himself nodding off.
Potions, Harry had been able to switch between partnering with Blaise or Theo. Before, he always hated where they were always paired with Slytherin House. Now, he was thankful for it. Though he wanted to capture the memory of Snape's eyes nearly popping out of his head that Tuesday evening.
But no matter Harry's luck, good or bad. It felt like something hated him.
Fridays, he always had double Potions with Slytherin in the evening. It was supposed to be his last class before dinner.
Even so, Harry took his seat on the Slytherin side like he had been doing for the past week. The seat happened to be right between Blaise and Theo with Malfoy in front.
It was still amusing to him when he could witness Snape's lips thinning into a scowl. No longer could his professor force him to partner with a Slytherin as punishment. It was welcome than being back around Gryffindors.
Today, Weasley had made a snide comment about no one wanting Harry as a partner loudly, despite the Slytherins obviously accepting Harry easily. Lavender and Pavarti rolled their eyes and immediately teamed up with Neville leaving Hermione with no options, but Ron since Dean and Seamus always worked together. Hermione scowled at her dormmates. She hated pairing with Ronald in Potions, he never did anything.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for causing a scene," Snape immediately snapped at the redhead.
"You know Weasel, this year you have reached new heights of stupidity." Malfoy snorted, "Merlin, you lot really think a fourth-year moron like Potter could get around your precious Dumbledore's magic? So, either Dumbledore isn't the all-powerful being you think he is or the ancient Goblet of Fire isn't as powerful as legend says, or fourth year Potter who didn't know about magic until he was eleven is more powerful than Merlin. So, which is it?"
Harry was delighted in how purple Ron went with rage.
"So, you have slimy snakes fighting your fights for you now?!" Weasley yelled, "Can't even stand up for yourself when you are the one that cheated!"
"Another 20 points Weasley and a detention." Snape yelled, "Now turn to page 50."
Harry didn't say a single word as he flipped to the correct page. He knew that before all of this, he would have been furious at Snape. But now, it filled him with glee as his former friend was cut down.
"Antidotes," Snape's voice was chilling.
"Any luck that Snape is saying that in hopes he is going to poison someone?" Harry muttered under his breath, just loud enough for the two people sitting next to him.
Theo had to stifle the snicker at the comment.
"Better poison Weasley," Draco muttered from in front of them. "How Percy is related to them, I have no idea."
"You like Percy?" Harry asked shocked, looking at Theo confused.
"Percy is great," Theo nodded, "Treated Slytherins really well as Prefect, never targeted us for stuff he would have let slide for Gryffindors. Detentions and point loss from him were never biased."
"We shall be working on a basic overall antidote potion today," Snape continued, "This potion will work on almost all accidental poisonings from plants or simple mistakes in potions that have gone wrong."
Harry nodded along as he read the ingredients and listened to Theo and Draco.
"If you follow the directions it has set, then you shouldn't have to worry as we will be testing if you fail or pass. You can begin," Snape ordered.
Harry's eyes glanced up as Snape surveyed his class. His eyes straying on the Gryffindors the most.
Harry figured that this would be a test to see if he was truly good at Potions or not.
"I will get the ingredients if you two get all measuring equipment and water boiling for the cauldron," Theo said briskly, quickly walking over to cupboard with Draco. He knew if he let Harry go, Weasel or Finnegan would have tried to trip him or say something to upset him and throw him off possibly messing up his potions.
Harry frowned before nodding, he wasn't sure on what to make of that. He had the spare thought that Theo obviously didn't trust him to get the right ingredients. But he tossed that thought away, this was Theo...
That was when the door to the Potions lab was opened.
"What do you want Mr. Diggory?" Snape asked as everyone turned to see the blonde champion sticking his head into the room. The girls immediately giggling at the sly grin the Quidditch player gave Snape.
"Hey, Professor Snape. Headmaster Dumbledore sent me to pick up Potter. He never showed up to a Champion's Meeting."
"I was never told about such meeting," Harry immediately denied when Snape looked at him.
"It is a photoshoot with Rita Skeeter for the Daily Prophet."
Harry scowled at the thought, he definitely was not going to do some photoshoot.
"Then leave without me, they obviously got their Hogwarts Champion," Harry crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat. "I don't see myself needed there. You coming here was a wasted trip."
"But Dumbledore sent me," Cedric floundered, looking unsure. He clearly didn't want Potter there taking away his limelight, but Dumbledore had trusted Cedric personally to escort Potter up there after stupid Skeeter asked where the boy was. Why the witch cared about the Gryffindor was baffling, no one else had cared Potter wasn't there until she mentioned it.
"Then you can tell Dumbledore that I said he can screw off and I don't give a shit what he says. I am not about to go somewhere that is a waste of my own time! And its obvious nobody else would volunteer to even come down here and I wonder why that is," Harry hissed.
He knew that the Gryffindors in the class would take offense to that, but he didn't care. Perhaps he would have cared somewhat if not for his behavior when his name came out of the Goblet of Fire. The only one that had come to his defense had been his Head of House, Minerva McGonagall. The final straw had been what Blaise and Theo hinted at. He knew they did it on purpose and as much as he hated it, he appreciated it. He knew that Slytherins hated Dumbledore but he never understood why until that moment.
"Language Mr. Potter," Snape warned dryly, while watching the scene with amusement. Weasley went apoplectic with rage, so now that Potter was hanging with snakes, Snape was only warning him!? A week ago, if Harry had said that he would've gotten screamed at. But now he deserved it, it wasn't happening?!
"It's not just a photoshoot," Cedric added, "It is the Weighing of the Wands and Professor Dumbledore says you have to be there as Hogwarts second Champion."
"Sorry professor," Harry commented, giving a side glance to Snape. He didn't really mean it. He meant every word of what he said, and he didn't even care if Gryffindor had lost points for it.
That was when Harry turned back towards Cedric.
"I see no second Champion here. That's if you go by what the rest of Hogwarts believes. Why should I? Seeing that I had no say in the matter. So, my point still stands, and I am not going. So, I don't have to be anywhere but here. So, you and Dumbledore can take the Wand Weighing and shove it up your arse."
Slytherin erupted into laughter, even Pansy was laughing at the horror on Cedric's and the Gryffindors' faces at the disrespect for the tournament and Headmaster.
Harry had a smirk on his face when Hogwarts' precious champion had no words for him, stunned into silence. Perhaps he was hanging out with Slytherins too much. He didn't really care either way. He was nobody's golden boy or tool. And he was not about to be summoned as such. Even better, he hadn't even been lectured again for his... so called language.
"I would suggest Mr. Diggory that you hurry alone before you miss out on your precious photoshoot," Snape drawled, "If Mr. Potter wishes to stay and learn, rather than parade like a peacock that is his choice."
"He looked at me when he said peacock," Malfoy whined to Gregory, the bigger boy just patting his head with a useless, "There, there," with a massive grin. It was a well-known fact Lucius bred albino peacocks and flaunted them.
Harry watched on as Cedric Diggory turned on his heel and the door slammed back. It seems even he knew better than to argue against Professor Snape. It was a well-known fact that most Hufflepuffs were terrified of the wizard.
"Seems even he has grasped some type of a brain," Harry muttered relieved. He really didn't want to deal with this today. He wouldn't be surprised if he would face repercussions for his words and actions.
Harry then glanced over at Theo and Blaise, "odd that a reporter would be one to notice my absence..."
"Not really," Blaise shrugged, "Rita is an amazing reporter, always has the scoop on everything and everyone. She was a Slytherin back her time here. But most of the wizarding world knows that four names came out of the Goblet, she wrote the original article on the night that the Goblet of Fire chose the champions."
"Last thing I need is a reporter to talk to me about me wanting even more fame," Harry grumbled.
"Nah, she believes you didn't put your name in," Theo shook his head, "You didn't read the article about the ceremony?"
Harry scoffed, "last thing I was about to do was read a paper about me. I pretty much knew what it would say. Never expected it to be wrong but apparently nobody believed it..."
"Everyone else are morons," Blaise scoffed, "we believe you, and that's all that matters,"
Harry sighed, "it wasn't something I had expected..." He glanced up to see Snape hovering on the Gryffindor side, not paying attention to them. "Probably would have still thought you all were a bunch of slimy snakes."
Blaise snickered, "we are slimy snakes."
Harry chuckled as he slowly started grounding the unicorn horn, leaning over to give more pressure. "I am grateful for you guys and your support," he admitted, "I don't want you to think I am not."
"Sentimental Gryffindors..." Theo shook his head with a grin.
"That is going to be all over Hogwarts in an hour or less," Blaise's eyes were lit with excitement.
"What is?" Harry blinked confused.
Blaise made a snort of disbelief, "did you forget already?! No doubt our little champion will complain to the old coot and his house will know in no time."
Harry blushed, "I don't even want to compete, why would I want to do the photoshoots or some wand ceremony?"
"He's got a point," Theo noted.
"I noticed you haven't approached either of them. What's stopping you? The first task is in less than two weeks away," Blaise asked.
"How would you know I haven't approached them?" Harry asked shot back.
"Because we are not stupid?" Theo shot back blandly
Harry slumped in defeat, "I keep losing my nerve..."
"You're a Gryffindor!? Isn't being brave one of the traits?" Blaise laughed.
"I made the hat put me in Gryffindor," Harry whispered, and if Theo and Blaise hadn't of been leaning into him to work on the potion, they wouldn't have heard him.
Blaise's jaw dropped in surprise.
Theo's eyebrows furrowed, "let me guess... Draco?"
"Not entirely," Harry shrugged, "Hagrid was the one who took me to Diagon Alley and he talked about Voldemort being Slytherin, how he killed my Gryffindor parents, how there wasn't a witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin," Harry flinched as Theo dropped the knife in shock and Blaise turned furious, even Draco, Greg and Vincent had heard and look angrier than Harry had ever seen them.
Harry sighed, "So, I believed him like a moron. I didn't care if I went into Hufflepuff as long as I didn't go to Slytherin. It didn't occur to me that everyone who isn't a Slytherin would be prejudiced against one house..."
"You didn't grow up in the magical world, I think we can forgive you for trusting the person who introduced you to it all," Theo soothed, "we all grew up knowing what to expect being children of Slytherins and Death Eaters."
Harry swallowed at that. He didn't know much about Death Eaters, only that they followed Voldemort and killed anyone in their path. He had seen them at the Quidditch World Cup and never felt more terrified and he had faced Voldemort more than once.
"Just keep an open mind," Blaise whispered, "Look how much of what you know is wrong already. We can explain more at another time."
Harry bit his lip before slowly nodding. He wasn't sure if he was looking forward to that conversation. It was hard to think there was anything they could tell him when several of them had tried to kill him before.
Theo gave a final stir on the potion.
"That should do it. Perhaps we'll live another day."
"Well done you three," Snape said from behind them, startling Harry. "It appears with competent partners; Potter is passable in Potions." He said this loud enough for Hermione and Ron to hear, both going red in anger and embarrassment.
Harry's eyes went wide in surprise. He didn't think he had ever been complimented and insulted at the same time. But he figured since he was a Gryffindor... that was the closest to a compliment that he would ever get.
"Alright class, one person will bottle the potion, put your names on it and place it on my desk." Snape said to room, sneering at Hermione and Ronald's potions, before sweeping up to the front of the room. "I also expect an essay on this potion and its uses by next lesson."
"One of the easier assignments," Harry mumbled before glancing at the door. He didn't even offer an apology before darting out of the door.
He weaved in amongst the students quickly, avoiding the large groups of Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors who liked to target him. Ravenclaw mostly left him alone beyond dirty looks, except for Cho and her friends due to her dating Cedric, although from what he heard from Luna, she was an awful person anyway.
He was a bit thankful he didn't have to climb all of those stairs to get down to the kitchens. Since Potions were down in the dungeons, he was closer to his destination. It was a bit chilly but he figured he could probably eat in the Courtyard instead of the kitchens this time.
He turned the last corner, thankfully no one had tried to trip him this time and he could finally breathe, it was nice to be alone for once. He was grateful Theo and Blaise never pushed him to just sit with them in the Great Hall, he just couldn't eat there with everyone's eyes on him, hearing the whispers, the insults, the jabs.
Plus, the fact, he was not about to sit at the Slytherin table with them. Just because he was friends with them didn't mean that Slytherin liked him. He was already a pariah to the school. He didn't want to make them ones as well. It made him wonder briefly what it would have been like if he had been in Slytherin instead of Gryffindor... but there was no point in wondering about things that would never happen.
It didn't take long for him to get to the kitchens and ask for a plate of food. The House Elves were eager to do so and before he knew it, he had a hot dinner place piled with food in his hands. From there, he made his exit and started to walk towards the Courtyard outside.
It was as he was turning a corner that he suddenly was hitting a solid wall that wasn't there before, with a loud pained gasped Harry fell to the ground. "Ow," He groaned, oh his arse was going to hurt for days.
All the food he had in his hands had clattered to the ground.
"Shit!" Harry cursed, that meant he would need to make another trip to the kitchens. This was not his day.
His eyes looked up and he realized on what he ran into or rather who he ran into.
Harry's face paled, "Montague..."
"Potter," the older Slytherin frowned. "I would have assumed that Gryffindors would have more class like watching where they are going. But apparently my expectations were set much too high."
"I—I—" Harry stuttered. He wasn't sure what to say. He didn't feel ready for this. Sure, he had tried again and again to speak with him. But he was totally unprepared for this.
"Well, this was interesting," Montague said with a raised eyebrow, moving to sidestep the stuttering Gryffindor.
"I would have assumed that the house of Lions would be more composed than this. Or have you lost your tongue, Potter?" He questioned the Gryffindor.
Harry glared at him before forcing himself to relax, "I just wasn't expecting you, what are you doing down here and not in the Great Hall?"
Montague looked at him unimpressed, "So, the Gryffindor actually knows how to stem words together... And for your information, what I decide to do in my spare time is my own business and not yours. So, I don't believe I have to answer to the likes of you. And apparently you haven't been able to handle the consequences of your own actions..."
Harry immediately bristled, tensing up and sneering, "I didn't enter my name!" he snapped, "I never wanted this! Screw you, Theo and Blaise are crazy for thinking you would help me!"
Montague smirked at him, "Gryffindors are so predictable. You are thick if you think that we don't have a brain. I was curious on how you would react. Though you got my attention, why would Theo and Blaise think I could help you? Given the fact that you don't necessarily have the reputation of getting along with Slytherins."
Harry felt himself blush, oh shit. He didn't know what to do, not only was Graham incredibly attractive, but he was fit and smirking like he was king.
"What's up Potter?" Graham asked slyly, "You are blushing pretty hard for a simple question. Why does Blaise and Theo think I can help you?"
Harry bit his lip hard; he could do this... He could do this... Oh Merlin... he wasn't sure if he could or not.
So, perhaps it wasn't the best thing to let his mouth speak before his brain could catch up.
"Do you have a Betrothal Contract?"
Montague's eyes widened, "what does that have anything—"
"Please just answer the question, do you have a contract or are you pursuing one with someone?" Harry pleaded; eyes closed tight briefly.
Montague studied Harry closely for several moments. He couldn't quite understand where the Gryffindor was going with this information.
"No, I am not. But that does not answer my own question for you. Why would you want to know that? I rather doubt you know much about Betrothal Contracts to start with. It's not really a topic that is taught in your lessons here at Hogwarts."
"There is a way out of the tournament," Harry breathed, "Champions who become pregnant after the Goblet chooses their name are exempt. It is… it's the only way out. Those tasks… I'm already dead anyways. The contract of the Goblet won't allow a pregnant Champion at the risk of magical life. It is a loophole to protect family lines ending from the tournament."
"You— you are asking—" Graham started to stutter. Of all things... he did not expect this. He probably should have expected it given the betrothal question. But it did give him pause for thought.
He could turn this to his advantage. Harry Potter was a Potter and a Black. It would be anyone's honor to have an heir with those bloodlines. He hadn't really thought of having a child but as the only child of his parents. He would eventually be expected to have a wife or consort and eventually an heir. This would help solve that problem.
"Alright, Potter. I will agree to help you. But on one condition..."
"Oh?" Harry blinked, surprised at how quickly Montague agreed, although he supposed he should call him Graham now. "What's that?" He was a little suspicious as he watched the Slytherin grin.
"I will draft up a Betrothal Contract and you will have to sign it and officially make you my betrothed. Then, I will help you," Graham replied.
Harry's mouth dropped. Whatever he was expecting Graham to say, that wasn't it. Though to be honest, he didn't really know what Graham would want.
"NO! Why would I—How could you even think that I would—"
"You want to die in the tournament, that's fine by me. But I doubt you will have any allies in any other house. This way, I can allow you protection." Graham smirked at him. "There are benefits to having an old house as your betrothed. Though should you change your mind... you know where to find me."
Harry blinked as Graham stalked off, "What the fuck?!" He whispered in shock. "What just happened?"
He buried his face into his hands. He knew that technically Montague had said yes with helping him. That was something he wasn't expecting. He had assumed he would be shot down instantly and then he could die of embarrassment later. But he had said yes...
But a Betrothal Contract!?
He couldn't bear to stomach it. Locked in that forever and unable to break it. He knew that Theo and Blaise had one and they seemed content with them. But it wasn't like he knew Graham... he just knew he played Quidditch and was a Slytherin. He knew he was older than him but had no idea how old he was.
He wasn't sure that he could do this. And what had Graham meant that he knew where he was?! Did that mean he knew he would go back and agree? He doubted that, especially at the present moment.
Then he had mentioned about protection? What would he need protection against? It wasn't like he had been seriously injured yet. Sure, he had some minor hexes and spells cast at him but nothing that warranted a trip to the Hospital Wing, which he was really trying to avoid this year.
He would just have to make do being forced in the tournament. He had lived this far, hadn't he? He could do it...
But why did he feel so conflicted and unsure?