An Existing Loophole – Chapter 10 (Change of Color)
"Merlin, Blaise!" Harry gasped, hand clutching his heart as Theo sniggered. "Make some noise when you are behind someone!"
"Why would I want to do that, first response reactions are always the best," Blaise grinned at him.
Hedwig gave an indicant hoot at them.
"At least someone's on my side," Harry huffed.
Hedwig only ruffled her feathers and screeched at them again.
"Loyal owl," Theo commented as she took flight, clipping Blaise with her wings before nestling on Harry's shoulder, rubbing her face into his cheek.
Blaise rolled his eyes at her actions.
"How did you not get your finger bit off?" Blaise said with a curious tone.
"What?" Harry asked baffled, "why would Hedwig bite my finger off?!"
Theo scoffed at that, "he's not talking about your bloody owl."
If an owl could glare, Harry would have sworn Hedwig was doing exactly that.
"Careful, she might do it to you," Harry laughed. "So, you mean?" He asked leaving the question open.
Blaise gave a nervous glance to the Great Horned Owl before glancing back at Harry.
"You mean you don't know?" Theo asked.
"Obviously not!" Harry cried exasperated, as he patted Hedwig, shooting a look over her mate who was ruffling angrily at having his own interrupted.
"Great Horned Owls aren't really known for getting along with anyone. Especially those that aren't their master. Anyone that usually tries either gets attacked or winds up losing a finger for even trying," Theo answered him.
"Don't forget on who he belongs to," Blaise reminded. "Could be why he don't mind Harry."
"He seems sweet, and I think he is Hedwig's mate," Harry smiled as he clicked his fingers and the male owl finally swooped back down to sit with Hedwig and Harry again. "Wait, who does he belong to?"
Blaise and Theo shared a look at that. Still trying to believe what they just saw.
Though Blaise had to hide s snicker when Harry revealed that the owl and Hedwig may be mates. Talk about irony...
"He belongs to Montague," Theo revealed.
"What?!" Harry squeaked in shock. He was startled when the owl, Graham's apparently, hooted because his pats had stopped. "How does that even happen?" he muttered, how had his owl picked the owl that belonged to Graham?
"It isn't unknown," Theo mused as he sat down with Harry, keeping clear of the two owls who didn't seem to like anyone but Graham and now Harry. "When two magicals are compatible, their familiars can be too. Your magical core bonded with Hedwig, just like Graham's did with Cyprian."
He was cut off with Harry's cooing.
"Oh, what a strong name for a strong boy," Harry smiled when Cyprian preened under his attention before screeching when Blaise snorted.
"He's named after the only referee to ever die in a quidditch match. He died in 1357, and both Graham and Terence can trace their families back to him through two of his children."
Harry scowled at the mention of Terence. He recalled that name from before. Though he wasn't sure what to think about the fact that both of them and their familiars were supposedly compatible. Given on how it had been on mere chance that he spoke to Graham to begin with.
There was an odd feeling there on what he felt of Graham to begin with.
"Well, at least Cyprian is sweet and a good mate," He muttered not expecting Theo or Blaise to hear him, smiling sadly as Hedwig curled under Cyprian's wing.
"Something happened," Blaise brought up.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry denied.
"Harry come on, we aren't stupid, and we heard you," Theo sighed, as much as Harry was starting to relax around them. It was still like pulling teeth to get information from the boy and he was positive he didn't trust them yet.
Harry felt his face go hot with embarrassment as his eyes narrowed at them. He wasn't sure if he felt mortified or furious.
"Heard me!?" Harry repeated, his voice was like steel. Cold and hard.
"You just said at least Cyprian is a good mate," Blaise deadpanned.
"Also, we saw you coming up here and you were muttering about stupid Montague and stupid Gryffindors," Theo admitted, "It's why we followed you up, we were worried about you."
"Ohh..." Harry mumbled. He hadn't thought that had been what they had meant. His first thought had assumed that they decided to eavesdrop when Graham had first taken him to his dorms.
Normally, he would have felt something warm or comforting to remember that. Now, all he felt was shame about it.
He didn't even feel any different and the task was still creeping up. But his mind didn't stay on the task, everything else had apparently taken more focus in his mind.
"It's none of your business..." Harry muttered.
"Maybe not," Blaise conceded, "but as your friends, we are worried about you," Harry looked over in surprise at the seriousness in Blaise's voice.
Harry gave a sigh at that, "it's not as simple as that... Nobody gets worried over me. And I rather not talk about it to start with." His shoulders slumped, "but it's not like you won't hear about it. They are probably already gloating about it..."
"Who?" Theo asked face of stone, "did someone hurt you?"
Harry was taken aback at the fury on both Theo and Blaise's faces.
"What the fuck did Montague do?" Blaise growled,
Whatever reaction he had expected for both Theo and Blaise to have, this was not it. That was when he realized that they probably didn't know about his trunk. The entire school had pretty much seen him ask to talk to Graham last and probably a lot of witnesses had seen him in the Slytherin Common Room.
He had a lot of mixed feelings about it all. The fact that they brought up Graham... He didn't know what to think.
Harry only shrugged his shoulders, "probably the thing that any person would want to gloat about..."
There were two differences, Harry realized, between thinking about something and finally admitting it aloud. It hurt. It hurt a lot.
After all, it had been the reason he had left Graham's room and the Slytherin Common Room to start with.
"Yeah, that doesn't help," Blaise laughed, "Montague gloats a lot."
"Well, obviously it is related to Harry," Theo rolled his eyes, "Did he turn down your proposal and you think he told his friends?"
Harry's eyes went wide, "wait... you don't know!?"
He could feel his lip trembling. He still could remember Terence's comment. If his friend had made that comment... it obviously had to be true... But now all he felt was confusion.
That was when he realized what was said by Theo.
"Contract!? How did you know anything about that?"
"Mother," Blaise shrugged, "She didn't say much beyond saying she wanted make sure I am helping you adjust to the magical world properly and how she expects you to visit over the holidays," he rolled his eyes.
"And your child can't take the Father's heirship if the parents aren't married at birth." Theo added with a shrug. "It's an archaic rule but bastards can't be heirs or take the Lordship upon coming of age. We kind of just assumed that you would both want your child to have the choice, plus it offers you more protection being his husband."
"But what don't we know Harry?"
That was when Harry realized that Graham hadn't wanted their child to be a bastard if he did get pregnant. It wasn't something he would figure would be important. But he supposed, to a Pureblood, it would be.
'I—I think I was wrong..." Harry realized.
"I don't think I have ever been this confused," Blaise muttered, with wide eyes at Theo.
"That isn't surprising at all," Theo rolled his eyes at him.
Harry brought his hands together; it was hard to believe that it had only been a day. It had felt much longer.
"Higgs may have made a comment this morning... So, it's really hard to believe what is what right now..." Harry admitted.
"Okay let's start at the beginning," Theo sighed, Harry was clearly in shock and indecisive. "Okay, so this is about Higgs and Montague, you spoke to Montague then, how did it go? Did he agree?"
Harry's eyes went down to his left hand, where the betrothal ring was still resting. He had sort of forgotten it was there. But he had never taken it off. So, that had to mean something. He just wasn't sure on what yet...
"Pretty sure that this is your evidence on how that went," Harry replied softly.
"It's beautiful," Blaise sighed, immediately taking Harry's hand to examine the ring closely, studying the emerald with appreciation.
"Surprise, surprise, he likes shiny things," Theo rolled his eyes. "Okay, so you guys agreed and signed the betrothal contract. So, was Montague bragging or gloating to Higgs about how you chose him? Because honestly, I don't really understand why that would upset you, he thinks you're a catch."
The Gryffindor gave a relieved sigh at that. So, it seems that maybe Graham hadn't told Higgs a single thing and he grew his own conclusions. But yet... he didn't feel convinced. He couldn't recall Graham denying that...
"Did Graham actually say that?" Harry tested.
"Not to us, but I mean he's not been subtle with the way he watched you even before we told you that he could help." Theo smiled, "But with the exception of this year because people are stupid, pretty much everyone at Hogwarts thinks you are a catch."
"Not just because you are a powerful wizard, skilled in classes, a good seeker, great flier, extremely cute, have an amazing arse, and have a strong bloodline. But you also are kind and funny and so sweet." Blaise added, Harry choking and blushing at the comments.
"If you didn't already have a betrothed... I would think you were hitting on me..." Harry mumbled. "You can't possibly know all that about me in only a month of knowing me..."
He still felt in some disbelief of all the things that Blaise listed. Though he knew he could be a bit oblivious about some things. But he didn't think it was that bad that he never noticed that...
"Blaise hits on everyone," Theo laughed, "but we knew most of this before. We've seen you in classes for four years. We know you defeated the Dark Lord three times, mostly because you told us. We also know you never attack unprovoked, even with Draco, you ignored the first jab or two. You never harmed Slytherins for being Slytherin." Theo explained. "We are observant."
"I'm starting to realize that..." Harry mumbled under his breath.
"You never did explain everything..." Blaise noted.
Harry sighed; he could never get pass much of anything with Slytherins it seems...
"We came back to Hogwarts, and we talked a few things out, including me taking the potion to help with conception and stabilizing the pregnancy," Harry continued before blushing root red as he stumbled over telling them. It was private and one of the best nights of his life, but he needed to know if Montague was messing him around and if he just thought of him as a conquest or not.
"You had sex!" Blaise screeched shoving his finger in Harry's face, excitedly, "That's the 'I just got laid and it was good' face!"
Harry's face turned even redder, "did you have to shout it so loud..." he bemoaned before hiding his face into his hands. Though he didn't comment any further to Blaise's comment, just like he didn't deny it either.
"No one heard me," Blaise scoffed, "look where we are, but come on, how was it?" he teased.
"You don't know that!" Harry hissed, as if expecting someone to just walk into their conversation. "And I am not answering that..."
His face still felt red and there was no way that he was going to even tell the tiniest detail about that night. He already felt embarrassed on the way that Blaise brought it up to start with.
"Leave him alone," Theo groaned, "No, bad Blaise," he said when Blaise went to open his mouth again, clamping his hand over the dark Italian's mouth, "shush."
"So, you have what I am assuming is mind blowing sex judging by the smile and blush, so what happened to ruin it?" Theo asked Harry soothingly, but still looking smug when Harry squeaked at 'mind-blowing sex'
Harry looked glum at that, even though he still felt embarrassed.
"What else... he got what he wanted... Higgs made it obvious that he just wanted to add me to his bedpost..."
"Whoa, what?!" Blaise snarled, fists clenching.
"Blaise wait!" Theo cried, grabbing Blaise before he could run off, "Think this through first. Why in Merlin's name would you think you are just notch on his bedpost!?"
Harry looked at Theo in disbelief, "even Gryffindor House knows that Graham is friends with Higgs and Flint. He would know Graham better than me and his remark was obvious enough. Why else would he have said it if it wasn't true? Besides, the laughs afterwards only confirmed it for me..."
Even after Harry said it... he didn't really know for sure if Graham had laughed or not. There had been several that had laughed to it. It had to be true... what other explanation was there?
"What were his exact words," Theo asked gently, he knew Graham, and yeah, he had slept with a few people, but he was not betrothed at those times, and everyone knew it was just sex, he never led people on.
"Umm," Harry thought back, "Me and Graham had an argument about me coming to the Great Hall and eating at the Slytherin table, and Higgs had heard voices from our argument. Then Graham left me alone to think and I heard Higgs say, 'You disappoint another bed partner with your subpar loving?' and a few others were laughing as they left."
"Oh Harry," Blaise snorted as Theo laughed lightly, "That's just Terence teasing Graham, no one was calling you a notch in his bed. If you two went to bed straight from contract signing, Terence didn't know it was his betrothed in there."
"Exactly," Theo continued, "He has slept with others, yes, but never anyone serious. Most purebloods that aren't betrothed do it before finding the one they want to sign a contract for. If he wasn't interested in you and serious about your future as husbands and the baby, he would never have signed or given you that ring."
Harry's hand fell to his side at that and then he felt a sharp nip.
"Ow!" Bringing his hand towards his chest, "Uhh... thanks for that."
Hedwig gave a sharp hoot at that as she ruffled his feathers slightly.
Harry still felt unsure of what to think. It did make sense to him now and now he felt like an idiot for how he overreacted. But it wasn't like it he understood the things they did. He never grew up as a Pureblood.
He should have figured it out, being teased slightly by Blaise and Theo some. But it wasn't like he spent every moment of his in company of Slytherins. Sometimes it felt like they were being serious anyways.
Then there was the fact that Graham had slept with others. He didn't know how he felt about that. He had never been with anyone else. And dare he say it... he felt a bit jealous about it.
Harry used his other hand to fiddle with ring.
"I don't know if there will be a baby yet..." Harry's voice was soft and vulnerable.
"It doesn't usually happen the first time," Theo agreed, "But you are powerful and that is a factor for male pregnancies. It may have happened already, but if it hasn't, you try again."
Blaise had a wicked grin as he added, "You might as well enjoy the wild sex 'trying' before you become the shape of a Flobberworm."
Harry's face went red at the thought of doing anything. Besides, it wasn't like he was talking to Graham at the moment.
"I kind of expected him to confront me and I'm not sure what to do on that... Especially given that Professor McGonagall is still dealing with Gryffindor House..."
"What? Why?" Theo was sharp and never missed anything, Harry winced. Blaise had been ready to hunt down Graham for upsetting Harry over what could be a misunderstanding, what would he do if he knew this? Although he had to admit, it was warming to know he cared so much.
"You haven't heard any of the Gryffindors talking? Like at all?" Harry raised an eyebrow; he didn't think he could quite put it into words himself. It still hurt to think of all the damage that Gryffindor had done.
His fingers traced over Hedwig's wings, thankful that she hadn't been hurt.
"Not really?" Theo shook his head, "I mean Weasley and Finnegan weren't in classes today, which was odd, and Longbottom and Thomas were speaking a lot in hushed tones but we didn't really pay attention. We were more concerned with where you were."
"Way to make it obvious..." Harry muttered. He shook his head, "you'll figure it out probably sooner than later..."
That didn't mean that Professor McGonagall spoken to them yet. But it was enough to guess that they were the culprits if they were missing from classes. Granted... he wouldn't have known since he wasn't even at any of his classes today. He at least hoped that she would keep him in the loop of everything going on.
"So does that mean you will tell us?" Theo asked teasingly, "So we don't have to guess?"
"I—I can't—" Harry mumbled. He couldn't even think of the words to say. He knew how pathetic he would sound if he admitted it all. That he was some weak Gryffindor that got all heartbroken over his trunk being destroyed. They wouldn't understand at all.
That was when Hedwig flew from where she was by Harry's side and land near Theo. Nipping at his fingers before flying off again. Leaving behind some traces for him to see.
"Okay, hold up," Blaise sighed, "why do you look embarrassed? Clearly your Gryffindor roommates did some shit, I am inclined to think Weasley and Finnegan since they are the most hostile in our year. But if they did some shit to upset you, then they are the fuckers, and you shouldn't be embarrassed to tell us."
"It's not that I'm embarrassed to... it's more than that..." Harry admitted. Which was probably a lie, he was a bit embarrassed by it all. The fact that he hadn't seen it and the fact he couldn't even convince his Head of House that she didn't need to do what she did.
"And I don't even know if they did or not... It could be anyone for all I know..."
"Spit it out," Blaise encouraged teasingly, "just tell us or I might kill you for holding me in suspense for so long today."
"Shut up, Blaise." Theo rolled his eyes. "But seriously, we are friends, you can tell us,"
That's when he noticed the trace of blood on Theo's hand. He turned his green eyes to glare at his owl.
"You did that on purpose!" He snapped at Hedwig.
"Uhh... Theo you got blood on your hand," Blaise decided to bring up.
"Yeah, but she didn't peak me hard enough for it to be mine," Theo mused turning his hand over, "is she okay?" he asked Harry, "it's not hers or yours, right?"
"It's not," Harry confirmed before muttering. "Bloody owl..."
Hedwig puffed out at that.
"Don't even, you know what you did!" Harry commented to her.
He ran a hand over his face, "someone tried though. Hedwig and Cyprian let me know an idea on who..."
"Someone tried to hurt Hedwig?!" Blaise asked startled, eyes hardening as Harry nodded,
"Yeah, Hedwig made them bleed, and Cyprian ripped out some hair." he admitted as he picked up the hair from the ground and showed it to them.
Harry had a grin on his face on how much it probably would have hurt when Cyprian had ripped out some of their hair. He was thankful that he was protective of his owl as well. Even though he knew that Hedwig could take care of herself.
"That's Weaselette's hair," Blaise growled, "That stupid bint, how dare she!"
"It's possible..." Harry shrugged, "but I do know that she didn't do it alone." He knew there was a very good change it was her... he didn't know anyone else with that shade of hair and that long. But unless someone admitted to it, it was hard to say on how many people helped out. It could be the entire Gryffindor House for all he knew.
"What makes you think that?" Theo asked curiously
"She wouldn't have the brains to think of it by herself..." Harry muttered, "but neither would Ron..."
Blaise snorted but Theo's eyes narrowed, "What did Weasel do then? Something else with Finnegan?"
"Nothing that I can prove, and I wouldn't know. Everything was destroyed anyways. I figured that Professor McGonagall will figure it out," Harry shrugged, not really looking at them.
"He destroyed something?" Theo asked, "Harry tell us everything now." It wasn't a question, and honestly it had Harry just spilling everything, from the slashed curtains and bed, the urine on the mattress, his clothes and books before ending on his broom and photobook. Theo and Blaise looking murderous as he finished.
"I'll fucking kill them!" Blaise roared leaping to his feet and started to run from the room, it was only Theo's quick thinking freeze charm that stopped him from doing just that.
Harry slumped in exhaustion. He rather have not relieved everything from that moment in a short few hours. He would have rather forgotten about it.
"And I wondered why I didn't want you both to know... Besides... it's all been replaced. But I don't even know who did it for certain, though I imagine that the rest of Gryffindor might."
"Harry, that is not only bullying but a serious insult to you, the Heir of Potter and Black." Theo shook his head, "This isn't just simple name calling, what is being done?"
"What do you expect me to do, then?!" Harry narrowed his eyes at him. "Gryffindor House apparently don't even see me as a Gryffindor anymore! And any punishment that Professor McGonagall will set will probably be swept under the rug! All I know is that she is trying to find out what happened and who is responsible."
"You can move into our room!" Blaise chirped happily, looking extremely happy with himself. "We have 5 boys in the dorm, but if we have six, we would be split into two rooms of three!"
Harry had looked taken back at the sudden offer. He wasn't sure if Blaise was being serious or not. By the determined look in his eyes, he was.
"How do you expect to explain that to Professor Snape?" Harry questioned.
"It's not like it hasn't happened before." Theo nodded, "it could work, if we all asked and presented the case of the damages. Then it just comes to Snape and McGonagall, and Snape may be harsh and stern, but he doesn't tolerate bullying. He always works with bullied or abused kids from every house."
"That's providing that Professor McGonagall hasn't already talked to some of them already..." Harry muttered.
"Even if she has already punished them," Blaise shook his head, "you can still request to be moved houses, or if needed a resort. Although that only happens if a student and magical guardian genuinely believe they were sorted into the wrong house."
Harry felt his robes ripple even though there wasn't a breeze.
"I think Hogwarts already decided that..." Harry breathed with shock.
The red for Gryffindor was fading and turning a dark Emerald green.
"Holy shit," Theo gaped as Blaise swore colorfully in Italian.
"What just happened?" Harry asked baffled, he could feel Hogwarts' accepting magic around him. Like a warm hug.
"I've only read about this happening twice," Theo whispered wide-eyed. "And neither reason were good."
"What does that mean?" Harry squeaked.
"The first was Salina Slytherin, she was Salazar's great-granddaughter. She went into Slytherin which no one was surprised by. But when she was in her third year, she made friends with some Hufflepuffs, and Hogwarts changed her house without any protocol and without the Sorting Hat. They investigated to find out why. Turns out her father, the Runes Professor thought she would be a Hufflepuff and believed it would be a stain on their great name. He charmed the hat to force the Slytherin to sort."
"Wow," Harry breathed, eyes wide.
"I remember that one, but I don't remember the second." Blaise mused.
"The second was Hufflepuff, Artemisia Lufkin, a half-blood being raised by her abusive muggle family who hated magic." Theo frowned when Harry flinched. But he swore he wouldn't press; he knew something was funky though.
"She was so abused she just longed for friends and loyalty. So Hufflepuff. But a second cousin on her dead father's pureblood side who had been looking for her wrote home and they got her out. Tried to undo everything. By her fifth year she was almost a new person completely and Hogwarts resorted her into Slytherin for her ambition and determination."
"Oh yeah, she was the first ever female Minister of Magic. I have her chocolate frog card!" Blaise grinned.
"I suppose that there is some good news about this... now that I don't have worry about asking for a resort and now Dumbledore can't force me to go back to Gryffindor Tower."
Not that he would anyways, Harry thought afterwards. But even he knew that the Headmaster may try something, eventually. Even he knew that he didn't like Slytherins… and now he was one.
He had felt his heart plumet that the fact he was no longer a Gryffindor. There was a small part of him that was relieved. He would be away from the rest of Gryffindor House. But what would Professor McGonagall say? After all she had done for him? But it seemed that Theo and Blaise's wishes for him to join them in their dorm had come true.
Harry just hoped that things wouldn't turn for worse after this…