2. A MATTER OF NEGOTIATION
While back in Hogwarts Holly was slowly drifting off into an uneasy sleep on the transfigured couch in Remus and Sirius' quarters, Lucius Malfoy and Rudolphus Lestrange were on their way to the Dark Lord to report back on their mission. The Dark Lord's study was cast in shadows as they entered, only illuminated by the dying fire in the hearth and a set of magical torches next to the door, the dark wood furniture and the muted wall colour only seeming to enhance the gloomy atmosphere. Nagini, the Dark Lord's snake was resting near the fireplace, her powerful body twisted into a tight ring, and in one of the corners stood a house-elf, almost unnoticed, patiently waiting for his Master to retire so that he could tidy up the room.
Lucius approached the armchair where their Lord was sitting without hesitation. "My Lord, we have returned with news from Hogwarts and your bride-to-be," he greeted while Rudolphus offered a silent bow.
"May I assume then that my offer has been accepted?" the Dark Lord inquired, a note of amusement in his soft voice.
Lucius allowed himself a contemptuous little smile before he replied, "Fudge wanted to accept right away, but Miss Potter requested some changes."
"And how did she react?" the Dark Lord asked, leaning forward slightly.
"She blew up Dumbledore's office. Twice," Rudolphus answered in his deep voice. "Other than that, there was a lot of disbelief and anger."
"She did calm down, eventually, after she had excused herself to talk to her godfather," Lucius added. "I found her to be almost surprisingly calm and reasonable during our negotiations. Though some of her demands might be overshooting the mark..."
"And what demands might that be?" the Dark Lord asked, accepting the amended contract from the blond wizard and reading through it while he listened to the rest of their report.
"A little presumptuous, isn't she?" he said musingly. "I can't see myself agreeing to these new conditions as they are."
"I think it was mostly Black's doing. She only reacted strongly to the question of a potential pregnancy and Pettigrew's extradition to the Ministry," Lucius replied.
"We shall have to renegotiate the rest of these demands, then. Set it up," he ordered and the two Death Eaters nodded dutifully. "And where is Severus? I expected him to report back as well."
"Dumbledore kept him behind. With this peace offer, the old fool seems to think it no longer necessary to have a 'spy' in our ranks," Rudolphus explained just as the man in question gave a perfunctory knock on the door and slipped into the room, bowing deeply to his Lord.
"Do you have something new to report?" the Dark Lord questioned.
"It seems as if Miss Potter may have started to reconsider her trust in the headmaster. Though Dumbledore remains hopeful that she will soon come to realise the error of her ways once you, my Lord, have shown her the alternative," the Potions Master replied with one of his habitual sneers.
"It will be Dumbledore who will realise the error of his ways," the Dark Lord said, tasting the sweet truth of that promise on his tongue. "Set up the next meeting."
His three Death Eaters bowed and quickly left the room, leaving the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Heir of Slytherin, Head of House Gaunt or simply Tom Riddle alone with his thoughts.
The idea of a peace contract had formed slowly, forwarded by several factors. The war effort hadn't gone as smoothly as he would have preferred, with only minor and rather inconsequential victories here and there, and a growing, mostly still well-hidden dissatisfaction among his followers. Times had changed and where he had once commanded an ever-growing army of young and skilled idealists, the hard core of his Death Eaters were now either made more cautious by years of imprisonment or had grown comfortable in the lies they had told to escape prosecution. He still felt slightly bitter about that, though of course the Slytherin in him realised that opportunism was just another word for "survival". What was, admittedly, the biggest obstacle was his own lack of standing and the repercussions of the smear campaign Dumbledore had so effectively waged against him. Very few wizards and witches were willing to throw their lot in with a man who was said to be cruel, unhinged and had been defeated once before, and by a one-year-old baby nonetheless.
A baby, who had grown into a powerful young witch, a beacon of light and goodness for the entire Wizarding world. Dumbledore might still be fooling himself into thinking that he was the leader of the so-called Light side, but it was only a matter of time till those allegiances would shift to Holly. And soon Holly's allegiance would belong to him. He leaned back in his armchair, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
§*§*§*§*§
"You're late. Where have you been?" Minister Fudge demanded sharply, and Tom could only assume that Holly was as impressed with his attitude as he himself was, judging by her answer.
"I don't see how I can be late when I only just learned about this impromptu meeting. And to answer your question: I was out for a ride and Snuffles, as far as I know, slept in," Holly replied, softly closing the door to Dumbledore's office behind herself and her godfather.
"I don't care what your dog did!" Fudge spluttered, wiping at his sweaty brow.
"Then why did you ask?" she asked innocently, sinking into the chair next to McGonagall, who was there as her Head of House.
"And what do you mean, for a ride? A ride? We have no time to waste on Quidditch or broom-racing!"
"Actually, I was riding one of the unicorns," Holly replied again, lightly patting the dog Animagus at her feet as the Minister descended into another splutter.
"You can't ride unicorns! It's impossible!"
"Perhaps, Minister, you should remember that 'impossible' does not have quite the same meaning for Miss Potter as for most everyone else," Tom spoke up, taking a step forward and quite enjoying Holly's startled look at his new appearance.
"Ah, Holly, I'm sure you recognise Tom, even if he's changed a bit since your last meeting," Dumbledore introduced them jovially and Tom offered his hand to the slender youth, a bit surprised at her short haircut and the ill-fitting clothes.
"I appreciate the gesture, but my scar hurts enough as it is and I'm not eager to make it worse," she rebuffed him, actually shrinking away.
"Oh yes, about that: Professor Snape is working on a potion to alleviate the pain, aren't you, Severus?" Dumbledore intervened cheerfully, disregarding Snape's deepening scowl.
"I appreciate that, Professor," Holly said, addressing the Potions Master before focusing back on him, her brilliant green eyes guarded and slightly narrowed. "Why was this meeting called?"
"I have some amendments to your amendments," Tom answered, allowing himself a smirk. "It seemed more expedient for us to discuss them in person. Wouldn't you agree?"
Holly nodded, but the Minister interrupted them again, "What amendments? Why wasn't I informed of this?"
"None of the proposed changes impact you or the headmaster, so I suggest you sit down and be quiet," Tom said, less than impressed with the interruption. "Or would you like me to help you with that?"
Behind him, a row of small crystalline objects shattered in a series of concentrated explosions, which certainly reinforced his point, though it wasn't by his doing. He turned a suspicious look onto his future bride, finding her with her fingers curled tightly into the dog Animagus' thick black fur and her chin raised in defiance.
The Minister sank meekly into one of the armchairs, reaching for his tea cup with shaking fingers and sending furtive, fleeting glances towards the headmaster, who had donned his mask of benevolent grandfather. Tom ignored them both and focused on his bride-to-be.
"You indicated your wish to continue your schooling here at Hogwarts, which would mean that we will be separated for a majority of the next two years," he said. "I find that unacceptable. Especially in combination with your wish to spend the holidays with your friends and family."
"You could stay at Hogwarts, too," Holly said, sounding anything but thrilled about her own suggestion. Tom tried not to take it personally.
"Excellent idea, my dear girl," Dumbledore exclaimed happily, stroking his beard. "As it so happens we haven't filled the teaching position for Defence against the Dark Arts for the next year yet. What do you think, Tom? Would you be able to handle that?"
He bristled mentally at the too obvious attempt at manipulation. The old fool would never have made it a year in Slytherin and it was insulting that he thought the heir of said House would ever fall for something like that. But there was a saying, keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer, and having unfettered access to the school once again could have its advantages.
"That could be arranged, but then I insist on the previously proposed visiting times since you will see your friends at school," he said with a brief nod in Dumbledore's general direction before he turned back to Holly, who, predictably, didn't appear pleased with that counter offer.
"But I won't be able to see Professor Lupin or…." She motioned discreetly to her godfather, casting a wary look at the Minister.
"I assumed that they were staying here at Hogwarts as well," Tom answered and raised one eyebrow.
"Only for the full moons," Holly corrected, sighing softly when the Animagus sat up to rest his head on her knees. "I don't think I will be able to see them much during the school year, if at all, and if you won't let me visit them during the holidays…"
"A quarter of the holidays then and every second weekend," Tom countered, wondering why it felt so unsatisfactory to hear the pleading note in her voice.
"Half of the holidays, every second weekend and they may visit me whenever they like," Holly gave back, fire sparking in her emerald eyes.
"A quarter of the holidays, every second weekend and they may visit you in case of emergency," he replied, twirling his wand between his long, slender fingers.
"And what might you consider to be an emergency?" Professor McGonagall interjected with a stern look.
"Any life or death or near-death situation," he replied after a brief moment of consideration, remaining unflinching even as several books burst from their shelves and Holly jumped to her feet.
"That's not your call to make and I'm tired of your threats!" she snapped. "When they really need me, that's an emergency. And that's my last offer on that point."
"You will come if I ask for your presence. You will not use magic on me or my Death Eaters with the intention of harm or humiliation. And I will bear your expenses since you obviously fail to do so yourself," he retorted, taking a step closer and scowling down at the young woman in her washed-out floral blouse and baggy jeans that were too wide on her slender hips.
"You'll accept the other changes?" she asked, her voice only shaking ever so slightly.
"I will," he answered, softer now. "Are we in agreement, Miss Potter?"
"We are," she said, reaching behind her to grab onto the back of her armchair with a shaking hand, her other hand going up to her forehead.
Her fingertips left a thin streak of blood smeared along her hairline and Tom quickly withdrew to the other side of the room, sending Severus a pointed look to inform him that he should better have that potion for Holly Potter ready post-haste.
"Excellent." Lucius gave the Quick-Quotes Quill that had been recording their negotiations a soft tap with his wand before speaking a spell to bring the amended contract back into a signable format. "I believe we're only missing a date for the ceremony before we may proceed to the signing."
"Two weeks should be an adequate timeframe. Shall we say on Sunday?" Tom asked and Holly nodded mutely.
"Wonderful, may I offer Hogwarts as the venue? It's been a little while since we had a wedding here, but I think we still remember how to throw a party. Right, Minerva?"
McGonagall didn't seem happy to be drawn into the conversation, a clear air of disapproval around her as she threw a worried frown at her little Gryffindor. "I hardly think it appropriate to celebrate the fact that you're bartering off a fifteen-year-old girl, Albus."
"Professor, Hogwarts is my home and it would mean a lot to me to have it here," Holly spoke up, McGonagall's stern mien softening almost imperceptively. "And I think this new peace is worth celebrating. Isn't it?"
"Of course, Miss Potter," McGonagall said with sigh and a soft look of pride. "Now sit down before you fall over. We will hand you the contract when it's your turn to sign."
Tom took that as his cue, motioning Lucius to add in these last two details before producing four identical copies, three of which he set out on Dumbledore's desk before floating the last one over to Holly.
"Read it carefully, Miss Potter," McGonagall instructed before taking a step back so that the dog Animagus could put his paws on the armrests of Holly's chair and read the contract with her.
Tom turned back to his own copy, verifying that all terms were set down as previously discussed, not putting it past Dumbledore to try to sneak in any last-minute loopholes. But Lucius and Brutus had done a good job in formulating their demands, their background in magical law serving them well, and the parchments had been imbued with magic to prevent any interference or other trickery. The contract was perfect. He swirled and slashed his wand through the air, his signature appearing in glittering red on the dotted line of all four copies.
Dumbledore was the next to sign, his wand movements even more elaborate and flamboyant, his expression suitably grave but his eyes twinkling all too merrily. Fudge also tried to give his signing and himself an air of momentous importance, humming and hemming while he read through the contract as if each point needed his personal stamp of approval before he finally swung his wand. Which left Holly.
"You said I needed to initial next to the terms that pertain to me?" she half asked, turning to Lucius. "And am I allowed to sign with my wand during the holidays?"
"I'm sure we can make an exception," Dumbledore told her with a conspiratorial wink. "Cornelius?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Just this once, mind you, Miss Potter," the Minister replied, blotting his sweaty palms with an embroidered handkerchief.
"Tap your wand on each of the terms that you wish to accept," Lucius instructed, ignoring the dog's sharp looking teeth as he stepped up to Holly's other side. "Very good. Now tap your wand to the line for your signature, allowing just a touch of your magic to trickle onto the parchment."
The concept of "a touch of magic" had seemingly gone right over her head and her signature appeared in a blinding flash of light, seared into all four rolls of parchment before they snapped closed. Holly calmly pocketed her wand before hesitantly reaching for her signed copy.
"Ah, let me take that for you, my dear girl," Dumbledore said, waving his wand to summon the contract. "I'll keep it in a safe place for you."
Tom quickly slashed his wand through the air, interrupting the headmaster's spellwork so that the contract fell to the floor from where it was scooped up by Holly's godfather.
"I believe Miss Potter should keep that in her vault," McGonagall pointed out, the dog nodding his agreement. "Perhaps you could take it there when you purchase your school supplies for the new year."
"Ah, of course," Dumbledore answered, not quite as cheerfully. "Well, Holly, I'm sure you're eager to be released from this meeting and return to your aunt and uncle. You may use the Floo connection in Arabella's house again."
"What? But…" Holly paled drastically and the dog Animagus whined. "I thought I could stay with Remus."
"During the full moon, my dear girl? I hardly think that would be wise," Dumbledore replied easily. "No, no, you must go back to your family. I'm sure they wish to spend this time with you before you embark on this new adventure."
"My aunt isn't even there! She's visiting with an old schoolfriend," Holly protested. "And I don't share any blood with my uncle."
"Your cousin…"
"Is doing a boxing camp this summer," Holly interrupted him. "He's not there either."
"Well, I'm sure your uncle will be glad for the company in that case. Off you go, then. Enjoy the rest of your childhood."
With surprising agility for such an old man, the headmaster managed to manoeuvre the still stunned looking Girl-Who-Lived into the green flames of the fireplace. Tom wasn't sure what to make of the last desperate look she threw over her shoulder.