Warning: For Mature readers only!

The whole day had been a blur for Harry. He had gone through the motions in all his classes and did just enough to seem like he was present.

It was quite a boon that most Slytherins had started to treat him like the plague. so there were no interactions with his housemates. If Harry had paid any attention, he would have found it interesting that most of the students avoiding him didn't know why they were doing so. They followed the herd when most of the older students started to pretend that Harry didn't exist. Once the momentum picked up without anyone breaking the trend of isolating him, it couldn't be stopped.

While Draco Malfoy thought his plan to isolate Harry was already having an excellent effect due to how withdrawn he seemed, Harry was distracted by constantly running through the newly revamped contract in his mind.

The sleep Harry wished for last night escaped him. Being in the smaller room tormented Harry more than what happened with Ashwood. However, he supposed it wouldn't be hard to beat that since he didn't feel much torment about Ashwood's near death in the first place. Still, the smaller room reminded Harry that he had no control. It made Malfoy's ridiculous claims from last night play on repeat in his thoughts.

Poor Ashwood almost lost his life due to what Malfoy did. It turned out all well and good, but he didn't make it a habit to rely on luck to go his way. More than anything, what rankled Harry was that he prided his control over his magic, and somehow, he almost accidentally ended Ashwood. It was unacceptable.

Harry exhaled and tried to use his occlumency to regain control of his spiraling thoughts. There was no use thinking about what happened while there were more important matters to take care of, like making sure Greengrass didn't drop him like dead weight once he was done with Thompson.

He intended to show her the wonders of the Room tonight, and if all went well, Harry should have a stalwart ally. It would be based on transactions rather than trust, but that was a better option, in Harry's opinion. Trust was overrated, and all his dealings were enforced by magic, which made trust a moot point.

"Harry!"

Harry was confident that the new contract was the best he could create. Especially considering how little he knew about what was contained inside the Room of lost things. The most important part was the secrecy, which Harry had spent a significant time on last night.

"What're you thinking about, Harry?"

Harry was so sure because of how simple that clause was. It simply stated that without his permission, the existence of the Room couldn't be told to anyone or anything, sentient or otherwise.

The tricky part was getting Greengrass to agree to something this ridiculously restrictive. However, if Harry could pull it off, getting others to sign the contract with Greengrass vouching for it would be exponentially easier.

"Harry!"

Harry tensed when he felt someone touch his shoulder. With his hand ready to draw his wand and his mind filled with curses at how inattentive he had been, Harry gave a sharp look at the person who touched him.

"Longbottom?" Harry frowned, "What can I do for you?"

"Uh, I think I should be asking that, Harry."

Harry blinked, confused about what he meant.

"… Were you that distracted?" Neville asked incredulously, "Look at the Slytherin table."

Harry looked toward where Longbottom was pointing and immediately understood what he was talking about. It seemed like there were no longer any seats open for Harry. It wasn't just for the fifth-year section. Every seat, no matter which year, was occupied. It looked like Malfoy had some real pull if he could get the older years to take away the open seats in their section too.

As Malfoy wanted last night, it really did remind Harry of what happened to Viola Stone.

The only question was why Greengrass was going along with this nonsense. Was this some sort of power play to show Harry that he had to depend on her whims?

"Well, that's a problem."

"You can sit with us if you want," Neville offered graciously.

"And what brought this on?" Harry asked with a smile, "I don't think you ever offered before."

"Yeah, well, I didn't think you would agree if I did," Neville reasoned, "And Hermione told me what you did yesterday. You're pretty much an honorary Gryffindor at this point. Even Ron said that you were alright."

Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise. While most of the Golden Trio seemed to favor him due to reasons that still escaped Harry, Weasley was consistent with his impression of him. The redhead never trusted him, mainly because Harry was a Slytherin.

"I appreciate the offer, Longbottom, but I'll have to decline."

"Yeah, I told Hermione that you'd say that," Neville shook his head, "Well, the offer's open if you want to take it. I'm not sure what you're dealing with in Slytherin, but you have friends in Gryffindor."

Harry stared blankly as Longbottom walked away, wondering when they had become friends. Granger… Hermione might have infected Longbottom.

He couldn't be seen sitting with them in such a public setting. That would kill whatever progress he had made with Umbridge. It would be a shame if his brilliant bootlicking skills went to waste.

With Umbridge having clear favorites among the students and those favorites all being of the pureblood fanatic variety, it would be silly to publicly associate himself with a muggleborn like Hermione or a 'liar' like Longbottom.

Harry had heard of what happened during the Gryffindors' Defense class.

Besides, this would be a perfect time to see how Lovegood felt about what had happened yesterday. She always made these cryptic remarks about how Harry was capable of supposedly terrible things. With that in mind, Lovegood shouldn't be too surprised.

Harry felt multiple eyes on him as he approached the Ravenclaw table before sitting beside Lovegood.

"Hello, Harry Potter."

"Lovegood," Harry gave her a nod in greeting.

"I was worried you were blamed for what the Nargles did yesterday night."

"Hm," Harry stared at Lovegood's expression, trying to see if she was hiding her true feelings. Was this a way she justified to herself that he wasn't in the wrong?

"I'm guessing you're talking about Ashwood? Hermione saw the… Nargles do it."

"No, silly," Luna stared at Harry like he was dull, "You can't just see Nargles."

Harry supposed this was Lovegood's way of saying she was okay with his actions. She was a strange girl. Lovegood was the only person who said he was dangerous to his face and followed it up by talking to him like an old friend.

The only thing she didn't do was shake his hand… actually, Harry didn't think he had seen her shake anybody's hand.

"Would you mind if I asked you an odd question?" Harry had to know why Lovegood wouldn't do it. Would she give another nonsensical answer to avoid it, or would she tell the truth? It was honestly a toss-up, in Harry's opinion.

"An odd question?" Luna repeated before saying, "Did you want to call me Loony? I suppose it would be alright. Lots of people call me Loony."

"… No," Harry tried to hide his frown at how easily Lovegood threw him off, "I've never seen you shaking anyone's hand. Why?"

"I wouldn't want to harm the Glimmerkins that live on my palm," Luna answers earnestly, "You should try to avoid it too, Harry. Glimmerkins are really helpful with keeping our magic inside."

Harry stared at Lovegood again, wondering if this was an allusion. He only shook someone's hand to form a contract, which required his magic to be tied to the one he was shaking hands with. These supposed… Glimmerkins prevented that from happening.

"One day, I will find out what makes you tick, Lovegood."

"Makes me tick?" Luna looked down at herself, "I don't hear anything."

Harry ignored Lovegood poking herself and gave a glance at the Slytherin table. He immediately noticed green eyes staring at him. Two sets of them, actually.

Greengrass and Davis seemed to be doing nothing to hide that they were looking right in his direction, which was surprising since Greengrass did not intend to offer any help earlier.

"Hi, Luna! Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Harry looked away from the Slytherin table to see a younger version of Greengrass smiling at Lovegood.

"I don't mind. Do you, Harry?"

Harry suddenly understood why he was getting those stares in his direction. It was because of their younger sister. He glanced at them and gave a small smile before looking at the younger Greengrass. "Not at all, Astoria, was it? Greengrass talks about you often."

"Really?" Astoria was delighted, knowing how closed-off Daphne was, "You're close with Daphne, then?"

"You could say that," Harry replied vaguely, "I know her well enough."

Astoria brightened before leaning forward and lowering her voice, "I know about you, too. Don't blame Daphne too much. I'm sure she wouldn't have ignored you if she had a choice."

Harry blinked, unaware that Greengrass had told her sister about their dealings. A thought that was quickly discarded when he remembered the contract wouldn't allow Greengrass to tell anyone about his services unless she intended to bring them in. Something Harry knew she would never do for her sisters with the way she kept him away from them.

The younger Greengrass was talking about something else.

"You do? I didn't think she would say anything."

"Promise you'll keep it a secret from Daphne," Astoria whispered while her eyes darted around, "She'll kill me if she knows I told you. You too, Luna."

Harry nodded solemnly, with Luna copying his action. The mischievous look on the younger Greengrass told Harry that it wasn't anything serious. Still, he was more than willing to listen, mainly to bother her older sister.

"Daphne told me she said no when you asked her on a date. You shouldn't give up because of today. My sister is a bit difficult, but I promise she's actually kind once you get to know her."

"I didn't know you liked Daphne," Luna commented as she stared at the mentioned girl, "I can see why. She's really pretty."

Harry wasn't sure what to think. With what he knew about Greengrass, she wasn't one to spread false gossip, especially to her beloved sister. So what on earth was she doing by saying he fancied her.

"And what else did Greengrass tell you?" Harry asked while trying to keep the smile on his face.

"I can't tell you that!" Astoria blushed and said, "I shouldn't have even told you what I just did."

"And what exactly did you tell him, Astoria?"

Harry smirked at the startled squeak that escaped the younger blonde's lips.

"D-Daphne!"

"Hm," Daphne stared at her sister before giving Luna a curious look, "You must be Luna. Astoria mentioned you."

"Hello," Luna blinked at her, "Astoria mentioned you too."

Daphne pretended she didn't notice Astoria frantically miming for Luna to stay silent and looked at Harry. "Potter, we need to have a talk."

"Now?" Harry looked reluctant, "Dinner hasn't been served, Greengrass. I rather not miss it."

Daphne didn't bother to reply and simply gave him a stare.

"Fine," Harry played the role the younger Greengrass expected of him and looked exasperated, "Should we talk here, or do you want to go somewhere else?"

"Outside," Daphne said flatly before walking toward the exit.

"I guess I'm missing dinner today," Harry commented as he stood up. He didn't show it, but he was satisfied with the option Greengrass took. Of course, it wasn't to the level of reserving him a seat at the Slytherin table. However, the fact that Greengrass walked over to him and asked for a private talk in view of the Slytherin table was a close second.

"Go!" Astoria ordered Harry with a high-pitched voice as she thought of her always serious sister in a relationship.

Harry smirked and nodded at the girls before following Greengrass out of the Great Hall. He wasn't bothered that she didn't speak as they walked through the hall, getting further from the Great Hall with every step.

"So, did you rush over to save your sister?"

Daphne glanced at him and admitted it without pause. "I did. Didn't I tell you to keep away from Astoria?"

"Hard to do that when she's the one that came to me," Harry replied before adding, "She told me something interesting."

"Don't overthink it," Daphne said without interest, "I told her a lie to prevent her from doing anything stupid."

"Shame. I was already having dreams of us being the power couple."

Daphne shot him an unamused look. "That wouldn't happen even in your dreams."

They stopped walking at a rarely used corner of the castle before the ever-reliable Muffliato was used as an extra precaution.

"I hope you're ready to amend the contract. I've never seen Thompson this lively."

Harry wondered what Greengrass would say if she told him what he suspected about Thompson. He was sure she wouldn't believe him. After all, Harry had seen it in front of him, and he barely believed it himself.

"It's ready," Harry held out his hand, the new clause about the Room added with the amendments.

Daphne grasped Harry's hand and immediately frowned. She let go without agreeing to the newer terms and commented, "You must think I'm a fool."

"I will if you don't agree to the contract," Harry was unfazed by the sneer shot at him, "This is more of a benefit to you than it is to me."

"Is it?" Daphne asked with disbelief, "And how is restricting me from entering or even talking about a room I've never even heard of without your permission to my benefit? Plus, I can't touch anything inside without your go-ahead? Potter, you must have lost your mind in your desperation."

"Greengrass, trust me when I say I would prefer never to reveal the Room to anyone. This conversation would never happen if not for the situation outside the castle. There's no risk for you to sign the contract and see what the Room has to offer."

"I refuse," Daphne denied immediately, "There's no chance that I'll agree to anything like that, unless…."

Harry sighed, already expecting that this would be the reaction. Still, he had hoped otherwise. "What do you want?"

"Get rid of Thompson before the end of the month."

Harry frowned, wondering if that was possible without him acting on it directly. "By getting rid of Thompson, do you mean permanently or from Hogwarts?"

"As long as it's away from Astoria, I don't care what you do or how you do it."

That gave Harry more options, but it still wasn't ideal. Not that he wasn't confident that he could do it. It was just more of a bother. However, if that was what it took for Greengrass to agree, then so be it.

"Done," Harry agreed and held out his hand again. This time, after Greengrass shook his hand, he was satisfied to feel his magic react to her agreeing to her contract.

"Good, now let me show you the Room."

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P atreo n . com (slash) MarkusEllis (Remove spaces)