And the sequel
Here it is, finally. I think it started kind of blah, but
the ending isn't too bad. Yes, I'm going to continue it.
I just needed to break it up a bit.
This is for npetrenko's challege:
3. Arranged Marriage (AU) Paring: LM/HP
Harry's parents died when he was still a little boy. He was left
with friend of the family as his legal guardian. Harry's guardian
thinks it's time for Harry to get married so he arranges it.
Lucius is looking for someone suitable to marry. Arranged marriage
which turns into love. And Draco add to the mix. How will he deal
with stepfather of the same age as his own?
Harry was glad to be going back to school for several reasons. His
friends Ron and Hermione would be on the train, and he couldn't wait
to see them again. He looked around for them, but they didn't seem to
be there yet. Mr. Lovegood had left already, wishing him luck and
kissing Luna good bye. Luna, after reassurance from Harry that he
would be all right, went ahead on the train to get a compartment and
meet up with her friends.
The arrival of two impeccably dressed wizards turned heads, and Harry's
stomach fluttered. Lucius, leading Draco, strolled across the platform.
Harry wondered if Lucius would acknowledge him, or if he would deign to
keep their relationship a secret until June, when the wedding would take
place. He turned the promise ring around his finger somewhat nervously,
shifting from foot to foot.
"Harry!"
He turned, and was almost knocked over by Hermione speeding into him.
"Easy!" he laughed, lifting her up in a huge hug. "How was your summer?"
"Oh, very good," she said excitedly. "I got a letter from the Department
for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures, and they say that
they're interested in S.P.E.W.!"
She was so excited, Harry couldn't bring himself to roll his eyes. "That's
great! So you're definitely going to do that after school?" he asked.
They enganged in conversation about S.P.E.W. and careers for a while,
until Hermione stopped short, and Harry, frowning, saw her eyes fix upon
a spot above his head. He turned, and grinned. Lucius was there, a slight
smirk on his face.
"Hello, Harry."
"Hi," Harry said, unable to curb his grin. When Lucius held out his hand,
Harry could nothing else but take it, and he heard the gasps from everyone
still on the platform as he was drawn into a very deep kiss.
When the kiss ended, Lucius looked him over appraisingly. "You will owl me?"
"Of course," Harry said. And he noticed Draco, who was standing a few feet
away, looking rather less than happy about what had just happened.
"Have a good term, then," Lucius said, bring Harry's hand to his lips.
"Miss Granger," he acknowledged with a nod.
"Mr. Malfoy," she said, respectfully, her mouth hanging open as he left.
"Harry, what was that about?"
"I'd like to know that, too," said Ron's voice from behind them.
Harry, still grinning, shrugged a little. "I'll tell you when we get on
the train. Come on." He led the way, trying to ignore the stares and whispers
from the students who'd see the kiss. Once safely tucked away in a compartment,
Harry found two very eager sets of eyes on him. In response to their unasked
question, he held up his hand to show them the ring.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped, taking his hand to get a closer look. "Oh, it's
beautiful. This is a promise ring, isn't it?" Harry nodded. "I can't believe
this. So you're really going to marry Lucius Malfoy?"
"Why?" Ron asked, interrupting.
"Mr. Lovegood decided that I should get married soon. You know, so I'd have
someone to take care of me after I leave school. He's only my legal gaurdian
until June, after all."
Ron looked as though he was going to protest, then stopped, then opened his
mouth again. "But he's old enough to be your dad."
Harry frowned. He knew was going to get this type of reaction from someone.
How to explain that age didn't matter? "He's a far cry younger than all my
other suitors," he said. Well, that was only a half-lie. One of the witches
who'd come to call was only a few years older than he was, but unbelievably
immature. "Besides, I really like him."
"He's Malfoy's dad!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron, just because someone's a git doesn't
mean their parents have to be too." She smiled. "Look at your mum and dad."
Harry supressed a laugh while Ron fumed, trying to defend himself. The rest
of the train ride passed quick enough, and they stayed on neutral topics.
The sun had set, and a light rain had begun to fall when they got their first
visitor, someone Harry was not pleased to see.
"Malfoy."
"Easy there, Potter," he said, "you might not want to say your future last
name in that tone."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Like you care." He realized belatedly that picking
a fight with his future stepson was not a good idea. And then he grinned,
because the thought of being Draco's stepfather was highly amusing.
"I don't know how you wormed your way into my father's affections, Potter,
but he doesn't take kindly to gold diggers." His voice slowly grew more
dangerous. "When he finds out that you only want him for his money, I don't
expect you'll be so smug then."
"I'm not in it for the money," Harry protested, hurt.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Hard to believe you'd want him for anything else.
I know for a fact he's not not shagging you."
Harry blushed angrily, standing up. "Just because we're not sleeping together,
doesn't mean I only want him for his money."
At that moment, Luna appeared at Draco's shoulder, giving everyone a dreamy
smile. "Hello," she said to Draco. "Are you one of Harry's friends?"
Draco gave her a slow look up and down, and Harry was hard pressed not to
punch him. Luna was like a sister to him, and he was already angry at him
for what was said earlier. "Not hardly," he said shortly, and left.
Luna sat down, taking a chocolate frog. "He's the son of Lucius Malfoy,
isn't he?"
Harry slumped down in a seat. "Yeah. He is."
"He doesn't seem very nice."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks, but Harry, who was used to Luna's oddball
behavior, merely shrugged.
*****
Harry sent an owl that night before going to bed.
'Dear Lucius,
It was nice to see you before I had to leave for school. I don't think Draco
was too happy with me, though. Well, I said I would owl you, so here it is.
I hope everything is well.
Harry'
He looked it over, frowning. It was awfully short, as he didn't have much
news after only being apart from Lucius for twelve hours. He wondered if he
should mention what Draco said on the train, then decided against it. He
didn't want to cause a rift between father and son. Draco would dig his
own grave in time. Satisfied with the letter, he sent it off and went to sleep.
It was Saturday morning before he got a reply back, and was quite pleased
with the contents. A single red rose, and a hope to see Lucius again.
'Dear Harry,
I apologize for the delay in my reponse. As for Draco, I believe I told you
not to worry about him.
Do not make any plans for you first Hogsmeade weekend.
Lucius.'
The last sentence in the letter was made clear when Harry left the castle a
month later, with only the barest amount of contact between himself and Lucius.
He was walking down the path with Ron and Hermione, and saw a tall figure
waiting for him at the gates. "Lucius," he breathed, hurrying over. It felt
like forever since he'd last seen him, and the embrace that followed was
most welcome.
Lucius looked up at Ron and Hermione. "I thought I asked you not to make
any plans."
Harry smiled weakly at his friends, one arm still around Lucius' waist.
Hermione merely smiled back, wishing him a good time, but Ron looked
scandalized. "I'll see you two later," Harry said, frowning slightly at
Ron's hurt look. He *had* told his friends that he probably wouldn't
have time to spend with them.
Lucius took Harry's hand and led him away, into the village. "Did you
eat yet?"
"No," Harry admitted. He'd been too nervous to eat, at the prospect of
seeing Lucius again.
Lucius looked disdainfully up at the Three Broomsticks. "I suppose you'll
want to eat in here in order to be close to your friends?"
Harry frowned. He had been with his friends all week. "Actually," he said,
looking up at Lucius, "if we could go somewhere else, I'd like that better.
I don't want to have to stop eating every two seconds in order to introduce
you to my schoolmates."
Lucius seemed pleased with this, and they walked down a row of commercial
buildings, stopping at a small tea shop. The chilly October air was cut
off abruptly once the door shut, and Harry looked around. It wasn't quite
unlike Madam Puddifoot's, where he'd taken Cho two years ago, the same
sort of coziness emanating from the very walls, but it lacked all the
frills, and the tables were a bit larger.
Harry felt a hand on the small of his back, and they sat down, Lucius
ordering a couple of sandwiches for them. Harry smiled at the simplicity
of the meal. He knew Luicus liked lavish meals, presented in five courses
with only slightly less ornate desserts, so for him to eat something as
normal as a sandwich, Harry felt it was a big sacrifice. Smiling to himself,
he realized that not many people would see this as a sacrifice, namely Ron,
but he knew Lucius was doing it for him, and that's what made it special.
"I trust your first few weeks at school went well."
This prompted a conversation about Hogwarts, his teachers, his grades, and
Quidditch. He was captain this year, and had to make some changes, fill two
chaser positions, and organize practices. It wasn't easy, but he wouldn't
give it up for anything. The only thing that could've used room for improvement,
Harry noted, was his potions grade. Lucius offered to talk to Professor Snape
about it, but Harry declined. He didn't want to use his position as Lucius'
betrothed to his advantage. That wouldn't be right, and it would half-confirm
Draco's suspicions about him being a gold-digger.
After lunch, they perused the shops, Harry declining Lucius' offers to actually
go inside. He had noticed a particularly large group of Slytherin sixth years,
no doubt all of whom were following him in order to report back to Draco. However,
he spent some time window shopping in front of a Quidditch supply store, reading
the description of the latest broom, the Skyfire 100. He knew there would probably
be a new model out in another year or so, but couldn't help ogling it all the same.
They stopped in Honeydukes where Lucius allowed Harry to indulge in some sweets,
smiling just a little when Harry's eyes lit up at a new candy that would make
your hair change colors as it changed colors while you sucked on it. Harry
offered him one, but he declined, highly amused by Harry's bright purple hair.
The sun had started to set, and Lucius walked Harry up to the lake, stopping
under a regular willow tree. Harry squinted out at the water, watching as a
ripple broke the surface, the giant squid making itself known. Lucius' arms
encirled his waist, and he smiled. "Will you come back next Hogsmeade
weekend?" he asked.
"Barring any unforseen circumstances." Lucius pressed his lips against Harry's
neck, his hold tightening just a little.
Harry tilted his head, relaxing back into the embrace. A group of dark shadows
was coming up the walk, and he frowned. The group of Slytherins. No doubt on
their way to tell Draco about the public displays of affection from Lucius. He
couldn't bring himself to be too worried about it, however, when Lucius' lips
continued to trail over his neck. He let out a happy sigh, and looked around
when gloved fingertips touched his cheek. They kissed for some time, the air
around them growing even more chilly, the sun now fully set. By the time they'd
pulled apart, stars were twinkling above them, the light of the half-moon
casting everything into long shadows.
"Be good," Lucius said, brushing his lips against Harry's ear.
"I will." Harry watched Lucius continue down the walk until he could barely
see him, and then Lucius was gone. Harry, grinning, walked back up to the
castle, thinking that the next Hogsmeade visit couldn't come fast enough.
*****
'Dear Harry,
Due to some matters of a professional nature, I will be unable to see you at
Christmas. I deeply regret this, but if everything works out, we'll be spending
a rather large amount of Christmases together. Take care.
-Lucius'
Harry was curled up on an armchair by the fire. The note had come a day before
break, but he'd held onto it. Now that it was Christmas day, he needed some
reassurance. He had been looking forward to seeing Lucius, spending time
together with him over the holidays, but instead he was staying at Hogwarts.
Hermione and Ron had offered to stay with him, but he told them to go have fun.
The common room was very nearly empty, only a small group of third years remained
from Gryffindor House, and he was quite sure Draco and his friends, Crabbe and
Goyle, were staying from Slytherin, along with a few others. The castle seemed
devoid of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, though he could've been wrong about that,
since students often slept in on holidays, and he hadn't gone to every meal.
Decided to make a day of it, instead of sitting around brooding, Harry got
dressed and hurried down to breakfast. They were still using the house tables,
as putting Gryffindors together with Slytherins, especially at mealtimes, could
prove disastrous. He was spooning some egg onto his plate when the owls came,
and he looked up, hopeful for a 'Merry Christmas' note from Lucius. What he
saw heading his way, however, made him drop his fork. Three large, tawny owls
were flying toward him, carrying what could only have been a wrapped broomstick.
They dropped it on the table, thankfully missing his breakfast, and Harry caught
the letter that followed.
'Dear Harry,
Merry Christmas. Thank you for the serpent brooch, it was a very thoughtful gift.
It's currently adorning my cloak, hissing quite happily.
As for my present to you, I remembered you admiring this the last time we visited
the village together. I hope it meets with your approval.
-Lucius'
Harry set aside the letter, heart racing. He tore off the paper, and sure enough,
there was the Skyfire 100, looking very sleek and shiny. Grinning, he stuffed the
letter in his robes, grabbed the broom, and hurried outside without another thought
of breakfast, too eager to get in the air. He also missed the glare that followed
him all the way out of the entrance hall, and the slightly knowing, sly grin that
immediately replaced it.
*****
After a full day of practicing with the snitch, the quaffle, and the bludgers,
Harry was exhausted. He'd only taken a short break around midday when a house-elf,
no doubt acting on Dumbledore's orders, had brought him some lunch. Sweaty, dirty,
but extremely satisfied, he started for the lockerroom, and a long hot shower.
Peeling off his robes, he couldn't help but grin at the Skyfire. It was a much
better broom than his Firebolt, though there wasn't anything wrong with that one.
It was just a bit outdated. After locking it up securely, putting several of his
own personal wards on it, Harry wrapped a towel around himself and walked into
the showers, turning the water on as hot as he could stand it.
The water pouding over his ears, relaxing his muscles, eyes closed, Harry did not
notice, nor did he feel someone else enter the room. He, too, missed the fact that
they had their wand trained on him, and heard them only a split second before it
was too late.
"Stupefy!"
His eyes flew open, and a jet of red light hit him square in the chest, knocking
him to the floor. The world went black...
To Be Continued...
I should really think of a title for this...
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