Incorrigible Infatuation

7.)

Oh here you are, there's nothing left to say
You're not supposed to be that way
Did they push you out? Did they throw you away?

Touch me now and I don't care
When you take me, I'm not there
Almost human, but I'll never be the same

The whispers and stares lasted all week long. Harry ignored it for the most part and Draco Malfoy kept his big mouth shut.

It was nearing the weekend, the abandoned classroom now looked like a flat. There were two sofas; one that looked like a bed with pillows and covers splayed all over. The other sofa was for sitting, a desk erected in front of it for homework. There were clothes draped over desks and Harry had asked Hermione to place a few charms on the room simply to keep other students from finding it.

The notice-me-not charm was the most useful of these as well as a password lock, which wound up being Harry and Marcus’ middle names.

It was very late, a little after midnight when Harry slipped into an oversized t-shirt that went down to his knees and a pair of pyjamas.

“Where are you going?” Marcus asked sleepily.

“Prefect’s Bathroom.”

Blinking his eyes open he tilted his head. “Why?” Harry held up his egg. Marcus grunted at this. “Be careful…”

Harry smiled at Marcus words. “I’ll be back.”

“You better.”

He bent down and kissed the man on the lips before drawing his invisibility cloak close and then his map before rushing out of the room.

It was an hour and a half later, Harry cursed sharply while rushing through the room. He was now map-less and his heart felt as though it were going into overdrive.

He moaned out and leaned against the door.

Harry was breathing hard. He placed his egg down onto the counter and folded his cloak.

“Are you okay?” Marcus sat up and peered over at him through the dark.

“I don’t know…” Harry admitted coming over to sit down.

Marcus wrinkled his nose. “You smell like flowers.” He buried his nose into Harry’s neck making the boy snicker despite himself.

“Barty Crouch was here…”

“So?”

“Marcus, Barty Crouch was said to be ill last time I spoke with Percy. I ran into Mad Eye Moody as well. He wanted to borrow my map. Mad Eye thinks that Crouch wants to keep an eye on Snape and Karkaroff, but that makes no sense…” Harry shook his head. “If Crouch wanted to watch them why not come to the events? The dance even? I saw him lurking around Snape’s office. My egg sort of set everything off - Filch, Snape, Mad Eye. I guess I scared him off… I was so panicky my foot got trapped in the staircase.”

“Were you under the cloak?” Marcus asked concerned.

“Yes but Mad Eye can see through them that’s how he knew about me.”

“He wasn’t angry?”

“No, he knew why I was out.”

Marcus wrinkled his nose. “I should fuck you to get that flowery smell off. Doesn’t seem right,” he said pressing kisses to Harry’s ear.

“Weren’t you sleeping?” Harry asked grinning as Marcus’ hands reached around to pull off his shirt.

“No, can’t without you now,” Marcus grumbled. “Not very fair. Fucking my sleep up without you.”

Harry indulged him, taking his tongue and sucking lazily on it. Marcus’ strong arms pulled him on top until he was straddled completely. He slipped his hands down Harry’s pyjamas and one finger taunted him until the younger raven-haired boy purred out in bliss at the invasion.

Harry trailed kisses down Marcus’ neck, across his thick muscular shoulder and nibbled along the flesh, he moaned out more when Marcus sped up his movements, causing him to rock back and forth.

Marcus flipped Harry over and crawled on top, between his slender legs. Harry moaned out in protest when those fingers left him. More fiery kisses invaded his mouth, licking and flickering across him until everything seemed to run together and Marcus’ mouth moved from his lips down his chest toward his flat stomach.

Harry’s breath hitched, when his bottoms were finally yanked off and Marcus swallowed him, making him cry out.

When Marcus said he was going to wipe the flowery scent from his body, he meant it. The bites against his neck pierced his flesh leaving red and purplish swollen marks.

The drive inside of him, caused him to scream out and clutch Marcus close and if he’d had nails he’d have scratched the tan Slytherin who slammed repeatedly into him, until the sweat trickled across his chest and back, his ivory skin flushed a heated cherry red.

The harder the thrusts the harder the bites and kisses, until the release shot out in hot streams on his thin flat stomach and Marcus gripped Harry so tight that the teen screamed a couple sobs out as he was filled to capacity, leaving absolutely no room inside of him.

“No more flowers. You smell like me now.”

“You sound like a werewolf,” Harry croaked out wiping the tears from his eyes. He chuckled into the man’s hard shoulder.

“Better than flowers. You’re gay not a girl.”

“Mmm, glad you know the difference.”

“I do!” Marcus growled kissing him sloppily. “You have a cock and a nice arse.”

“Oh thanks, just what I wanted to hear.”

Marcus slapped his butt, making Harry laugh and clenched his legs around his boyfriend. “You are demanding,” Marcus accused reaching for his wand.

“Hmm, maybe,” Harry said shamelessly. “I don’t hear you objecting.”

“It’s hard when my mouth is full of you.”

“Again, you don’t complain.”

“Why would I?” Marcus asked shaking his head.

“You have to clean me up, you made a mess.”

“So did you,” Marcus grumbled but grinned with amusement as he leaned up on his knees. “Maybe I’ll make us lay here in our cum.”

“You mean, me lay here in our cum.”

“It’s on me too,” he pointed to muscled stomach, making Harry’s finger glide through it.

“Yeah poor baby, I have it in my arse and on my stomach.”

“I had it in my arse last night!” Marcus declared and flicked his wand twice.

“Well, I wanted to try it.”

“I don’t mind.” Marcus collapsed on top of Harry, placing both hands on each side of his head and kissing him softly.

Harry hummed against him and licked his lips. “Sleepy!”

“Go to sleep then,” Marcus kissed the side of his mouth and then shifted until he was lying beside the thin naked figure. He curled his arm around Harry and held on tight.

Harry’s fell asleep instantly.

(o)

“You mean, Crouch was in Hogwarts last night?” Hermione asked in horror.

“What’s wrong with that?” Ron asked mouth full of eggs.

Harry wrinkled his nose at his best friend. He was glad to have him back but he could have done without Ron’s table manners. Hermione gave him a look of disgust. “Oh, Ronald, swallow before talking!”

“Crouch, was out sick when I spoke with Percy. Mad Eye says he’s probably suspicious of Snape and Karkaroff, but the question is why doesn’t he show up for the events? The Yule Ball would have been perfect to snoop around. Why drag himself up when he’s desperately sick?”

Ron shrugged. “I don’t know… random boredom?”

“Vhy is Crouch suspicious of Karkaroff?” Viktor asked.

“I think he used to be a follower of Voldemort.”

Ron flinched and Hermione twitched at the name.

“You-Know-Who!” Ron corrected.

“Voldemort,” Harry snapped. “Get it right. There’s no reason to fear his bloody name.”

“Harry’s right,” Hermione tutted. “Perhaps Ron should write Percy?”

Harry shook his head. “Don’t even bother. He’ll only bitch about how he is not at privilege to talk yadda yadda.”

Hermione sighed. “But then why was Crouch out?”

“Don’t ask me. Your guess is as good as mine.”

When they headed for Potions, separating from Viktor, she immediately asked. “Did you figure out the egg?”

“Mhmm, it was a riddle. You put it under water. It’s Merpeople. Something to do with the lake.”

“That’s why Viktor was swimming this time of the year,” Hermione mused.

Ron flinched. “He hasn’t asked you for help yet?” He asked almost scathingly.

Hermione shot him a cold look. “No, of course not! I wouldn’t help him anyway.”

“Guys, don’t start.” Harry looked at Ron who sighed heavily.

“Fine, fine! Sorry Hermione,” he mumbled, though Harry could tell he didn’t mean it.

When class was over, Harry told Ron and Hermione to go on. “Please?”

Hermione nodded, as Ron frowned. “Why?”

“Just go!” Harry insisted and waited while they walked out.

He approached Professor Snape, whose eyes narrowed. “What Potter?” He asked impatiently.

“Professor, uhm, well - I saw Barty Crouch here the other night. He was by your office door…”

“What?!” He hissed, “What are you talking about Potter? Was that your egg?”

Harry flushed and bowed his head. “Yes sir.” He knew he could get in trouble for it. But he also knew that Snape needed to know so that he wasn’t blamed. “I was working out the clue - and I saw him Professor when I was coming back. I followed him and he went into your office… I didn’t touch your office sir. I got stuck in the staircase.”

The Slytherin Head of House straightened up and surveyed Harry closely. “Barty Crouch, in my office?”

Harry nodded. “I saw him, I know it was him. You can’t mistake him. Looks too much like my uncle.” He shuddered at the thought.

“Stay here Potter.” He disappeared only to return five minutes later with slimy green strands inside of a jar. He handed it over. “Gillyweed, water breathing potion.”

Harry took it. “Th- thank you sir.” He didn’t need to be told why he needed it.

“Keep it in that case until the day you use it,” Snape said sharply. “Otherwise it’s useless.”

“Thank you again sir.” He carefully placed it in his bag and left.

It all started at the end of January. Harry sent out two formal letters and by the second of February, each and every day a public apology was sent through the newspaper to Harry Potter and if that wasn’t enough a long winding letter from Rita Skeeter, apologising for her illegal slandering, which he had posted in all the available papers.

It didn’t stop the fact that he sued her for 250,000 galleons. She was publicly humiliated and fired from both Witch Weekly and the Daily Prophet.

Marcus made sure when he signed two official documents that there were no loopholes and a second look over by Dumbledore was finalized before he gave his signature.

He was in the process of owning half the Daily Prophet. It was weird to know that Marcus was actually working with Dumbledore on it.

Harry had no idea what to do. He had the keys but what did he do with it? What could possibly be in the vaults?

It was the night before the second task; Harry was sitting in the library with Marcus on one side and Hermione on the other.

Ron was nowhere in sight. Viktor was with them as well.

“Are you confident about tomorrow?” Viktor asked Harry.

“Yeah I think so.” Though, Harry was not really good at swimming. But the gillyweed was supposed to do the job. He never told anyone about Snape giving it to him.

It was then that Professor McGonagall swept over and gave them a rare smile.

“Professor!” Harry and Hermione exclaimed at the same time.

“Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, how are you this evening?”

“Pretty good, just hanging out,” Harry answered for them.

“Well, I hate to break this up, but I must see Miss Granger and Mr. Flint for an important matter.”

Concern washed over everyone. “Are they in trouble?” Harry asked in worry.

“No, Mr. Potter. Don’t worry yourself now.”

Marcus gripped Harry’s chin and kissed it reassuringly before standing with a wide-eyed Hermione.

They left Viktor and Harry alone in the library.

“Wha-?”

Viktor shrugged. “I don’t know. Did Hermione and Marcus help you by any chance?”

Harry shook his head. “No. Neither of them.”

“Karkaroff cheats.”

Harry smiled. “I think we all cheat.”

“I knew about the dragons.”

“So did I, I told Cedric. I think it’s the point.”

They sat there in a comfortable silence, waiting on their mates to come back.

When the library closed, Viktor and Harry stared at one another just outside of it.

“What do we do now?”

“I guess we go to bed. If you see Hermione, tell her I said good night.”

“Alright, bye Viktor.”

But Marcus never came back. Harry lay on the transfigured sofa under the covers most of the night, eyes open aware of the cold draft. He went off in a daze somewhere in the middle of the night.

“Potter!” Someone was shaking him.

Harry gasped, when his eyes snapped open and he came face to face with Mad Eye Moody.

“Wake up! You have fifteen minutes!” He growled brushing the boy’s fringe out of his bright green eyes.

“Marcus!” Harry declared gazing around.

“Think about it, Potter. Something you will surely miss-?”

Harry gawked at the ex-Auror. “They have Marcus?”

“Obviously, he’s not laying next to you. Get up! Hurry!” Moody threw his clothes toward him making the boy quickly scramble up. “Fifteen minutes!” He rushed out of the room as Harry quickly changed into burgundy shorts and a matching t-shirt. He tied his hair back and grabbed the jar of gillyweed and then his wand.

The Merpeople had Marcus?

He rushed out of the room, flying past Professor Snape who flinched and watched the Gryffindor jump over a hog statue just outside of the doors.

It was freezing! Harry couldn’t believe he was going to be diving in the lake. His black hair flapped against his shoulders as he put on the speed. It was then that Viktor raced up beside him.

“Hi ya Harry!” He said moving in pace. “Marcus ever come back?”

“No! He’s what I have to retrieve from them fish people.”

Viktor frowned. “Perhaps, Mione is who I have.”

They saw Cedric and Fleur up ahead; two beautiful blue-eyed blondes watching them streak across the field.

Karkaroff looked to be breathing in relief, while Dumbledore smiled gently at Harry who glared ruefully at him. How dare they take Marcus from him?

Ludo Bagman was hopping with excitement.

Harry dreaded this as he stood next to Cedric and Viktor.

“Alright, Harry?” Cedric asked concerned.

“Fine,” Harry muttered feeling the pain in his side from the running. The cold air whistled down his lungs. He disrobed along with the rest of the Champions, pulled the small glass jar of gillyweed out, and opened it.

“Smart,” Cedric smirked.

Harry cocked his head to the side. “More like resourceful,” he retorted winking at the blonde before stuffing it in his mouth at the same time the whistle sounded.

After help from Moaning Myrtle, it took every bit of Harry’s strength to hold Marcus Flint into his arms. He was heavy! Even a Feather-Light Charm was straining as Harry used his webbed feet to flitter up, ignoring the rest of the champions. He knew very well Viktor was on his way for Hermione, Cedric for Cho, and Fleur to the little blonde girl that was obviously some relation.

He passed Viktor, who had a transfigured shark head on the way. Harry would have laughed but a stream of bubbles escaped his mouth. He was the first person that surfaced, five minutes within the hour. The entire crowd was going wild.

Fleur was screaming and crying beside Madame Maxime and Harry briefly felt bad that he hadn’t grabbed the girl too.

Harry was shivering furiously. He pulled out his wand and tapped Marcus‘ chest. “Ennervate!”

The heavy Slytherin gasped out, eyes snapping open. “What the-?”

“H- hi!” He shuttered as Hagrid pulled them out of the lake.

“Harry! Yeh did it, Harry I knew yeh could!”

Harry groaned at the large slap on the back. Marcus rolled over off Harry and sat up. “I’m exhausted.”

“You have webbed feet,” Marcus said picking up his hands and examined them. “And fingers.”

Harry laughed out loud. “Gillyweed.”

“Hnn.”

Towels were dropped on top of them. Marcus scowled and knocked his off before wrapping Harry in both.

“Sorry, I left you alone last night.”

“Shush.” Harry ignored the roaring crowds and Hagrid jumping up and down. He kissed his lover sharply. “Was only worried.”

Viktor and Cedric surfaced at the exact same time, twenty minutes later.

The Merpeople surfaced with the blonde haired little girl and Dumbledore levitated the child with his wand as Fleur rushed to her side.

“Gabrielle!”

Harry groaned tiredly up against Marcus as he shivered. His marks were in full though Karkaroff tried to say he cheated while Viktor scowled at his Headmaster.

“He von it fair and square Headmaster,” Viktor rumbled lowly as he picked a leaf out of Hermione’s hair.

Viktor’s and Cedric’s scores were ten points behind Harry and Fleur received half marks for an attempt. Apparently, Grindylows attacked her.

After a scalding hot shower in the dorms, Harry found Marcus in the room. Marcus was half asleep on the sofa. He cracked his eyes open enough to watch Harry pad over to him and slid the covers back.

“It was cold in that lake!” Harry squeaked.

“McGonagall put me to sleep,” Marcus scowled. “I didn’t know it till she hit me. Apparently, I’m something you would sorely miss.”

Harry grinned and cuddled up to him. “You are,” he said kissing the Slytherin’s strong cheek and sliding his hands over Marcus’ bare chest. As usual, he was not wearing a t-shirt. Harry wasn’t really complaining though. He traced the contours of his torso and down into the grooved muscles of his stomach. “Definitely someone I would miss more than anyone, Marcus.”

“You’re stuck with me,” Marcus growled leaning in for a kiss.

“Good, now glue me to you and I’ll be pleased.”

“Bull, you’ll be sick of me!”

“Nuh uh!” Harry stuck out his tongue and licked his boyfriend’s nose playfully.

Marcus laughed lowly and rubbed his nose. “Did you sleep last night?”

Harry shook his head. “No more than three hours at best?” He sighed. “It was - lonesome. I was cold and worried. I woke up late. Moody woke me.”

“He knew about this place?” Marcus asked shrewdly.

“Probably saw through the walls to find me. His eye can do weird things.” Harry rested his hand on Marcus’ hip. “There’s nothing to fear from him. He’s pretty good at keeping his mouth shut and anyway, Dumbledore knows I’m with you. I can guarantee it.”

“He doesn’t mind?”

Harry shook his head. “Obviously not. He turns a blind eye to me.”

“How did you get that stuff?”

“Gillyweed?” Harry smiled. “Snape.”

“Really? He gave it to you? Willingly?”

“Yes, because I told him the truth. I told him about Crouch and I think he’s a little softer on me because I stood up to the Prophet practically running them into the ground.”

The most amusing thing about Harry’s long break from the Tri Wizard Tournament was when the March Hogsmeade Trip arrived. It was just barely getting warm, just enough that a light leather jacket was all Harry needed.

Marcus was holding him close, when he was nearly accosted by a mass of blonde curls.

“YOU RUINED ME!” Rita Skeeter shrieked, her glasses were sliding down her beaky nose and the way she sounded drew a lot of attention.

Marcus made to step in front, but Harry held him off with a touch to his arm and a gentle look.

“No Madam, you ruined yourself,” he said curtly. “I did absolutely nothing to warrant such bigotry and lies and neither did my boyfriend! You went too far messing with me.”

Marcus drew him back, his eyes harsh and cold. What he wanted more than anything was to break her. But he kept his anger reigned in while Harry handled it. He was better at the vocal part of defense, while Marcus excelled at the physical aspect.

“I only wrote it in concerns for the Boy-Who-Lived!”

“I am not the Boy-Who-Fucking-Lived!” Harry scowled. “I’m Harry, a fourteen-year-old you slandered! Did you think just because I’m an orphan I wouldn’t retaliate? You had absolutely no right! I let you get away with the stupid remarks before, but you stepped way out of line, lady!”

“I’m a reporter! I report what I see, and I saw this big brute-” She cried out trying to get him to see reason.

“Defending me from a hands-on would be child molester!” Harry retorted. “But obviously you seem to condone it, it’s a good thing your title was stripped. You’re lucky I don’t have you sent to Azkaban.”

She flinched harshly. “But Harry, you wouldn’t do that to me? After all we’ve been through?” She reached out to touch him but Marcus grabbed her wrist.

“Do - not - touch.” She squeaked at his strength and jerked her hand back. She goggled at him for a moment in pure fear.

“I don’t even know who the hell you are,” Harry sneered. “Not that I want to know. But I never met you before your ridiculous prying into my life at the weighing of the wands ceremony. Now back the hell off. You ruined yourself, not me.”

“You left me destitute! You took everything I had!” She screeched out.

Harry looked over his shoulder. “Before, I would feel sorry for you, now I don’t. Enjoy your life.”

“Harry, you really have been around Slytherins for far too long,” Ron squeaked rushing up to him.

Harry smirked. “You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

Ron said nothing to this and cringed away from the dark glare Marcus sent him.

Hermione and Viktor met up with them, the first one grinning wildly when she saw the state Rita Skeeter was in.

“Serves that cow right!” Hermione harrumphed. “Making up some disgusting lies.”

Viktor grinned. “It’s nice to see her get vhat she deserved.”

“What did you do with that money?” Hermione asked curiously.

Harry smiled. “Charity. I don’t need it.” Considering everything he and Marcus went through with the balance sheets. He still didn’t understand them. He didn’t know how he acquired so much money from all those vaults. All but one was filled to the brim with gold. The last one he had was family Heirlooms. Ones which he would look at someday.

X

Marcus frowned when he saw a black hawk owl fly toward him. This wasn’t good.

“Uh oh,” Adrian said observing the familiar owl.

He hadn’t spoken to his parents since he left for Hogwarts. It wasn’t like he wanted to in the first place. He was sick of hearing about bloodshed from his father and his mother’s narcissism. After a while, it got old.

He took one look at the Flint Family Crest and sneered before flipping it open, only to be chewed out for his association with the enemy. There were also hints in the letter of Lord Voldemort’s return.

Not like he didn’t know that already. Then at the end of the paper there was a request to return to the manor for Easter Holidays and to bring Harry.

“Oh fuck that!” Marcus hissed as Adrian took it.

Hugh glanced over his friend’s shoulder at it. “Oh… I see.” He winced for his friend.

“I’ve settled my affairs already,” Marcus said pushing his half-eaten plate back. “I’m not returning.”

“They’ll disown you.”

“I don’t care.”

“You’re doing all this for Potter?” Hugh asked eyebrows rising with the question. “Are you sure this is a good thing?”

Marcus glared coldly at his friend. “It’s more than Harry, Hugh.” He got up and swept out of the Great Hall.

Adrian and Hugh followed briskly behind.

“I really don’t blame you but - this is really going to be dangerous,” Adrian said gazing over the letter again. “It’s only luck the Puceys are neutral.”

“Mine aren’t,” Hugh hissed. “This means that if I go into the services I’m going to be against you, Marcus!”

Marcus whirled around. “What do you want me to do?” He demanded towering over them. “You want me to get marked and go on a slaughtering spree like I was taught?”

“You know you lust after it, Marcus. You were made that way.”

Marcus growled out and turned away. A hand coming to rest on his forehead. “I can fight it.”

“Can you?” Adrian asked dubiously. “It’s not your fault we know this. But can you really resist?”

“Seth Flint hasn’t totally fucked me up yet.”

“Yet,” Hugh whispered.

The three Slytherin’s entered the dorms so that their conversation would remain private. Hugh threw up a silencer and Marcus snarled out in frustration, clenching his hands together into fists.

“You’re fighting it now. Every time you get angry you want to hurt someone,” Adrian said.

“I don’t,” Marcus rumbled.

“Don’t you? You nearly killed that man in the Three Broomsticks,” Hugh reminded.

“I would have too. He not only touched Harry but he scared him!” Marcus snapped. “He deserved it and more.”

“We’re not justifying what the bastard did, even I would have attacked him for the way he acted,” Hugh said succinctly. “What I’m saying is, what if you go too far? What if you really really hurt someone? Kill them even because of this?”

“I won’t.”

“You won’t? How can you be sure, Marcus?”

Marcus didn’t say anything back to Hugh and spun around, he snapped his eyes shut and breathed very slowly in and out of his nose. The urges were difficult to ignore but they were not impossible. He forgot all about his urges when he was with Harry. It was like the Gryffindor was a buffer. He made them disappear.

“He’s in love with Potter,” Adrian said without disdain.

Hugh rocked back on his heels. “You’re serious?”

Adrian gave a nod. “I am willing to bet my entire fortune.”

“I don’t know what love is,” Marcus snapped hastily though he didn’t deny it outright.

“Of course not… learning to slaughter at the tender age of three and being drugged continuously by your loving and caring father could do that to you,” Adrian reminded sarcastically. “But you’ve changed with Potter. I saw you Saturday. You would have knocked that bitch out the second she got near you or Potter but a touch from that little Gryffindor and you calm down. You step back.”

“You even go to class on time and I caught you studying for your NEWTs.”

“Fuck you Hugh,” Marcus snarled.

“You never study, ever! Yet you do now.”

Marcus grumbled; he’d almost forgot how well Hugh and Adrian knew him. Between fifth and the first round of seventh year, he’d gotten more and more aggressive and even more distant from his friends.

Everything his father had put him through, the anger and rage had increased inside of him, keeping his two friends back, way back as far as he could.

He didn’t want to hurt them.

“I’m a beast.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Hugh growled. “I think you have some sort of control around Potter.”

“But when Potter isn’t around. How will your control act?” Adrian wondered aloud. “If you are away from one another for a long period of time, the lust will build…”

“Perhaps you should tell him.”

“NO!” Marcus spat out. “I am not telling Harry this. He doesn’t need to know.”

“If he knew what your parents did to you, he would understand!” Adrian sighed. “As much as I hate to say it, I think Potter is good for you.”

“Can you at least try calling him Harry?” Marcus snapped crossing his arms defensively.

“Fine, Harry,” Hugh rolled his eyes. “Tell him.”

“No.”

“Marcus, Harry has a right to know. He won’t think you’re a monster. He might understand.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Marcus said shortly. “I don’t want him to understand. I don’t want to face him and tell him I think about hurting and killing others. I am not going to tell him I crave it.”

“Do you crave it when you’re with him?” Adrian asked.

“No,” Marcus answered briskly. “Never. Only when he’s threatened.” Hugh and Adrian exchanged looks. Marcus sneered at them. “Shut up.”

They laughed. “We didn’t say anything.”

“You don’t have too.”

“You didn’t deny it though.” Adrian smirked. “Come now Marcus. You’ve allowed your name to be run through the mud, you’ve separated yourself from Slytherin House and you tolerate muggleborns.”

“Only one muggleborn,” Marcus argued. He wasn’t going to admit that he didn’t mind her.

“What are you going to do about your parents?” Hugh questioned.

“Tell them to fuck off? Let them disinherit me.”

“See, you love Potter otherwise-”

“Who said I wouldn’t do it anyway? The more I’m experimented on the worse I become.”

“You had no reason before,” Adrian said looking at his nails disinterestedly. “No reason to fight. Now you have Pott- er - Harry. The Boy-Who-Lived.”

“Stop it,” Marcus growled. “He’s not the Boy-Who-Lived. It wasn’t his fault.”

“True,” Hugh admitted. “Is he coming back?”

“Voldemort?” Marcus smirked when Hugh and Adrian flinched. “Yes, he’s coming back and not because my bastard parents say so.”

“Potter says so,” Hugh said quietly, his eyes going slightly wide. Even he knew Harry Potter was not one to lie. Slytherin may have found him a lot of things, but a liar he was not.

“Yes.”

“My father’s Dark Mark keeps showing up and fading out, he wrote me about it. Told me to prepare myself. Unless I fail school.”

Adrian frowned at Hugh’s remark; Marcus remained stoic. “I’m not taking the Dark Mark, Hugh. I will fight it.”

“You fight that, but can you fight the blood lust?” Adrian asked.

“What choice do I have?” Marcus said finally. “You stated exactly why.”

“So you do love Pot- Harry?”

Marcus shrugged. Maybe he did. He just wasn’t sure what love was. Did he?


Long way down, I don't think I'll make it on my own
Long way down, I don't want to live in here alone
Long way down, I don't think I'll make it on my own

Goo Goo Dolls - Long Way Down