Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

Chapter 7

Dumbledore spoke, “It had come to my notice that you had been engaged to the Malfoy heir. I think congratulations are in order.” Harry knew it would not do to look stumped by his parent’s confidants identity yet; he had to discourage the old man from his meddling.

Alex stared at Dumbledore fixedly. “Really! the news isn’t even public, yet. Only the families and department of magical contracts had any inkling about it let alone confirm it. I must have negligent in my thoroughness if somebody got their hands on my personal information that easily.” He knew quite well that it was his parents who must have told the old man but he chose that the inflection in his voice carried both threat and promises of pain for those who betray him.

Dumbledore smiled at him kindly. “Your parents told me tonight. Mr. Malfoy is a handsome young man. If he wouldn’t have been bested by James in grades, I would have chosen Mr. Malfoy for the head boy this year. ”

Harry wasn’t fooled for a second. He knew the old man had wanted James in his confidence and later Order. As the head boy Dumbledore would have had valid excuse to build up an understanding between them. Until this summer James was the scion of the Potter family. His family was a light supporter and though the male heirs had a penchant to go after all kinds of witches, they remained wealthy and influential. Dumbledore wanted him now. It was clear that he would be persuaded to stick with light. Dumbledore didn’t know that Harry had no intention of turning dark. He however, preferred to keep the old man guessing.

“Yes, he is isn’t he? He caught my eye when I was merely twelve and didn’t even know the meaning of word love. I would have killed to have him. “He said perfectly sincerely.

Dumbledore stilled. The boy no young man in front of him spoke with conviction. He had no trouble believing he could kill to get what he wanted. The implications troubled him. His eyes promised what he said with words and the words were meant for him. Had the boy somehow found out about his efforts to stop the negotiations for his marriage? If he had, his chances to influence the boy would be severely affected. He had to tread lightly.

“Then I must offer you my sincere good wishes. He, however is in Slytherin. When in school, you might find it inconvenient for two of you to be in different houses. No Potter so far had ever been in Slytherin.”

Harry smirked. “If we are in a different house then I might request the founder's suite as I am the heir of Godric Gryffindor. It wouldn’t suit me to be separated from my fiancé.” He watched as Dumbledore merely nodded. His reaction confirmed Harry’s suspicions. The old man knew that the importance of Potter family was far greater than a mere light family and never bothered to tell him the truth. His loathing for the man grew tenfold in that instant.

Lucius came back then carrying their drinks. Dumbledore smiled and offered his well wishes. He sipped his drink and kissed his fiancé and the old man retreated.

It was two in the night. Harry was mightily tired. It had been a good night. Almost all of the elites had been invited, except those he had purposely chosen to slight. He had made his displeasure clear to the Black family about the negotiations for Bellatrix with the Lestrange heir, slightly hinting that he may reconsider the other two contracts if they ignored his wishes. The Lestranges, according to him weren’t worthy enough to be included in his extended family. Walburga Black had tried to accuse him of bias against dark families and he had gleefully thrown up the Malfoy negotiations in their faces. The Blacks had catapulted. It was a major victory for him. Though he wished he didn’t have to deal with Bellatrix he would not let her fall in the hands of Lestrange family. They were known for being slightly deranged due to enhancement rituals they had the habit of performing both on their spouses and infants. Harry suppressed a shudder. Dealing with a mad Bellatrix Lestrange once in a lifetime was enough in his book.

He was quite generous towards his ex- godfather who was probably the only person in this time who could get away with annoying him; Denise could be included in that list too. He had restrained himself in front of her even when he and James were had a flaming spat last week. Like all over protective older brothers he thought his sister was too much of an affectionate soul to deserve any of his anger. Charlus had later commended him for his maturity. He later dealt with James in the privacy of their father’s study. James had not talked to him since and his pranks on him grew in maliciousness. His innate sense of self preservation, developed by years of experience with the Weasleys served him well. He had yet to be fooled by any traps set by the four boys staying in the house; Sirius was mostly a reluctant participant and very helpful in warning him. Harry smirked. If only James knew that Harry himself had told Sirius to stick to his side, there would be hell to pay. It however, prevented any dangerous mischief his father may get himself into.

He had stood beside his parents to bid the important guests good night. In a pureblood society you never knew whom you had to curry your favor next. It helped to have a good image. After conversing with many guests’ especially young ladies and their persistent mothers he had learned that the general perception of him was of an imperious and determined young man fit to take on the reins of the family. It was a good image to have. His parents were pleased. The only sore points of his nights were James and Dumbledore’s army of misguided idiots who have tried to drop hints that the Malfoys were not good for him and all such rot. He knew that Malfoy was not good for him. That was the whole point of this marriage.

Malfoy, no Lucius had surprised him though. When he had come into his room his expression had been of a classic heroine one who had been forcefully wed to the villain of the story. The comparison amused him. The encounter was pleasant but he was forced to rein his emotions in. He wanted Lucius that was certain. The extent of his lust had even surprised him. He had always found Lucius Malfoy, the man alluring; he had a handsome but dangerous aura thing going on in his time. If the man hadn’t been his enemy he would have crawled in his lap the very moment he had discovered his hormones. Cedric had been his object of lust for quite some time. After his death though, he had smothered that part of him. He only did what was expected of him afterwards. Ginny had been a wonderful distraction from the chaos that was rampant in his life. He had grown to sincerely love her but it wasn’t meant to be.

He looked up and stared at his reflection in the mirror. In the past two weeks much had changed in his life. His physique had changed. He no longer looked like a starved thirteen years old. His body was broader, leaner and muscled throughout. He ate well and trained every day with the dueling tutors Charlus had arranged at his request. At the moment he looked like the perfect blend of his parents. He finished changing and came out into his bedroom. Lucius was lying on the top of the covers in his pajamas. In the room light of the burning fire provided him an ethereal view of his fiancé.

“Thank you.” Lucius whispered. Harry looked intently at him as he approached and kissed him lightly.

“I wonder what you are thanking me for.”

“Mmmmmm…… for making me stay. I had always liked the house. It’s cozy.” Lucius answered.

“Really, if it was up to me you will not be leaving this house; ever.” Harry smirked and kissed him again. He raised the covers and they got in. The boys cuddled together for a while. Harry rested his head on the shoulders of the other boy and sighed. Lucius had been a brilliant strategist and politician in his time. He was hesitant to let the boy into his heart. He wasn’t yet sure which side Lucius was on. His attitude so far was entirely different than the person he knew; or he thought he knew. Sex was one thing but the lives of his family depended on his decisions.

“Harry,” he said quietly. “Call me Harry, when we are alone.” Lucius looked at him questioningly. “It was the name I was called when I was away. For almost 17 years it was my identity.”

“Harry. I like it. Harry ……” Lucius whispered. The roll of his real name from those lips led to another round of fierce kissing. They panted together and tangled themselves up basking in the embraces. Tonight, he wasn’t yet ready for anything more. He contented himself in the embrace of the other young body; they fell soon asleep.

Their morning breakfast was punctuated by catcalls Sirius managed to emanate in Harry’s general direction. Lucius on the other hand was received generously and was internally amazed by the atmosphere. James was annoyed. Remus and Denise smiled and Peter nervously ate his breakfast. Harry ignored Sirius quite thoroughly but smirked and scowled sometimes. In all it was an entertaining morning after the big night. He led Lucius into the grounds after breakfast. They spend most of the morning sprawled in each other laps by the lake, kissing and talking about their lives in general. He preferred to tell slight truths and kept the information general. Lucius did the same.

Later Sirius had dared to intrude in their sanctuary. He ran in cackling madly with a red faced James on his heels. They skidded to a stop in front of the couple. James stopped stared at his brother; then turned sharply and stomped away.

“What was that all about.” Harry asked.

Sirius shifted uncomfortably. “I found him doing research in the library. Turns out he had been trying to find out a way to get out of the contract. He had all these books and more booklists hidden away in his trunk. I don’t even know where he got the names of the books and lawyers.” He handed Harry a large parchment.

Lucius read over Harry’s shoulder and frowned. “Most of them are Dumbledore’s friends. The books I have no idea.” Harry seethed with anger. Damn that old coot. He should have never believed that either Dumbledore or James would back down so easily. The old man had been manipulating his brother behind his back. He couldn’t yet break the contract because James wouldn’t be turning 17 for a couple of months. This was a betrayal of the highest kind. This he would personally deal with.

He hurried into the house. Charlus had been gone for the day. He sent an elf to find him and asked about Dorea. She was available and she was exactly what he needed now. Lucius and Sirius followed him apprehensively; the former had seen his father in few too many rages and the latter had seen Harry. The expression on his ‘brother in law to be’ was murderous.

Dorea looked up when they entered her room. She saw the expression on her son’s face and understood. The three boys took seats by the fireplace. Dorea poured two finger of scotch each and handed the out glasses.

“James?” Harry nodded. Dorea sighed. James’s indifference to Narcissa had hurt the girl. The family had supported her and she had a tolerable time last night but this kind of behavior from her son had appalled her.

“James had been trying to nullify the contract with Dumbledore’s help.” He spat out.

Dorea paled. They nursed their drinks in silence for a while.

“You can sign an unbreakable contract.” Lucius offered. Dorea looked at her eldest who shook his head. It would not do to give Lucius ammunition against family so fast.

“I never wanted to force my brother.” He bit out. “I suggested Narcissa as a way to make him realize it isn’t worth it to chase after someone who doesn’t care two hoots about him. Narcissa, bless her is far more patient girl than many. She could have slapped him and walked away after his dastardly behavior last night. He had tested my limit with this now. There will be consequences that neither he nor Dumbledore is going to like. He is not going to Hogwarts anymore.”

“Harry!”

“Mum, removing him from Dumbledore’s influence is going to be like pulling out rotten teeth. It would hurt but it is for the best. He is not going to Hogwarts anymore. He would be home schooled by teachers selected by us; preferably foreigners. He would be under house arrest. Nobody will see him out of his new suite again. His floo would be blocked and his mail directed to us. No visitors allowed except family. Also his allowance is blocked until I see fit. Do you have any objections?”

“It is a bit harsh but I agree. “ Charlus was standing in the door. “I heard everything... almost.”

“Dad, mum, I don’t like this anymore than you do. His actions would cause us to lose face and Sirius might have to choose between family and fiancé. Dumbledore’s manipulations may very well cost us our lives.”

“I understand son.”

“Thanks dad, mum.” He hugged his grandparents and sighed.

‘Damn you Dumbledore.’ He cursed silently.

Lucius hugged his shoulders as they moved to Harry’s room. Sirius nodded to them and left for his own. Harry was beyond frustrated. Trying to encourage love would have been one thing but this blatant disregard had shaken him.

He absently noticed that Lucius had dragged them into their suite. He was so angry that he wanted to break something. He was grabbed and pushed down on bed. Harry watched silently as both of them quickly undressed and Lucius sank in his arms. Later, they lay in the arms of each other, utterly spent slowly memorizing the other’s body.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

Lucius kissed his neck. “You needed to vent.”

Harry smirked.“It was quite an experience…………..venting.”

Lucius offered. “You looked ready to Crucio somebody.”

Harry sobered. “I probably would have.”

“That look frightens me. “ The other boy said quietly. “The pain that look promised frightens me.”

Harry tightened his grip on the Lucius. “I would never hurt you. Never give me a good enough reason.”

Lucius searched his eyes looking for something Harry wasn’t sure about. He nodded and sank in his arms. Harry closed his eyes and was on the verge of sinking in depths of sleep when he heard the other boy quietly murmur, “I think I might love you.”