The Contract

Chapter 50

It wasn't long before the months were creeping by, as they all worked themselves to an exhaustion. It was February before everyone knew it, or more specifically valentine's day, which the older students were over excited about.

Harry was still at that age where he thought the entire idea was silly. Plus, nobody would give him anything. They all knew he was betrothed, well, most of them anyway. He made no secret of his betrothed status, it afforded him a lot of protection.

Or so he thought.

"Harry," Draco pointed out, nudging the teen whose nose was buried in a book.

"What is it?" Harry asked, emerging from the truly fascinating book, he would have to give it to Rabastan when he was done. Not that Rabastan would mind if he'd read it before, he said he'd always read it again. It took him away from the monotonousness that was Azkaban prison he'd said.

Narrowing his eyes on the wicked grin adorned Draco's face as he pointed to something. Confused, he glanced at the area Draco was pointing to only to blanch at the sight of the dwarf. It was covered in paper love hearts and glitter.

"Oh, no," Harry said, pale all except his ruddy cheeks, already knowing where this was going. "Don't say it! I'll pay you not to speak!" the Slytherins sniggered at his attempt at preventing this.

Its mouth opened, and Harry muttered "Silencio!" but the spell did not work, it was like water of a ducks back.

"His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord."

Harry could have sworn that the dwarf was enjoying himself, its beady eyes similar to goblins were gleaming in amusement.

The sound of everyone laughing uproariously met his ears afterwards. Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. Ugh, that had just been awful, he wouldn't hear the end of it for months!

"Five Galleons we know who that came from!" Draco said with an undertone of malice. It wasn't specifically directed at Harry, no but whom he thought sent the valentine poem.

"Oh, please! Everyone knows," Harry groaned dramatically when he heard the sniggering and muttering of the elder Slytherins who were also studying in the library. Including Marcus Flint, who was back this year for the purpose of passing a single class he'd failed.

"Oh Merlin, she's here!" Daphne choked on her own incredulity, staring at the red hair peeking through the bookcases. Watching them with avarice, not that it was new really. She was fast though; she'd give the Weasel that.

"Where?" Harry pursed his lips, refusing to glance anywhere lest he run her off.

"Behind the first-year bookcases, to your left," Daphne explained, giving Harry a curious look.

"Do me a favour? Block the damn door...Vincent go distract Madam Pince please? Ask about a book or something..." Harry asked.

"Sure," Vincent agreed, already standing up and heading towards the librarian. He would do anything for Harry, he liked the teen, and he also liked the fact he wasn't judged. He knew what everyone thought of him, that he was slow and stupid and didn't have much magic. Unfortunately, there wasn't a damn thing he could do about magic wise, as for stupid, if they saw his grades last year, they'd know he was far from stupid.

"Very well, but you owe me," Daphne pointed to Harry seriously, who nodded, with a roll of his eyes.

"What are you up to?" Draco asked, eager for details, eyes gleaming eagerly. Harry didn't say as such, but his eyes were very similar to Sirius' when he was sharing exciting news or what Sirius perceived as such anyway.