The Contract

Chapter 105

As custom dictated, the Lord and Lady's - with their unmarried children - arrived precisely on time, while those who did not have titles arrived fifteen minutes late. The House-elf proudly showed them into the drawing room. The manor was positively gleaming, you could see your own visage in some of the items. The scent of blooming flowers following you as you moved, Harry favoured the honeysuckle, it was such a sweet fragrant scent it produced and its tubular flowers bright and colourful.

The house-elf introduced the couple or family, having long since memorised them all. Either in picture, or through past association. House-elves were largely the first thing people saw or interacted with when they Apparated, Floo called or Portkey'd. The House-elves weren't just bound to their Masters, they were also bound to the property, not as in they can't leave, but they knew everything that happened and felt the wards when they were disturbed.

So, it was no surprise that Lord Aurelius' Slytherin had arrived first and foremost for the gathering. Followed closely by the Malfoy family and the Sheikh and his family, all resplendent in their beautifully tailored clothes. The Sheikh and the family kept their own sort of robes on, with more jewellery on than one strictly needed.

There was only one faux pas created, Lord William Weasley had arrived that customary fifteen minutes late. He most definitely didn't intend to cause insult, but merely forgotten that the family was beginning to gain importance through association. William 'please call me Bill' was doing his level best to lift up his family's reputation by its bootstraps and doing an admirable job and society was impressed with his efforts.

Unfortunately, one didn't wipe out generations of being 'blood traitors' in a few years. Although, considering the way the wind was sailing, it might not be a thing of significance for much longer.

Harry was almost buzzing with excitement, he wanted to be with his friends, as if he hadn't seen them just a few weeks ago in school. Longer for his friends from Egypt, true to the Sheikh's word he had used his manor in Britain to stay for the party and a few weeks afterwards. Unfortunately, it would be improper for him to do so, since he and the Lestrange family were hosting said party, and it was his duty to be introduced to everyone.

"See, look, I told you, he's betrothed to Lord Lestrange! I've said it from the very beginning! I saw it when I fitted him for new clothes." Tamara Travers hissed out to her best friend, as if the fact he was wearing Lestrange jewels meant that it was Lord Lestrange. She'd known for years, of course, ever since she created Heir Potter's first wardrobe, and Merlin, he hadn't half changed since then. He was no longer thin and gaunt, his robes fitted him expertly showing off his toned figure. "He does look good enough to eat!"

Rabastan Lestrange choked on the last sip of champagne in his glass he'd just tried to swallow. Managing to muffle it nearly entirely, so that nobody saw or heard him. Utterly baffled as to why anyone would assume it was his father that Harry was betrothed to. One glance at Harry and he had to admit, she was right, he was gorgeous, he was always dressed very well - except for the first time they saw him - and always clean and tidy. Today though? Today he was mesmerising and so utterly spellbinding beautiful. His back vest tight against his body, shirt crisp and white, black trousers, with silver trim - they used their house colours normally or any colour to 'stand out' - and his cloak had silver trim and all three of his houses crests attached.

"That's disgusting," her friend retorted sharply, whether she was talking about a possible betrothal between Harry and Corvus or her last words nobody knew, not even her friend. "And you really should refrain from gossiping about people while you're in their home." Her tone exasperated as if she'd long since grown tolerant to her best friends' stupidity.

"Not really, I mean they were betrothed when the sons were still in Azkaban, he did need a new heir before he passed away." Tamara Travers explained, oh, how she loved to gossip. "I wonder what it means now...it doesn't seem like they're going to stop the betrothal." After all the sons had been out for a good long while now.