The Public
"You've got to be kidding me!", exclaimed Ron horrified.
Hermione just looked ill at the very thought of someone marrying Riddle. Let alone her best friend and - until recently - sworn enemy of that megalomaniac.
"Well, the alternative is war, Ron. What am I supposed to do? Refuse?", Harry asked quietly and let his gaze follow the flickering flames of the fire in the hearth. He couldn't feel bad about his decision. Even while suffering under the Dusleys Harry was glad he even had a home he could return to.
Hermione threw him a look full of pity while Ron just looked incredulous.
"Did you even have a choice?", Hermione asked after a short silence.
"What do you think?", Harry shot back.
The raven haired teenager let himself fall back into the chair heavily.
"Dumbledore asked me if I was willing but do you really think I even had a choice to answer how I wanted? You know as well as I do that the headmaster would have either talked me into it, through guilt most likely, or forced me. I gave in willingly to shorten the whole experience."
Ron growled quietly and he sounded so much like Snape that Harry snorted. Both of his friends threw him a questioning glance.
"You sounded like Snape. Surprisingly, the mean potions master - that obviously hates me - was my only champion in that matter.", Harry chuckled sadly.
Hermione let out a sob before throwing herself at him. The crushing hug made him chuckle through the stinging in his eyes. He loved his friends. No matter that they sometimes turned on him, they had always found their way back to him. Ron's hand landed on his shoulder in a comforting grip. Harry looked up at the ginger haired teen and gave a small smile. No matter what, he knew he had his friends' support.
"Thanks. He promised not to hurt me but I'm not sure that I believe him.", Harry murmured.
All three knew whom Harry meant.
The silence after that statement was filled with promises of companionship no matter what happened. They sat for a long time in the comforting silence of the, slowly emptying, common room.
The next morning Harry woke up with a heavy feeling in his stomach. Would the Prophet have caught wind of his impending marriage with the former Lord Voldemort? Or would the students stay in blissful ignorance until the second of August?
The doors of the Great Hall loomed eerily above him and with a heavy sigh he pushed them open and entered. Immediately all eyes were on him and inwardly Harry groaned. Most students had a copy of The Daily Prophet in their hands. Obviously Skeeter had already knowledge of his soon to come wedding ceremony. What kind of story had she spun now? Would it depict him as the Dark Lord in the making or a martyr ready to throw his own happiness away to save the world? Well he would soon find out, he supposed.
Ignoring all eyes on him, Harry walked to the Gryffindor Table and sat down between Ron and Hermione, who had reserved him the seat between them. One of them handed Harry the newspaper. He looked at the headline and groaned aloud. Ron snickered beside him. Harry elbowed him harshly for laughing at him.
Harry Potter saving the world by marrying the Dark Lord?
It came to the attention of the Ministry that after receiving a full pardon, Tom Marvolo Riddle, formerly known as Lord Voldemort, also intends to marry the Boy-Who-Lived, one Harry James Potter, on the 2nd of August. Only two days after the seventeenth birthday of said teenager!
The marriage itself is, after talking to Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, a peace offering. The Dark Lord negotiated the wedding part and promised an Unbreakable Vow in exchange. The wording for said Vow would be conducted by none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.
The most pressing question for this reporter however was: Is Harry Potter willingly marrying Tom Riddle? Was he perhaps forced into the marriage?
In the past Harry Potter has shown a great deal of self-sacrificing tendencies.
It wouldn't be far fetched to assume that Mr. Potter had agreed to the marriage to prevent a war even at the cost of his own happiness.
Harry stopped reading at that. At least Skeeter wasn't making him out to be a Dark Lord in the making.
Still, the article wasn't flattering at all.
"Great.", he muttered.
The whole school was watching him read the article but he resolutely ignored them. Harry wasn't giving them the satisfaction of showing any outward reaction to the current headlines.
Just then a black banded owl flew into the Great Hall, heading straight towards Harry. The teenager rolled his eyes, immediately knowing whose owl it was. No one other than a Dark Lord could ever think to own a black owl. The bird held out its leg where a letter and a parcel was waiting for him. Harry took both and without waiting the owl flew back the way it came. Harry rolled his eyes. Of course Riddle would have an impolite owl. Curious now about the letter the teenager opened the parchment and came face to face with familiar swirling handwriting. For a moment he just stared at the script, not knowing whether to panic. Harry decided to stay calm, well he tried. His breath hitched while reading.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I am pleased to hear that you willingly agreed to marry me.
To show you my gratitude I offer you an engagement gift. Please wear it.
Your dearest
Tom Marvolo Riddle
Harry read the letter two more times before eyeing the parcel on the table. With careful movements the Gryffindor opened the box. Inside lay a ring. It had a golden band and a black stone was nestled in the middle. It was beautiful. The magic of the stone felt familiar but he couldn't place it. Letting his fingers skip over the stone, a warm feeling engulved him.
He took the ring and put it on his left ring finger. The ring lit up and shrunk down to fit his finger as the warmth rushed up Harry's arm and a swirl of magic enveloped him. It left as fast as it came but Harry could still feel the magic circling within him.
"You will have to write a thank you to your fiancé. That is some serious magical protection he put there.", Ron commented idly.
Harry threw him a look. Ron was gazing at the ring with awe on his face. So Harry was correct that something had changed. Obviously Riddle felt the need to give him some extra protection.
"Yeah, 'suppose I do.", Harry murmured thoughtfully.
He threw a quick glance around the room and whenever he met someone's eye they quickly resumed eating their breakfast. Harry went back to his own breakfast as well. It were just another two weeks until the end of school. The exams were already written and done away with. Harry promised himself to enjoy the last of his freedom. Nobody knew what would happen after the wedding.
During DADA the whole lot of news brought forth a few problems. Even though Rita's article hadn't declared him dark, most people didn't want to partner with him. Snape was frustrated enough that he organized the pairs himself. And so he was stuck with Justin Finch-Fletchley. The wordless casting wasn't too difficult for Harry. Justin wasn't bad as well but his aim left a lot to be desired. Harry had spent most of the class throwing up wordless shields around the classroom to avoid injuring other students. Justin himself was getting frustrated and the more agitated he became the more his aim was off. After Harry suggested a short break so the Hufflepuff could gather himself and start anew, Justin cast a wordless bombarda. Unfortunately for Harry, his magic refused to answer him. Snape noticed at the same time Harry did but he couldn't do anything as the spell came too fast. For a millisecond Harry contemplated side-stepping the spell but it would inevitably lead to another person being hit by it. So he decided to let the spell hit his left wrist so the injury would be the bare minimum. Maybe his arm could be saved by Madam Pomfrey? He closed his eyes and waited for the impact.
It never came.
Slowly opening his eyes Harry saw a shimmering green shield build a bubble around him. Justin's spell was absorbed and a second later the bubble disappeared. Now all eyes were resting on Harry.
"Mr. Potter, is it safe to assume that you have no injuries?", Snape asked upon arriving beside him.
The professor was wide eyed and seemed to check him over multiple times just to make sure what he was seeing was no illusion.
"Yes, sir.", Harry answered quietly.
"What happened?", Snape hissed.
"I am not entirely sure, sir."
The man threw him a glare before asking: "Why did you not raise a shield? No matter the wordless casting, even foolish Gryffindors should know that raising a shield against a Bombarda would be necessary."
Harry ducked his head. "My magic wouldn't respond."
Snape drew in a breath and quickly cast some spells over him.
"Your magic is exhausted. What in Merlin's name did you do, Potter?"
"Ah, Justin's aim was off and I raised shields in front of whoever would have been hit with the spell, wordlessly. I didn't think it would affect me this much.", Harry murmured.
All students gaped at him. Snape wasn't so uncouth as to gape as well but he was impressed.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchley you will serve detention and we will practise your aim. Potter, you will sit down and rest. I'll write a note for your other professors today that you shall not cast for the rest of the day. And the rest of you get back to practising. Finch-Fletchley, you're with me.", Snape ordered.
Dutifully Harry sat down again and watched the class resume practising for the last twenty minutes.
The class came to an end. Snape handed Harry his note. The class left quickly.
"Nice cheat, Potter.", Malfoy called out.
Harry ignored him. Ron only patted him on his back.
"Ask Riddle what kind of enchantments he put on the ring.", Hermione advised.
Harry nodded.
The rest of the day was uncomfortable at best and downright annoying at worst. The Gryffindors, while not outright saying anything, were hostile towards him and isolated him, with the exception of Ron, Hermione and Neville. The Slytherins wolf-whistled and catcalled him whenever they saw him. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff ignored him or threw him glares. Harry wasn't sure if he wanted to hide or defend himself. Hermione and Ron always flanked his sides and he was grateful for their support. He didn't think he would still be sane if not for their support.
After dinner he decided to write his letter to Riddle.
"I'll be in the library. I hope they won't disturb me there. Pince wouldn't like a commotion, I believe.", Harry told his friends.
They just nodded. The walk to the library was quiet. Not many people wandered the castle at this time of the day. Upon arriving he searched for a quiet table in the back rows and started writing.
Dear Tom,
I am taking the liberty to call you by your first name. You are my fiancé after all.
I liked your gift. The ring is beautiful. Just what kind of enchantments have you put on it?
I would feel more comfortable with you calling me Harry. Mr. Potter sounds awfully formal.
Kind regards
Harry Potter
Harry read through the letter again and decided this was enough for now. He quickly trecked to the owlery and located Hedwig on one of the top perches. A quiet whistle later and she landed on his arm.
"Hey girl, how are you?", he asked quietly. Hedwig hooted at him and nibbled his finger affectionately.
"Will you deliver a letter for me?"
Again she hooted and puffed up her feathers.
"Alright girl, thank you."
He send her off and had to hurry now. Curfew would be in ten minutes.
Of curse he ran into Snape on his way back. As if his life wasn't annoying enough already.
"Mr. Potter. What are you doing here at his hour?", the man asked.
Harry groaned internally.
"I was sending a letter to my fiancé."
Snape watched him for a moment before he raised a brow.
"I was sending a letter to Riddle.", Harry clarified.
Snape rolled his eyes.
"I know whom you meant I was questioning the need to write to him."
Harry pondered for a moment.
"I need to at least make an effort. An angry Riddle is no fun."
Snape watched him intently. Harry shifted uncomfortably.
"I will escort you to your common room, Mr. Potter.", Snape said quietly.
Internally Harry was reeling with the way the interaction went but he enjoyed the quiet walk. Snape was a comforting presence when he wanted to be. It was also a benefit that no one dared to throw insults Harry's way for their walk.
Snape stopped around the corner as he had done the last time.
"Have a good night, Mr. Potter."
Harry turned around.
"You as well, Professor. Thank you.", he said.
The man only inclined his head and swiftly walked away.
Harry watched the empty spot for a moment before turning and entering the common room. Most of his housemates were still lingering inside as it was shortly after curfew. He was walking to Ron and Hermione, who shared a love seat near the fireplace, when he noticed most of his fellow Gryffindors throwing him glares. Harry wasn't sure why they hated him. It wasn't his idea to marry Riddle. Was it wrong to want peace and no death?
"Traitor.", someone muttered behind him.
Harry turned around. Seamus Finnigan was glaring daggers at him and mentally Harry rolled his eyes. Surely his former friend had learned from his past mistakes about assuming things? It was getting more obvious that learning through mistakes was not Finnigan's best subject.
"What?", Harry asked, despite not wanting a confrontation.
A sliver of betrayal went through him.
"I said traitor.", Seamus called loudly.
A few heads turned their way.
"And why would I be a traitor, Seamus?", Harry asked slowly, a warning in his tone.
He fidgeted and glanced around the room. A crowd was building. Great.
"Marrying You-Know-Who seems awfully convenient, doesn't it? Especially now that he doesn't look like that snake-like monster anymore. Guess a good looking Dark Lord makes it easier for the 'sacrifice'.", Seamus taunted.
Harry gaped for a second before he got his face back under control. How could anyone mean that? Sure, Riddle looked good but his character was the same as before.
"Why would you even consider this? Did you forget who murdered my parents or Cedric?", Harry exclaimed.
Seamus had the audacity to roll his eyes.
"Well, I certainly haven't forgotten but you must have. Why in the world would you agree to marry him?", Seamus argued.
Harry threw his hands up in exhasparation.
"I'm doing this because the alternative is an all out war! Do you honestly believe that I do this because I want to?"
The teenager couldn't believe it. How could Seamus, or anyone really, think that he'd marry Voldemort because of his looks?
Seamus snorted. "Sure, you're apparently that self-sacrificing.", he replied scathingly.
The condescending tone made Harry angry.
"Well, apparently I shouldn't have counted on a rational thought process when it comes to you! It seems that idiocy is a common Gryffindor trait when you are the Gryffindor in question.", Harry shot back, turned on his heel and marched up the stairs towards the dormrooms.
He could hear gasping and shouting but he was too tired and too annoyed to even care. Obviously his last two weeks would be hell.
Wonderful! Just what he needed!