Harry and the girls were back at Hogwarts, and the months had marched on by. It was now late April, and life in the castle had never been better for Harry. He was walking down a corridor, arm in arm with Andie. The last class of the day had just finished, and Harry went to meet her in Arithmancy. The other two girls had to go talk to Professor Flitwick for help with their homework.
Harry and Andie were discussing their plans for the upcoming year. It would be his sixth year and Andie's final. She was very reluctant to leave the castle and Harry. "Don't think about it, love. Besides, we're getting married at the end of next year, so I'd much rather see you happy then."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. He had grown over the years and now stood taller than her by a good few inches... just enough that her head came to his shoulder. It was much the same for the other two girls, and they loved it. The tops of their heads now reached just under his chin, making them feel as though they were made for him. They simply fit so well together.
She smiled a bit at the thought. "That does make me happy. To be married to the man of my dreams. To start a family with that man," she finished in a husky voice.
A shiver ran down his spine as her breath tickled his ear. They had discussed having carnal relations and had decided, as a group, to wait until their wedding night. However, it was getting harder and harder for any of them to keep their hands to themselves. Any snogging sessions in broom closets or the Room of Requirement quickly turned steamy. However, he kept his hands firmly on their hips or backs rather than letting them wander. But that didn't stop them in the slightest. Hips would roll, hands would massage his chest, fingers would get lost in his shaggy hair. It was difficult not to just jump and take them there and then.
He was a bit lost in his thoughts when he felt a spell come whizzing from behind them. He grabbed Andie and pulled her behind him, but it was too late. A slicing curse struck her arm that was linked with his, going from her shoulder at the back to near her elbow. She screamed in pain as blood started to gush from the open wound. Harry glanced sharply at the attacker, only to see James Potter with his wand out, being slammed against a wall by a furious Sirius Black.
Harry ignored the anger and hate that welled up inside his chest when he saw the other boy. The soft whimper from his love brought his mind back to her. He quickly threw up a dome around them that prevented anyone from seeing in or interfering with what happened inside. He knelt beside her and gently took her arm. She allowed him to pull her into his lap, face down, as he gently ran his wand along the wound to clean it.
He was suddenly very glad he had gone to Asia and learned Parselmagic. He began hissing softly, and his wand began to glow a bright white. He slowly and steadily ran it down the length of the wound, which started to close up. Meanwhile, Andie whimpered softly as she felt him closing the wound on her shoulder. She buried her face in his lap as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. The pain was horrendous, but she could feel it lessening.
After a couple of minutes, the pain was gone, and Harry gently turned her to face forward. He smiled softly down at her, but she could see the concern in his eyes. She gave him a weak smile and gently reached up to trace his jawline. He smiled back down at her, and she knew the only reason he wasn't crying was that he was trying to be strong for her, and the anger was too much. She could see it smoldering behind those eyes she loved so much.
"You'll be tired for a while, love. That magic speeds up the healing process and advances it, but it also takes energy from you," he said, stroking her cheek.
She leaned into his touch and sighed, feeling the exhaustion seeping in. "Thank you, love." He didn't respond and simply put an arm under her legs and one on her back. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and rested against his strong chest. He stood from his knees with her in his arms and lowered the barrier.
A large group of students was surrounding her cousin, who had James Potter pushed against the wall. He was yelling at the other Gryffindor. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, POTTER? YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ANDIE!"
Potter snarled back at his so-called friend, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU CARE, PADS? SHE'S JUST A FILTHY SNAKE SL—"
He was interrupted by a punch to the face. "Don't you dare call my cousin such a name, Potter," he growled, sounding almost like a dog. Harry realized then that they must have become Animagi too at this point. He wondered what their drive for it was this time. Sirius stepped back but not before shoving James into the wall a little harder. "You could have killed her, James. You could have killed her, and you don't even seem to give a damn about that. All because she's a Slytherin, you'd be okay with letting her die. This has gone on too long. We've taken this so-called prank war too far, James, and I can't do it any longer," he said, sounding almost defeated.
"What the hell are you talking about, Padfoot? They're just pranks, no one gets seriously hurt!" James said, as if defending himself.
Sirius scoffed. "No one gets seriously hurt? You could have just killed Andie, you jackass! How the hell is that not someone getting seriously hurt?"
James growled this time. "Like I said, who cares? She's nothing but a filthy snake who's betrothed to a filthy dark wizard. We'd all be better off if she died with the rest of the damn snakes." Andie whimpered in his arms, and Harry squeezed her a little to let her know he was there. She balled her hand in his robes and pulled herself closer.
Sirius looked as if he'd been slapped. "So you'd let someone die, or even kill someone, just because they were in Slytherin, or you think they're dark?"
James sneered at him. "It's not just me that thinks so; it's the truth. Anything Slytherin is evil, Pads. Can't you see that?"
Sirius shook his head. "My cousin is not evil, James. Neither she nor Narcissa. My brother isn't evil either. I don't think all Slytherins are evil or bad, that would just be delusional and forcing something that's not true."
"Then you're a fool. I should have known a Black would turn their back on me and show their true colors," he snarled. "You're just like them. One day, you'll be just as evil and just as dark as that whore of a cousin of yours and her little boyfriend."
Sirius turned red with anger and was about to raise his hand for another punch when Harry cleared his throat behind them, and a force of magic almost forced everyone to the ground. The two boys looked back at Harry, who was carrying Andie close to his chest. "James Potter, Heir of the House of Potter, let it be known that you have attacked the betrothed of a most ancient and noble house. From this point forward, I shall be in contact with your head of house. I would consider taking you on in an honor duel, but at this time my main concern is my betrothed. Step out of line again, Heir Potter, and I won't hesitate." His voice was low and menacing.
James gulped audibly as he felt the immense power radiating off Harry in waves. For a second, he thought he saw a roaring dragon behind Pendragon, preparing to swallow him whole. He almost sighed in relief as Pendragon turned on his heel and marched away, still holding Andromeda in his arms. He looked back up at his best friend, expecting everything to be good between them again. However, he was wrong; as he looked into Sirius's stormy gray eyes, he realized it.
"We're through, Potter. I can't believe you'd act like this. You're no better than those dark wizards you accuse everyone else of being. I should have walked away with Remus back in second year." Sirius turned and left his stunned friend, who had fallen to the floor.
Harry sat next to Andie's bedside as she slept softly. The only reason he was allowed to stay was because of how quiet he was. He had just finished writing two letters and softly called for Trixie. The little elf popped into the room and looked at her master expectantly. "Trixie, give these to Athena to send out for me. They need to go out immediately."
"Yes, Master Harry," she squeaked softly and popped out again. Harry sighed as he reached over and gently took Andie's hand. She had lost a lot of blood but would make a full recovery. Madam Pomfrey said if it hadn't been for his healing abilities, she would have died.
(Potter Manor)
Fleamont and Euphemia were sitting down to breakfast when a regal and extremely scary-looking owl fluttered through the window. It landed in front of Fleamont, who frowned and took the letter. The owl took off without a sound, leaving the flummoxed couple behind.
"Who's it from, dear?" Euphemia asked.
Fleamont frowned. "From Lord Pendragon. I wonder what that dark bastard wants."
Euphemia frowned at her husband's words. How could he think everyone was dark, especially Slytherins? His own mother had been a Slytherin, and she knew for a fact that he'd loved her dearly, and she had been a very sweet woman.
Lord Potter,
This letter is to inform you of an attack committed by your son and heir against myself and my betrothed, Andromeda Black. Today, as we were walking from our last class, your son cast a slicing curse at me. He missed, however, and severely wounded my betrothed's arm. If it weren't for my knowledge of advanced healing magic, she would likely have bled out given the severity of the wound.
You and your heir should consider yourselves fortunate that I do not call for an honor duel for this grave attack upon my house and those under its protection. As you may or may not realize, the Pendragon line is older than Britain itself. As such, many old families owe quite the debts to mine, and interestingly, the Potter family owes us the most. By my calculations, your family owes me enough to bankrupt you six times over.
However, I am not an unreasonable man and do not find myself in need of a few servants. Therefore, I ask that you rein in your heir and write a public apology within two days of receiving this letter, or I will call in the debt owed. Tell your heir to leave myself, my betrothed, and my friends alone, or I will call it. Should he attack us again, I will demand an honor duel and will end the Potter line in more ways than by blood. For your awareness, I am also informing the Head of the Black family about this attack. While I am willing to grant a chance, he may not.
Good day,
Lord Harry Pendragon
Fleamont stared at the letter after reading it aloud to his wife. This was bad. This was really bad. He hadn't expected the boy to know about the debts most of Britain owed his family. After all, they'd been out of the country for ages. However, it appeared he did know and was willing to use that knowledge to destroy families. He gulped at the thought of Black. Arcturus had been a good friend of his father's during Grindelwald's time. He was a hard man and even harder on his enemies.
Euphemia sighed. "Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands," she said, noting the look of fear on her husband's face. She went upstairs and retrieved a red piece of parchment.
(Black Moor)
Arcturus was in his study when the mail arrived. He was rather intrigued to find a letter from the Pendragon boy. As he read about the attack on his granddaughter, his face turned red with anger. Hearing how his grandson handled it, his expression turned to pride. Learning about Pendragon's actions regarding the incident made him pale; he had forgotten about the debts.
He was now glad the boy had simply decided to rough Cygnus up rather than take more drastic measures. Otherwise, he could have destroyed them. Arcturus also found it to be a rather cunning plan. He knew that the Potters owed him a debt that he hadn't called in as a favor for his old friend. However, he was now considering that it might be the perfect time to cash in.
Charlus had been a great friend during the war and after. Together, they had been a force to be reckoned with. However, Charlus's son was an idiot. The little fool had entangled himself with Albus Dumbledore and developed an odd sense of right and wrong. He went on and on about light being better than dark, yet he'd talk about how it would be good to simply off all the dark and gray factions.
Arcturus shook his head as he looked over at a black-and-white picture on the wall of an older James Potter and an older Sirius Black. It was part of the reason he had allowed Sirius to be friends with the Potter boy; it was like looking at a second coming of himself and Charlus. However, it seemed the boy was too much like his father. Arcturus sighed as he took out parchment to write his own letter.
(Hogwarts)
Everyone watched in horror as a barn owl flew into the Great Hall holding a red letter in its talons. By now, the whole school knew what James had done and the light detention he had received. Once again, Dumbledore acted as if it was nothing major and gave a minimal punishment. James went around bragging that he had taken down a Slytherin and didn't get into any real trouble for it. Despite the fact that he and Sirius were no longer friends, he didn't seem to mind. However, more than half the school, including teachers, wanted him out.
Much to James's surprise, the dreaded letter landed in front of him. He shakily pulled it open, hoping it was a joke from his father. However, he was completely wrong. The letter burst apart and formed what looked like lips floating in the air, shouting in a shrill voice that belonged to his mother.
"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER, HOW DARE YOU ATTACK ANOTHER STUDENT! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU COULD CAUSE OUR FAMILY? THE PENDRAGONS ARE THE REASON MAGICAL BRITAIN IS EVEN AROUND! EVERY FAMILY OWES THEM A HUGE DEBT THAT HE COULD CALL IN ON US AT ANY GIVEN TIME! IT WOULD RUIN OUR ENTIRE FAMILY. WHEN YOU GET BACK HERE THIS SUMMER, YOUNG MAN, YOU'LL BE IN FOR A VERY LONG TALKING TO. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID SOMETHING SO FOOLISH. IF YOU EVEN THINK OF GOING NEAR PENDRAGON OR HIS BETROTHED, I SWEAR TO MERLIN, I WILL PULL YOU OUT OF THAT SCHOOL SO FAST YOU WON'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT QUIDDITCH!"
When the letter finished, it promptly tore itself to shreds.
Harry watched in amusement as the old families present started looking at him warily, many not realizing the true power he held. He knew it was only a matter of time before word spread. He was already becoming known as a formidable wizard, and this would only add to that reputation. He smiled to himself, realizing that Euphemia Potter had unintentionally helped him. He watched as Potter quickly left the Great Hall, his face red as a beet.