Theodore Nott took a calming breath as he glanced up from his reading, across the common room, and onto the seated form of his future wife. True, she hadn't been informed of this yet, and as far as he knew his family had yet to approach hers, but it was only a matter of time. He had already written home to his father with his demand and was assured that everything would be done to accomplish it and continue their line.
'Still' the teen pondered, 'perhaps I could get a sneak preview…' with that thought the Slytherin stood and made his way over to where his 'prey' sat. Upon arriving at the table, he cleared his throat, earning the attention, and secret annoyance, of the three females currently seated. It was his 'future wife' along with her younger sister and best friend.
'A pity Astoria is already in a contract to the Malfoy's' the male noted, before focusing his attention in on his prize, "Greetings heiress Greengrass, I wish to enter into negotiations with you in regard to the social arrangement that is quickly approaching us."
Daphne stared back at him, causing the boy to shift his weight in uncomfort, "It means I want to…"
"I know what it means Nott, and the answer is no."
His jaw almost dropped, she was refusing him !?
"B-but… why!? "
"Several reasons, first off you have no asked our Lord's permission, second I have no real interest in going to the Yule Ball, third I don't appreciate the way you attempted to look more important in front of my sister and best friend by using fancy language, fourth I do not like the way you made asking me to a dance sound like a business deal, and finally I just don't like you very much."
The explanation earned a giggle from the youngest girl present, causing a shift of the Nott heir's ire onto her, " Mind your own business ." He snapped, earning a pout from her and glares from the older two girls.
"Bugger off Nott and leave my sister alone if you know what is good for you."
"And if you know what is good for you then you will watch your mouth Daphne." He snarled, leaning in closer to the girl. "We both know that you will end up belonging to me before the end of our seventh year, maybe if you start acting a little more generous I will whisper a few good words in Malfoy's ear and he won't use your sister before she is old enough hm?"
Daphne shot out of her seat, rage contorting her features as she glared back into the offender's eyes, that is until a voice called out from the behind them.
"Something I should be made aware of?" The two turned as Harry took a few steps towards them, shifting his gaze between the two. "I do so hope I am not interrupting anything, I am sure Professor Snape would be most displeased if he heard about fighting in his common room."
" It is nothing ." Nott snapped, before storming off to write his father another letter, this one to demand his father enter into negotiations with the Malfoys concerning her sister as well.
Meanwhile, the boy-who-lived turned his attention towards the, still fuming, girl, "Perhaps you will be a bit more open to conversation?"
"It… was nothing you need to be concerned about my Lord, Nott was just being a prat to me and Astoria."
The raven-haired boy hummed in acknowledgement, before glancing down at the girl's younger sister, "Well I do so hope you bring any future… issues to my attention. I would hate for misconceptions to appear between my followers about my policies concerning owning another person."
Daphne gulped, but nodded. Although it had never been directly mentioned most of those closest to Harry had long since figured out that the teen was against the concept of 'owning' another person without their consent. Sure, there were oaths of loyalty and devotion, but the purchasing of a person, regardless of context, was slavery in his mind, and thus considered to be anathema.
...
Lavender Brown sat down at the Gryffindor table, far enough away that if Ron wanted to start a conversation with her he would be required to stand up and move. Three days after their talk and he rose as expected before sulkily walking around towards her, hoping that the normal commotion would drown out his actions.
Unfortunately for him a certain Slytherin caught sight of the action and weaved a few spells that would quiet down those in the room and bring emphasis on the pair.
Ron made it to within ten feet, before realizing that the room had grown silent, save for a few giggles from younger students. A few more steps and he was able to whisper to his potential date, "Lav… come on don't do this please, this is embarrassing…"
"Then perhaps you can go back and beg Parvati or her sister to be your date… like you asked yesterday ."
Ron winced at being caught, before muttering a few choice curses and whispering once more, "Will you go to the dance with me?"
"Nuh uh uh, not like that, we talked about this Ronald. On one knee, or I am going to demand two."
The boy cursed silently, before doing as the girl demanded, and spoke a bit louder. "Lav would you…"
"Lavender Brown, and louder if you please," she easily corrected.
"Uhm… Lavender Brown," he replied, loud enough that the others could hear him. "Would you please go to the Yule Ball with me?"
"Hmmm I don't know Ronald, that doesn't quite sound like an apology to me. It sounds like you are only asking me now that you have run out of options, perhaps if you were a bit more apologetic I would consider."
The redhead gave a last-ditch glance around the room, but at this point even McGonagall had been fed up with his attitude, especially that towards women. It also did not escape her attention that he had been one of the few to not attend the dance lessons she had made mandatory.
"I am sorry for asking other girls before you Lavender, but if you go with me then I will…"
"Then I promise ."
"Then I promise," he repeated, "that my attention will only be on you. Please forgive me."
The female gave a few moments pause to think it over, making the boy sweat and earning more than a few chuckles and snickers from the other students. "Very well Ronald Weasley, I accept and will accompany you to the Ball. But I will hold you to your promise, I expect your attention focused on me for the evening."
"Y-yeah! Of course!"
"Good, and you will be taking dance lessons, because I will not be embarrassed again."
The sulk returned as the boy grunted out a confirmation.
....
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