A sobbing Luna Lovegood lay curled up in a broom closet once more. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? Why did they have to hate her so much?
Once more flashes of the future went through her mind like horrible nightmares, each one worse than the last. The newest was her sitting alone, in nothing but dirty ripped clothing, in what appeared to be her house. There she sat, for days on end just staring at nothing in particular. There was no one in her life, and hadn't been for years prior to her father's death. There the older version of herself sat without moving, without blinking, the loneliness finally shattering her mind.
Another whimper escaped the young girl's mouth. Why couldn't she have a happy future? Why did she have to suffer? Why couldn't someone just… care .
...
"Ummm Harry?"
"Yes my dear? How are you feeling?"
"G-good… ummm…"
"Is something wrong? Are you hungry again?"
"N-no I just… umm… could I… maybe… take a bath…"
"Ah of course, you have been sitting in that bed for well over a day now and you probably haven't had time to bathe in longer than that. Considering you were returning from the Chamber of Secrets I imagine you are feeling a bit filthy yes?"
She nodded shyly, and waited for her caretaker to stand next to the bed while helping her stand, and then walk, across the room to the add-on lavatory. Once there he gently set her down before starting her water.
"Do not fret my dear, once the water is to your liking I will go and fetch some towels while you disrobe and hide beneath the rather foamy bubbles that I have added. That will also give me time to change the bed sheets for you."
As he turned to leave a hand reached out and grabbed a hold of his cloak.
"H-Harry…"
"Hmm?"
"Could you… help me umm…"
"Ah you are not feeling quite up to strength yet."
She nodded in shyly, before the boy helped her up and began to undress her. It was an odd feeling for the youngest Weasley, being stripped down in front of a boy she barely knew, despite the fact that he was keeping his eyes closed in respect. His hands were gentle, and yet there was a power and nimbleness to them that surprised the first year, a feeling of comfort and security surrounded her, even with something so demeaning.
After all was said and done she draped her arm across his shoulders, allowing him to aid her into the tub, where she stood for a moment.
"Now then, that towel hmm?"
"Y-yes please."
When he returned however, she was still standing, albeit bracing herself on a nearby wall.
"Oh my apologies my dear," he muttered turning away instantly, "I did not realize that…"
"It's okay… I mean you are doing all of this for me and…" What the hell was she doing? Letting some boy look at her naked? And yet… there was a desire inside her that to see something in his eyes. A spark of enjoyment, a flash of lust, approval… just something that would tell her she was attractive, that she could be more than just a skinny little shy girl with no friends. "And I want you to look."
The way his eyes raked over her form sent more than a few pleasant shivers through her body and to her core.
"You are very lovely my dear, do not let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Th-thank you…"
"Now into the water, you still need to get clean… if you don't I will be forced to wash you myself ." The huskiness in his voice gave her a moment of doubt, that maybe she should take him up on his offer…
...
"Look who it is Fred"
"Indeed George, apparently the Lord of Slytherin has seen fit to attend an audience with us."
Harry responded by extending his arm towards Draco, who reached into his pocket and placed a few Galleons into the raven-haired boy's hand, grumbling the entire time.
"I am curious as to how you know such a thing, would you care to explain?"
"Oh forgive us"
"Oh Slytherin Lord"
"We are but humble pranksters"
"Not worthy of your inquiries"
"Also Pansy Parkinson is a gossip"
Again the hand was extended, earning more grumbles from the blonde, who pulled out even more coins to give to the boy.
"Any chance you"
"Will explain to us "
"Why heir Malfoy"
"Keeps giving you money?"
The Potter Lord grinned, "We made a few wagers before coming here based on your reactions, thus far Draco is losing… badly."
"Such freaking crap…" said boy mumbled.
"So now that the introductions are done we can get down to business what are you willing to give up for…"
"Actually we just showed up to tell you"
"To bugger off"
"And also"
"Give you a 'going away present'."
Moments later a red dust dropped from the ceiling, covering the two Slytherins in what appeared to be a very 'Gryffindor' shade of crimson. The two older boys burst into laughter, even to the extent of falling on the ground. Neither noticed that Draco had, reluctantly, pulled out yet another handful of coins to give to his Lord.
"Well Draco it appears you were wrong."
"My apologies my Lord, I thought they would be a bit more mature than Ron."
Harry shrugged, before turning to leave, "It appears you were mistaken, they did not value their sister as much as we presumed. A pity, well regardless she will simply…"
The boy-who-lived halted in his steps, a smirk appearing on his face as he turned towards the two older students who were now pointing Wands at him.
"What did you do to Ginny?"
"Ah, not as funny anymore is it?" Harry inquired, before extending his hand, and earning a groan of annoyance from Draco before handing over more Galleons.
"Seriously how the hell could you guess that ."
"Simple Draco, people are predictable. Perhaps I will use this to buy Miss Parkinson a Christmas gift, do you think she would prefer jewelry or lingerie?"
"OUR SISTER!"
"NOW!"
"Now now no need to be rude, after all as far as you know hexing me might ensure that you never see her again."
Reluctantly the two weapons were lowered, although neither boy appeared any less hostile.
"Let us try this again shall we, what are you willing to give up for your sister's return?"
Fred gritted his teeth, biting back the response before George put a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "What do you want Potter?"
"First and foremost, the map."
"I don't know what you are talking about"
Harry's eyes narrowed in annoyance, "I have not insulted your intelligence, do not insult mine. I am well aware of the map you two carry that shows everyone in the castle. It is mine and I want it returned."
"Who the hell says it is yours!?"
"The fact that Prongs was my father."
Both boy's mouths dropped, before one reluctantly pulled it out and tossed it to the Slytherin.
"Now then, in return for your sister I want an oath from both of you."
"And what would that entail?" George growled.
"That you will not prank or harass anyone below your school year…" Harry was interrupted as Draco whispered something, earning a chuckle from the emerald-eyed boy. "Exceptions can be made concerning family of course, feel free to prank Ron as much as you desire."
"W-wait… that's it?"
"Yes…"
"You just want us to stop pranking…"
"No, I could care less about those your year or older, they can defend themselves, but anyone younger than you is now to be exempt."
Both redheads glanced at each other, before raising their wands and swearing the oath.
"Very good, Ginny come here please."
The shy girl stepped out from the shadows, before walking towards her brothers at Harry's slight gesture.
"She has mostly recovered from her ordeal, but I would still keep a close eye on her for the next month or so just in case. Possessed diaries are so very irritating to deal with."
"P-p-possession!?"
"Indeed, had I not intervened I fear she would be sapped of her life-force within the next few weeks. Oh and considering her involvement with the Chamber of Secrets I would highly suggest you keep this little incident to yourselves. If not she will either end up at St. Mungos, which your family cannot afford to use for the time they will deem necessary, or Azkaban, which she will not survive."
The two boys gulped, before nodding and gently leading their sister off.
Neither noticed the way she looked back at her raven-haired savior, an expression of longing in her eyes as she watched him turn and leave.
...
"I don't get it my Lord, all of that just to get them to stop pranking? She was worth way more than that."
"Oh I am fully aware Draco, but she has already become infatuated with me, and now her brothers will feel that they owe me a favor as well. I have no need of anything they possess Draco, at least not at the moment, but the debt that I can now call upon… that is something I might be able to use." Harry replied, already unveiling the map and studying it intently.
"So now what?"
The boy-who-lived chuckled, "Now we need to address a small issue, before continuing upon my plans for this year."
As the two entered the Slytherin commons the various students stood, as was required when a Lord entered the room, to show their allegiances.
"It has come to my attention that there are rumors going around Hogwarts, rumors about my position in this house. Now I thought I had informed everyone that this knowledge was to remain secret… but apparently I was not quite clear enough." Harry began, his eyes sweeping the room before landing on Pansy who had started fidgeting.
"Is there something you wish to say Miss Parkinson?"
"I…" the girl replied, before stepping forward and kneeling before him. "I beg your forgiveness my Lord! I overstepped my boundaries and I wish to make amends for my error."
"Indeed… and how do you plan on doing that Miss Parkinson? What skills do you have that could actually be of use to me?"
"I… I…"
"Your grades are nothing to be excited about, your family has little power, you possess no notable skills…"
"I can…"
"Yes?"
"I… I don't know…" the girl looked ready to break down in tears, while Harry took on a 'thoughtful' posture.
"Perhaps… well I am not sure if you would be able to…"
Pansy knew what was at stake, if she was exiled from his presence her life in Slytherin would become hell. Sure some had not sworn loyalty, such as Daphne Greengrass, but those who had were expected to stay loyal . If she was discarded her very future, including marriage to Draco, would be in jeopardy.
"ANYTHING! My Lord I will do anything you command!"
"Very well, I want you to gather information on two individuals for me. As much as you can. Everything concerning their current studies, their pasts, their plans for the future, their personalities, friends, loved ones, families, hopes, dreams, fears, ambitions… well you get the idea."
"O-of course my Lord!"
"Good, the two in question are Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger."
"Ummm my Lord, with all due respect…" one of the older Slytherins interrupted, looking a bit nervous to do so.
"Yes?"
"Why them ? I mean Lovegood is an old Pureblood name but Granger… isn't she that Mu…"
The look the older student received froze him in place. It was nigh impossible to get a 'read' on Harry when he did no wish you to do so, that was why when his anger was obvious it was best to reassess your situation.
"No, please continue, clearly you have something important to say."
"N-no my Lord, nothing…"
....
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