Injuries are the Least of Your Worries – Chapter 1 (Say that Again?!)

Marcus honestly thought this year was starting in the worst way. One was the escape of one, Sirius Black. He honestly didn't believe the tale that Black actually betrayed Lily and James Potter. But it wasn't like there was really any evidence to prove that. He remembered that his parents had been upset that day when they found out that Black was sentenced to Azkaban, no trial either. He hadn't been that old either, but it stood out in his mind. He had questioned his father and mother about several years later, wanting to know what happened.

It had been highly unusual at the time, but the Flints and Potters had a close friendship bond. Though not as tightly bound as the friendship between James Potter and Sirius Black. Something that had started out when his mother had attended Hogwarts. She had befriended one, Lily Potter, though it was Evans at the time. She hadn't married his father yet, though they knew of each other. That was before a marriage contract had been drafted between the two. Though Marcus had learned it wasn't just any ordinary marriage contract, it was contracted by magic. The Goblins were the ones that you had to go to about it. But the contracts specifically linked you together with your soul bond. The only thing was, not every witch and wizard had one.

Marcus had been disbelieving at the mention that some wizards and witches had a soul bond. It had been the first time he ever heard of it. But his mother had been very adamant that he also had a soul bond somewhere in the wizarding world. But they refused to elaborate about the matter. And so, Marcus had dropped the subject for now.

Marcus did find out that day that his mother had been friends with a Gryffindor. He baffled him, he had always believed that Gryffindors were too stupid and brash. His mother just gave him a brief smile.

"Marcus, you will find that not all Gryffindors fit that image. There were times I thought Lily Evans was a devious as a Slytherin and smart as a Ravenclaw. There were several occasions that I accused Lily of being a snake in a Lion's pelt."

Her comment to him confused him even more. He didn't think he would ever come across a Gryffindor like that. Every single Gryffindor he came across seemed to fit the image perfectly or wouldn't hesitate to curse a Slytherin if they passed one. There were days that Marcus wished that Lily Potter was still alive, to know what his mother meant. But that wasn't possible, so for now, he had to make do with her stories.

Which usually brought his usual curiosity of a certain Potter Heir. He and his parents never knew where he was living. His mother and father believed it was one of his godparents. They knew it wasn't Sirius, because he was still stuck in Azkaban… until just very recently. His mother wasn't the primary godmother, but she did have the title of and rights of one. Marcus remembered always being on the lookout after he started Hogwarts for Harry Potter. He knew that the boy was younger than him, though not sure by how much. Which is why he was a little shocked in his 4th year when he saw someone that resembled almost a stick.

Marcus could still remember the argument that he overheard by his parents.

"Ursula, you know they must have sealed them. What other answer is there?" came Marcus' father's voice.

"Cian, you think I don't know that," Ursula Flint barked back. "Do you really want to accuse him of that?"

"Urse, you know that old coot will say anything to protect himself," Cian Flint tried to calm his wife.

"Well, what are we supposed to do!? I can't let a child suffer, you heard the constant pain he's been in! And there's no marks! You know what that means, just as good as I!" Ursula's voice was venomous.

"Urse, we don't even know where he lives. What good are we to help, if he's purposely hiding it," Cian said calmly.

Ursula Flint gave a heavy sigh, "I know. I just hate that he suffers when there should be something we can do. Lily and James would never let this happen…"

Cian gave a soft smile, he knew that the loss of their friends still pained her. And she wasn't the only one. "I know dear. Even if he has indeed sealed them, which I know he has. Their son is the only one that can demand for them. As much as that pains me to admit."

"What about Sirius?" Ursula questioned.

Cian shook his head, "not while the Ministry is as corrupt as it is. They still believe him guilty of his crimes. Maybe if he were free… And Fudge isn't likely to see reason unless it benefits his station."

That had seemed the end of the conversation as Marcus kept eavesdropping. Though his parents' words didn't make much sense to him. He knew they were talking about James and Lily, Dumbledore, and Sirius. It wouldn't be until a few years later that Marcus would finally realize what his parents were talking about.

Marcus had already thought the year was off to the worst start possible. Another fact that reconfirmed that opinion was Minster Fudge's order to have Dementors stationed at Hogwarts. Marcus honestly thought the man was bonkers. But it wasn't like he was about to challenge the Minister's orders.

The Slytherin still remembered the day his father had found out what Fudge had ordered. He couldn't recall ever seeing that much emotion on his face since the day they found out what happened to Lily, James, and Sirius. That had also been a day that his father refused to let him go back to Hogwarts until he could show him that he could produce the Patronus Charm.

He couldn't quite get a corporal Patronus, but his father had been pleased that he could manage a shield. That was when his father had admitted to him that it takes a powerful wizard to cast a Patronus. What started as Marcus being disappointed in himself that he couldn't make his Patronus corporal, it quickly turned into pride. Though he vowed that he would conjure a corporal Patronus one of these days.

Marcus just hoped that Quidditch may brighten up things this year. He loved the sport, it gave him plenty of a distraction when the stress of being an Heir and his education got to him. Most of the time he didn't mind, because he was striving for the position of Prefect the next year. And he knew that his Head of House was very particular when it came to determining the prefects for each year. And he wanted to make the best impression he could, which meant showing unity within Slytherin house and doing well in his classes. Which included his classes for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, not to count the rest of his core classes. He was fairly confident he could do it, but he wouldn't know until that following summer.

Marcus sat slowly down at the Slytherin table, hoping to drown out the what the hat had decided to sing this year. He honestly wanted the first night to be over with. It had even surprised him that his parents had caught onto his bad mood. He found that their secret smiles when he had admitted what was wrong irritating. It felt like someone had pulled on his arm, like they were trying to pull it off. And the slight pain on his face wasn't helping. Only Marcus had no explanation why he was feeling like this. For all purposes, it felt like there should be a bruise there, but his face was unblemished. Though he could feel his face twinge a little, but it easy enough to ignore.

And so, Marcus was still waiting for Dumbledore to summon the feast. That way, he would be one step closer to leaving for the Slytherin dorms in the dungeon. He still half listened to whatever Dumbledore had to say, enough though he knew what he'd say. It was the same information that Marcus heard from his father. That Sirius Black was at large and recently escaped from Azkaban. Though he did snort when Dumbledore implied that Black was after Potter. 'What a lie,' he thought. Then came Dumbledore's second warning about the Dementors. He knew what the old coot was saying was pretty accurate. There were times they wouldn't differentiate between who is guilty and those who get in their path. Dementors were known as dark creatures for a reason.

Marcus did have to shoot Malfoy a scathing glare when the blonde wouldn't shut up. He was doing some act of fainting and he couldn't imagine why. Though he got a sense of satisfaction when the blonde paled a little. He doesn't want to deal with any idiocy today, especially from his own house. He did question his best mate on Malfoy's behavior.

Terence shrugged, "I don't know, Marcus. I'd assume its to do with Potter. Heard some of the Slytherin talking about where he fainted."

"Fainted," Marcus repeated.

Terence nodded, "Dementors… one of them was on the train."

Marcus could feel himself lose some color. He knew being around one of those creatures could be intolerable at the best of times. "And Malfoy decides to mock someone with that kind of reaction," Marcus growled.

Terence gave his friend an odd look. "I'll admit he's not acting like an Heir or Malfoy. But you usually don't care about Gryffindors."

"My parents were friends with James and Lily," Marcus whispered back.

Terence's eyes widened, "I never knew that…"

"I'm surprised that most don't. According to mother, it had been a scandal because at the time the Potters and Flints would never willingly associate with one another. But my mother had been close friends with Lily in school. And she wasn't about to lose that friendship because of some Purebloods didn't agree with her," Marcus smirked.

Terence laughed, "I imagine she wouldn't. I'm surprised you haven't tried to talk to Potter."

Marcus frowned, "you've seen what Gryffindors do when you approach them. And I don't think he'd take the presence of a Slytherin too well."

Terence didn't disagree with Marcus. He knew all too well how Gryffindors tended to act. And he didn't think even Potter would welcome a Slytherin to talk to him. The rivalry with Malfoy and Potter was legendary after all, even after three years. "Who knows, maybe one day. I don't think he'll reject your presence. Especially if you hold some familiarity to his parents."

Marcus looked thoughtful at that. "Wouldn't he be told about his parents?"

Terence shook his head, "I overheard one of his friends talking about he didn't even know his parents' name till he was eleven. And since it came from that red-head friend of his, I'd assume it's true."

Marcus' jaw fell open, which suddenly reminded him of the pain on his cheek. Because it suddenly throbbed with pain. He didn't even notice he raised his hand to clutch where the pain was coming from. That didn't stop him from thinking, if what Terence said was true. That meant that Potter wasn't living with anyone with magical blood. That either left someone who was a Squib or muggles. Marcus wasn't sure what to think at that point, but he knew that his parents may know something.

"Marcus?" Terence voice rang with concern.

"I'll tell you later," Marcus whispered as he caught a glimpse of Potter. And he felt like his breathe almost was caught. He knew that Potter wasn't looking at him, probably glaring at Malfoy. But he never realized how green Potter's eyes were. Though he did look a little pale sitting there at the Gryffindor table.

Terence nodded, not speaking another word. Trusting for his friend to confide in him later in the privacy of their dorm.

Terence laid on his bed when he got back to the dorms. His room was assigned in a suite design so that everyone had one housemate. He was just lucky enough to get a room with Marcus.

"Something's bothering you and I know it just isn't about Malfoy being an idiot," Terence's tone was blunt.

"Well the issue about the Dementors is a good source why. But—" Marcus cut himself off. Maybe it would be better to show Terence. He had to stop himself, what was there to show? There were no physical marks.

Terence watched silently as Marcus seemed to try to find the words.

"I'm not exactly sure what's happening, but for all purposes there should be a bruise on my cheek. But there's not, its only pain. And I can't think of a plausible reason on why," Marcus commented.

Terence walked closer to his friend and studied his friend. "Maybe its because of your soul bond?"

Marcus snorted at Terence's suggestion. "You're as crazy as my parents."

"No, Marcus, listen to me. I wouldn't throw out the idea of it being your soul bond. Think about it. It's always been rumored that a soul bond is connected to you. What if you're that connected to them, that if something happens to them, you feel it too but yet… it never leaves a mark behind? Even you just admitted that you found it strange," Terence said, trying to get his point across.

Marcus thought about Terence words for a good few minutes. "But, even if that's true. Usually the backlash of harming a magical child would kill them."

"What if it wasn't another magical parent or guardian?" Terence goaded.

Marcus frowned, he didn't like where this was going. He didn't want to believe he might have a soul bond. That meant he couldn't quite dismiss the pain on his cheek or the throbbing in his shoulder. But he didn't know where to start looking either. He didn't even know how old they were or if they were a witch or wizard.

"Even if they are my soul bond, how would I go about finding them?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

Terence shrugged, "that's the hardest part about it. There is not going to be a physical marker that'll tell you their name. That's why most will go to Gringotts to find out who their soul bond is, providing they have one. That doesn't mean they will know if it isn't documented yet. But unless your soul bond is constantly getting hurt, it's almost impossible to find out."

Marcus gave an angry sigh, this was obviously not the answer he was looking for. But he doubted he would know any other way. Though he was almost positive that his parents knew but refused to tell him and let him figure it out. Despite that they knew that their son didn't believe in soul bonds but knew he would in time.

Terence slapped Marcus' shoulder, "cheer up, mate. Maybe you'll find out this year."

Marcus looked at his friend with doubt. Though he did wonder if his soul bond could feel it when Terence slapped his shoulder. If he had the imprint of pain, surely his soul bond would feel that?

Marcus still debating about the idea if he should try to find out who his soul bond was. There was like this hidden fear that nobody would want a Slytherin for a soul bond. It was pretty much a well-known fact that the houses believed that all Slytherins were evil. Marcus breathed heavily, he needed to just put this topic away for another day. It was starting to give him a headache, which wasn't a good combination while being in pain.