Hey! SO this is written in response to the marriage law Challenge by Laux14 woop woop! Good chapter this one for length - 3807 words!

Beta'd by the wonderful bfsfb a.k.a paws

Warnings: Slash, Abuse, Forced marriage, mpreg, self harm. Malnipulative!Dumbledore Evil!Dumbledore Dark!Harry (eventually)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise! Just the plot :)

Enjoy and please review!

Harry grimaced as the train jolted and wondered vaguely who the hell had decided the rocking movement of this mode of transport was comforting. Evidently, whom-ever it was didn't have broken ribs at the time. Checking the wrap was still in place around his abdomen; he turned back to his book and waited for the explosion that was sure to happen when his friends arrived.
Sure enough just as he hit the next chapter the door slid open and the sound of Ron and Hermione's laughter filled the compartment. Looking up, he allowed himself a small smile at the joy that radiated off the only people he really considered family. Sometimes he caught himself wishing that he could share in their carefree attitude, but he always pushed the thought away without consideration, he could not afford to be a child.
"Hey guys."
He could have laughed at their expressions as they turned to greet him and stopped dead in their tracks, mouths hanging open comically. Suppressing a slightly evil giggle Harry decided they were probably justified in their shock. After all, it wasn't every day you went back to school to find your friend looking like he did.
He'd grown out his hair and died the tips green and swept it across the side of his face, hiding one of his eyes. This along with a subtle amount of eyeliner and having finally managed to get some contacts, his eyes had become his most striking feature. He wore boots that came half way up his calf, criss-crossed with chains and with an emerald stripe down the sides. Skinny jeans showed off his legs that although were skinny from malnourishment, had tone from years of quidditch and the training he'd been doing this holiday. The look was finished off with a Metallica T-shirt, standing up he grinned, clicking his tongue piercing against his lip bar.
"You should see the tattoo."
Ron chuckled, getting over his shock.
"And where would that be mate."
Harry winked
"Wouldn't you love to know."
Hermione made a face and the two boys fell about with laughter, rolling her eyes with a poorly concealed smile, she placed Crookshanks on the seat and pulled the door shut.
"A tattoo Harry, really? Where would you even get that? You're under-aged."
Recovering themselves, Ron and Harry collapsed onto the chairs opposite their friend and gave her identical grins.
"Of course he's joking Mione, though it would be interesting to know where Harry has been, but seriously mate, you look brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
Harry laughed, crossed his legs, picked up his sketch book and rested it on his knees. Starting to draw it took him only a few seconds to decide that he really ought to leave out the less illegal side of his holidays. Friends or no, he'd learnt a thing or two about trust lately and there were some things you simply didn't tell people.

"Well, when I wasn't doing chores for the Dursley's, I found time to head down a few neighbourhoods and do some odd jobs; you know, mowing the lawn, picking weeds."

Not entirely untrue, he mused, for his day job at least.

"The extra money meant I could skip out a few days early, headed down to muggle London, where I bought my new clothes and - altered my image a bit. Stayed at a hotel for a few nights -"

Another half truth, he'd spent very little time actually at the hotel, not that anyone needed to know that.

"Then headed down here to catch the train, met you guys, what have you guys been up to?"

Hermione had been at Ron's for the most of the holiday in an effort to protect her and her parent's, her and Ron stumbled over stories of quidditch and funny conversations between Arthur and Mrs Granger.

Harry smiled and laughed and nodded, but he was distracted, despite his split second decision earlier he still hated lying to his friends. A naive part of his brain wanted to tell them, believed that they would take it ok and there was no way of it getting spread. But the rest of his brain reminded him of Ron's quick temper and Hermione's habit of deferring to teachers when she was worried. It wasn't worth the stress of the chance of people finding out floating around the back of his head all the time. Then again, wasn't there that oath on your magic? No, no he couldn't make Ron and Hermione do that, it wasn't fair. He'd keep it to himself, not like he was going back there after all.
A hand waved in front of his face and Harry had to suppress the urge to flinch away on instinct. Looking up he saw Ron's bemused face.
"Did you hear us mate? We have to go, prefect meeting."
"You made prefects? Guys that's great!"
Hermione folded her arms and stared thoughtfully at Harry, he couldn't help but get the feeling she could see right through his head.
"We told you three times already, are you ok?"
"I'm fine Hermione, just tired, the couple in the room next to mine were evidently honeymooning."
Ron balked.
"Ew, mate that's gross"
Hermione laughed, obviously reassured and tugged on Ron's arm.
"Come on, before we're late"
"Alright, alright, you'll be ok on your own mate?"
"I'll be fine."

The ginger haired boy nodded and went to follow Hermione out the compartment, but before he could shut the door Harry called out.

"Oh and Ron?"

"Yeah mate?"

"Never said I was joking about the tattoo."

Harry could have laughed for days at the expression on Ron's face as he was dragged down the corridor by Hermione.

Stepping out onto the platform he searched around for his friends, but couldn't seem to catch site of them. Presuming they were with the rest of the prefects he headed to the carriages, jumping in with a couple of Hufflepuff's.

To his annoyance, the carriage had the same rocking motion as the train and his ribs still had no respite, but at least these students didn't gawp at him, and soon he'd have access to a lab to brew some pain potions.

Trying to take his mind off things he wondered what wards Snape would put on the labs this year, and how easy it would be to bring them down. They'd been getting more complex each year and now it was actually quite fun to get past them, he was almost caught out by a ward last year that set off an alarm when it was taken down, so he'd had to set a blind spot in it instead. It was more difficult, but the look on Snape's face at breakfast the next morning when he knew someone had been in without setting anything off was priceless.

Climbing out of the carriage, he allowed himself a smile at the sight of Hogwarts, the old castle always instilled a sense of peace in him and he found pride in the fact he could call this place home. Knowing he didn't have to walk up straight away, he stopped to say hello to the thestral's, running a hand down each of their noses and talking to them. They were oddly beautiful despite their morbid connotations and although Harry could understand why people wouldn't like them, he still wished it wasn't the case.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potter, playing with his fellow death icons, planning who will die in your place this time?"

Harry spun around, startled by the Draco's proximity and cursing him-self for letting him get that close.

"What do you want Malfoy?"

Draco twirled his wand in his hand nonchalantly and patted the flank of a near-by thestral.

"Oh, nothing important, just wanted to check on how our dear golden boy is doing, after all, wouldn't do any good if he was hurt would it?"

Harry had to resist the urge to role his eyes, he'd gotten used to threats like this over the holidays, most of them were empty and even if they weren't, Harry could protect himself sure enough.

"Malfoy stop playing Alpha male and get on with it will you?"

Draco's face twisted in rage and he stepped right up to Harry, Harry didn't back away however, it would only show fear and invite attack.

"Alpha – Why Potter I ought to –"

"Draco!"

Malfoy's head shot round to the direction of the yell, voice laden with annoyance

"What Goyle!"

"Pansy wants you!"

Draco stiffened noticeably and Harry was pretty sure that he really did not want to see Pansy, but quite frankly he didn't care as long as it made him go away. Suddenly, without warning, Draco swung round fist outstretched and knocked Harry sideways before storming off in the direction of the castle. Rubbing his jaw with a scowl he spat out some blood and told himself off for letting his guard down for the second time that day.

"You can see Thestral's, Draco?"

"Yes Goyle."

"Does that mean you've finally been –"

"Yes! Shut it Goyle, before you tell the world."

The voices faded out but Harry had no doubts as to what they had been talking about, Draco hadn't just seen a death, he'd killed someone.

Draco had been initiated into the death eaters.

"You're bleeding!"

Harry slid onto the bench between Hermione and Ron with a sigh and began to help himself to food, ignoring the worried looks of his friends till he'd filled up his plate and taken a bite.

"I just had a run in with Malfoy guys that's all, nothing to worry about"

Hermione studied the side of his face, receiving a glare when she tried to touch it, rolling her eyes she went back to her dinner.

"You've a split lip, and you'll have a nasty bruise there in the morning if you do nothing about it, need me to heal it"

Harry shook his head and gestured towards Ron's plate with a fork,

"I can heal myself, just focus on your dinner. I've got something to tell you both in the common room later though, ok?"

His friend complied happily with a nod and began to stuff his face, much to the rest of the tables disgust. Ignoring his freckled friend he asked Dean and Seamus how their holidays had been, sparking an amusing conversation about backpacking around Ireland, getting high and supposedly seeing leprechauns.

When the laughter had died down, he grabbed a bowl of chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce, his favourite, and turned to Hermione.

"So what did I miss in Dumbledore's speech?"

"Nothing, he hasn't done it yet"

Harry stared at her, fork halfway to his mouth and custard dripping onto his robe.

"What do you mean he hasn't done it yet, he always does it before the feast, is something wrong?"

"I don't know Harry maybe – Oh look you are getting custard all over you"

Hermione began to fuss over him and Harry huffed in annoyance, he wasn't a three year old he could clear himself up! Slowly the puddings began to disappear off the table and the hall grew steadily and steadily more quiet. Eventually everyone was staring at Dumbledore who was talking animatedly to McGonagall. Finishing his conversation, he turned round and stood up.

"Welcome back welcome back, a few notices to get out the way and then one piece of news before we go to bed. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended two books, which will be available in every common room and as ever, I would like to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. The Christmas ball this year will be open to 5th, 6th and 7th years and dancing lessons will be available."

He paused, to make sure it had all gone in, then continued.

"Now what I am about to tell you all is very important and I need you to listen closely, the ministry has just today passed a new law"

Whispers went up around the hall in speculation, but one look from Dumbledore silenced them again.

"Due to the substantial losses during the war so far, and the predicted losses in coming years, an old law, matrimonium lex, has been re-instated. This means all people in 7th year and above who are not bonded, will be paired together and married. Consummation of the marriage is to happen within the first week and a child must be produced within a year"

Dumbledore's face was grave as all the seventh years turned to look at each other, horrified, girlfriends and boyfriends moved together, hoping desperately that their proximity would affect who was chosen for them. Harry stared at his hands, already resigned to his fate, knowing his luck he'd get someone like Bellatrix, or even Voldemort.

"The decision cannot be protested, and failure to abide by it will result in fines and then imprisonment"

Someone on the Ravenclaw table started crying, clutching onto her boyfriend in desperation.

"The pairs will be announced on Saturday morning, and which point you will be given the day to get to know your new partner and move into new rooms with them in the castle. My suggestion is until that point not to think about it and try and focus on your classes. On that note I believe it is time for bed. Prefects, please lead your houses to their dormitories"

People began to stand up and move towards the door, but they paused as Dumbledore added

"And seventh years? I really am sorry, but there is nothing I can do about this."

It was one in the morning, and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the red, faded, cushy chairs by the fireplace silently, all contemplating just what might happen. Hermione had a book, snagged from the library on the way up, and was desperately researching the law, Ron was laying with his feet across one arm rest and his head hanging back off the other. Harry was curled up as tight as could be, staring at the flames as they danced in the hearth. Eventually thought, Ron sat up.

"Mate?"

Harry's head didn't move from the fire, and for a moment, Ron didn't think his friend had heard him, however after a moment he replied.

"Yeah Ron?"

"What was it you needed to tell us?"

Hermione closed the book and stared at Harry

"What's this Harry? Is it something to do with Draco?"

Harry turned his head to face his friends, expression an unreadable mask for a moment before it lapsed into a small smile.

"I'd almost forgotten, you know I ran into Malfoy earlier?"

"Literally" Muttered Ron, getting an amused smile from Hermione and a half glare, half exasperated look from Harry. But despite this, Harry continued to tell his friends about the conversation he'd heard whilst Draco walked away. Ron's eyes widened. "Jesus, so Draco's a death eater now? Bloody hell better watch our backs. Who knows what nasty tricks the ferret has got up his sleeve now!"

Hermione reached over and slapped him up the backside of the head.

"Ronald! Don't jump to conclusions, Harry didn't actually hear anyone say he was a death eater so we don't know for sure."

"But Mione, what if he is a death eater? We could all be murdered in our beds! Him and Snape will bloody overrun the school!"

Hermione threw the book at Ron with a yell

"I think we have more important things to be worrying about!"

Ron's face immediately turned sober, and his voice withdrawn.

"Who do you think we'll be pared with?"

"Voldemort knowing my track record" Harry muttered, pulling his knees even closer to his chest. Hermione sighed, and gave him a sympathetic look.

"Don't worry Harry, they won't put you with Voldemort, they do want to live, contrary to what their current actions are suggesting"

"And anyway" Ron added "We'll be put with people our age right, just our year and above"

Hermione frowned.

"Actually Ron, reading up on it, it really depends on your magic. Often people are paired with someone who has a similar level of magic, so that they can control them if need be, like an anchor of sorts. If you get someone young who is particularly powerful, they're usually paired with an older witch or wizard who's magic is matured enough to anchor them"

Harry groaned and hit his head on the back of the chair

"Wonderful, I am actually screwed, just bloody wonderful"

Ron however ignored this, still seemingly stuck on the fact that you could be married to someone much older than you.

"It is common for people with large age gaps to be married, but by choice, not by force! Please tell me you at least get to pick the gender!"

Hermione retrieved the book from where it had landed, and checked a few of the pages.

"Says here that the ministry does take your sexual orientation into account."

Harry lifted his head

"How do they know that then? It's not like people walk around with giant signs stuck to their head saying whether they like boys or girls is it?"

Hermione shrugged.

"Must be some kind of spell."

Ron giggled suddenly.

"Hey guys imagine getting paired with Dumbledore."

Harry laughed and Hermione looked disgusted, taking the straw from her drink, kindly supplied by Dobby, she lobbed it at Ron.

"Ron that is actually quite disgusting, though he isn't exempt from the law, so it does raise the point of who he'd be paired with."

"I don't want to think about it quite frankly" said Harry, making a face that sent Ron into fresh fits of laughter. After dodging several pillows thrown his way however, he eventually calmed down, and put a new idea forward.

"I wonder what poor sod is going to end up with Snape?"

Harry looked horrified at the idea, but Hermione didn't seem to fussed.

"So he's grumpy in class" She said "Doesn't mean he's grumpy in his quarters, and he's intelligent, and a potions master, it wouldn't be the worst marriage you could end up in"

"I guess" Harry said, looking thoughtful, Ron however, wasn't swayed.

"Not the worst? Not the worst! Hermione he's evil, grumpy, has greasy hair, looks ugly and would probably hand you over to Voldemort the moment he got the chance!"

"Ron for gods sakes!" Hermione chastised, voice rising in pitch with annoyance "How many times do we have to tell you he's a spy for the light side!"

"He's probably double crossing us Hermione! Using some potion to fool Dumbledore into thinking he can be trusted!"

"You really think that the only person Voldemort is afraid of is going to be fooled by a potion Ron? Grow up and see that just because he isn't nice to you doesn't automatically mean he's a Death Eater!"

In his desperation Ron turned to Harry.

"Mate back me up here!"

"Sorry Ron, I agree with Hermione, I might not like him, but he has saved my life a lot of times, and if Dumbledore can trust him – then I don't think he's working for the dark side."

"You two are bloody stupid!" Ron yelled, leaping up from his chair red in the face "What is this, some kind of conspiracy? Snape is evil and a bloody Death Eater, and you used to be able to see that! What happened?!"

"We grew up Ron" Hermione said softly.

"Whatever" Ron spat, "I'm going to bed. I'll talk to you in the morning."

And with that he stormed off, leaving a startled Hermione and Harry behind. Harry stared up the stairs after him that had been a rather explosive reaction, even for Ron.

"Do you think he's alright?"

"He's just tired" Reasoned Hermione. "And he isn't used to you not siding with him, that's all, he'll come round, he just needs to sleep and have a good breakfast."

Harry nodded.

"Makes sense, I can't imagine this news about the marriage law is going to have made him any happier."

"No." Hermione agreed. "No I imagine it hasn't."

The two lapsed into silence for a moment, not really knowing what to say.

"Hermione, what will we do? If we do end up with someone awful? What if I end up with a Death Eater?"

"Oh Harry." Hermione said, coming over to hug him. "If the worst does happen, we'll work out a way to cope, just like we always do, yeah?"

Harry nodded into her shoulder, for once accepting the comfort.

"Yeah, like we always do."

Hermione hugged him for a little longer, rubbing his back soothingly, before pulling away with a small smile.

"Come on, I think we ought to go to bed, double potions first thing tomorrow."

"Really?" Harry groaned.

"Yep, got your timetable here, forgot to give it you in the drama of this evening." She handed over the folded piece of parchment and sure enough, they had double potions tomorrow morning, with the Slytherin's too.

"This week just gets better and better." He said, with a small humourless laugh, heading for the dorms.

"It'll be ok Harry." Hermione reassured him again.

"I know." He told her, but he was far from convinced. Sighing as he entered the room and saw Ron's closed drapes, he really hoped his friend was in a better mood tomorrow. He got the feeling that this week was not going to go well for him, and he needed one of the few people he considered family by his side else he wasn't going to cope.

Pulling on his pyjamas, he threw a silencing ward around the bed in case he had one of his nightmares, then settled down to the first full night's sleep since the beginning of the holidays.

And unfortunately, it was going to be his last peaceful one for a while.