Chapter 18 - Contract

The classroom was dusty and full of shadows, the sunlight filtering through the dirty windows casting an eerie glow on the duo. Lucius Malfoy was seated in a chair, his posture poised, his icy blue eyes looking up at Sirius Black who was standing a few feet away. He was still trying to process the whirlwind of events and emotions from the past week.

"Is there something you wanted to say, Black?" Lucius asked, breaking the silence.

He sounded calm, but inside he felt anything but. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched Sirius, who seemed lost in thought. The alpha's gaze was intense, making Lucius squirm inwardly.

Sirius snapped out of his daze at the sound of Lucius' voice. He blinked rapidly, as if he had been pulled back to reality. The reality where Lucius was an Omega and his betrothed, no less. 

"Did you know about our engagement?" Sirius asked, his voice shaky.

Lucius gave a nonchalant shrug. "Yes," he responded, making Sirius clench his fists in frustration.

"Why didn't you bother to tell me?" Sirius demanded. His dark eyes were glaring at Lucius, but the Omega remained unfazed.

He merely glanced up at Sirius, his blue eyes calm and clear. 

"I was told to keep it a secret from you," Lucius replied. "Your parents requested it."

Sirius scoffed, muttering curses under his breath. He began pacing the room, his mind a whirlwind of anger and confusion. After a moment, he stopped and turned back to Lucius. 

"Why did you agree to it?" Sirius asked, his voice low. He stepped in front of Lucius, his eyes searching the Omega's face for answers. Lucius felt a shiver run down his spine at the intense gaze, but he managed to keep his expression neutral. 

"I didn't dislike you, if that's what you're thinking," Lucius said, his voice steady. "We had fun together when we were younger. Plus, you're an Alpha. And the heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. It's not a terrible arrangement, all things considered."

As Lucius spoke, Sirius could only stare at him in disbelief. He had so many questions, but he didn't know where to start. He was still trying to process the fact that he was engaged to Lucius Malfoy, of all people. And the worst part was, Lucius seemed perfectly fine with it.

"I assume you must have written to your parents? Did you receive the actual contract from them?" Lucius inquired, his gaze steady on his Alpha.

Sirius gritted his teeth, annoyance flashing across his face. "No. They didn't even bother to send the contract itself, the bastards," he spat, his anger apparent. "They just wrote that I had to fulfill my duty as the heir and not to be more of a disappointment. Hah! I'm supposed to see the contract in the summer."

To Sirius's surprise, Lucius chuckled softly, a rare smile playing at the corners of his lips.

The sight of it made Sirius's heart skip a beat, but he quickly shoved the feeling aside. "Find this amusing, do you?" Sirius snapped, frowning at Lucius.

Lucius shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. "Not at all," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "At least my parents are more lenient about my choices… unlike yours."

Now it was Sirius's turn to be speechless. He raised an eyebrow at Lucius, waiting for him to elaborate. Seeing the Alpha's curiosity, Lucius continued.

"The contract states that once we marry, I will take the role of the Black Matriarch, and you will be Lord Black," Lucius explained.

"We are to bear at least two heirs. The eldest will inherit the Malfoy legacy, while the second son will be the heir to the Black family. And the marriage will happen and needs to be consummated right after we finish our studies at Hogwarts."

Sirius was silent, his mind trying to process all the information. Lucius paused, then smirked, his icy blue eyes sparkling with mischief. 

"However~ there is one loophole," Lucius said. "If, by some unfortunate accident, another Alpha claims and marks me before you do, the contract will be void. But, in order to prevent that, the contract allows you to claim and mark me anytime after my first heat."

Sirius's eyes widened in shock, mouth ajar. He could claim Lucius right now? And it would be perfectly legal? But that also meant that Lucius had no choice but to accept him, unless… another Alpha marks him. 

Bloody hell… The thought alone made Sirius's stomach churn. He didn't know why, but he didn't like that idea at all. Scratch that. He hated it. Who dares—

"Why are you okay with this, Lucius?" Sirius asked firmly, teeth grinding. He was clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He didn't understand.

How could Lucius be so calm and composed about all of this? He needed answers, and he needed them now.

Lucius' tiny, teasing smile widened a fraction as he responded. He reveled in Sirius' reactions. "Wouldn't you like to know, Black?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried in the quiet classroom. 

Lucius stood up from his chair, only the desk was separating him and Sirius. He leaned in closer to the Alpha, their faces mere inches apart.

"Maybe… I like you, Sirius," Lucius murmured, his voice was hushed, similarly like telling his darkest secrets. And Sirius felt like he was burned and his eyes widened even more at the confession. 

Lucius' gaze dropped to Sirius' neck, where his Gryffindor tie should have been. He smiled knowingly. Leaning in even closer, Lucius' lips brushed against Sirius' ear as he spoke. "And I don't think I'll be returning your uniform or necktie. It's mine now."

With that, Lucius turned to leave, leaving Sirius standing there, face flushed and his mind racing. As Lucius started to walk away, Sirius found his voice. "Lucius!" he called out. Lucius paused at the door, his hand resting on the knob. 

"Do you agree with your family's beliefs? About blood supremacy and muggles and all that pureblood nonsense?" Sirius' voice was loud and clear in the silent classroom. It was the question that had been weighing on his mind the most, ever since he found out about their engagement. Ever since Lucius' birthday party. His mind quipped.

For a moment, Lucius was silent. He didn't turn around, but Sirius could see his shoulders stiffen, then relaxed. The silence stretched on, making Sirius feel more anxious by the second. And then, the Omega spoke.

"No," he said, his voice echoing in the empty room. "I'm not like them at all."

And with that, he opened the door and walked out, leaving Sirius standing in the middle of the classroom, his mind whirling with the revelations of the day. Lucius Malfoy, his betrothed, was not the person Sirius thought he was. And for some reason, that thought made Sirius feel a mix of relief and exhilaration. 

…

He was doomed, wasn't he? 

~~~

The Hogwarts library was bathed in soft, warm light, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of turning pages or the soft whispers of students discussing their assignments. Serena, currently engrossed in a book on advanced potion making, looked up as she sensed the familiar presence of Lucius and another boy she recognized as Barty Crouch Jr., a Ravenclaw who was known for his sharp intellect and his family's high status in the wizarding world. 

"Lucius, Barty," Serena greeted the fourth year students, her red lips turning up in a small, guarded smile. She noted the look of surprise on Barty's face and the faint amusement in Lucius' eyes and couldn't help but wonder what they were up to.

"Little snake," Lucius greeted, his voice carrying the same refined and cool tone as always. He took a seat opposite her, his icy blue eyes meeting her own. "We decided to keep you company."

Barty, who had been watching the interaction between Lucius and Serena with interest, smiled broadly at her. "It's finally a pleasure to meet you, Miss Snape," he said, taking the seat next to Lucius. 

Serena raised a single, dark eyebrow at Lucius's words before turning her attention to Barty. "Likewise," she responded, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. 

Lucius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I have news," he began, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Starting from tonight, I'll be moving to a private room for Omegas. Slughorn said it wasn't safe for me to stay with my roommates anymore since two of them are Alphas."

Serena's eyes widened slightly at the news but she quickly hid her surprise, nodding instead. She suppose she'll be getting a room of her own soon as well, she mused, a small smile playing upon her lips. The thought of being away from her arrogant female roommates was a pleasant one. 

"And what about your future groom?" Serena asked, her voice taking on a slightly teasing tone. "Any news about Sirius Black? I heard he dragged you off this morning."

Lucius' smirk widened at her question. "Our conversation was... enlightening," he said, his tone casual. "I told him about the marriage contract and the loophole."

Barty, who had been listening in silence, looked surprised. "A loophole?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "You didn't tell me about that, Lucius."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," Lucius replied with a shrug. "If another Alpha marks me before Sirius does, the contract will be void. I'm curious to see what Sirius will do next."

Serena looked taken aback at this news. Barty, after a moment of stunned silence, let out a loud laugh. "So you're going to let someone else claim you?" he asked, still chuckling.

Lucius' response was immediate and firm. "Over my dead body," he said, his icy gaze hardening. His declaration sent Barty into another fit of laughter, earning a stern shush from Madam Pince from across the room. 

Barty, having recovered from his bout of laughter, leaned back in his chair, grinning at Lucius. "You know, the whole student body is still buzzing about you and Sirius.

Everyone's dying to know what's happening, especially the poor Alphas."

Lucius scoffed, his gaze cold. "Let them talk. The Alphas have no business coveting what they can't have."

"But maybe they could be of use in... stirring up a bit of jealousy?" Lucius mused, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Barty's eyebrows shot up, an amused grin spreading across his face. "Oh, you're evil, Lucius. Poor Sirius, having you as his betrothed."

Their conversation then shifted as Barty turned to Serena, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "What about you, Snape? Any love interests?"

Serena frowned, her red lips pursing slightly. "None whatsoever," she replied, her tone making it clear she found the topic distasteful. 

"What about Potter?" Barty suggested, a teasing note in his voice.

Serena's response was a sneer. "Absolutely not."

But Barty just chuckled, clearly not convinced. "I don't know, Snape. From what I've seen, Potter seems quite taken with you."

"He'll lose interest," Serena muttered, her mind flashing back to her previous life where Potter and Lily had ended up together. 

Barty was silent for a moment, studying Serena thoughtfully. "Well, only time will tell, won't it?" he finally said, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.