“Junefifth.”
“Andhowoldareyou?”
“Sixteen.”
Fudge’ssmilewasoneofahildinaandystore.“Soyouarenotonsideredoflegalstatusin—”
“No.”
Harry’svoieutoffFudge’sstatementbeforetheministerouldontinueinthatself-assuredtone.
“Draoisonsideredoflegalstatus.”
“Andwhyisthat?”Fudgeasked,turningalookuponHarrythatwassomewherebetweenloathingandsatisfation.
“BeauseHarryandIareengaged,”Drao’salmvoieutintothetensionoftheroom.
ThemembersoftheWizengamotbegantowhispertoeahotherasFudgestaredatDraoasiftheblondhadjustdonesomethingveryabnormal.
“Well,then…er—”
“Minister,wemustbesurethat,sinethisisalegalase,theydidnotpantomimeaneinorderthatDraobeonsideredlegalforthismomentalone,”Narissa’svoiedrippedpoison.“Now,HarryPotterhasnowizardingbloodretives,butasstatedbyteex-husbandinhiswill,Draohasafamilialguardian.ProfessorSnape,didyougiveyourpermissionforDraotoproposeetoHarry?”
Harryrealizedwhyshesoundedsosmug.ShethoughtthatSnapewouldhaverefusedtoallowDraotoproposeetohimbeauseshethoughthimaloyalDeathEater.
“IgaveDraopermissiontoproposeetoanyonehefeltworthyofhimself,”Snapestatedoldly,staringdowntheblondwomanarosstheroom.
“Wellthen,”thelittlewithonFudge’srightlearedherthroatforattention.“SineDraoMalfoyisengaged,bywheisonsideredlegaltoholdproperty,thusthereisnoreasonwhyheshouldnotiwhatwaswrittenbyLuiusMalfoyinhiswill.Allinfavor?”
Sixmembersofsevenraisedtheirhandsimmediately,Fudgeraisinghisamomentorsoaftertheothers.
Chapter36:MarkedasHis,MarkedasMine
HermioneandRonfoundHarryalmostimmediatelyafterheandDraosteppedontotheshoolgrounds.Duringtheirenthusiastigreeting,DraoslippedintothethrongofstudentsesapingfromtheirstssofthedayandHarryfoundhimselfguidedtotheGryffindoronRoom.
“SowhathappenedHarry?”Hermioneasked.
“Draowon.”