Percilla was still reading the book when Marcus showed up for their meeting that afternoon, sitting at their regular table. Marcus had spent the whole day trying not to kill the youngest Weasley boy. He might only be in his second year, but he planned to kill the younger. Flints were not a family you wanted to mess with as all the men were big and territorial. Sitting down, he watched as her blue eyes raised from the page she was on. She was still biting her lip like she did when she was concentrating or nervous.

"Hi," her voice came out as a whisper as she closed the family book his mother got out of the vault for him when he made his intentions clear.

"Hi," his voice said in its usual low tone as he raised an eyebrow at her. "enjoying the book?" Marcus was fully smiling then as he noticed the blush that slid over her porcelain cheeks.

"I am. Thank you for them. You didn't have to, you know."

"I did." The sureness that came out of his mouth caused Percilla to close her own as she held eye contact with him.

"Marcus?" His name on her lips was exciting. Marcus was a man of many things, most of them mean and scary things. But he had simple guilty pleasures, and it seemed like Percilla Weasley was one of those. "Are these... Um, well."

She couldn't get the words out as she bit her lip again. Marcus couldn't stop as his arm reached the table to grip her chin. Her eyes went wide, and all he could think was how incredibly blue they were. Moving his thumb over, Marcus tugged her lip out from being abused by her teeth. Once released, he swiped the pad of his calloused thumb over the plump red lip. "Yes." The words were simple but effective as he answered her unasked question.

"Oh," came a breathy reply as their eyes stayed locked. "Are you sure?" That one caused Marcus actually to chuckle.

"Percilla, I would never make an intention known if I was not one hundred percent positive it was what I wanted." Marcus decided earlier to make his feelings known, "besides, Flint's always get what they want." The sly smirk on his face widened when the blush deepened.

Marcus was not good at showing his feelings. The men in his family were hard-working men. Marcus spent his whole life on the farm caring for the animals, gardens, and people. He watched his father do the hard labor and essential tasks while his mother tended to the gardens, the house, and the children. Anwyn Flint nee Farley was not afraid to get her hands dirty. She cared for everyone in the family, honoring the Flint family motto. However, that did not mean she couldn't play the game regarding the title. Anwyn Flint could be just as mean and vicious as she wanted to be regarding her family. She was one of the most vital and knowledgeable women Marcus had ever known until he met Percilla Weasley.

Marcus was heading down to the Quidditch pitch that evening with the rest of the Slytherin team. Marcus knew that he was pulling a prick move. Wood had reserved the training time months before this day, but Marcus knew that the note from Professor Snape would knock the Gryffindors out of the spot. The Flints and Woods have been competitive with one another for centuries. Both are from farming families, their land not far from one another. However, within such close proximity, petty wagers were placed, competitions were brought up, and before they knew it, generations of the two families were trying to outdo the other. There was no feud, just friendly fun. The truth was all of the agricultural lands swore loyalty to one another. They protected each other. And for that, Mother Magic blessed their land.

Marcus wasn't sure what brought it to the level that it ended. One minute, he smiles smugly at Oliver's face, for he had won this time. The next, the youngest Weasley boy, is within the group with the muggleborn taunting Malfoy. Marcus wasn't the biggest fan of Malfoy jr. The constant bratty behavior was annoying and obnoxious. But he had his uses. Before Marcus realized what was going on enough to stop the action, Weasley pulled out a broken wand and shouted out slugs. The spell, in turn, had thrown the younger Weasley back a few feet on his back. Marcus couldn't stop the surprised laugh that came out of his mouth in crazed astonishment. What was the second year thinking? No one in their right mind would use a broken wand. The magic did not flow right when a wand was snapped.

Ignoring the Gryffindors running to the flattened second year, Marcus leads his Slytherins towards the pitch.

"Flint!" a voice called out, which had Marcus stop and look over. The Weasley twins were coming his way. Marcus stood taller as the two boys came toward him. Marcus knew that the twins were family that Percilla cared for, but he would not let them get the best of him.

"Yes?" Marcus asked, meeting their eyes. He felt someone beside him and noticed that Adrian and Graham stayed back with him, flanking both his sides in case of an attack.

"Can we talk in private?" one of the twins asked in a low voice.

"Not a chance," Adrian's voice snapped, not trusting the two.

The other twin seemed to let out a sign before rubbing the back of his neck. "You're the one that sent Perci the books?"

Marcus schooled his face giving the twins a stern glare, "Yes." There was no denying it. Marcus planned to announce it to everyone when Percilla accepted the courtship.

Marcus couldn't tell if the twins were upset or understanding as they nodded their heads.

"When our mom finds out, she'll probably try to send," One began

"A howler, she's good at that. But we can try."

"To keep her away from that and safe."

That back and forth was something Marcus had seen them exchange with friends.

"Swear it," The words came out of Marcus' mouth before he realized it, but he knew he could not take chances with his betrothed. Swearing was olde magic. It was a vow of loyalty and trust.

The twin's wands were instantly in their hands and up to their chest, "On our magic." Fred and George repeated as the feeling of a bond formed between the group.

Once the group dispersed and the Slytherin headed towards practice, Marcus felt a little less tense. While not all of the Weasley clan would be happy with their bonding. Percilla did have some of the ones she cared about the most on her side. Hopefully, he could tell her about the slug incident before she found out from another.

Tutoring continued as always. Every Wednesday, they worked on transfiguration, Percilla explaining the lesson better than McGonagall did. However, after their session, they got to know each other instead of silently working on different subjects. Percilla had brought up that maybe it wasn't the best idea that she took his money. The thought of others knowing she charged courter money to get to know her was devastating. However, Marcus just laughed at that. He gave her the option of taking his galleons like a paying customer, or he would buy her things and probably not something she'd want. Percilla still blushes when she thinks of how he had looked at her that day, proclaiming that he'd pay millions of galleons to hear her read her textbook.

Today was the first quidditch game of the season. Slytherin Vs. Gryffindor. The house rivalry was enormous. Percilla's brothers all loved quidditch, even though she didn't understand it very much. However, since Marcus was the captain of the Slytherin quidditch team, she was excited to go to the game. They had not discussed the courting since that day in the library when the initial courting gifts were given. She had already finished the house of Flint book twice since she received it and her etiquette books once each. It was fascinating.

Percilla heard a slight peck on the window. Looking up, she noticed Marcus' owl, Eckhardt, waiting for her with another package tied to his leg. Percilla let the eagle owl in and made haste to untie the box and letter from his leg. Quickly getting him an owl treat from her trunk, she watched as the dark bird flew out. Percilla couldn't stop the smile when she saw the Flint crest upon the letter.

Cilla,

Flints are known to be territorial creatures. The blood in our veins runs fast, and our hearts run true. I picked both gifts personally—one from my closet, the other from my family vault.

Wear both items to the game today. I'll be waiting for you at the stairs.

-Marcus Erebus Flint

The Victorious and Most Ancient House of Flint

One house. One Family.

Percilla couldn't calm herself as she pulled the package up to her and opened it. Inside, laid on top of a Slytherin sweater, was one of the most beautiful hair combs she had ever seen. It was white gold, with what looked to be small diamonds embedded into the metal, the Flint crest front and center surrounded by diamonds, and what looked like a Serendibite. The gem was dark in color, almost black. However, when Percilla raised it in the light, the green showed with flecks of yellow dazzling off it. It was the most beautiful thing that Percilla had ever seen. Percilla lowered it, swiping her finger down the teeth in shock that Marcus had gifted this to her to wear. Laying it down gently on the bed, she pulled out the sweater. The green cashmere was so soft as Percilla held it to see the Slytherin crest on the right side pocket. Flipping it over, she noticed it had 'Flint' in big white letters across the shoulders. It was Marcus's Quidditch sweater. Marcus wanted her to wear his quidditch sweater and comb in the great hall for breakfast and the game. Percilla felt like she was about to faint.

Walking down the stairs, Percilla felt her heart beating heavier as she noticed Marcus standing in his quidditch uniform. His sweater was oversized on her but warm and smelt of Marcus. Smiling shyly, she stood in front of the Slytherin, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"Wow," Marcus said breathlessly as he looked down at Percilla. He knew he wanted to see her in his Slytherin green, but he didn't realize it would ignite this possessive instinct. "You look beautiful."

Percilla felt like she was floating. The compliment was something she was not used to. Looking down, she could feel her face grow hot as she blushed. This was new to Percilla; having someone pay attention to her was unknown. "Marcus." she groaned shyly before looking back up at him.

Flint just laughed before holding out his arm towards her. Percilla placed her hand on his elbow, the butterflies exploding in her stomach.

Marcus led them towards the great hall as breakfast had already begun. The chatter was loud and could be heard all around the great hall. As the pair walked through and towards the Slytherin table, it started to quiet down. Percilla kept her eyes in front of her, not daring to look at the table that held her brothers. Marcus led her towards the Slytherin table, towards his friends, who were all wearing their Slytherin uniforms. Percilla knew a few of their names. She had tutored Heir Graham before when he failed History of Magic with Professor Bins. Percilla sat down next to Heir Adrian Pucey, giving him a small smile before turning back to Marcus, who seemingly ignored everyone staring at them.

"So Flint," Pucey began a hint of humor in his silk voice, "when you said you had business to deal with, it was collecting Ms. Weasley?"

Percilla could feel the blush as it heated up her cheeks. She wasn't sure if they were making fun of her or Marcus.

The latter just grunted as he began putting food onto his plate.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Weasley, Graham Montegue," Graham said from across the table. "Normally, when Flint says he's taking care of business, it's to beat someone up."

"I like this better, though. We don't have to get him out of detention before the game. Adrian Pucey, we have Defense and Potions together."

"Terrance Higgs," Terrance stated, raising his hand in greeting. Percilla knew Terrance was the Seeker last year for the team, but since Malfoy became a part of the team, he was moved over to Chaser.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Percilla said softly as she nodded her head towards the two before moving forward to grab a slice of toast off the plate in front of her. It would seem that sitting at the Slytherin table was not that different than sitting with the Gryffindors. Where Gryffindors was loud and boisterous, the Slytherins were calm. They sat and ate their food while murmuring amongst themselves. However, they were welcoming and kind as she sat there with Marcus. Percilla was sure that the fear many had of Marcus could be a reason too.

"Perci! What are you doing?" a loud voice called out from the table behind her.

Percilla knew who it was by the prepubescent high pitch it gave off when they yelled. Turning her head, she noticed a red face Ron standing behind her. Percilla bit her lip as she stared up at her little brother. Ron had always been babied, the last boy. Constantly trailing after mom as she doted on him. Of the seven, Ron and Ginny soaked in their mother's views the most.

"Yes, Ron?" Percilla asked, raising a red eyebrow towards the brewing boy. "I'm currently eating. I would advise you to do the same."

Percilla thought he was about to explode as he shut his mouth in a way that seemed like he wasn't breathing.

"Perci! You're sitting over at the Slytherin table with these. These uh, these."

"Don't hurt yourself, Weasley," came a muttered voice of another Slytherin student a few seats away.

"Ronald, I can sit where ever I want," Percilla's voice was still calm as it always was. She was upset that Ron was embarrassing her in the middle of the great hall with his antics, but she would not let him be disrespectful. "I would advise you to return to your table before you say something you regret." Without another word, Percilla turned back around, her back now facing the boy.

"Oh, so you're just going to sell yourself to a bunch of snakes?"

Percilla felt like she was in a dream as she felt the weight beside her lift when Marcus raised from his seat. Percilla didn't dare look back. Ronald's words festered in her head as she replayed his hurtful words. Adrian had also stood on the other side of the table. It made sense. Pucey and Montegue were Marcus's best friends.

"Want to repeat that?" Marcus's voice was low and dangerous. A delighted shiver crept up her spine at the hint of it. Percilla was shocked by how much she found angry Marcus' attractive.

"I. I mean. You. and Perci." Ron stammered idiotically. Percilla rolled her eyes as she grasped her goblet of pumpkin juice in her hand. Ron always acted like a baby crup pup. He thought he was all bark, no bite-not even a nibble.

"What an idiot." Now that voice surprised her, George? She turned her head when she heard Ron yelp. Fred was standing there, his arms crossed his chest as George was stalking down the table isles with what looked like a fussing Ron by the ear.

"You okay, Perse?" Fred asked, making eye contact with Percilla.

Percilla smiled up at her little brother and nodded her head, "yeah, Freddie, I'm okay."

Fred gave her a smile before his eyes met Marcus's, "see you at the game," giving a curt nod, the last half of the Weasley twins walked down and out of the hall.

It didn't take a minute after the doors shut before the great hall was brimming with gossip. Percilla could feel eyes on her as she turned back to her food once Marcus sat back beside her.

"Well, that was entertaining," one of the third-year Slytherin girls said to another.

Percilla felt so embarrassed by the way her brother acted. It was uncomfortable to still be in the great hall, trying to work like his words did not bother her.

"So Weasley," Percilla looked up to Terrance, "I heard you have study guides for NEWTS. Got any for Potions?"

Percilla almost snorted a laugh but composed herself to a small closed-lipped smile. "Yeah," she nodded. She had quite a few made up for Professor Snape's exams.

"For a price," Marcus's voice beside her stated, a constant smirk on his face.