This earned a stifled laugh from the boy, and a grin from the man. "None of that sounds too bad, but why does it have to be a contract? It sounds a bit too much like some sort of forced marriage."
The man blinked but nodded slowly in understanding. "Did you have a lot of experience with those in your previous life?"
"No, but I heard about them in passing. They just sounded like someone forcing you to do something you didn't want."
"Well, this situation is usually written out in legal terms, but thats for the protection of everyone involved. These are exchanges of good or services for services Harry, you don't really think it always went off without one side or the other trying to cheat do you?"
No, he supposed not, and the idea of a Malfoy trying to manipulate the situation sounded like an obvious outcome.
James continued on, unaware of the younger's thoughts. "Usually these types of agreements are specifically laid out so that everyone understands what is involved and there aren't any issues. In this case your mother and I don't think it's necessary, since Riddle isn't receiving anything, but the woman offered to have it put on paper anyway, if nothing else to assure you of the situation and what would be involved."
Silence fell, and seconds ticked by until Harry decided to clarify what he knew, "So that's it then? She would give me extra tutoring, help me pick a career path, introduce me to people and that's it?"
"Well, its a bit more complicated than that, but not by much. Part of the understanding is that since they are taking you out, since they are introducing you to strangers without a parent or guardian around, that they are responsible for your well being. They are a chaperone at times, helping to guide you through this time in your life and protect you if need be."
Harry frowned at the new information, "Then what about Snape?" The second the words left his mouth the boy snapped his jaw shut, immediately shaking his head to try and take them back. "Sorry, sorry don't answer that I didn't…"
"No, no it's okay Harry. Snape… Snape was complicated. I knew she wouldn't be able to do anything, that sort of behavior was just too ingrained into the older parts of society to be changed by a young professor. Your mom though… she expected more from McGonagall. It wasn't just that the woman was our Head of House, wasn't just that she was a professor and an adult, it was also that she was supposed to prevent this sort of thing, to ensure it didn't happen. When she couldn't do that, and then failed to take action afterwards it just sort of dissolved whatever faith she had left. Me? I never expected miracles."
He wasn't sure why the next question came to his mind, but figured since everything was being brought into the open it would be better to ask. "What about Sirius? Did McGonagall offer him lessons too?"
James shook his head, "I mean clearly I was her favorite, but even ignoring that his situation was different. Sirius is from a much older family with much older values. They aren't the type to accept an offer like that from a young teacher who wants to hone their Transfiguration skills. Sirius' tutor was a much older witch who taught him, and I am quoting Sirius on this, 'How to be a good, respectable, stuck up prat who knew how to be seen and not heard.' Naturally, he gave them all sorts of grief for this, but in the end he came around and did learn some actual life lessons."
"So he became an outstanding member of society, and a proper snob? Does that mean Sirius Black actually has… a job!?"
The mock horror and disbelief in his voice earned a howl of laughter from the older man, "As amazing as it sounds yes, well not a real job, not like me at least, but he does help out around the ministry with research and miscellaneous duties. Honestly, I think it's just so he doesn't go nuts staying home all day and prevents him from planning pranks all day. Can't imagine his wife would have put up with him this long otherwise."
"Which means you must have a very important job, right?" The innocence in his voice almost fooled the man, but he was wiser and more experienced in the ways of pranks.
"The most important. I work in the greatest profession there is, the one that guides our future, that ensures the continuation of our society. I am an instructor of young people, a bright star in the sky with which they can use to navigate their path through life."
Harry frowned, "I haven't seen you at Hogwarts… so are you like a tutor for spoiled rich kids?"
James promptly folded his arms in a pout, "I don't just teach rich kids, thank you very much." The boy promptly grinned, earning one from the man as well. A second later, however, his expression became serious and Harry's own smile faded. "I… well we did want to talk to you about something else, something important."
"What?"
The man cleared his throat, "It isn't… unusual for an apprenticeship to become… well… physical."
Blinking in confusion, Harry waited for the man to continue with his explanation, not wanting to assume the wrong thing once more.
Seeing as how there wasn't any questions, or protests, James went on, "You will be spending time with her, Harry, and considering your schedules it will probably be later in the evening. You will be going to parties, dressing up in nice clothing… well lets just say that sometimes one thing leads to another."
Harry shifted a bit in discomfort, trying how to ask his question without asking it. "You're talking about…"
"Sex, Harry. And while it isn't illegal or even immoral, as long as there is consent and favoritism isn't shown in school, it also isn't required, and that's what I wanted to ensure you understand. There is nothing in these agreements, written or implied, that states you have to sleep with her or let yourself be touched or touch her or anything else. But if you do decide to there isn't anything wrong with that either."
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