Harry Potter and the Skittering Spouse

[Ravenwood240]

Ginny never got over being a "Boy Who Lived" fangirl; this is the girl that told told Harry in book six, that she knew there was no place he'd rather be than hunting down Voldemort.

No, you silly little bint, he'd rather be trying to get into your knickers; but Voldemort making regular attempts to kill him put that on hold until he was going to live more than a week.

If you don't understand that Harry would absolutely love to be just a face in the crowd, someone of no more importance than Sally Ann Perks, then you don't know Harry half as well as you should, you daft twit.

 

[Roth963]

That would depend on whether she can keep a bug on the snitch or not. I could see them being charmed to prevent bugs from getting hit by it and the other way around. Keeper I can see her being the best at.

Edit: I could see flying as something that they could bond over though.

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She could probably hear it's wings moving, seeing it is also a possibility, if harder because bugs.

 

[Cookiesndip]

The real question here, is whether Taylor can learn magic.

 

[Windborne]

Might or might not count as dead but I'm darned sure and certain that, wherever the White Train Station was, it wasn't within six hundred feet of Taylor.

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Maybe? Who really knows. I think we'll have to leave that up to @Fencer.

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Yeah there's that as well, ugh seriously Ginny Weasley is such a bitch. And Rowling even admitted later that Harry and Hermione should've hooked up rather than Harry and Ginny. I do hope @Fencer decides to prevent the horror that is Ron and Hermione, and boy is that one fucked up relationship as well. One side constantly belittling the other does not a good relationship make. Pity Harry isn't an option, most likely, since he's already married. Though it could be amusing to see Taylor and Harry letting her in to their relationship. It's not infidelity if they both want her to join, right? I suppose Hermione and Lisa could hook up, since Taylor should eventually meet up with the Undersiders if she suceeds at whatever task Contessa Taylor was set on. If she hasn't done so already.

The real question here, is whether Taylor can learn magic.

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Really that's up to @Fencer, though even if she did learn it I doubt she'd be able to use it at anything more than a beginning First Year student for a long time.

 

[Roth963]

Really that's up to @Fencer, though even if she did learn it I doubt she'd be able to use it at anything more than a beginning First Year student for a long time.

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She got bugs, if she can figure out learning from them, she can potentially accelerate her studies beyond the speed of regular people.

 

[Windborne]

She got bugs, if she can figure out learning from them, she can potentially accelerate her studies beyond the speed of regular people.

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I mean yes she does use her multitasking to speed up learning using books written in Braille in Canon, but I don't see that working with most Wizarding books, school or otherwise. Handwritten ones potentially, but that would likely only be extremely advanced books on forbidden subjects. And most bugs can't use Wizarding magic, I'm not aware of any bug in fact that does use any magic at all in the Potterverse that isn't an innate ability. Beyond that the ability to use magic depends on one's self I believe. Again I think it's up to @Fencer in the end.

 

[Roth963]

I mean yes she does use her multitasking to speed up learning using books written in Braille in Canon, but I don't see that working with most Wizarding books, school or otherwise. Handwritten ones potentially, but that would likely only be extremely advanced books on forbidden subjects. And most bugs can't use Wizarding magic, I'm not aware of any bug in fact that does use any magic at all in the Potterverse that isn't an innate ability. Beyond that the ability to use magic depends on one's self I believe. Again I think it's up to @Fencer in the end.

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Magical bugs can change the entire thing, and if she can use her multitasking on magic, she can potentially cast many spells at the same time for practice.

 

[Kaernetron]

Magical bugs can change the entire thing, and if she can use her multitasking on magic, she can potentially cast many spells at the same time for practice.

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That depends entirely on how magic works in this story. I don't doubt Taylor can speed up pure book learning immensely with her swarm, but practicing wizard style spellcasting with it may very well be impossible for her even when cheating with magical bugs.

 

[Windborne]

Magical bugs can change the entire thing, and if she can use her multitasking on magic, she can potentially cast many spells at the same time for practice.

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Maybe?

practicing wizard style spellcasting may very well be impossible even when cheating with magical bugs.

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That is what I was trying to get at. I've no doubt she could learn to use Runes at a very impressive speed, but I'm unsure of any other Wizarding discipline that'd function like that. Again I think it's up to @Fencer. Though I just bet Professor Sprout will love her for being able to help her in the Greenhouses.

 

[Fencer]

On Taylor gaining magic: my stance is that she will never be using wand magic, but the marriage gives her… a little something something. Naturally Taylor has to figure that out first, and then she has to do as Taylor does and exploit it for every possible advantage she can. More than that? I'm keeping to myself for now.

 

[Neo-Devil]

Pity Harry isn't an option, most likely, since he's already married. Though it could be amusing to see Taylor and Harry letting her in to their relationship. It's not infidelity if they both want her to join, right? I suppose Hermione and Lisa could hook up, since Taylor should eventually meet up with the Undersiders if she suceeds at whatever task Contessa Taylor was set on. If she hasn't done so already

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Harems are pretty common in Worm fics...wouldn't be surprised if this did happen...though the question would be if it was Harry's Harem...or Taylor's...

 

[Avernus]

Harems are pretty common in Worm fics...wouldn't be surprised if this did happen...though the question would be if it was Harry's Harem...or Taylor's...

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They aren't allowed to be with anyone else, ever. Their opinions, desires or happiness don't matter to the magic.

 

[Roth963]

Harems are pretty common in Worm fics...wouldn't be surprised if this did happen...though the question would be if it was Harry's Harem...or Taylor's...

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Taylor straight.

They aren't allowed to be with anyone else, ever. Their opinions, desires or happiness don't matter to the magic.

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And if it was possible, I am guessing it would require both of them to genuinely love it, rather than say, Taylor letting Harry find an actual relationship outside their arrangement.

 

[Avernus]

I wonder if the magic considers the "marriage" being consummated unwillingly to be "harm"? Because on the one hand that's an obviously abusable loophole, on the other hand I expect that otherwise you'd end up with a lot of celibate "marriages".

At best if Harry and Taylor do it it'll be something grudgingly done out of necessity and quite unpleasant for both. Magically coerced mutual borderline rape doesn't sound like something that will make a repeat very appealing either, for either of them. Heck, there's likely a genuine chance of guilt-induced impotence on Harry's part, he has too much of a conscience for it to be otherwise.

 

[Windborne]

On Taylor gaining magic: my stance is that she will never be using wand magic, but the marriage gives her… a little something something. Naturally Taylor has to figure that out first, and then she has to do as Taylor does and exploit it for every possible advantage she can. More than that? I'm keeping to myself for now.

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Thanks for the info. So she might learn to do things like use a Broom or the Floo and maybe even Apparition. Wandless Magic would probably take her years to learn to use consistently and on purpose I guess. But a Taylor with the ability to Apparate? That's kind of scary. I love it.

Harems are pretty common in Worm fics...wouldn't be surprised if this did happen...though the question would be if it was Harry's Harem...or Taylor's...

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Obviously it'd be Taylor's duh /s. More seriously though Harry really doesn't want a bunch of responsibility or fame, as long as he's treated with mutual respect and had a say in choices I think he'd be ok with Taylor being primarily the more proactive or dominant partner in a relationship.

They aren't allowed to be with anyone else, ever. Their opinions, desires or happiness don't matter to the magic.

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I mean if they both fell in love with the same person, but didn't act on it without the other's knowledge and consent the Magic might allow for someone to join. It'd just be an additional participant I think. They might need to redo the ceremony, but I could see it playing out as a possibility. But that's up to @Fencer.

 

[Avernus]

I mean if they both fell in love with the same person, but didn't act on it without the other's knowledge and consent the Magic might allow for someone to join. It'd just be an additional participant I think. They might need to redo the ceremony, but I could see it playing out as a possibility. But that's up to @Fencer.

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It seems very unlikely. The magic is apparently supposed to be unalterable, so there's unlikely to be a way of "redoing" it. And if it cared about knowledge or consent then the present situation could never arise.

 

[Windborne]

It seems very unlikely. The magic is apparently supposed to be unalterable, so there's unlikely to be a way of "redoing" it. And if it cared about knowledge or consent then the present situation could never arise.

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True enough, then again most people wouldn't think of adding additional people to a marriage rather than focusing on undoing it completely. Guess it depends on perspective, and again ultimately it's up to @Fencer.

 

[Baam_35th]

True enough, then again most people wouldn't think of adding additional people to a marriage rather than focusing on undoing it completely. Guess it depends on perspective, and again ultimately it's up to @Fencer.

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Frankly this magic to me sounds a lot what some old families figured out to make alliances. Because compared to the third son of a medieval baron, the third son of a magical family is still capable of magic, and will not be that easy to place unwillingly in a marriage (If anything was said in story about the magic I'm sorry, but I have like more than a hundred tabs open and I do mix stuff up a bit).

 

[Skychan]

... I would start disparaging your character, as regards to consent, so fucking hard right now, if that wasn't likely against site rules, so I'll instead urge you to look into the exact legal precedent into consent laws, and their rulings thereof, as regards to intoxication, and try to say that her "consent" to being married isn't, legally speaking, invalid... and, depending on interpretation of specific laws and rulings, or even just the specific circumstance, retroactively revoked.

I'm just saying, the way you phrased what you said is directly counter the legal rulings on consent, not to mention extremely... victim blame-y, and, therefore, seriously scummy. As in: I want to scrub my skin raw after reading the disgusting trash you just vomited onto the screen.

Please be a better person, and good night.

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@Lycanthromancer

I believe that you are conflating Consent and Responsibility. These terms are not interchangeable. Someone is Responsible under the law for crimes committed while drunk but if an individual is unable to give Consent then even if they sign otherwise legal documents those are unenforceable. These two terms are loaded with meaning and minutiae and should never be mistaken for one another especially as Consent is most closely tied to sex.

It boils down to liability. While drunk you are liable for what you do to others, but not for what is done to you.

 

[Fencer]

I wonder if the magic considers the "marriage" being consummated unwillingly to be "harm"? Because on the one hand that's an obviously abusable loophole, on the other hand I expect that otherwise you'd end up with a lot of celibate "marriages".

At best if Harry and Taylor do it it'll be something grudgingly done out of necessity and quite unpleasant for both. Magically coerced mutual borderline rape doesn't sound like something that will make a repeat very appealing either, for either of them. Heck, there's likely a genuine chance of guilt-induced impotence on Harry's part, he has too much of a conscience for it to be otherwise.

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You've got to remember the situation with Taylor and Harry is not the norm. The ceremony would have originated in a time when marriage of two families was not what it is now. Both would have gone into it maybe not happy, but at the very least grudgingly accepting as what was expected of them. Have kids to continue the family line, secure an alliance to help bind the families together, keep wealth and power out of the hands of the masses. Old world European nobility, dubious consent might well be the name of the game. Which isn't to say no one got married for love back then but it still would have needed to be someone the family approved of.

Lost my point… oh right! Grudging, unhappy, consent for the sake of (family/responsibility/ the ability to be further away from my spouse) is still consent as far as the magic will care. But consent on one occasion does not equate to a free pass whenever. And you are absolutely right than an awkward unhappy experience will not make either eager for a repeat performance.

Frankly this magic to me sounds a lot what some old families figured out to make alliances. Because compared to the third son of a medieval baron, the third son of a magical family is still capable of magic, and will not be that easy to place unwillingly in a marriage (If anything was said in story about the magic I'm sorry, but I have like more than a hundred tabs open and I do mix stuff up a bit).

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No you have the right of it. It wasn't meant to be used to Force things as much as it is in this case. Both people were meant to go into it knowing what they were signing up for even if they weren't thrilled about it.

 

[Miho Chan]

Harems are pretty common in Worm fics...wouldn't be surprised if this did happen...though the question would be if it was Harry's Harem...or Taylor's...

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*twitches violently at the cursed word* I see the fandom is still obsessed with using Harems instead of actual functional polycules. God forbid poly individuals ever get representation properly... No, we have to settle for the horrific depictions of "polyamory" done by people with no fucking clue how such a relationship would even function

Taylor straight.

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That's Wildbrow's canon. This is Fencer's AU. This absolutely could just have no bearing on things. Using canon as an argument is stupid, and additionally, you can absolutely be straight and be in a polycule. Or simply gay and be in a polycule. Bisexuality nor Pansexuality is required. *gripes about people not knowing polyamory in the slightest again*

Obviously it'd be Taylor's duh /s. More seriously though Harry really doesn't want a bunch of responsibility or fame, as long as he's treated with mutual respect and had a say in choices I think he'd be ok with Taylor being primarily the more proactive or dominant partner in a relationship.

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*twiches violently, again* Romance... is not that simple. Nor is a relationship or marriage. *Twiches again at Harems* I am going to have to educate the person who started this whole fascination with Harems on actual polyamory, in the modern sense. And they will sit and listen until I have thoroughly educated them...

I mean if they both fell in love with the same person, but didn't act on it without the other's knowledge and consent the Magic might allow for someone to join. It'd just be an additional participant I think. They might need to redo the ceremony, but I could see it playing out as a possibility. But that's up to @Fencer.

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I don't think Magic is heteronormative. That would be horrible. And stupid.

Edit: I'm agreeing with you, to be clear

 

[Skylites]

I wonder if there are potions to make the experience more pleasant instead of borderline traumatic. They would have to think of them of course.

 

[Aziraphael]

No you have the right of it. It wasn't meant to be used to Force things as much as it is in this case. Both people were meant to go into it knowing what they were signing up for even if they weren't thrilled about it.

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Honestly, you really can't use this particular spell to truly force a marriage, at least not if you're one of the people that's actually part of the marriage. Taylor already proved that personal interpretation of betrayal and harm can affect the judgement of the spell, and being knowingly forced or coerced by your partner counts. Would be pretty dumb to force someone into a marriage, perform the ritual, and then immediately be crippled with pain because your spouse viewed that as a betrayal. Though it would be hilarious.

I don't think Magic is heteronormative. That would be horrible. And stupid.

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Since the spell will do exactly what its creator wants it to, in this case, yes, it almost certainly is. It was specifically created for the purpose of uniting magical families through marriage and, most importantly, children. Homosexual relationships or allowing more than one partner to be involved in the sexual aspects of the relationship run directly counter to that intent, so they're almost certainly not allowed.

...Also it specifically says in chapter 1 that you can't be intimate with anyone else while under the effects of the ritual, even if you and your partner agree to it.

 

[Fencer]

*twitches violently at the cursed word* I see the fandom is still obsessed with using Harems instead of actual functional polycules. God forbid poly individuals ever get representation properly... No, we have to settle for the horrific depictions of "polyamory" done by people with no fucking clue how such a relationship would even function

That's Wildbrow's canon. This is Fencer's AU. This absolutely could just have no bearing on things. Using canon as an argument is stupid, and additionally, you can absolutely be straight and be in a polycule. Or simply gay and be in a polycule. Bisexuality nor Pansexuality is required. *gripes about people not knowing polyamory in the slightest again*

*twiches violently, again* Romance... is not that simple. Nor is a relationship or marriage. *Twiches again at Harems* I am going to have to educate the person who started this whole fascination with Harems on actual polyamory, in the modern sense. And they will sit and listen until I have thoroughly educated them...

I don't think Magic is heteronormative. That would be horrible. And stupid.

Edit: I'm agreeing with you, to be clear

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Phone why you no let me quote chunks!!!!

Right lets get a few things sorted. First, while no one has asked, yet, someone on ff.net will eventually I'm sure… it's relevant and I want it on the record. I do not write sex scenes. Tried a couple times when I was less experienced, didn't care for it. It's against site rules for minors anyway, and frankly I'm a little disgusted by how many generic stories of middling quality pull in huge audiences because they throw in semi regular sex scenes and a cheep harem plot. I am proud of pulling in fairly large groups of readers without needing fan service.

I do not write harem nonsnese.

I am in no way qualified or prepared to write a realistic polly relationship, I don't think I've ever seen one that was genuinely well written and not just an excuse for FFM threesomes and lesbian sex.

Hell, I'm not entirely sure I'm qualified to write an accurate man/woman romance! Which this could very easily not be. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not in control of this story, at all. I can nudge it here and there, but all the interpersonal stuff is just going to happen, and I'm going to get dragged along in it's wake until all these characters get a feel for each other and solidify in my mind.

I wonder if there are potions to make the experience more pleasant instead of borderline traumatic. They would have to think of them of course.

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So let me introduce you to the incredibly morally dubious world of love potions. At the low end they can cause a crush. The top of the line ones? Drooling idiot chasing approval of the one the potion was keyed to/first person seen/whatever. See Tom Riddle's conception.

Taylor has grown up on horror stories of Heartbreaker.

Someone could also offer to obliviate her after the act if it would help her feel better.

Taylor has heard of what Lockheart could do with said spell. And would need to trust the caster to not take too much, or everything, and trust them not to then just dump her somewhere else where she wouldn't be able to continue influencing things in magical Britain.

This is a rabbit hole that will come up and it will not go over well.

 

[Avernus]

I don't think Magic is heteronormative. That would be horrible. And stupid.

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Magic in general likely isn't, but this magic is. There's no out for "I don't find people of my forced-spouse's gender attractive".

One of the many ways in which such a magic is a potential fast track to an inescapable, dysfunctional relationship. Which I suspect is a major reason why it fell out of fashion even in a society as backwards as the Hp-verse Wizarding World; there were enough horror stories about compelled marriages that turned into inescapable disasters or nightmares. Or murder-suicides; the "killing your spouse kills you" clause only works on somebody who wants to live.