A/N: Well, I would have uploaded this sooner, but since I was busy with... unexplainable things, and because my cousin was using my netbook these past few days, I only got the chance to post this now. BTW, this is inspired by vampireex's challenge: "Betrayal, Scandal, and Marriage". But... If you've read that challenge, you'll find out soon that this story is entirely different (besides the marriage contract part). Alright, I've said too much. Now, read, enjoy, and leave me a review. ;)

Summary: On Harry James Potter's coming-of-age day, he receives a letter with the Gringotts seal on it. Now, that might just seem boring. But, when you add in a great grandfather and his bestfriend-once rival's bet, the Marauder's Map, and James Potter in the mix; you'll get one hell of an adventure!

Disclaimer: Yes, as you have guessed, I don't own Harry Potter. JK Rowling does - and I'm not her. I am Marauder Neyo. So... there you go. I don't suddenly become rich just by making this.

FATE KNOWS BEST

Chapter 1 (Only Fate Knows For Sure)

One cold night is used once again by one Lord Harry James Evans Potter- Black, Lord and blood/legal heir (respectively) of the two most ancient and noble houses (although he doesn't know it yet), by looking at the map.

Again.

Do you wonder why? Well, even if you don't, I'm still telling you.

Now, one would think that he was looking at the dot entitled Ginny Weasley. But that's not the case here.

Even Hermione Jean Granger - the smartest witch of her age - thinks it should logically be a certain Ginevra Molly Weasley, the first ever female to be born on the Weasley bloodline for years.

But, we should just call her Ginny Weasley – 'cause trust me, you blokes and birds sure won't want to be on the receiving end of her ever famous signature hex; the Bat Bogey Hex.

I'm a ghost, yes. But to be on the 'receiving end' of that evil little hex that could rival the Imperio still gives me the creeps and the ill feeling of humiliation is ten times much worse than the Cruciatus. How did I know? Lils once used it on me. Yup! You should never anger that woman. She has temper issues.

No exaggeration.

And please, don't tell her I said that. I beg. Well, not really. Yes, I know. I'm charming.

But that ain't the point here, is it? The point is that the only son of Lily and James Potter is looking at the map.

I hope I have piqued your interest (with my good looks and all, how could you not?) – 'cause here's a blast from the past.

…oooOOOooo…

Dear Mr. Potter,

Gringotts Bank wishes you a happy coming-of-age day. And since you're a fully fledged adult, in this letter, you will find enclosed, a marriage contract.

A marriage contract which was signed and started between your great grandfather, Regel Potter, and Cygnus Greengrass.

For more information, come to Gringotts and we'll have a meeting,

Griphook

MANAGER OF THE POTTER FAMILY VAULTS

…oooOOOooo…

The expression on HJ's face was priceless – you should have seen it!

But again, that's not the point. The point is that: He. Was. Shocked.

Even me and my wife am.

Alright, alright. I know you're getting impatient. So I'll tell you all about the contract, and in turn, you won't tell anyone (even Harry) I was snooping around.

Deal? Good.

Well, you already know that the aforementioned contract was signed and started by my grandfather and his bestfriend.

It was stated in the contract that if Regel's son would have a son, and that son would in turn have a son of his own, that son would marry the daughter of the son of the son of Cygnus.

Well, that is if Cygnus's son would also have a son, and if that son would have a daughter.

And the aforementioned heirs of the Potter and Greengrass families should marry 'precisely' on the Greengrass heiress' 20th birthday… Or they'll lose their magic. But marriage contracts like these have one loophole, though: If one or both persons stated in the contract die, then the contract will hold no significance.

And Since everything above happened (minus the last part) exactly as they predicted, I have to warn you to either brace yourselves, or RUN AWAY AS FAST AND AS FARTHEST from these two heirs as possible – for a marriage contract that seals the fate between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin is a news which is MORE sinister than Voldemort being raised back from the dead…

Or maybe it isn't.

Only Fate knows for sure.

A/N: So, be honest. What do you witches and wizards; guys and gals; blokes and birds; gentlemen and ladies; muggles, half-bloods, purebloods, muggle-borns; and readers of all ages think?