Sometimes he would dream of what their 'love' had cost him.
He'd dream of children he would never meet and the faces he'd never see again.
He would dream of the 'home' he longed for with them and realize that it'd all become a nightmare.
When he walked through the empty halls of this house, this manor he shivers in the silence.
Moves with a faster pace his failed attempt to escape the cold eyes of glaring portraits.
He tries to imagine opening the heavy curtains that block out sunlight. Lend his imagination to thoughts of hearing a child's laughter. Try and see himself at an old age remembering these halls fondly.
Those illusions shatter when he notices the way his slippered feet echo on the carpeted floors.
Sometimes he wakes and smiles hoping for, just a moment, Draco will let him go. Spread his wings and leave this gilded cage.
Then his eyes focus stare at their linked hands. The bonding ring he has accepted so happily, believing for once in Dumbeldore's mantra.
Life can prove a teenage fool wrong, he knows that now. Love does not conquer all; ancient prejudices, wounded expectations, the need for a scapegoat, blind jealousy; whatever the reason he has learned.
Sometimes he envisions a happily ever after.
Draco's smile so sweet and happy crack through the barrier of those wistful thoughts. He always smiles back, turning his eyes full of color.
Love didn't win it all and sometimes, he has learned, it was the deepest dept that no money could pay.
Cp. 7:01PM Wen 08/13/08 'Respect' Jagged Edge 'Drive & Dig' Incubus reading HP fic 2nd in Lightening Waves serie ch. 25 oh so sad, lone, here, this is addicting, trying to be alright (Typed, House)