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Draco left the dance floor with Harry to return to their booth facing their friends. They both nursed their new drinks, Draco contemplating how their relationship had just changed. He watched Harry stare as Blaise and Luna attempted the Hippogriff shuffle, which seemed to consist of a lot of bowing.
"I like Blaise and all, but I never would have dreamed of those two getting together," Harry mused, crossing his leg over his knee
Draco raised his blonde eyebrow.
"Why not?" Draco asked. "They're both purebloods. There wasn't a controversy in status."
"Oh, yes, because blood status is everything," Harry said, making sure Draco saw his eyes roll.
"I was only speaking about marriage traditions this time," Draco assured him.
Harry just shook his head before continuing.
"But that aside," Harry said, gesturing with his drink at the dancing pair. "Luna is, well, Luna. She's got strange ideas and makes conversations awkward with her honesty, sometimes, but she's always been friendly. Blaise always seemed to care too much about his reflection to talk to anyone at school."
Draco smirked.
"Yes, Blaise is vain, but then, so are all Slytherins, myself included." His eyes flashed wickedly.
"Anyways, school doesn't count. His family did not want him getting close to anyone with their loyalties so on the fence. And he and Luna are more a like than you think."
"Really?" Harry asked, clearly having thought opposites attracted in their case.
Draco picked a piece of fuzz off his button down.
"Well, alright," Draco admitted. "Blaise does not comment on various creatures unknown to the rest of us, but think about it. Those two were pretty much loners through most of school, happy to be left by themselves. Thank Merlin Blaise found her as I think she is one of the few people who can give him enough space. He never could stand the way Pansy fawned over guys, or any other girls like her. Blaise is a separate person, and so is Luna. He can take trips for Magical Cooperation while Luna goes on safari or helps her father with his magazine. They don't cling to each other. Also, he needs someone intelligent to talk to, and that's an easy enough find in a Ravenclaw."
Draco could tell Harry was considering his words as the boy had always kept his emotions on his face. The brunette sipped his drink, slightly frowning in thought.
"Of course," he continued. "Blaise would never admit this, but I think he finds Luna's bluntness refreshing. After having to play politics and watch his back for seven years with the snake pit and then do it all again at his job, he's probably glad to just let his guard down."
Draco looked away from Harry, closing his eyes to listen to the hum of bodies moving and the steady music. He relished the taste of vodka coating his tongue as he took a drink. After a minute or two he could feel Harry's eyes on him now, but he kept his closed.
"And what about us? What kind of match are we?" Harry questioned, genuine interest ringing through his words.
Draco sighed. I've been wondering that myself, he thought.
"We, Harry," Draco began slowly. "Are victims of circumstance," he paused, and then added, "and I'm not just talking about this marriage thing. We have both been pushed all our lives to act in situations we did not want to act in by others with power. We have struggled to survive—albeit in different ways-but survive all the same."
He could feel Harry moving a bit closer on the seat next to him.
"You've been so calm about all of this," Harry said in what would have been accusing if it had not been so softly spoken. "How can you do that? Aren't you mad at your mum even the least bit?"
"Yes, I am mad, but I know that my mother is doing her best to protect me, even if I do not like it. But like I said, we've been groomed to survive. This is just another situation to make the best of. My letting myself become angry does not help the situation in any way."
"But don't you want to marry someone you love?" Harry asked, disbelieving.
"Love?" Draco laughed, not unkindly, opening his eyes at the word. "Gryffindors may be able to hope for such things, but this Slytherin thinks of a thing like that to be a luxury. Many pureblooded marriages are still arranged, Harry."
Draco amended his statement, "Though I did hope for feelings to develop after some time. After all, it worked for my parents."
"But how can a marriage be real if you don't even like the person like that?" Harry demanded, his glasses slipping down his nose a little.
"Marriage is a contract," Draco drawled as Harry pushed them back. "Love is just the extra."
"Well, that's not the way I see it," Harry stated firmly, setting his glass down on the table.
Draco turned his head to Harry, resting the back of it on the top of the booth seat.
"Harry, I am sorry that I am not your ideal partner," he said, meaning it. "But if it's any consolation, know that I have developed a respect for you. You may have been a prat, but you saved my life and the rest of the wizarding world. My respect is not earned easily, but you've more than qualified."
Harry's emerald eyes widened in surprise.
"And," Draco continued hurriedly, not giving Harry any time to respond, just as Harry had done to him earlier. "There are ways to make this marriage tolerable. A couple of months after the ceremony, we don't have to even live in the same household, as we are both the last heirs to family estates. We'll only have to make public appearances every now and then, and well, there is the whole fidelity issue, but that cannot be helped. There is nothing in the contract that ever said you have to love me or even like me."
A brief silence fell between them. Harry chewed on his bottom lip, face looking thoughtful.
"So we'll be like acquaintances, just married," Harry said slowly.'
"Yes," Draco said, wanting to lighten the mood after this whole conversation. Humor had always been his best defense mechanism, his therapist had said.
Clearing his throat, Draco circled the rim of his glass with his finger, and said in his most serious voice, "And just think, you'll be married to the hottest wizard in Britain.
Harry snickered loudly at this sudden declaration, rolling his eyes. "Dream on, blondie."
Draco smiled at Harry, innocent mischief written all over his features. "Deny it all you want to. Every man wants this blonde arse."
Harry groaned, covering his forehead dramatically. "Stop talking! I think I'm going to be sick!"
Draco pulled a wounded look before letting himself laugh, relieved to know that they were at least going to try to be civil through this now. A flash of light caught Draco's attention at the corner of his eye just as Harry grinned into his drink, muttering something about delusions of grandeur. Odd, Draco thought distractedly, that light did not look like the other fairies...
The next day Narcissa drank her morning tea with her porridge and bacon, smiling at the newly delivered Daily Prophet sitting next to last week's edition.
"Chosen One Finds the One?" was the first headline over a picture of Draco and Harry holding hands and nodding politely at the reporters. Today's edition read "Potter and Malfoy Dance the Night Away." Apparently a reporter had snuck a camera to a clubgoer to get past The Newt's Eye's boundary spell. One picture was taken at a distance, where her son and Harry Potter were swaying and talking closely. The other picture was of them sitting in a circular booth, laughing together, clearly unaware of anyone watching.
"Will Master Draco be wanting breakfast?" she heard Dolly ask as Draco strolled past the dining room doors.
"No time. Negotiations about the shop," Draco called as he headed to an apparation spot. "Good morning, Mother. Love you."
Narcissa's smile widened. "I love you," she answered, staring down at her son's carefree face in black and white.