Phase 3-B – And They Are Spellbound…
The party went on successfully as people were enjoying themselves. Even Draco looked unusually perky. He apparently had low alcohol tolerance level. Hermione was watching him as she engaged in a conversation with Tonks, who for her cousin's special day had dressed in all-dragon theme, including her hair. Hermione thought whether Draco realized what Harry had said to him throughout the song. When she saw him blushing, she prayed that Draco actually understood.
"That was an amazing performance Harry had. He could be a singer if he didn't so adamantly want to become an Auror," Tonks chirped. "Did he write the song himself? He seemed truly inspired by its lyrics, like he meant every word of it. You know," she grinned, "if I didn't know better, I would say Harry had just sung a love song for Draco."
"Oh, he did just that truthfully, with him being so in love with Draco," Hermione muttered before she widened her eyes and clamped her own mouth.
"Really? Harry's in lophhhmmph..." Hermione clamped her hand this time over Tonks' mouth.
"Shhh! That's a secret!"
Tonks nodded, and Hermione released her. "Wow, so Harry's in love with Draco?" This time she whispered.
"Yes, but no one knows except Ron and I, and now you. Not even Draco realizes it," Hermione whispered back.
"Hmmm, Hogwarts Sex God's in love with the lovely Slytherin Ice Prince…," Tonks had a dreamy expression on her face. Then she faced Hermione again. "Not that I'm not interested, but why did you tell me this?"
Hermione blushed. "I didn't mean to! That was a slip. Please, don't tell anyone. Harry will kill me."
Tonks beamed at her. "Okay. I understand though. You must be quite depressed that you can't share such a luscious secret to anyone. Girls were born for gossips."
Hermione scowled, "No, we weren't."
"I'm kidding. Anyway, why is that Harry hasn't told Draco about this?"
"He's afraid of rejection, what else? Harry is also too shy around Draco to try seducing him."
"Oh! I have an idea! How about I disguise as Harry and seduce Draco?"
"Bad idea, I say. Harry would never forgive you. He even doesn't allow me to tell Draco about his feeling. Harry wants to do everything by himself, that perfectionist brat."
"But if it works, he will thank me."
Hermione shook her head. "No, Tonks. That's too risky. Both Harry and Draco would beat you up if they found out."
Tonks pouted. "But…"
"Let's just pray that the song could make Draco understand. Although I think the lyrics were a little vague. That's what we got if we let him compose the song by himself."
"But…" Tonks' another attempt to protest was cut off by a sudden commotion from a corner of the room.
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The birthday boy wasn't quite enjoying himself like what people might think. Draco had been trying his best not to let Harry's special present affect him too much. He was tempted to drown his head inside the bowl of punch when he caught himself humming the melody of the song. What freaked him even more was that he actually memorized each line of the song's lyrics. He knew he was smart, but he had never memorized a potion's ingredients just by hearing them once. And he loved Potions. He blushed and stammered when one curious Ravenclaw asked him what Potter said to his ear before. 'That's it! I'll kill Potter tomorrow.' He finished his Firewhisky from a crystal glass and moved to retrieve another. That was a mistake.
At Malfoy Manor, his father only reserved wine for himself and his mother didn't allow him to taste alcohol at all. So Draco didn't know that he easily became pissed just after a bit taste of booze. He had thought that as a Malfoy, he genetically had strong resistance for alcohol. Yet as he finished his second glass of Firewhisky, Draco started walking funny and felt his head suddenly very heavy. He unintentionally transformed some younger year students into various sorts of sweets and pudding. The professors rushed to take care of the chaos before there was real casualty. Ron laughed at him and took him to Madam Pomfrey, who pitied him and cast a charm to cure his state, but not without complaint of how youngsters couldn't omit alcohol from their party. Draco immediately felt calm and sober, but not for long.
As he turned his back, he was suddenly face to face with Ginny Weasley, who wore an unfriendly face. He had just opened his mouth to ask what she wanted when Ginny manhandled him to a corner. After she released him, Draco smoothed his sleeve and fixed the girl a glare which unfortunately was matched evenly by hers. Draco was actually a bit intimidated. He knew he could handle Ginny if they were involved in a clash, but she was Ron's sister and Hermione's best friend. Besides, he didn't want to be violent to a lady.
"Yes?" he drawled, placing an expressionless mask.
"Listen Malfoy, I hate conversing with you but I must say this now. Yesterday you cast Dark Magic towards my brother, and before that a few times against Harry. You also suggested us to learn deadly curses. Nobody wishes for your involvement in DA if you continue acting like You-Know-Who himself. And look what you just did – changing people into sweets! You can kill somebody one day!"
"I changed people into sweets? …Oh… but I was drunk!"
Ginny wasn't impressed. "Malfoy you helpless sod. It's a pity really that associated members of DA are prohibited from hexing each other outside practice. Yet I bet you'll be excited if that rule is revoked."
"I can say the same about you, Weasley. You know I'm not a prig like you Gryffindor, but I have my honour," Draco snapped. Great, Weasley wanted to make trouble with him. "You just use this as an opening move, I can see. You want to provoke me, don't you? This taunting attempt may only works to terrorize a first year, not me, but I don't care. What's your point?"
"Stay away from Harry. You're a bad influence for him. He has become easily distracted and more short-tempered lately, and I know you are the reason behind this. You're going to ruin his life sooner or later. But maybe that's your real intention, isn't it? Pretending to make friends with the Light side, but at the same time waiting for the right time to stab us from the back. What's your latest assignment from the Dark Lord, by the way?"
Draco looked aghast. He struggled to form a come-back as cuttingly as Ginny's accusation at him, but all he could manage was a simple: "You're insane!"
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Too bad for you I'm not. But perhaps I will be if you don't do as what I said. Stay out of Harry's life. Or the Bouncing Ferret curse will feel like honey bath compared to what you get later."
The first thing came up to Draco's mind was that Ginny was drunk. If it weren't for the undeniable seriousness in her eyes, he would've suggested her to go to Madam Pomfrey. Seemed that not every one had alcohol tolerance as bad as him. So the bitch was sober, she insulted and threatened him. Because of Potter!? This was unforgivable. Since he couldn't remember how to turn people into sweets like he did before, he resorted to his classic weapon: biting retort.
"Go to hell, Weasley. Or at least go to St. Mungo's. You think you can scare me, but no one tells what a Malfoy should or shouldn't do. Don't worry anyway. I have no intention whatsoever to take part in Potter's life. I personally think that the only type of person he deserves is a slut like you."
Ginny slapped him. People around them startled and watched them. Draco touched his stinging cheek. The next second he brought his palm to Ginny's face in retribution. The smacking sound caused people to gasp. A Hufflepuff dropped her glass, its crashing noise alerting everyone else. The teachers hurried to their spot and people gathered around them, staring and whispering. Colin Creevey snapped a picture.
"Mr Malfoy! Miss Weasley! What is going on here?" McGonagall demanded. The two students in question were glaring at each other with so much hatred between them, and each of them sported pink handprint on their cheek. McGonagall repeated her question.
"Ask her," Draco hissed. Then he turned to leave, and stopped a moment when he met Potter's over-concerned face. He sneered towards the Golden Boy, fisting his hands to restrain them from squashing that confused face.
Draco walked brusquely to the exit, ignoring people's calls and stares. His birthday party had ended for him as a catastrophe.
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Harry went after Draco to the outside. He was worried after he saw Draco's face when he walked out the room. Draco had never seemed so ready to kill before. Not even when he sent a death threat to Harry regarding his father's imprisonment on fifth year.
"Draco! Wait!" Harry rushed in front of Draco, blocking his way. "What happened just now?"
Draco glared at him. "Get lost, Potty."
"Not until you tell me what happened between you and Ginny. Merlin, Draco, this is supposed to be the best day for you. I won't let Ginny or anyone ruin this. Tell me, so I can help you about whatever your problem is with Ginny. I can talk her into apologizing to you."
"Mind your own business, Mr Scarhead. I don't have time to appease your every whim." He moved to walk past Harry, but Harry shifted to block him again. Draco hissed, but since Harry was so determined, he spoke out.
"Weasel Missy has formed the Defenders of Harry Potter Against Evil and Malfoys. She decided that I would be the perfect first villain to be vanquished because of my 'speciality'. Surprised, Potter? You should've known that girl would die for you. Now go and marry her."
"What are you talking about?"
"She said I acted like Voldemort just because I cast Dark Magic a few times during DA practices. You know that's the principal purpose of my existence in DA! And she threatened me to stay away from you."
"Ginny probably just wanted you to hold yourself from displaying excessive Dark Magic in front of younger students. She wouldn't seriously try to hurt you. You take her words too seriously, Draco."
"Hey, you're the one who insisted on my telling what happened, and you even said you'd help me to face her, but now you think I'm exaggerating! You should see how she talked to me earlier. I can't believe that girl, I thought since she already has a boyfriend, she would stop her Potter mania. Apparently Thomas doesn't quite satisfy her, and she worked off her sexual frustration on me. That slut, I should've slapped her harder."
Harry gritted his teeth. "Don't make me hit you, Draco." At that Draco's eyes flashed with sudden anger and jealousy.
"Don't you dare threaten me! I'm not afraid of you! You and your stupid brigade led by that filthy Weasel minger! I repeat this again: Ginny Weasley is a whore! And I wish I had cursed her with incurable rash or STD so she could stop selling herself!! Now what are you waiting for?? Hit me!!" Draco had started shouting. Harry waited till he finally calmed down, out of breath.
"Listen, Draco. I'm sorry for whatever Ginny said to you. Just forget about that. I won't let anyone hurt you. We're friends, aren't we?" Harry reached to touch Draco's shoulder, but his hand was harshly rebuffed.
"Don't touch me!" Draco stepped back, then pointed a finger towards Harry and hissed, "Don't speak to me ever again. I hate you. Leave me alone!" With that snarl, he ran away from Harry.
"Draco!"
"Harry!"
Harry spun around to see Ginny standing a few feet from him. "You heard him, Harry. Leave him alone."
Grimacing, Harry took large strides and towered right in front of Ginny.
"What did you say to Draco?" Harry demanded, his voice accusing.
"Only the truth. That he is going to sell us to the Dark Lord once he gets bored with all the sanctimonious escapade he's currently experimenting."
"That's just your own opinion! Draco would never do that! He's our friend, Ginny. He's saved Hermione's life! You know he almost died that time, and he has completely left his Dark Side allegiance after he betrayed them."
"He hasn't completely severed his relationship with the Dark Side! He's still a Malfoy. We all know his mother still openly supports the Dark Side."
"What his mother does and what his name is have nothing to do with who Draco becomes! He has helped us a lot, and that was not without sacrifice for his part. Don't be so unreasonable just because you don't like him!"
Ginny looked searchingly at Harry's eyes. What she found apparently disappointed her. "I told him to stay away from you. He called me a slut." Her voice became bitter, "It's you who's become unreasonable, Harry. You've been blinded by your… your unhealthy obsession towards Malfoy."
He was reminded by the similar terms used by Snape just a few hours ago. Harry kept silent, but his eyes didn't leave Ginny's.
"What? Why don't you deny it, Harry? Why don't you say that you don't fancy him?"
Harry stared at her unwaveringly. "I won't deny anything. But I warn you, Miss Weasley. Leave Draco alone. He knows nothing about my feelings. If you dare hurt him without reason, I won't hesitate to inflict the most dangerous curse on you." Harry hated it to threaten the girl he had considered as a sister, but he had his own priority. Glaring at Ginny once more to emphasize his seriousness, Harry turned his back and walked away from her.
Ginny's voice stopped him however. "I still love you, Harry."
Harry didn't turn around. "No, you don't. You're with Dean."
"Yes, I am. But I still love you."
The desperation and sincerity on her voice compelled Harry to turn his head towards her. What he saw saddened him. Ginny's face was covered in tears. She had been crying silently.
"Ginny…"
"I only want you to be happy, Harry. I don't believe Malfoy could make you happy. He is a bad omen. You'll be in danger if you get too close to him."
"He's not…"
"Let me finish, Harry. Don't you see how he always acts around you? He doesn't love you. He will never do. Maybe he has changed, but it doesn't mean he's good for you."
"Please stop it, Ginny. It doesn't matter for me what you think of him. Whatever you say would never change what I feel for Draco. I love him with all my soul. That's final."
Ginny said bitterly, "Even if he suddenly betrays you and your friends?"
Harry's resolve was unshakeable. "Even if he destroys everything I have."
He saw Ginny hung her head in defeat. In a soft voice Harry talked to her, "Thank you for your concerns, Ginny. I love you as a sister. So please, don't force me to hurt you any more. You're precious for me, but you know I'll choose him over anything."
Harry walked away, never turned again even as he heard Ginny spoke quietly, "You'll be sorry for this, Harry".
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The party was over, and people started leaving The Room of Requirement. Tonks was thinking about the incident involving her cousin. What did Ginny have to do with Draco? Draco had told her he was in love with a girl. Could it be Ginny? Nah, those two were like cat and dog. With Draco being the cat. Funny because Ginny actually had a way with cats.
She brought her thoughts back to Harry. So that was what Harry felt about Draco. He was spellbound by Silver. By the Dragon. 'Of all people he chose the most difficult one (Granted, Draco is pretty. But dragons, even the prettiest, breathe fire and bite). Shouldn't have surprised me, however. Harry is bound to face challenge at his every route, otherwise to where else must he channel his excessive power? But really, that boy surprised me with his singing talent. What's more unbelievable was his nerve to sing in front of audience. Ah, the power of love… Go Harry!'
"Tonks, I need to go to the library now." Tonks turned to face Hermione. Ron stood beside her.
"Library? Now? What is it with you and your obsession with library at night? Is Ron coming too?" Tonks grinned impishly.
Ron blushed while Hermione answered in a rush, "No, he's not. I go there to study. Students need to study. That's all."
"Hey, about what I suggested earlier," Tonks lowered her voice, "about Harry and my cousin, I still think that would produce a great outcome."
Hermione glared at her.
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"Hey, Draco, wait up!"
Draco didn't stop, nor did he turn his head. "Leave me alone, Blaise."
Blaise Zabini was one of very few Slytherin who were still on good terms with Draco. More than that, he was actually considered a close friend and Draco confided a lot of things in him. Well, except about his love for Hermione Granger. But he told Blaise about his arranged marriage to Pansy, and Blaise had been helping him searching ways to escape the Parkinson hell.
Blaise ignored that and caught up with him. "What has just happened there? Did that Weasley girl bother you?"
"None of your business."
Despite Draco's cold answer, Blaise still didn't give up. "Want me to hex her? I know the perfect combination curse to make her get boil and bounce."
Draco couldn't help smiling, "Remind me to ask you to teach me that curse."
"Only if you teach me your Peeping Tom magic first."
"That's a Spying Charm, Blaise. Only you would use it for peeping. But whatever, we got a deal." The two Slytherin grinned at each other.
"Come on, Draco. Tell me what happened just now between you and Weasley."
"Forget that, Blaise. It's not important. I don't want to remember it, much less talk about it."
"Well, okay then. But you do remember that I'll be always on your side if you need support for a good hex, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks." Draco felt grateful that he still had a friend in Slytherin, someone with whom he could share his prank plots and nasty jokes. He missed his old days as a full-time Slytherin.
They had reached the opening to the dungeon when an owl swept down and dropped a letter on Draco's hand before it flew through an open window in hallway. Draco opened the letter and frowned. Blaise asked him what the letter was about. Draco enfolded the letter and answered shortly, "Dumbledore wants to see me now."
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Ron knocked on Head Boy's room. The painting illustrating a Liondragon and a sword shimmered to vanish and let him in. He spotted Harry sprawling on his bed, eyes shut.
"Harry, you okay mate?" His friend opened his eyes and looked dejectedly at Ron.
"Ginny knows about Draco," Harry said glumly.
"What? Harry, I don't tell her anything. She must have figured it out by herself. You're quite obvious with your crush, you know."
Harry sighed, "I know, Ron. I know you don't tell anyone about my feeling for Draco. But because of that Ginny lashed out at Draco on the party. She accused him about his intention with us, and also threatened him to stay away from me. I think he had no idea what it was all about, and as the result he took it out on me. He refused to talk to me afterwards."
"I'll talk to Ginny about this."
"Don't bother, I already did."
"Hmm, I really don't know why that Ferret hasn't realized yet what you feel for him. How thick can he be? No offence, Harry." Ron saw Harry's expression when he said Draco was thick. Harry always got angry whenever his favourite Ferret was offended even in the slightest way.
"I can't blame him for not knowing. Hermione's right. I should just tell him about my feelings, but I'm too scared."
"Eh Harry? That song, wasn't it supposed to be some kind of confession?"
Harry blushed, recalling his performance. Firewhisky was quite a useful stimulating stuff. "I thought for once it was pretty effective. Draco seemed taken by my song. But now, after he became angry with me, I don't know what to think any more."
"Don't worry. Draco will get over it soon. And it's time for real advances, mate. There are many things you must do in order to win the heart of your beloved." Ron snickered. "You should take example from Draco himself. I still think his way to thank Hermione looked like an attempt to court someone. You told me to learn from him, but why don't you learn it yourself?"
Harry restrained himself from snorting. He was the one who convinced Ron that Draco only wanted to show his thanks to Hermione, but he suggested Ron to take a look at Draco's idea in treating a girl. "Because I thought you might need to know about those things more than I did. Maybe I was wrong. So have you learnt anything?"
"Prepare your quill and parchment, gentleman. First step, shower him with presents."
"What am I supposed to give a boy who has already had everything in the world money can buy?"
"Harry, there's always flowers, chocolate, or jewels to melt a girl's heart. Who knows if that works for Draco too?"
"Knowing his romantic character, yes, it probably works. But since that would be a gift from me, I doubt that he would welcome it."
"But that song was accepted, right? That's an excellent start."
"He just accepted it because he didn't know I meant it as a love confession."
"Well, aren't you too pessimistic? Maybe he would be glad instead if he knew. Maybe he actually waits for you to make a move!"
Harry growled inside his mind. He knew whom Draco was in love with. It wasn't him unfortunately.
"I don't want to make a fool of myself. He doesn't appreciate me enough right now, I can't make him think worse of me."
Ron growled. "This is just the first step and you already complained a lot. I never knew you're such a difficult person, Harry. People think that a bloke as handsome as you wouldn't have problem or lack of self-confidence asking someone, even a guy, to go out with you. Stop being so foolish. Gryffindor are known for their bravery, and we're Gryffindor."
"This is because I seriously love Draco, Ron. I will never have enough confidence for this matter. You feel like this as well whenever you're planning to ask Hermione to go out, don't you?"
"Err, well…" Ron blushed, before suddenly exclaiming, "Wait a minute! Why did you suddenly compare your romance problem to me and Mione?"
"Oh come off it, Ron. I know it, you know it. You and Hermione like each other, you two have been tiptoeing around each other for almost a year and it drives me crazy! Show me the bravery you've talked just now and ask Hermione to go out with you."
His Slytherin side had begun to jump in action. Maybe he should tell Ron that Draco liked Hermione, so Ron would make a move. Harry imagined that if Ron finally went out with Hermione, Draco would be devastated. Then Harry would come to him and comfort him. Draco would be easier to be persuaded after Harry soothed his broken heart. Yet he quickly realized that he would be taking advantage of Draco that way, and because of that, even if they managed to have relationship it wouldn't last long.
"Ah, forget that. If you don't want to go out with her, then don't. Just spare me from you two's game of pussyfooting."
"Uh, Harry. Actually…"
Suddenly both boys turned their heads to a hoot from Harry's half-opened window. An owl dropped a letter on his desk, self-serviced itself with its treat, and flew away. Harry came and retrieved the letter. He scanned the content swiftly and turned to Ron. He said, "I have to go. Dumbledore wants to tell something important to me."
Ron asked, "Is it about the Order business?"
Harry shrugged. He had an intuition that it wasn't. "I have no idea. I'll just go and see him then."
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Draco arrived in front of Dumbledore's office. After muttering the password "Knoppers", he stepped past the Gargoyle and into the office. He glanced a moment to Fawkes the Phoenix before facing the Headmaster. Dumbledore smiled cheerfully at him and ushered him to sit down in front of his desk.
"First of all: happy birthday, Mr Malfoy. I heard a surprise party for you has been held this afternoon. Too bad I could not attend it. I wish you happiness, longevity, and a good life," Dumbledore said with a flourish. Draco rolled his eyes but deep inside he was happy at the old man's attention.
"Thank you, Professor. Now what is it your actual business with me?" he didn't beat about the bush. Dumbledore didn't seem affected, eyes shining with merry twinkle.
"I have received information that you would be married to Miss Parkinson after graduation, is that correct Mr Malfoy?"
"Yes. My father ordered me to do so. He has all the legal documents that certify this arranged marriage without my acquiescence," Draco answered glumly, but he was curious to the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes.
"Don't worry about that, Mr Malfoy. Your engagement to Miss Parkinson is not valid because it has been overridden by another arrangement made by your grandmother before her decease."
Draco blinked. Raising his eyebrow, he spoke, "Please elaborate, Headmaster. What is it my grandmother had prepared for me?"
"As you have probably known the late Mrs Malfoy, you grandmother, was a very powerful witch and she had a special gift in divination. One day many years ago, when you were still a toddler, she had a strong vision regarding her only grandson. In her vision, you was betrothed to a girl you did not love while there was someone else who could be a perfect match for you. In order to preserve your happiness, Mrs Malfoy cast an ancient Dark magic which would bind your soul to someone who would give you this happiness. This magic was charmed into her special testament which should be disclosed to you on your 17th birthday, which was also the time set to activate this charm."
Dumbledore paused to give Draco a chance to digest the information. The young Slytherin was quite shocked by that explanation, but didn't express it openly. "A charm to bind random people's… souls? Is there really such a thing?"
"Yes, Mr Malfoy, such a charm does exist. But it does not choose random people to be bound. It only binds two soul mates to each other. Truth to be told, the charm cast upon you has already found your chosen match. It has automatically performed the bond binding you and your soul mate. The testament arranged that once this person is chosen, he or she shall become your lawful spouse."
Draco was silent for a while. Dumbledore noticed that the boy's voice quivered a little when he asked, "And?"
"According to Mrs Malfoy's vision, you would find this person in Hogwarts. Therefore she trusted me with this testament and I have been keeping it all this time. This testament by default has the highest priority over any decisions regarding your interest, Mr Malfoy. Therefore no other arrangement to determine your future spouse could be valid. I will now show you the testament containing your grandmother's wish and the person you have been bound to."
Draco was filled with deep apprehension. He wouldn't have to marry Pansy, but he would marry someone else. His soul was bound to another's. It didn't sound too good but maybe... 'My soul mate?'
Dumbledore stood and retrieved a scroll from a crystalline box behind him. He unrolled the parchment, but a little part in the bottom of it was still furled up by a seal. He put the parchment on the desk and showed it to Draco, who reverently and nervously traced the words written on what was apparently his grandmother's testament. The magical aura emitted from that piece of paper was overwhelming.
"Amora Aevus, Love for a Lifetime, is the name of the charm. This is a pride of ancient Dark Arts, because it could bind two souls and nothing could dissolve the bond it created. I do not really know how it works to determine somebody's true love, but many historical writings have proven that this charm's outcome is flawless. The testament itself has the purpose as a legal document for officially announcing your engagement, once the charm has you bound to the right person. The testament declares that this engagement leads not to a normal marriage, but to a magical bonding marriage. I assume you know what it means by magical bonding marriage of two persons, no?"
Draco knew that magical bonding united the magic of two people and functioned as an advanced form of marriage. This required quite a complex procedure and not many people could carry it out. The bond increased significantly the magical power and ability of both parties, but it also made them somewhat inseparable. He nodded and then looked up at Dumbledore. "So right now I've been bound to someone according to this testament and make my engagement to Pansy completely void, right? Also, I'm expected to get wedded through a bonding marriage process?"
"True, Mr Malfoy. You could not marry Miss Parkinson not only because this testament prevails over your father's arrangement, but also because your soul has been bound to another's by the charm. As I said, once Amora Aevus binds you, you could not get away. Now you could only be with this person whose name is written here. For the expected matrimony form, we can say that this charm's effect is almost like a bonding marriage itself, by making two persons inseparable. However, although your souls are linked now, your magic powers have not yet been connected. It is perfectly understandable if consequently both of you should proceed to a bonding marriage, so the benefits from the union could really come out."
Frowning, Draco read the testament one more time before he inhaled deeply and stared at Dumbledore. "Do I know this person I've been bound to?" he asked carefully, heart hammering.
"Yes, you know this person very well. Your future spouse is in the same year as you, Mr Malfoy, although in different house." Dumbledore paused a bit. "To be exact this person is a Gryffindor."
"A Gryffindor?" Draco realized he was smiling like an idiot, but he couldn't care less. He was thrilled. Inside his mind a pretty face of one particular girl had come into view.
Dumbledore continued in a dramatically lower voice, "And it is a boy."
"A b… A boy???"
"Your future spouse, Mr Malfoy, is Harry Potter."
"Ha… Harry… Harry Potter???" Draco realized he was stuttering like an idiot, but he couldn't care less. His heart had been breaking down from the moment Dumbledore said it was a boy.
"That is true, Mr Malfoy. Mr Potter has been obliged to marry you in this testament. You two are now officially engaged and magically bound." Dumbledore took off the seal, revealing the bottom part of the testament, where the name of Harold James Potter, born on 31 July 1980, was written. Draco paled. A bad dream. This must be a bad dream. 'Please, wake up…'
He pinched his own cheek hard (he had learnt that this was an undignified but practical way to ensure if you were dreaming or not). Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at him. Having been convinced this was sadly the reality, he sprang to his feet and slammed his palms on the Headmaster's desk. "I refuse!! There is no way I'm going to be bonded with Potter!!! We don't love each other! I love someone else!!"
"Calm down, Draco. This testament was created for your own sake. Your grandmother wished for your greatest happiness, so there is must be something…"
"But why?? Why me? Why him, of all people?? Why wasn't it a Slytherin? Not that I want it to be any bloody Slytherin… but, why wasn't it at least a girl? -thought of Millicent Bulstrode- Ok, not just a girl. But I want it to be someone who… who… Oh, damn it all!" Draco stopped rambling, breathless. Dumbledore watched him solemnly.
"What's the proof I've been bound to Potter?"
"We can conduct a ritual to reveal the bond between you and Harry if you wish." Dumbledore looked so sure and grave. If before tonight he always complained about Dumbledore's playfulness, for the first time Draco wished the old man were really kidding him. He wished Dumbledore were a real senile man like his father always told him. Draco slumped back to his chair.
"This is ridiculous! What was my grandmother thinking, following such a prophecy and meddling with my life?!"
"Mrs Malfoy's vision has been proven with your engagement to Miss Parkinson, hasn't it? Mind you, casting this ancient spell requires a lot of sacrifice. This is definitely not an average or teasing magic, and the only reason your grandmother did this for you was that she loved you so much."
"But I love someone else! I… There must be a way to revoke this binding charm," Draco started to feel his hands sweating, while his entire body had been trembling. He got more distressed when Dumbledore shook his head decisively.
"As I said before, this charm could in no way be cancelled. Amora Aevus is one of the greatest charms ever known. It was as powerful as the Blood Magic which has saved Harry's life from Voldemort. Harry has been bound to you and you to him, soul to soul. Separation could only result in demise for both parties."
Draco laughed. "Don't you think I'll choose death before dishonour?"
"I tend to believe it would be harder for you to hurt Mr Potter than to kill yourself, Draco."
Dumbledore smiled at the boy, his eyes reflected a serene faith which made Draco's inside rumble. That old geezer was right – no matter how bad this thing was, he couldn't hurt Potter. After all that happened, he realized that it wasn't in his nature to inflict death on other people. Besides, he was mad if he considered suicide.
Fuming and feeling defeated, Draco glared at the Headmaster. "Now what? Should I go and celebrate?"
"It may be a good option, my boy. I would like to tell Harry after this about his engagement to you."
Draco looked horrified. "Wait, no! Don't tell Potter! He'll kill me!"
"Why would Harry do that, Draco? He does not hate you. In fact, he likes you quite a lot. Don't you realize…"
Narrowing his eyes, Draco intercepted, "That's a different story. No matter how much he likes me, when he finds out my grandmother has bound him to me for eternity, he'll be furious!"
"I assure you this is nonsense, Draco. Harry has the right to know about this as soon as possible, so then both of you could set up your relationship from now on."
"What relationship? We will never have any relationship. Once I get out of this room, I'll start researching for any possible way to revoke this charm! Severus will help me!"
"What did I tell you earlier, Draco? Ancient spells cannot be reversed. Besides, would you rather marry Miss Parkinson? No? Well, good then. Do try to think carefully about this matter, Draco. Amora Aevus only picks a person's true love for the binding."
"You mean Potter loves me? Potter loves me?" 'Explains that song though. Eh? But no way!'
"It is only for you and Mr Potter to find out. Now you may leave if you please." Fawkes emitted a melodious noise. "Oh, and Fawkes said congratulation, Draco."
Draco glared murderously for the last time towards the smiling old Headmaster before stomping out of there.
TBC