..oo00oo..
Draco
Tomorrow is my birthday, eighteen years on this earth and nothing to show for it… Since the actual date falls on Monday this year my parents decided to whisk my off to lunch on Sunday. Whisk me off to a lunch in Paris, no less, aren't I the lucky one? My parents adore Paris; they think it's the most sophisticated place on earth. I find it a bit too stuffy, like most continental capitals- just too much… history. I much prefer the bubbly, sassy Barcelona for instance, but I'm not going to argue with Lucius and Narcissa over places to have lunch in.
I've been pacing my room for the last half hour waiting for a word from Snape that my parents have showed up, and I think that I've paced a trench in the floor already. Pansy was sitting on my bed, pretending she was reading a book but really checking out on me on every turn. I didn't ask her to be here, but I'm so glad she came, it seems that she's developed this uncanny ability to sense when I need her most these days and she's always there when I need her, no matter what's going on in her own life.
I know that her blooming affair with Stephen Cornfoot is freaking the hell out of her, because for the first time in her life she's actually falling in love, and it's really my fault- because we always grew up knowing we had no business falling in love in the first place. Love is an empty word in the world of rich pure-blooded families; it's just four letters that don't say anything. That is what we were taught to believe, and that is how things work around these parts. Affection, friendship, compatibility, closeness- this is as far as we can go and now I've gone and botch it all the second I let Oliver Wood under my skin and into my heart and if I- the Ice Prince of Slytherin can fall head over heels what is stopping the rest of them?
And now I'm facing the biggest challenge of my life, forget Quidditch House Cup, forget National Institute of Potions Making, and forget fame and fortune, because it's all down to whom I love more, my lifestyle or Oliver. Before the Easter holidays I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but then again before the Easter holidays I was living in fucking Denial Land and now I have to decide if I want to stay there or take the proverbial train to the Real World. And that is why I'm pacing around my room feeling sick to my stomach, minutes before my parents are coming here to celebrate my birthday.
"Hey, mate, Snape sent me over to tell you that you're parents are here." Blaise popped his head around the doorframe and instantly I felt Pansy's hand slipping into mine and I gave her a grateful squeeze. "Say, Draco, when do you want your party, tonight or tomorrow night?" I blinked at him in confusion, what party?
"Blaise, drop it." Pansy said in a stern voice and I bet one of her 'I'll explain everything later' looks before she turned to face me, fixing my collar and smoothing her hands over my shirt before meeting my eyes, "Good luck, sweetie." She whispered and hugged my tight. I fisted the back of her shirt, not caring one bit that I was wrinkling it in the process; I just wished I could take her with me for support. After a while I let out my breath in a long sigh and released her, straightening my spine and holding my head high I turned to the door.
The way to Snape's office never seemed so short, and before I even knew it I was facing the dark wood. I gulped and tried to will away the clamminess I was feeling all over. Fuck, I haven't even decided if I want to tell my parents or not, but it seems that my body has already made that decision for me. I'm scared, petrified right now, because I don't know what my parents are going to say, but I have a fairly good idea and I wouldn't like one bit of it. I closed my eyes briefly before raising my hand to knock on the door, and waited with dread to hear the firm voice of my godfather,
"Come in." I pushed the door slowly and stepped into the room, my eyes taking in the glamorous forms of my parents, sitting on Snape's leather sofa, making the antique and beautiful furniture looking shabby just with their blond, majestic presence. Am I going to look like this in a decade, all prim and proper, sipping tea daintily and oozing an air of snobbism? Or will I look like Snape, all black and broody, having a secret affair with a half-blood Gryffindor and stuck in a job I hate? Hmm, which is the lesser evil here, I wonder?
"Sit down, Draco, have a cup of tea before we leave." I nodded and sat down at my mother's request, taking the cup I was offered and held onto the white bone-china delicate cup to dear life. "So, how did your meeting with Miss Morgendorpherstern went?" Well, you certainly took your time to ask, mother dear! What, couldn't bothered to ask me before you could properly pronounce her name?
"It was alright." I answered cordially, trying to squash the anger that was slowly bubbling inside me, raising closer and closer to the surface. This casualness of it all, the fact that no one thought that there is something horribly wrong about marrying a girl I've only met a handful of times… I mean even my parents knew each other before hand, they both attended Hogwarts for heavens' sake!
"She seems like a really nice girl and her family is very well provided," Of course they are, you wouldn't let me anywhere near her if she wasn't practically drowning in galleons! "Her father is a very well reputed businessman, even if they are somewhat 'new money', as they say." My mother continued pleasantly but no one in the room missed the slight emphasis on the words 'new money'. And I think that summed it all, really. I wasn't good enough to marry someone from 'old money'- someone with pedigree that went back all the way to middle-ages.
The Blacks and the Malfoys were two of the most prominent, rich and important families in the magical world, and have been such for as long as anyone could recall. Sure, each had its little quirks, its black sheep but there is a lot Blacks and Malfoys can get away with in the way of social standing just by their name. And now, the biggest disappointment since the notorious Sirius Black is being offered to 'new money'… No old respectable family for me, no stuck up elitist girl who can recite her entire family tree 30 generations back, oh, no. my punishment for being such a disappointment to my parents is to marry Anastasia Morgendorpherstern- daughter of someone who acquired most of his money in his own lifetime. I wanted to scream.
"Well, shall we then?" My father said in a strain voice, the one he always used whenever my mother said something inappropriate, I smirked inwardly, that was how my parents dealt with things- change the subject, ignore tongue-slips, pretend that everything is fucking fine and dandy in their little putrid world! And I'm expected to follow this example, me and my beautiful 'new money' wife who can't shut her mouth even if a wand was aimed to her temple. Just great!
"Wait, there's something I need to tell you," My brain just went and did a number on me, and now they are both looking at me and that bloody brain of mine shut itself down. And that's why I need Pansy here, for quick thinking and salvaging unsalvageable situations.
"Yes, dear?" my mother said pleasantly, a little smile gracing her lips while her blue eyes iced over, father's eyes on the other hand just narrowed slightly in contempt. I contemplated standing up, just to give myself an extra second or so, but it felt too much like giving a speech so I stayed seated.
"I've been accepted to the National Institute of Potions Making." I blurred out, start with the light stuff, get them all worked up and angry and then drop the heavy bombs, perfect technique I believe.
"Excuse me?" I took a deep breath and forced myself to look my mother in the eye, I've said it and I'm not backing down, too late for it anyway.
"I took the exam and I passed. They offered me a spot for the coming fall."
"And are you going to take it?" Her voice reeked with disapproval and I swallowed hard and chanced a glance at Snape who looked indifferent. Bastard! This was your bloody plan; you can't bail on me now, leaving me alone to fend for myself in front of Lucius and Narcissa!
"I think so." Well, I don't really need Snape to fend for me, I'm sinking fast and my big mouth is only succeeding in digging me in deeper… from the stunned and angry expressions on my parents face I realized I lost, so it didn't really matter what I was going to say next. Guess my decision is made. "I'm not going to marry Anastasia, I'm gay." I banged the last nails, sealing the coffin good and tight and watched my parents exchange quick glances, and braced myself for the worst. For a second I contemplated telling them about my truce with Potter, because I knew that above all else this is what will make them truly fly off their handles, and just for that split second I wanted to do just that. As the dark clouds began to gather I knew it was going to be one hell of a gale,
"Well," my mother breathed out and placed her tea cup on the table, hands shaking ever so slightly, "I hardly think this is the proper time to discuss these things. You're obviously under a lot of stress from your studies and you're not thinking clearly." I wanted to laugh at that, gods this is such a sick joke,
"No, mother," I said quietly, surprising even myself at how calm and collected I sounded, "For the first time in a long time, possibly ever I am thinking clearly. I will be going to study potions in London in the fall and I will not wed Anastasia or any other witch you throw my way." I finished proudly, only then realizing that I was on my feet, my fists clenched by my sides. My mother and I engaged in a staring contest, eyes fixed firmly on each other, willing the other to back down. I was never able to stand against my mother's stares before but today I'm not giving up. I know that I lost, I know what they are going to say and I'm only glad that I spoke to Snape the night before and he told me that whatever the outcome of today would be he'll be by my side. And this, more than anything gives me hope. I don't know if Oliver and I could make it work in the long run, I don't know what the future holds for me, I don't know shit right now but I do know one thing and that is that whatever happens Severus Snape will be there for me and that he would never let me fall too hard. In a way he has been more of parent to me than my real ones, at least he likes me for myself and not because I'm suppose to be something.
"Draco, I would advise you to think very hard on what you are saying." My father said in a quiet voice, one that registered disappointment and rage, but I was too far into my tirade to back down, and hell, if I already opened one Pandora's Box, why not open them all.
"I have been thinking about it- in fact I've done little else but think of what I just said!" Mainly because my boyfriend decided to play moral head-games with me and I didn't have anyone for tension release in the last couple of weeks, "I'm going to be 18 tomorrow, and I think it's about time I start to live my own life for myself."
"We gave you everything, Draco, everything we could give and this is how you repay us, with callous words and disrespect?" Again I wanted to laugh at my mother's statement, just throw my head back and laugh hysterically because this is really funny, the best joke I've heard in years!
"Everything, mother? Yes, you gave me every material possession I ever wanted, toys, clothes, money… But when was the last time you hugged me? When was the last time you told me that you love me, that you're proud of me? You know, I never needed any of this before, Malfoys don't love, Malfoys don't cry, Malfoys don't do anything other than being respectable and powerful, Malfoys don't show emotions! Well, guess what, there's one Malfoy who does show emotions. One Malfoy who can love- which is something neither of you will ever be able to do but I did! And I'm not going to give it up!" At the end of my little speech I was panting and flushed, my heart was pumping at a million miles a minute but I was exhilarated, it is the first time I stood up to either of my parents, and it felt good to get all of this off of my chest.
My mother rose slowly from her seat, standing up to her full 5.7 feet of aristocratic blonde and crossed her arms over her chest, my father stepped from his little hiding corner by the fireplace to stand behind her, the dynamic duo of doom, just like always.
"If that is the way you feel than we have no other choice but to let you go on your way," She said regally, not even the tiniest tremor betraying her feelings, fuck, a marble statue would produce more warmth than this couple, "We cannot stop you from doing what it is you want to do, but you would have to do it without us. As of the minute you finish your schooling you will be effectively disowned." I swallowed hard but refused to lower my head, I knew that this is what will happen, but up until this second I thought they actually love me enough to respect my wishes… What a fool I've been.
"Thank you mother, father, I wish you both a happy life." I bowed my head and left the office, holding myself as tall as I could, feeling their stares bore holes in my back. Once I was on the other side of the closed door I collapsed against the wall, all my fighting spirit gone. I knew I had to get out of there as fast as I could before someone would come down the corridor and see me like this, or worse, if my parents (soon to be ex-parents) comes out to see me in my ultimate humiliation, so I forced myself to get up, and trudged my way down the hall, feeling completely vacant and numb. I didn't know where I was going or what I wanted to do next, I just walked.
When I found myself in front a very familiar door it took me a couple of seconds to figure out how I got here, but I guess it shouldn't really surprise me and that if I was feeling well I'd probably end up here anyway. I rested my head on the door for a few seconds, just letting the solidness of it support my limp body before I tentatively knocked. There was no way in hell I could remember the password, even though Oliver hasn't changed it since the beginning of the year, right now I could barely remember my own name.
The door opened and I practically fell into Oliver's arms, I was so exhausted suddenly, so drained of energy I could barely walk. Oliver wrapped his strong arms around me and led me to the sofa without a word. I knew he wouldn't say a word, that he would let me come to him when the time was right and I loved him even more for that. We sat there in silence for a while, the fingers of our hands entwined and Oliver peppering the side of my face softly with kisses.
"I did it," I whispered, damn even my voice was tiered, "I told them." Oliver rested his head on my shoulder,
"I'm so proud of you, lovely. Really." I leaned my head back against the sofa and let out a long sigh, well; I guess it could be worse. "Are you ok?" I shrugged, I'm not too sure, but I will be, eventually.
"They disowned me."
"Shit."
"I knew they would, just never thought they will." Oliver chuckled softly and pulled me tighter into his arms. I rested my head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent. I didn't really care anymore about anything. "Ollie, can you do me a favour?"
"Sure, lovely, whatever you want." He said softly, and I lifted my head,
"Fuck me please. Make it all worthwhile."
..oo00oo..
Oliver
I watched Draco's sleeping face, the tear trails still evident on the soft skin. Even the pillow was moist because of his tears. It's funny really; he seemed so strong, so focused but the second we tumbled on the bed the tears came. I tried to kiss them away but they wouldn't stop, and still he pleaded with me to go on, to show him just how much I loved him. We made love and the tears kept coming, bitter and salty and never ending. He didn't make any sound, not a whimper or a moan, only the muscles of his neck stretching and flexing his face constricting and his breathing laboured to show his pleasure.
And now he's asleep, finally, after what must have been the most emotionally exhausting day of his life. He did it; he completely and totally did it. To be honest I never thought he would, I never thought he'd give up everything he had for a fantasy- both the potions and me. I thought he'd take the high way, the safe route and the easy life. My dragon had shown more bravery today than a whole bunch of Gryffindors put together and for that I'll always love him. And I know him well enough to know that, unlike my father, he would never cower and crawl back to ask for forgiveness. So that was really it for him, and in three weeks he's going to be a free man, with no funds, no name and no family. In a way I feel guilty, if it wasn't for me he wouldn't even think of disobeying his parents, but on the other hand I'm glad he did, because now we finally stand on a level ground and that means that our relationship is going to be a lot more stable. That is if Draco will still want me when he wakes up…
I settled next to him, enveloping him in my arms and trying to convey to him that I'm here for him and that everything would be alright, even though he's sleeping. Maybe I'm just trying to reassure myself, whatever the reason is I'm feeling immensely better than I had before, so I close my eyes and let the blissful sleep take me.
..oo00oo..
Draco
The first thing I noticed when morning came was how groggy and puffy my eyes felt. Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, after all I've been crying last night more than I have in a while and over my parents no less! Actually, it wasn't even over my parents, per se that I was crying about, I think they were more in the lines of pity tears, for myself, for my parents who don't love me and probably never really did. Whichever the reason is, the end result is that I can barely open my eyes.
I stumbled blind to the shower, not fully awake and not fully aware of my surroundings and just stood under the hot jets of water, just letting them wash away every last trace of yesterday and the end of my old life. There really isn't much point pondering over it, lamenting what I could have had. It's over, it's done and I guess I have new adventures to look forward to- as Oliver says. It still freaks me out to go to 'that' place in my head where the magnitude of the past day is displayed in full colour, that place where I'm standing by and watching myself throwing away my life, so I try to focus on that other place, the one where Oliver's hands are caressing me and making me forget all the fears and doubts I had that brought me thus far.
When I came out of the shower I felt significantly better, my eyes notably less puffy and my whole being found some sort of cosmically and universal peace with itself. I wrapped myself in Oliver's fluffy bathrobe, just because I like the way it feels against my skin (certainly not for the fact it's several sizes too big for me and makes me look like a small child), and exited the bathroom to find my boyfriend waiting for me on the bed. I jumped into his arms and nearly knocked him over.
"Happy birthday, lovely." He whispered in my ear and I was surprised to find out that it was the first time that day that I even thought about it being my birthday. Usually my birthday is quite a big deal to me, I like to have the attention lavished on me, simply because I was born on that day and by some global law everyone was required to suck up to me for that one day. When I was a little boy it was always a cause for happiness for me, all the mountains of presents I got, the scrumptious food and the gob-smacked expressions of my friends at the glory and grandeur of the parties my mother used to throw me. Even in Hogwarts my birthdays were always a big thing, probably even bigger because I got two parties out of it, the first was usually the one thrown in the Slytherin common room, sort of end of year combined with my birthday that meant lots of alcohol and lots of debauchery. The second was my mother's, always elegant and tasteful- what can I say; the woman can throw a party.
But now, I will never have another one of my mother's parties to look forward to, hell even the fact that I usually tried to slither my way out of going to them is going to be missed. I guess there still will be a party at the common room- if I let it happen, but my birthday would never be the same. Guess that's what growing up means.
"Snape sent you a note that you're exempt from classes today because of your "delicate emotional state"," Oliver informed me, complete with air-quotes and a roll of his eyes at Snape's words. "This gives me all the time in the world to give you your birthday gift." I smiled broadly at him and tried my best not to let the smile turn into a goofy grin because this is better than I hoped for. Besides, I never got a real present from Oliver, at least not one that I can take with me- or tell people about (that was dully proven when I told Pansy about Oliver's tattoo and aside from squealing for at least a minute, I had to swore her not to go up to him and demand that he show it to her…).
I settled comfortably against the headboard and crossed my legs in eager anticipation, which amused Oliver very much. He presented me with two small boxes, each wrapped with brightly coloured gift-wrapper and a huge bow that made me roll my eyes.
"Well, I wasn't sure if you'd say anything to your parents or not, so I got you two presents…" He explained sheepishly, "Open this one first, it's the 'If you didn't say anything to your parents' gift." He said and pointed at the box with the rather garish, I have to admit red and gold wrapping and the big red bow. I tore away the paper and opened the box, curious as to what he gave me. I felt like a five years old again, just eager to any present.
Inside the little box I found a little piece of wood and something flat. I lifted the piece of wood first, looking at it curiously; it was a little Gryffindor crest, beautifully carved out of dark wood. It showed the contours of the Gryffindor lion all smooth and precise, this was obviously was made with great care and love, and the fact that the edges had that smoothness that meant worn spelled it was also loved and cared for in return.
"Dave made that for me, when I came to Hogwarts. He gave it to me on my first Christmas holiday. It's sort of my lucky amulet. I take it to every game with me." He explained, and I ran my fingers on the surface of the small crest again, bringing it close to my nose and inhaled that fresh wood scent mixed in with Oliver's scent. It was perfect. "It's made out of Olive wood. Dave thought it would be funny… It's something for you to remember me by." Oliver looked decidedly uncomfortable, as if he suddenly realized that his present would never measure up to any of my standards, and had he had given it to me last year, it probably wouldn't have. But right now it was the most beautiful thing in the world to me, if only because it was something that was clearly very important to Oliver and yet he chose to give it to me, out of love…
I suddenly found that I was fighting back tears and cursed inwardly for being such a girl, so before I could gush out in a horrible display of sappiness I leaned forward to deliver a mind-blowing kiss to Oliver's lips, which I was sure would convey my feelings in the best manner possible. When I pulled back, flush-faced and gasping for breath Oliver looked much happier than before. I picked up the little flat thing, gazing at it blankly. I tried to figure out what it could be, it was square and made out of that stuff muggles like so much, what's it called, palstik, plastin, something like that. From the corner of my eye I could tell that Oliver was actually enjoying my deaf expression and my bafflement at what the hell he just gave me. After I turned the thing in my hands for several moments he took pity of me and showed me how to open the square, which apparently was some sort of case. Inside was a shiny metallic looking round and flat sort of disc. It looked vaguely familiar but it took me a while to figure out where I've seen something like that before. It looked like one of the things Oliver used for his sordid music machine.
"What is it?" I asked after finally giving up on the notion of finding on my own,
"It's a disc." Ah, because that makes it sooo much clearer, thanks love for clearing that up! Oliver smiled wide and started to explain, finally, "You see, back in my sordid Hogwarts days, the Weasley twins, Tonks and I discovered a spell that allowed us to extract images from different rooms in the castle. Apparently there is some magic linked with the walls of this place that allows you to play whatever happens in every room, like a movie. At first we used it to spy on Percy, but he was so boring we soon had to find new ways to entertain ourselves. Did you know, for example that every once in a while professor McGonagall goes to see professor Flitwick and that she then transforms into her animagus cat and curl in his lap while he pats her for hours? We thought it was rather sweet, well, if you don't dwell on it too much, anyway…" Oliver frowned at his own memories, wrinkling his nose in a really cute way but that didn't really bring me any closer to discover why he gave me a metal disc for my birthday.
"Anyway, after much trial and error, mostly error really, we stumbled upon a way to divert those images into a muggle discs, that can then be played in a DVD player, just like an ordinary film." He concluded happily and I nodded slowly, except from all the confusing words that I didn't get such as movie and DVD player it made perfect sense.
"So you got me a film of professor Flitwick patting professor McGonagall?" I asked suspiciously, this would hardly seem fair to go through all the trouble.
"Of course not! It's just that I've been extracting the images from this room ever since the beginning of the year, you know to protect myself in case Dumbledore decided to spy on his teachers…" extracting images from this room, Oliver's bedroom where we… my jaw dropped and my eyes grew wide with realisation,
"You mean…" Oliver nodded, his smile threatening to split his face in half,
"I most certainly do," He chuckled when I gulped and my face became pink with embarrassment and maybe a tiny bit of arousal, "Don't worry I edited it so what's left is pretty much pure porn." Porn? As in Pornography? Of me? And him? Oh, Merlin stilettos… What I'm holding in my hand right now is a bloody porn film in which I'm the star of! Well, I'm rendered speechless. I sat and watched the little disc in something kin to awe for a long while, until Oliver nudged me,
"We can watch it when we get back to my flat. Open the other gift." I blinked several times, trying to reorient myself, because not only was I holding a porn film that stared us, but Oliver also graciously suggested we actually watch the damn thing! The way I see it, it could be the most horrifying experience of my life or it could be the best bloody thing that ever happened to me. It all depends on how good I look in that film…
I picked up the second gift that was wrapped in bright green and silver paper, with a green bow- don't think that the significance of the colours was lost on me, if the 'Gryffindor' gift was for me to remember Oliver while I'm withering in a loveless marriage this one, the 'Slytherin' gift was to appease my mind after I chose to throw away everything behind my back. I tore away the paper and opened the box. Inside were a key and an envelope. I picked them both out of the box and looked questionably at Oliver, who from some reason looked far more anxious than he did a minute ago,
"Hmm, this is a key to my new cottage in Montrose." He said slightly nervous, "I, er, thought you might like to have one." He shrugged and I looked at him squirming, trying to hide my smile. So this is the subtle, not to mention eloquent way to ask me to move in with him. I slowly opened the envelope to find several pictures of a small cottage, with white walls and red roof and ivy crawling and covering it from all sides.
I lifted my eyes to look at my boyfriend, and Oliver gave me a shaky smile back, and I realized that I haven't said a thing so far. He was nervous and anxious to learn my answer. I bet it was the first time he actually wanted to ask someone to move in with him.
"Yes." I whispered eyes still glued to the photo. It looked like one of them muggle fairy-tales houses, small and cosy and I bet it could have been put in whole into the ballroom at Malfoy Manor but I couldn't care less how big or small the house was going to be as long as I have Oliver there with me.
"Really?" He blurred out, eyes shining with hope and I smiled wide,
"Yes, of course." I pulled Oliver to me sealing our new living arrangement with a searing kiss. When we parted I carefully put my beautiful gifts in one of the boxes and placed it on the nightstand before getting rid of the other box and the gift wrapper and bows. Oliver was watching each and every one of my movement like a starved man eyeing a feast and I loved it. I pulled the cord that held the bathrobe closed and shrugged it off my shoulders sexily (it would have been much more functional, not to mention sensual if the bloody thing was made out of silk or satin, but I don't think Oliver would fuss too much over it…), and rose to my knees to kick the wretched thing from under me, my eyes still locked with Oliver's who ran his tongue over his lips, slowly and deliberately. I grabbed his shirt and let myself fall backwards, pulling him along.
His hot mouth was all over me, his hands searching for all those sensitive spots only he knew and I closed my eyes in complete bliss- this is how my life is going to look from now on, and this is where I truly belong! Oliver's mouth was dishing out small kisses on my neck and collarbone and I felt my skin vibrating with exhilaration, so close…
"Draco, marry me?" The words were murmured against my skin and for a second I thought I was hearing wrong, but then Oliver said them again, this time lifting his head and focusing the warm amber and jade of his eyes on me, I blinked a couple of times, trying to clear my head who was already succumbing to the divinity of Oliver's touch and now had to refocus,
"No." we both stared at each other for a long moment, each trying to understand what the statement meant,
"No?" I shook my head, this is probably why Pansy always says one should never date a Gryffindor- they always say the wrong things in the worst possible time. "Why?"
"Because you don't want to." Oliver looked completely baffled by my answer,
"Of course I do, I just asked you." I lifted my hand to softly caress his face, and smiled sadly,
"No, you don't. you just think that you need to because somehow your little Gryffindor mind managed to convince you that this is all your fault and you have to make amends." From the fleeting flash in his eyes I knew that I summed it up perfectly, not that Oliver would ever agree, "I don't want you to wake up one morning and realized you've made the biggest mistake of your life." Oliver averted his gaze and tried to scoot away from me, oh great, now I've insulted his fragile feelings or something… I grabbed his arms and kept him right where he was, on top of me, "Ollie, please, let's just try and live together first. Tell you what, if you ask me the same question in three years- I promise to listen." I said in the most cheerful tone I could muster right now. Oliver looked at me, pondering my offer and I pulled his head to me, cradling it against my chest,
"All right. But you need a name; you can't just walk around one." He reasoned and I chuckled,
"Why not? Don't you think that Draco Alexander has a potential?" Now it was Oliver's turn to chuckle, and he propped himself on his elbow, so that he could look me square in the eye,
"You'll need magical protection." I sighed, I know I do. Family name isn't just a name in the magical world, its magical protection, someplace to anchor your magic so that it doesn't go wayward on you. That is why being disowned is such a problem.
"I'm going to take Snape's name." I said quietly and bit my lip trying to hold back laughter at the speed Oliver jumped up, looking completely enraged, just as I knew he would,
"What?" He bellowed, "You won't marry me but you will marry that slimy git?" I didn't look at him, instead I arranged myself against the pillows, crossing my ankles, stalling for time, before I decided he's reached boiling point before intoning calmly,
"Of course I'm not going to marry Snape, don't be ridiculous! Snape is my godfather and as such, my guardian in case of something happening to my parents." I lifted an eyebrow and watched as Oliver fought to accept the idea. I knew that he didn't like the idea of me taking Snape's name one bit, but hey- he doesn't have a say in it! It's my name and my magical protection and I have every bloody right to get it from where I want to! Don't get me wrong, I love Oliver to bits and would marry him in a heartbeat if I thought it would be the best solution but for heavens sake, I'm only 18! And I just managed to escape one marriage, so there is really no need for me to jump into another.
"Alright, I guess." Oliver finally relented, not too happy about the prospect but accepting the fact that it was my life and my choice. I have a feeling that he's most pissed at the fact that in three weeks he's going to be fucking a Snape. A prospect that every Gryffindor dreads… Well, maybe not Lupin…
I wasted no time in undressing my boyfriend after that, now that all the official and boring stuff were out of the way, and he soon took over again, and I let him. I arched my back, head dropping on the pillow with a huge smile spread on my face.
A/N: I shall leave it to your feverish minds to sort out all the sordid details. This chapter is too long anyway.
In case you were wondering, it's been about two weeks since Draco and Oliver made up. I just realized while going through the chapter that I forgot to mention this, but I couldn't find a good place to stick it in so... Sorry.