Predicament

Draco started his New Year's as most people do, waking up in a strange place with a hangover. Fortunately for him, he had only gotten as far as the sofa in the lounge of the castle. He woke up the sound of a snoring Potter who was comfortably cuddled up in the chair next to him. As he slowly opened his eyes he saw Blaise standing over him with two mugs of tea.

"Morning sunshine, I got you some green tea, it's good for hangovers," Blaise spoke as he smiled, his voice waking up Potter. "Harry, here, I got you one too!"

"Oh, thanks. How did you know?" Harry asked rubbing his head, his hair sticking up on side of the head where he'd placed it against the chair for the night.

"I brought the two of you here last night, you were too drunk to walk up the steps or take help from anyone, and it was quite the show actually. Harry kept insisting on how you needed to have green tea in the morning." Blaise laughed. "You two are adorable drunk, but obnoxious drunk together. You couldn't decide where you wanted to sleep because you'd made a BFF pact and were convinced on a sleepover party. However, walking was not your forte, so I brought you two here, told you to wait here and I'd be back with more drinks, which was a lie and a few minutes later you were unconscious and snoring, in unison."

"I don't snore!" Draco retorted.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that Draco," Blaise answered.

"We didn't-" Potter hesitated.

"No, you didn't snog anyone, or each other. You were just both reminiscing how you could have been best friends growing up if your fathers weren't such insolent creatures." Both Potter and Draco glared at Blaise and he defended himself, "hey, your words, not mine!"

"Honestly, I don't remember much of anything after you went to take that phone call from Theo," Potter confessed.

"Yeah, after I returned we had a few more drinks then I am sort of drawing a blank after the clock struck midnight," Draco added.

"Truthfully, you were both ridiculously drunk. You should be glad you were amongst friends, I'd hate to think of what would happen if you were somewhere like a real club, with the way you two drink," Blaise commented.

"I usually don't drink that much, I think I overdid it simply because I was amongst friends," Potter replied.

"Alright, now that you're conscious, most of us are headed on a hiking trip after breakfast, if you're interested in coming, you've got about forty minutes to get ready," Blaise informed them. Both Draco and Potter stood up immediately, and held onto each other. Draco felt dizzy and by Potter's reaction, thought he must feel the same light-headedness." Blaise laughed again. "I would also suggest taking a few headache pills before heading out. If you're coming, I'll make sure we don't leave without you."

The rest of the day was torturous for Draco, his body was severely dehydrated from the night before and the unusually bright sun in winter was blinding him. A few hours and a few litres of water later, he was beginning to feel whole again. Potter didn't seem as distressed as Draco; he informed Draco that Sirius always enjoyed nature and outdoor activities a lot more than Severus so he was always Sirius' partner in all nature excursions. He was happy to be out in the snow hiking a mountain; it made him feel at home.

The next few days were quite relaxing in the castle. Many of the guests were beginning to leave and since Draco spoke to Theo on the phone every day, he was starting to get pressured to return to London. Theo hated the idea of Draco being around Potter. He'd never admit it, but Draco could tell that his boyfriend was always nervous on the phone as though he was expecting some bad news. They cut their trip short by one day and commenced their mini road trip home on the 3rd of January as opposed to the 4th.

Greg dropped Potter off back at the L'Elephant Café where Draco had picked him up from. He stated that he wanted to get some work done before he headed back home. He was sure as soon as he'd arrive home his friends, especially Hermione, would have a million questions for him and he wouldn't be able to finish his project. At least this way, he could use the excuse of his mobile being out of charge.

Draco got out of the car to bid Potter goodbye, everyone else remained in the car. Draco walked Potter to the door at the café as they continued talking. Draco was telling some story about an incident involving camping the first time he'd tried in when he was twelve. No one else seemed interested in the story as much as Potter. As they stood outside the café, they continued talking, their conversation eventually interrupted by the honk of the horn from Greg's car.

"Alright, I'll see you Potter."

"See you Draco."

Draco grinned as he returned to the car after turning what must have been at least ten times to wave goodbye to him, when he returned inside the car, Blaise teased him. "What? No goodbye kiss?"

"Shut it Blaise," Draco replied. Everyone else in the car laughed and Pansy rolled her eyes staring at Draco. "What are you all on about?"

"Draco, you're falling for him," Pansy answered.

"What, no! We are just friends. I told you, we just get along really well and that's it, I love Theo," Draco answered, unsure if he was convincing his friends or himself. A short moment later Draco noticed that Potter had forgotten his jumper in the car. "Wait, turn around, Potter forgot his jumper, we have to return it."

"If I turn around Draco, I am leaving you at that café," Greg answered.

"Alright fine, just stop the car and I'll go back. I'll take a taxi to you Stratford," Draco answered.

"You're mental, it's just a jumper. You can give it to him the next time you see him," Blaise intervened.

"He's going on a business trip in two days for his project proposal; I won't see him for weeks!" Draco argued. Greg stopped the car and didn't say a word, Draco decided to get out of the car, "Just take my luggage to your place and when I get there, I'll ring you." He ran back to the café to return Potter's jumper.

When Draco arrived at the café and before going in spotted Potter through the window. He was on his mobile and he had his pleased smile on. The same one he had shot at Draco on New Year's Eve at midnight. He must be on the phone with his boyfriend. Draco waited outside the café for several minutes watching Potter converse. His facial expressions intrigued Draco and he imagined what he was talking about. Eventually, Potter got off the phone and Draco entered the café.

"Draco, what happened? What are you doing here?" Potter got up from his seat surprised to see Draco, he smiled in disbelief.

"You left your jumper in the car, so I came back to return it. Greg, the bastard that he is, wouldn't wait for me, then I saw you on the phone and didn't want to disturb so I was waiting for you to get off your mobile. Were you talking to Cedric?"

"Yeah, he just rang me up; he's on his way back and promises to make up for his disregard. Thanks," Potter said as he grabbed his jumper, "I would have missed it, it's my favourite!"

"Yeah, I know that's why I wanted to return it before your trip," Draco responded unable to hide his grin.

"How are you going to get back to Stratford now, to your car if Greg's left?" Potter asked.

"I'll take a taxi, no worries," Draco answered.

"Don't be silly, I'll drop you off. Let's go, come to the house for a cup of tea then I'll drop you on my way to see Cedric," Potter insisted.

"Oh he's back?" Draco asked, his tone a bit bleak, for his own good.

"Yeah, he's invited me over. I can't wait," Potter answered. Draco saw the enthusiasm in Potter's eyes and smiled, he was happy for his friend.

Draco walked with Potter to his house, a quick ten minute walk away from L'Elephant Café. He hoped that Potter's parents wouldn't be home, he didn't want to make things any more awkward between them. He wasn't sure how they'd feel about him being in their house after the way his father had behaved towards Severus. He was in luck, the house was empty. Draco waited in the kitchen as Potter went up to his room to drop off his luggage and change clothes. When he joined Draco, he was surprised to see Potter's appearance change so quickly.

He had combed his hair, it actually sort of look nice, along with the fact that he'd removed his glasses and wore contacts. He was wearing a fitted button down black shirt with grey trousers and black loafers. He looked like he was going on a proper date. Draco had never seen Potter dress so chic, not even the first time they had met in the very same house he was in right now.

"Wow Potter, you look-" Draco was lost at words.

"I hope that's a good thing," Potter replied.

"It is, you look brilliant. How come you never dress like this normally?"

"If I dressed like this all the time, then you wouldn't have that reaction," Potter answered. He quickly made some tea and invited Draco to join him in the sitting room.

In his efforts to keep his thoughts straight, Draco began discussing Theo. "I am afraid that just before my trip to the castle, I told my parents about him."

"You're afraid?" Potter asked looking confused.

"Well, I am afraid that now they're going to want to meet him," Draco answered.

"Isn't that a good thing, that they will finally accept your relationship with someone of your choosing and not theirs?" Potter questioned.

"What if they harass him about marriage?" Draco's tone was apprehensive.

"I honestly don't think Theo is going to say no. You have to decide whether or not you want to marry him. You've told me you love him and were afraid that he didn't love you but now you know for a fact that he does. He's seen you with me, he's threatened and he's marking his territory. You have nothing to worry about. So tell me what's really bugging you?"

"Honestly, nothing. You're right. I wanted Theo, I've got him exactly the way I've wanted him, there should be nothing for me to worry about," Draco repeated Potter's words.

"Excellent, so when your parents meet him and if they bother you about marriage, you can tell them that you'll be ready when the both of you are ready. This is a conversation you should really be having with him," Potter commented. "I support you and your decision, you're the one who has the final say in everything, it is your life after all."

Draco smiled at Potter's declaration. He felt better, more confident. He didn't know why he was getting so nervous, he had a good thing with Theo and it wasn't going anywhere.

"So, how would you do it?" Potter asked.

"Do what?"

"If you had to propose, if you were to ask Theodore's hand in marriage, what would you do? The traditional way of getting down on one knee? Or is he not a very traditional type?"

"I don't know, with my luck my father would simply propose for me," Draco joked. "What about you Potter? Are you the traditional type?"

Harry thought over the question for a minute. "I am most definitely the traditional type, if I were the recipient," Harry answered. "If I were to propose, it'll probably in the early morning, I'd slide the ring into his finger and hold his hand and pretend to sleep while purposely waking him up. He'd notice that my hand was on his left, notice the ring there and I'd smirk. Then, I'd probably whisper something like just say yes." Harry laughed. "However, if he were to propose to me, I'd love the one knee, ring gesture. The more traditional the better, you know I always say, I can't resist-"

"…resist a man on his knees, yes yes, I know Potter," Draco finished Potter's sentence.

Shortly after they left Potter's house and he drove Draco to Stratford and dropped him off at Greg's flat. Draco picked up his luggage from Greg's and drove home. He sent Theo a text message asking him to dinner. Draco felt positive and was certain to take his relationship to the next level.

Potter had been gone for over a week on his business trip to France, then Germany. He and Draco exchanged a few emails back and forth however, it wasn't enough for Draco. Draco had been freaking out because his parents were finally going to meet Theo. He wanted to share that information with Potter and talk to him, since he was the only one that could manage to calm Draco down. Even Pansy was starting to admit that.

Potter finally replied to Draco's last email saying that he was due to return on Monday, the 17th of January. It was the same night Theo was supposed to meet Lucius and Narcissa. Draco found out that Potter arrived at Heathrow at five o'clock in the evening, he offered to pick him up from the airport. His plan was simple, he was going to pick up Potter from the airport, drive him to Islington, talk to him on the way, then return to his home and wait for Theodore to arrive at eight o'clock to meet his parents.

As all plans go, this one also failed miserably.

Due to an unpredictable snowstorm Potter's flight was over two hours late. The drive from the airport to Potter's house was also delayed significantly because of traffic. Draco grew apprehensive while he waited for Potter at the airport but the drive home, though delayed, hours felt only as though a few minutes had passed. Potter congratulated Draco on finally taking the next step in his relationship. When Draco pulled up at the house in Islington, he thought that Potter might invite him in for tea.

"Draco it's 7:45, aren't you supposed to arrive at your house by eight o'clock?" Potter asked.

"Fuck!" Draco screamed, "I didn't realise it was so late, I am sorry Potter, thanks for everything, I'll call you later tonight!" Draco sped off away from Potter's house and returned on the freeway. Draco arrived at his house at 8:40 and parked in his parent's driveway. When he rushed into the house he saw Theodore in the sitting room sitting on the sofa with Narcissa, as Lucius was standing by the bar with a stern look on his face.

"I am so sorry everybody, I got delayed in the lab and the traffic was ruthless!" Draco lied, he hadn't told anyone that he was due to pick up Potter at the airport. Theodore glared at Draco as he entered the room.

"Draco, I can only hope that your discourteous behaviour that you so freely choose to display towards us isn't suffered by Mr Nott here," Lucius commented. "If it is, then I simply do not understand why he chooses to stay with you."

Does this mean my father approve of Theodore? Draco wondered.

"I am truly sorry Father, I should have planned better but you can't really trust the city traffic," Draco attempted at an excuse. Narcissa stood up from the sofa allowing Draco to sit next to Theo, he whispered I am so sorry love, in his ear. Theo wasn't thoroughly pleased.

"We had a nice chat while we waited for you to arrive Draco," Lucius said. "I am happy to inform you that I think Mr Nott is quite remarkable. I am glad that you've found yourself a very intelligent and suitable partner."

Does my father realise, he's sitting right here? Another thought came across Draco's mind.

"Father, with all due respect. I do appreciate that you approve of my relationship with Theo, who I whole-heartedly love, but I hope you understand that this doesn't necessarily mean that I am willing, we are willing, to get married before both of us are ready."

"What are you waiting for?" Narcissa asked.

"Excuse me?" Draco questioned nervously.

"If you two love each other and are absolutely happy with each other, so what are you waiting for? What needs to happen for you to be ready?" Narcissa meticulously explained her question.

Draco expected surprising questions from his father and had prepared answers but he was startled by his mother's interjection. His father made everything sound long and mundane but his mother's question was simple. Why wasn't he ready?

"Dear, don't make the boy nervous," Lucius commented.

"Draco, why don't you go and show Theodore your flat?" Narcissa commanded. The moment Draco heard his mother give the command, Draco remembered Potter. The first time Potter had visited their Manor, Narcissa had made a similar statement. The scene of Potter standing in front of him on Christmas Eve flashed in front of him and he chuckled.

Theodore stood up and took Draco's hand waiting for him to lead the way. He led Theo towards another room, towards the hallway that lead to his flat. "It isn't very clean, I am afraid," Draco repeated similar words to Theo that he had to Potter that night. He remembered how Potter had made him feel at ease about his apprehension.

"I am sure, you're not a very organised person anyway. I didn't expect anything else from you," Theo commented with a smirk. Draco was disheartened by Theo's comment, he had hoped that he would be sweet. "Wow, this is amazing Draco!" Theo exclaimed when he looked around Draco's room. "You've got a lot of books!" He commented. Draco wasn't sure if that was a mere observation or a compliment.

"If we ever live together, we're going to need a separate room just for your books. Unless I live here, then we'll have to simply get rid of this all," Theo added.

"I don't think I could get rid of my books, I've got more in the closet. I think if we ever live together, we'll definitely have to move far far away from my parents," Draco responded.

"I like your parents, they seem like reasonable people," Theo replied. "And more books? Draco you've got to be joking!" Theodore went into Draco's walk-in closet to see the other books he was talking about as Draco's mobile buzzed. It was Pansy and she was asking how everything was going tonight.

"Theo, love, do you mind if I make a quick phone call?" Draco asked.

"Who?"

"Potter, he's just got in tonight from his business trip, I wanted to quickly check up on him," Draco commented as he looked up from his mobile he saw Theo glaring at him. "What is it?" He asked as he began dialling the number.

"Draco, I just met your parents, I am in your flat for the very first time and you want to call Potter? This is one of the happiest moments of our lives, and you're thinking about Potter? How did you even think about him immediately? I thought you would take me on your bed or kiss me or something, we are finally alone after I waited forty five minutes for you unaided in your parents' house!"

"Boys, you've got the rest of your lives to fight, come and have a drink," Lucius announced from down the hall.

"I am sorry," Draco said, "let's go have a drink with my parents and I'll drop you home."

"I don't need a ride home Draco, since you insisted that I drive myself here," Theo snapped.

They returned to the sitting room where Lucius and Narcissa were waiting for them. Draco saw a few extravagant desserts displayed on the coffee table as Narcissa was pouring champagne. "What's going on?" Draco asked.

"We are simply celebrating that we met Theodore tonight, why Draco you don't think it's a reason to celebrate?" Narcissa asked as she grabbed Theo and brought him to the sofa.

"Yes, of course mother," Draco answered as he picked up a champagne glass and waited for a toast.

Lucius brought his son aside and handed him a small box, Draco stared at it knowing what it was. He shook his head and returned it to his father. "What are you two whispering about?" Narcissa asked.

"I am simply asking your son if he's ready," Lucius answered. "What about you Mr Nott, how do you feel? You've been dating my son for over two years, if he were to ask you to take the next step, would you say that you're ready?"

Theo nervously stood up from the sofa and looked at Lucius, then at Draco. He looked at the small box Draco was holding in his hand and gulped. "Erm, I would say-" Theo began.

"Wait, not like this, not with this," Draco interrupted Theo as he held up the small box up.

"Son, this is our family heirloom, it was your grandfather's ring. If you're going to do something tonight, shouldn't you follow tradition?" Lucius asked.

"No, not your way. If you're going to force this out of me without my proper consent, I have to do it my way," Draco turned and ran away from the sitting room back towards the hallway that lead to his flat. He arrived in his room and threw the small ring box in his top drawer in his chest as he looked for his own ring box. He returned to the sitting room a few minutes later, a new ring box in hand.

"Father, ask Theo again," Draco said.

"Okay," Lucius spoke as he raised an eyebrow. "Apologies for the interruption earlier, so Mr Nott, if my son were to ask you, if our family were to ask you to take the next step in your relationship, would say that you're ready?"

Theo stood up again facing the two blond men with a similar spine melting glare. "Sir, I would say, that I have been ready for six months," Theodore answered.

Draco's felt as though his heart had been beating a thousand times per second, he had been prepared with a ring for Theo for the past three months, he hadn't told anyone, not even Potter. He didn't know what he had been waiting for, perhaps a sign, and this was it, it couldn't get any more apparent.

Draco approached Theo, he held his left hand as he picked it up and placed it on his heart. He silently heard Narcissa squeal but didn't turn. "Theodore, I, erm…not very good with words. It took me two weeks to ask you to dinner in the first place and you told me that you'd been patiently waiting for me to approach you, so-" Draco gulped. "So, my father has a ring that is our family's but, I sort of picked this out for you a few months ago and I thought maybe you'd like this one, for us, a new life and a new tradition. So-" Draco took out the ring from the box and slipped it on Theodore's ring finger, he didn't know what to say and as always the case had been for over the past few weeks, he relied on Potter in the oddest of times, "Just say yes."

Theo looked at the ring and gasped. It was a cobalt ring with triangles around it with three black diamonds placed in a channel setting. "Draco, it's perfect!" He exclaimed. Draco leaned in to kiss Theodore, conscious of his parents watching them. He turned to look at his parents who were glowing with joy and his mother had instantaneously started sobbing.

That night Theo didn't end up leaving after all. Draco and Theo spent the night in Draco's flat, it was the first time he'd stayed over. Theo kept it quiet as he thanked Draco in several ways for the engagement and proving his love to him. "Now that you're mine forever, I don't need to shout to prove it to everyone," Theo confessed. Draco finally understood why Theo was always so vocal during their lovemaking, Potter had been correct. The night had proven to be too exhausting for Theodore as he was spent and collapsed next to Draco and fell asleep immediately.

Draco stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning. He laid next to the wall, staring at the roof his right hand under his head, his left on his stomach. Theodore was passed out next to him, on his stomach, an arm around Draco. Every time Draco closed his eyes, he saw Potter's face. It started simply at first. He saw him grin, his emerald green eyes shining. Draco immediately opened his eyes. A few moments later he closed his eyes again, he saw Potter in a towel, when he'd taken a shower in Draco's private bath at the castle because Blaise was taking too long in his. Potter's muscles glimmered under the drops of water as he left Draco's bedroom and walked to his own. The last image Draco saw was from the time Potter was going off to meet his boyfriend, no glasses, he'd bent down to put on his shoes his shirt lifting a bit showing his midriff, flawless skin, perfect tan colour.

Draco finally dozed off at around six o'clock in the morning. His last thought: I am so fucked.

(A/N): Thanks for reading, I wrote this really late at night so there might be some (a lot of) mistakes, please feel free to point them out to me, I am going to re-read it and fix them soon! Please review. A. I didn't mean for this chapter to be so long but I also haven't updated in a while and B. I also didn't expect it to take this turn so quickly. C. I hope you are hopeful for the future. D. Please write a review!