"Draco? Draco!" whispered Hermione's voice through the door a few seconds after Harry's departure.

"What is it, Hermione?" called Draco, fighting back the sobs that threatened to overcome his voice.

"Draco, has Harry left? Hogwarts is waking up so I decided to come down to warn you-"

"Thanks for the thought but it wasn't necessary. Harry is… gone. He left just before you came…"

"Thank god."

"Thank god?! How can you say that Hermione?"

"Because Professor Snape is coming to see you right now! Get dressed! Come on Draco!"

"Oh, right. I'm coming…"

Once Draco was dressed, he opened the door to greet his friend who gave him a quick hug. "I'm so sorry Draco," she murmured, "but don't worry. Hagrid and I are thinking up a plan for you and Harry to be reunited."

"Thank you," he whispered back, before walking off to meet his godfather, wiping away tears as he went.

"… And Potter got off with banishment! He deserves a kiss from the Dementors!" ranted Snape as they walked around the grounds. Draco kept quiet, not trusting himself to talk.

Snape sighed, "Poor Blaise, he was a true Slytherin."

"Yes he was, and my best friend."

"I'm sorry, Draco. But enough of this, whining will not bring the dead back. And now, we have something to celebrate!"
"Celebrate, professor?"

"Yes, doesn't one normally celebrate a marriage?"

"Marriage? Are you getting married, professor?"

Snape laughed, "What a thought! Draco, no. It is you who is getting married!"

Draco just stood there, his mouth open, eyes wide. He felt numb and all he could see were Harry's green eyes.

"Come come, Draco!" laughed the older man, "you must have been expecting it!"

"Whom…"

"Pansy Parkinson of course! The girl is utterly obsessed with you and she will make you a good wife."

"Wife…"

"Now, I have already spoken with the Parkinson's and they are all for the match, as are your parents. It was their last wish before they left you in my care that I find you a suitable bride and I have fulfilled their dream! Say something Draco, are you not pleased?"

Silence. Then…

"PLEASED? How could you even think that I would be happy with this news!" raved Draco, his eyes blazing, "Blaise is not yet cold in his grave and you are already planning a party! And Pansy- a good wife?" he scorned, "she is an imbecile! A simpering, stupid girl! I do not LOVE her!"

"Love?" Snape spat, "what has love got to do with it? You will marry Pansy Parkinson before the week is out or else…"

"Or else what?"

"Or else I will disown you and have you expelled from Hogwarts."

That was like a slap in the face to Draco. "Leave Hogwarts?"

"Yes, with not a knut to your name. Your parents were poor when they disappeared! You will have nothing!"

"Please, my godfather, do not turn me away!"

"Then marry Pansy!"

"I cannot!"

"Then do what you will, you are dead to me, Draco Malfoy!"

Oh boy, things ain't looking good... please review!!