Author's Note:

If what Draco did last chapter annoyed you, I'd just like to point out that I think it would be in his character as a Slytherin to look out for his best interests. He knew he probably wouldn't be able to live the life he wanted to live, and he knew he definitely didn't want to be under the mercy of the madman named Voldemort. Draco wouldn't want to keep living life if he never saw anything in his future worth being miserable for.

This isn't the longest chapter, but I think it's good for the character and plot development, so I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 22

Sitting on the leather furniture in Severus' common room, Draco looked warily at the letters sitting on the coffee table while his godfather read through the betrothal contract. These letters held information, something Draco normally held in high regard, but this information could easily transform the way he would live the rest of his life. It was in his human nature to be wary and even a bit scared of the unknown; he wasn't a bloody Gryffindor after all.

Draco glanced at his godfather and hesitantly picked up the first letter, unfolding it with closed eyes. This was it. Severus had said the letters would explain most of what was going on, but Draco wasn't sure he wanted to know. This could only lead to more problems in his life, as if he didn't have enough already.

Draco read both of the letters, careful to keep the emotions from his face while he tried to sort out his thoughts. He wouldn't speak until Snape was finished reading the contract, if only because he might say something revealing or insulting. Offending the person who was trying to help him would not be a good move on his part.

Eventually Severus put down the marriage contract and looked up at Draco. "Do you have any questions?

"Yes, actually, I do. Who is Charlie? Why does he know so much about Dragons?"

Severus sighed. "Please wait until I've explained. Charlie Weasley is a Dragon keeper at a sanctuary in Romania. I realize there is bad blood between your families, but he knows nothing about your situation. These are letters he wrote to me about someone else, but aside from the information specifically regarding Hungarian Horntails, it applies to you as well."

"What does tânăr balaurul mean? Can't you tell me who the letters are about?"

"It actually means 'young Dragon'. I'll get to who the letters are written about later, but I have some other things to explain to you first. We can get you out of the marriage contract, but we need to find a proper way to do it so they won't find out about your Dragon blood. They could make the connection and use it, whether to tell the Dark Lord to use you as a weapon or to hold it over you and your family's heads to threaten your social standing and your freedom from Azkaban."

"But I should be able to get out of the marriage contract somehow?"

Severus nodded. "I believe so, as you'll be unable to fully marry her or produce an heir, by my calculations. Either of those conditions would get you out of the marriage contract."

"Why? What would happen if I tried to do either of those?"

"Well, you read the letters. You'd most likely kill Pansy long before you were able to get anywhere near that. I'm fairly certain that wouldn't allow you to continue with the marriage contract."

Draco breathed a sigh of relief. "I won't have to marry her?" Severus shook his head. "Thank Merlin."

"However…"

"I can hear the tone in your voice, Severus. What's the bad news?"

"Charlie is indeed right in thinking that you cannot be with another human who doesn't have Dragon blood in them, and I'm not about to break a law for your love life."

"I'll be forever alone, like you?"

Severus scoffed. "No, not like me. The love of my life died in the First Wizarding War, not that I would have ever been with her anyway; I made a major mistake and I've regretted it ever since. I was about to start looking again when you and Potter became first-years, and I believe you know just how hectic this school has been since then."

"Right, you could eventually have hope. I still fail to see why you won't let me kill myself. I mean, if you look at it from a completely non-Slytherin perspective it's a completely selfless act."

"That's exactly the reason I can't and I won't allow it. It's not Slytherin enough. Your choices if you wish to have a family of your own are mating with a Dragon, which I wouldn't recommend, or you can try to mate with the other student at Hogwarts with Dragon blood. I'll have to warn you that it's a he, though. Is there a problem with that?"

Draco sighed, realizing just how grave his situation truly was. "No, I can't really afford to be picky if my other choice is a Dragon, and I have no wish to choose that. Who is it?"

"Harry Potter."

Draco stood and began pacing around the room. "Is that who the letters are written about?" Severus nodded. That would mean what was written in the letters would have to be true; the Weasleys would give anything to help Harry.

However, this information didn't please Draco. Harry had never liked him; he'd shunned his attempts at friendship. The two of them had been trading hexes since first year. How could Severus possibly think they could become anything other than rivals? "You do realize that he would never accept me as anything more than his enemy, don't you?"

"Draco, you seem to be forgetting that his only other option is a Dragon as well. Regardless, neither of you would be able to have a physical heir to your family name, but I'm sure both of you would prefer to be with someone human than alone or with a Dragon. I realize you have never gotten along, to put it lightly, but that will have to change. Besides, the Slytherin in you would do good to remember that Harry is The-Boy-Who-Lived. If he wishes to protect you from the Dark Lord, he will, preventing you from serving that madman."

Draco continued pacing for a few moments before sitting down again, a plan beginning to form in his head. "Are you suggesting I use Harry for his protection until the Dark Lord is defeated, and then I can leave him and live life however I'd like, provided I don't try to spend it with someone?"

Severus sighed, slowly shaking his head. "I'm simply suggesting whatever will keep you alive and happy. You're too smart to allow yourself death before you've had a chance to live, Draco. Besides, I need someone to keep me sane when I'm constantly confronted by the Dark Lord, Dumbledore, and the Gryffindors."

Draco nodded slowly, thinking carefully. "Have you told Harry yet about his options? Have you told him about me?"

"No, I only just realized that both of you had a choice other than mating with a Dragon. You're my godson, and it's a good thing I came to tell you first. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to speak to you right now. I do need to speak to Harry, though. Do I have your permission to tell him that you are willing to speak to him, perhaps in the neutral ground of my quarters?"

"Yes, I believe that would be the best course to take with this. As for my problem with Pansy, you will tell my parents so that they can take the appropriate actions in the negotiations of the marriage contract, correct?"

Severus nodded. "I'll owl them once you leave. As for Harry, I plan to tell him sometime tomorrow. I'll let you know if he wishes to speak to you after he's come to a decision."

Draco stood, as did Severus, and they exchanged a handshake before Draco bid his godfather a good night and left. Severus sighed as the door closed, knowing that the letter he had to send to Lucius would not be an easy one to write.