Well, it's Wednesday! I guess I'm just too excited to wait until tonight! Here's the next Chapter!

******** ******** Chapter 3 ******** ********

The walk to the Headmistress' office wasn't a very long one but he did have to pass quite a few empty classrooms. He heard a loud conversation taking place inside one of them. As soon as he recognized the voices, he stopped next to the door that was still partly open.

"NO! I will not have it!" Lucius Malfoy raged within the room, unaware of the eavesdropper in the hallway. "I accepted long ago that you were gay, Draconis Lucien Malfoy, but you will be the Dominant one; do you hear me?! The Malfoy heir must continue the name!"

"Father, I'm 17…I've never had nor wanted any control over my life before, but this choice," Draco glared at his parents and slammed a fist on the desk next to him. "Damn it…this choice is mine to make. I may not be able to decide my spouse or even the circumstances of my own wedding, but I will bloody well decide for myself the place I want in my own marriage. You haven't any right to dictate that part of my life and its bad enough the bloody ministry is demanding that I marry and get pregnant within the next two months."

"Draco, darling, be reasonable… If you take the submissive position, you'll have to change your name to your spouse's." Narcissa reasoned. "Your father just wants his family's name to continue on into the future. Perhaps you can try to see this from his point of view?"

"I don't know if the Malfoy name even deserves to continue into the future, Mother. Father has quite disgraced it with his choices in the past two decades." He eyed Lucius. "Perhaps he can try to see things from my point of view…"

His father's face fell. "I understand that you are ashamed of my choices and behavior but you will not be given the choice of spouse, Draco; no one will. They'll put your name on a list and pair you with someone who could have a name like Creevey or Finch-Fletchley or some other such nonsensical thing. What if they paired you with a Weasley or someone who truly hated you – like Potter? You could be humiliated or abused in the most horrific ways!"

"Both Creevey boys died in the war, Father. Justin Finch-Fletchley is straight – not to mention pure-blood – and none of the Weasleys would accept me even if I wanted them to…which I don't. But Potter…" Draco looked at the floor and spoke softly shaking his head with a strange confidence. "Potter wouldn't harm me… I know it."

Harry stared at him through the crack in the door. Should he announce himself? Should he open himself up to such vulnerability as this would be? He'd always been fascinated by Draco… Well, obsessed is a much more accurate description. Since he'd saved the other young man from a fiery death in the Room of Requirement at the end of the war, he'd become even more infatuated. He decided to listen a little more before interfering. Even if this sounded like what he wanted, it could be too good to be true.

"What are you going on about, Draco? That boy would use any opportunity to hurt and humiliate you. He'd likely get you pregnant and then have affairs or get drunk and engage in bar fights or something equally disgraceful!" Lucius railed. "But this is probably all just preposterous speculation, Draco; you don't even know if he's gay!"

Harry knew he had to say something to establish his claim on the boy he wanted, so he pushed the door open and stepped inside. "It's not preposterous at all, actually… I am gay."

The Malfoys stared at him as he placed the owl on the back of a chair.

"I apologize for eavesdropping, but you were all being quite loud as I was passing the room." Harry said to Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy before facing Draco. "I'd like to address a few things, if I may."

Draco's wide-eyed expression and minuscule nod encouraged him to continue so Harry decided to respect Draco's 'of age' status by addressing him directly.

"I'm gay – yes – and I'm going to be choosing the Dominant position. I'll not be among those who would cheat on my spouse; I'd like to think I have more honor than that. As for names, I'd think about hyphenating or taking my spouses name if he didn't want to take mine." Harry stated before glaring at Lucius to refute the most offensive accusation. "I would never harm my husband, no matter who he was – whether I chose him or he was chosen for me…" He looked back at Draco to give him the last bit of vital information. "As it happens, I've been given my choice of spouse so I'll get first look at the submissive list …and I haven't chosen yet. I haven't even gotten the list yet, actually. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm expected in the Headmistress' office to discuss the letter in more detail." He nodded a goodbye to the elder Malfoys but leaned in to whisper one last thing to Draco. "I haven't forgotten how it felt to have your arms around me as we soared above the flames…"

Draco inhaled sharply as Harry picked up the owl and exited the room with dignity and grace. He liked the way Potter had just disputed every objection his father had voiced. He liked the fact that Potter had broken into the conversation and not been intimidated by his father… He'd been courteous of Draco's mother and seemed polite but – having dealt with Potter's temper before – Draco knew the Boy-Who-Lived was barely restraining himself from drawing his wand at Lucius Malfoy. The young blond marveled at the audacity of that last whispered statement; it had been unconscionable, but Draco had never felt so turned on in his life and he knew what he had to do.

"Father, Mother…I think you just met your son-in-law." He turned on his heel and followed Harry calling his name down the corridor. "Potter! Potter! Damn it – Harry!" When he caught up with the other man, they stood next to the gargoyle at the entrance to the Head's office. "Harry…"

Harry smirked. "Just listen…I know your father doesn't like me and your mother is little more generously disposed toward me than him… I also know that we've not really gotten along for the last six years or so and my friends hate you…but I've always been quite obsessed with you."

Draco's eyebrows shot up. He'd never noticed any obsession…he'd assumed the other boy just had good observation skills and an underdeveloped sense of self preservation. So, Harry Potter was obsessed with him… The thought should've freaked him out, but it didn't. Instead, he felt that shivery almost nervous feeling that made him weak in the knees.

"I saw the stress you were under in sixth year…and you can't imagine how sorry I am about that spell I cast at you in Myrtle's bathroom. I swear I didn't know what it would do and you were trying to cast Crucio at me, so it was kind of justified if you really think about it." Harry took a deep breath. "Anyway, I know you're not a killer and that you lowered your wand that night when you could've killed Dumbledore." The gargoyle moved aside so Harry pulled Draco onto the first step before continuing. "I had a mental link with Voldemort – when he was alive – and I got visions of him and many death-eater attacks, meetings and such. I was absolutely horrified to see the things you went through during the war. Thank you so much for not telling them outright that it was us last spring. I'm sure you got punished somehow and I'm so very sorry for that."

"I did, yes… Wait, how did you know I lowered my wand? The second broom on the tower that night was you? Where did you hide? I didn't see you…" Draco frowned at him before suddenly smirking. "Your invisibility cloak; I knew you had one!"

Harry bit his lip while trying not to hope. "Yeah, I'll show it to you one day if you'd like…after we're married…?"

"Ah, Mr. Potter, you're here…" The Headmistress said opening the door. "Mr. Malfoy, did you need something?"

"Harry heard me speaking with my family and I decided to walk the rest of the way with him." Draco raised an eyebrow at the other man.

"Headmistress, this will concern him so I'd like Draco to stay." Harry stated calmly.

"How, exactly, will your marriage concern Mr. Malfoy?" She asked blinking in surprise.

"I'm gay, Headmistress. I'll be choosing the Dominant position and, as the 'Savior of the Wizarding World', the ministry is giving me my choice of spouse." Harry said with a little smile. "From what I overheard of the Malfoys' conversation, Draco is also gay and he'll be on the submissive list. I intend to choose him."

Draco looked up at the woman to gage her reaction.

"I see." She sounded shocked.

"Now then, what did you want to speak to me about regarding the letter?" Harry went on as they sat down in her office.

"Well, it's mostly moot, Mr. Potter. I was going to ask what they told you in your letter and go from there." She said. "Obviously, they've told you quite a bit. There are a number of people who won't be happy with your choice; you know that don't you?"

"Yes, Ma'am, but it will be Draco they disagree with not my sexuality…right?" Harry asked sounding unsure.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, but there will be many brokenhearted young ladies out there also." The Headmistress smiled uncertainly. "May I ask why you'd like to choose Mr. Malfoy?"

He repeated the things he'd said to Draco but added some as well. "Well, he's never treated me with awe or deference just because I'm the 'Boy Who Lived'." He rolled his eyes but kept going. "I've always felt drawn to him and he's always kept my interest. I know what he went through for the last few years. He saved me once and I've saved him… I've thought differently about him ever since then. Seeing him at school everyday and on Hogsmeade weekends… I've noticed how beautiful – I mean, handsome – he is and when I heard the Malfoys speaking and found that his sexuality meshed with mine, I was very interested…"

"So it's just physical, Potter?" Draco asked, gritting his teeth.

Harry rolled his eyes again. "Of course not, Draco, but we'll have to get physical during our marriage and the fact that I find you more than a little attractive will help don't you think?"

"That it will, Mr. Potter; go on." The headmistress prodded.

"There's one last thing, actually, that hadn't even occurred to me until Lucius said it to Draco." Harry nodded. "One of the things Draco's father pointed out to dissuade him from choosing to be in the submissive position was that many of the men out there… If Draco were given to them – They'd hurt him, Headmistress. They'd punish him for the deeds of his father, not understanding that he's not Lucius. I'll not see him or anyone else abused just for being on the wrong side of the war with Voldemort."

Draco looked down. "So you want to marry me because I'm sexy and to provide an example of how people who fought on the losing side of the war should be treated…Do I have that right? Well, don't bother!" When he looked up, Harry saw a dark expression on his face.

The Headmistress raised an eyebrow but waited to see what Harry would say.

"Draco, in case you missed something over the last six years, it's a good thing when I feel protective of someone. It gives me more to fight for…" Harry reasoned.

Draco couldn't really argue with that so he just shrugged.

"There's something I need you to understand if you're going to be with me… I'm a very public figure. I can't tell the world that I married you just because I like you and want to get to know you better." He sighed. "That may be a large part of the truth but I have to have other reasons for doing things than: 'I just wanted to'."

Resentfully, Draco sneered. "Right, because you're the 'Boy Who Lived' and the 'Savior of the Wizarding World'."

McGonagall thought she'd have to say something then but Harry was up for the task.

"I don't like it any more than you do. I wish that my biggest worry was telling my parents that I'm gay and being forced to marry because of a stupid new law put out by the government." Harry reached for Draco's hand and sighed when he pulled away slightly. "I'll explain my past to you in a while, but that past as well as the war and its outcome have put me in a very public position and the bloody Ministry has pushed me to become such a focus of the public eye that every move I make becomes political somehow. I'm sorry I can't just say to the whole world that I'm marrying Draco Malfoy because I like him and want him in my life. Now you know how I feel about all the bloody attention."

"So give me the real reason, Harry, no bullshit! It's just me! No politicians or reporters are here to worry about, so give me the very basic truth…I'll accept that you 'just want to'." Draco stared into Harry's eyes. "Why do you want to marry me?"

"I want someone to love! Is that too much to ask?" Harry stood up and yelled. "I want someone to love… someone who has the guts to tell me off occasionally… someone who won't let me walk all over them and pretend I'm always right when we both know I'm wrong. I'm not perfect, Draco! I know it and I want the person I spend my life with to know it too and accept it! I want you because I think you are the person who can do all of that and more! Our little duels, our witty banter and the little altercations… You make my blood burn and my heart race. We've such a passion between us in life outside of the bedroom that I want to see how it translates inside of it."

The other man's rant had Draco blushing and speechless but Harry just kept going.

"You've experienced things…You've seen and done things, and gone places that I've only ever dreamed about. You know more about magic and the wizarding world than I can ever learn." There was a plea for comprehension in his eyes as Harry gazed at the blond man. "Between the two of us, your parents, our friends and their parents – our children would be book-smart, street-smart, beautiful, fun-loving, magically powerful…and exceptional fliers to boot. I just want love and a family…Things I didn't really have as a child." He whispered the last few words a bit hoarsely. "Can you understand that? Can you be that for me?"

Draco stared at him. "I…I don't know. My childhood wasn't really about love. I mean, I knew my parents loved me…but they weren't all over me. They didn't tell me all the time that they loved me, but the things they bought for me and the places they took me told me that. The way they protected me from most things told me they loved me, but…"

"But they didn't protect you from Voldemort…not until the end." Harry whispered nodding.

"Yeah… by saving you, Mother saved me because you…" Draco's eyes met Harry's.

"I died to save everyone including you." Harry pursed his lips and watched Draco stroll around the room considering this.

Headmistress McGonagall was tempted to hold her breath while she and Harry waited but she knew she could be waiting for a while. Harry's arguments sounded convincing to her. He'd obviously been considering the Malfoy heir as a possible match for a fair amount of time. "Mr. Potter, may I ask how long you've thought about this choice? Was it a spur of the moment thing or did you have your eye on him for several weeks?"

"Months, Headmistress…not weeks. I've been thinking of asking Draco out – of dating him – since the end of the war. I knew we were all coming back for this school year and I couldn't deny that I'd have my work cut out for me if I really wanted to be with him." Harry said just loudly enough so Draco could hear him from across the room. "I had to decide one way or the other if I'd take that chance and approach him. A week or so after my birthday, I saw several couples I know talking and laughing together…I wanted that. I also recalled those same couples crying together over loss and hardship. I remember wanting a pair of arms to hold me when I watched my friends being buried after the war. Whenever I think of that…well lately, I think of only one pair of arms… I also think of seeing certain people at other burials and wishing I could just wrap my arms around them."

She knew young Mr. Malfoy would remember seeing Potter at the funeral of his friend Mr. Crabbe Jr. and put things together.

"I also remember seeing Tonks and Remus fighting side by side…I want that too," Harry paused. "Though figuratively in the future. Pictures I've seen of my parents just being together are also a big part of this. They sometimes just sat together and read books or listened to music in those pictures, but I've seen memories in a Pensieve that also show them arguing or even threatening each other with jinxes or hexes. I could picture a life like that for me and I want it badly. Am I being selfish? Maybe…but I think I kind of deserve it… Don't I deserve to be happy?"

Draco was silent.

"After all I've gone through in my seventeen years of life, don't I deserve a tiny bit of happiness?" He asked again. At the tender age of 17, he'd already lost his parents, godfather and countless friends while fighting and winning a war to save the entire wizarding world.

"Yes, Harry; you do deserve to be happy…" Draco answered in a soft voice. "Look, I'm not in love with you, but I do have a bit of respect for you and what you've said – just now and before with my parents. Believe it or not I think it could happen… eventually. Many marriages in my family's past have been built on less then what we have. My parents can't object and your friends have no real say either." He paused and took a breath as he pulled out his letter. "Since I had a lot to do with making you unhappy in the past few years, it's only fair that I try to make up for it."

"Well, that's settled, then." McGonagall stated as Harry handed over his letter. She read them quickly and instructed each boy how to fill his out properly. "You should tell Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley as soon as possible to avoid any…" She broke off as the gargoyle in front of her office could be heard moving aside.

"That'll be them…" Harry said as they heard a knock. "Looks like I'll get the chance to tell them very soon, Headmistress. Draco, I'll tell them right now but you should probably not stand that far away from me in case Ron gets…well, you know how he gets. Oh, and please, don't provoke them?"

"I suppose I can try not to." He smirked and moved to stand next to Harry.

McGonagall opened the door and allowed his friends to enter.

"Hey, Harry; I thought you'd be done here by now." Ron said frowning as soon as he saw Malfoy. "What's he doing here?"

"Yes, Harry, why is Malfoy standing next to you like that?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"I came across him and his family on my way here and happened to overhear them speaking. Draco and I have lots in common and, even before this whole marriage law came about, I'd decided to find out if he was gay and ask him out if he was. So, due to the law, I've decided to request him as my spouse." Harry spoke softly but with a determined look on his face and his friends knew he was serious.

"Him? Really, Harry?" Ron asked in tone that was equal parts disbelief and amazement.

"He's been awful to the three of us for years, Harry." Hermione questioned him. "Are you sure you want… Malfoy?"

"I'm sure, Mione. Look guys, he's never fawned over me or pandered to me…you know how much I hate that. He treated me like a regular person who'd annoyed or insulted him rather then falling all over himself to get my attention or ignoring me altogether. He saved us at the Manor when he could've just turned us over." Harry said defending his decision. "I've always been a bit obsessive over him…haven't I? Now, just as I get a chance to date and find out about anyone I might wish to, I'm forced to marry. I think we'll be good together, so I choose him. Please don't make things difficult."

They both sighed and clasped hands. "Harry… Mate, you deserve to be happy." Ron said uncertainly.

"So if this is what you really want…" Hermione began with a hesitant look.

"We'll accept it and support you." Ron finished and then turned to face Malfoy with a snarl. "But if you hurt him…"

The headmistress drew her wand carefully so as not to attract notice. It was not needed.

"Ron, stop." Harry cut in, moving to block Draco from Ron's sight. "Thank you, but…I can take care of myself and him as well."

His friends seemed to get the message because their eyes widened as they glanced at Malfoy, who stood there staring at the wall.

"Could you do just one thing for me and try to be civil with Draco? He's already said he'll try not to provoke you…" Harry pleaded with his eyes.

His best friend rolled his eyes and nodded. "Ok, if he's going to be civil then so will I… but not for him."

Harry quickly finished filling out the form and signed it. Once the owl had flown off with both of their letters, he turned to face his future husband. "All that's left is for you to say 'yes' when you get the notice of my request."

"And I will…" Draco assured him. "Uhmmm, Harry? I know this isn't the ideal situation, but do you think you could do me a small favor?"

"Uhm, sure…What do you need?" Harry shrugged.

"I have to tell my parents…would you come with me?" Draco had a neutral expression on his face but his quiet voice revealed his desire for some moral support.

Harry nodded but was interrupted by Ron. "Wait for him out by the gargoyle. He'll be there in a minute."

Draco nodded and left.

Hi Everyone!

Thank you all SO much for reviewing! I really enjoy seeing your thoughts and ideas! I hope you liked this one!

I hope the story keeps you entertained and enthralled!

Lori