Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been. Thank you to those who did review - I am so happy you're enjoying thus far! But please continue to do so :) Reviews - thoughts, comments, etc., are always welcomed! Please review!

Chapter Seventeen

After the session Draco had with Healer Usa, he felt promptly returned to France and tried to unsuccessfully keep himself busy until he could take a Dreamless Sleeping Draught to call it day. While he felt better talking to Healer Usa, he knew he had majorly messed up with the people closes to him – despite Hermione not knowing his feelings. He had fucked up with his best mate, throwing a temper tantrum when things didn't go his way and the witch of his dreams witnessed said tantrum, placing him two steps back from his half step forward with her. He knew he would have to apologize to Theo, while it hit his pride being wrong, he knew he was wrong, and that was that. However, Hermione Granger's apologies were ever-growing and that was getting more challenging by the day. Finally, after an unproductive day after his session – he was useless, his thoughts kept straying back to Hermione – Draco decided to call it day. Close to eight, Draco ate a portion of his dinner – cobb salad and roast beef – before taking two sips of Dreamless Sleeping Draught. Draco woke up in his queen-sized bed, his dark purple comforter caressing over his body, he inhaled deeply, and he felt refreshed from his previous day. Waking up close to 8:30 AM, Draco felt better than he did yesterday, waking up on his own bed, and not with a slight hangover. Remembering his conversation with Healer Usa, he verbally got out his negative feelings he had towards his best mates and she gave him much to think about why he was feeling this way. She also gave him an introspective assignment to do by himself and Draco was dreading that. Why did you first go tell your friend about your budding interest's future move? Why not confront her? His healer's words were once again in the forefront of his mind and he couldn't shake them. He had yet to tell his mind healer about his friendly acquaintance with Potter and his crush on Granger, so for now they were just mentioned as his friend and his interest. In retrospect, Draco would have done that but when Theo came along, he had lost his control. He no longer cared to make amends with Granger when he assumed she was lost to him. Now, he knew he acted like an idiot. Draco sighed deeply, still lying in bed at the thought. Instead of asking Granger about the bloody application, I accidentally let out her secret. Draco sighed again. However, before Draco could go back and ponder his rash actions, his wards tingled. Someone had arrived via floo and he secretly hoped it was Potter with good news.

"Dally."

Draco called out as he sat up. His personal house elf, Dally, appeared besides his bed dressed in all white. He had on a small, white oxford and white trousers accompanying white dress shoes; Draco was amused at his house elf's clothing preference as he always appeared in tip-top shape. He reminded him of a small human butler. Dally's large brown eyes looked at Draco before he bowed slightly.

"Can you please go see who came?"

Draco asked and Dally nodded, disappearing as he came – quietly and without a word. Draco used this time to get out of bed and put on clothes. He walked towards his wardrobe, opening the wooden doors, and went to his bottom drawer where he kept his casual attire. He pulled on dark gray muggle joggers and a loose black tee, smiling internally at the ease the clothes gave him when Dally apparated back into his room. Draco closed the wardrobe's door and faced his house elf. With a snap of his long fingers, a miniature Narcissa holographically appeared in front of Draco. He resisted the urge to groan out loud despite the bemused look Dally gave him. Draco opted to press his lips together.

"Thank you, Dally. Please make sure there is some floral tea at breakfast today."

Dally nodded, bowed once more, before disapparating again. Fuck, mother. Draco sourly thought to himself before staring at himself in mirror. She hated when he wore muggle clothing, not because she didn't like them, but because Draco chose comfort instead of fashion when he was at home. Narcissa always wore a dress robes even if she wasn't going out and only at night would she change into her usual silk or satin negligee and her matching night robe. Same for his father, and Narcissa expected Draco to follow suit, but he thought the entire thing was absurd. Why would he have dressed as if he was going out when he was at home? He always said to her disapproving comments and stares. Slowly, but not slowly enough, Draco made his way to the main foyer of the French manor. He passed the empty hallways and rooms in less than a minute when he approached the bright foyer.

"Mother."

He stated; he chose last minute to put on black house loafers and a long, loose, dark blue satin robe over his attire – at least she wouldn't complain at his bare feet nor the quality of his bed robe. Narcissa instantly pressed her lips together – a trait Draco got from her – as she walked towards him, her soft green dress robe flowing behind her as she kissed both his cheeks. Narcissa's dress robe had puffy sleeves that tightened on her wrists, it had a V-shaped neckline, and cinched right underneath her breasts to flow nicely to her ankles. She also wore dark green heels, bright emerald earrings, and her engagement ring. As usual, she looked impeccable and looked to go elsewhere besides Draco's home.

"Darling, how lovely to see you so comfortable."

She said. Draco rolled his eyes, his nonverbal response was all he was giving so early in the day and offered his arm as they started making their way back to his wing of the manor to eat breakfast, despite him not planning on her showing up. Draco ignored his mother remarks on their way to his private dining room, evading her remarks about how the manor needed a more feminine touch. Finally arriving in off-white colored room, Draco let his arm drop from his mother's hand as she made her way towards the small table seating two besides one of the many floor length windows. The white curtains had been drawn so the sunlight poured into the room. Draco knew his mother liked sun-lit rooms and he was grateful Dally remembered as well; he usually would have the light curtains still down. There was only one more seat and that was on the opposite side of the table nestled by the wall – a dark green, flared arm settee. The room itself had a soft, circular blue rug in the middle, the floor being a dark wood. Draco didn't think it needed anything more unlike his mother's opinions. He hardly had visitors and if by chance Theo and Blaise happened to come, they were rarely in his dining room. Draco walked towards the right, soft fuchsia cushioned seat, pulling it so his mother could sit down, and then he walked to his own chair, finally sitting down as well. On the table before them, there was plenty of toast, English muffins, an assortment of marmalades, bacon, sausages, sliced apples, sliced oranges, sliced peaches, and small blueberry muffins. There was a golden tinted pot in the middle that Draco assumed was the tea he requested for his mother; surrounding it were cups of sugar cubes, honey, and milk. His own coffee cup was already placed besides his place. The younger Malfoy reached for a piece of toast, sausage, apples, peaches, and the grape marmalade, assorting his food on the nicer dinnerware Dally sat out. He watched his mother take most of the oranges, peaches, and a muffin before Draco finally bit his toast with blueberry marmalade on top. Narcissa poured herself a cup, adding two cubes of sugar, and a splash of milk before she was satisfied with the temperature to start drinking. She sipped on her rose and mint tea and Draco finished his toast, before she smiled at him. Shit. Was all Draco could think before he raised his eyebrow at her.

"I come with excellent news, darling."

She said, her tone sickly sweet. Draco knew that tone – she only used it now-a-days when she wanted something from him.

"Oh?"

He asked. Draco took hold of his own cup, drinking a heavy gulp of caffeine before his mother started. He ignored the sting of the heat as it reached his tongue.

"The Greengrasses have accepted the betrothal and I've brought over their contract. We can look over and see if it is fitting before you sign it."

Narcissa said, her smile widening as she waited for her only son's reaction. Draco almost cracked dropped his porcelain mug on himself at her words. Fuck. Draco swore internally. He cleared his throat before placing his cup back down unless he'd have an accident – magical or not.

"Mother, I thought I made it clear on my intentions with the Greengrasses."

Draco coldly said, placing his hands down besides his plate. Narcissa sighed softly, not the reaction she'd wanted from him but expected nonetheless, and her eyes briefly rolled to the top before grimly looking at her son. After a few moments of a silent war, Narcissa also placed her teacup down on its saucer.

"If not Astoria, then whom, Draco?"

She asked sharply. Draco actually rolled his eyes and continue to stare his mother down. A flash of brown eyes, brown skin, and curly hair popped into Draco's head involuntarily at her question. While he was single at the moment, it wasn't by choice, but he wasn't going to elaborate his thoughts and plans to his mother at this moment on his certain mission for a famous muggleborn witch.

"Mother, has it actually come to mind that perhaps I don't want to marry right now? We're freshly out of a war and I'm eighteen. I don't plan on settling."

Draco said firmly. He wasn't technically lying to his mother; he didn't want to marry right now nor settle for any Pureblood princess his mother deemed fit.

"I was married at seventeen."

Narcissa quickly responded.

"Yes and look how well that turned out."

Draco's retort slipped out before he could catch it; he internally flinched, knowing he had crossed a line. His mother instantly stiffened and her gaze hardened. Draco forced himself to look away from her cold stare, dropping his gaze as he reached for his cup to take another drink. After a couple of uncomfortable seconds, Draco relented, putting his cup back down, feeling guilty at the response he received from his mother.

"Mother, I – "

He began apologizing but was quickly interrupted.

"I understand that you don't approve of your father's upbringing of yours nor mine. However, I am still your mother and still looking out for your best interests. Marrying Miss Greengrass is what is in your best interest."

Narcissa snapped. Draco was listening until his impending marriage contract was brought up yet again. Draco sighed out loud, closing his eyes briefly before he looked at his mother. She was every bit the proper Pureblood wife she was hoping to find for him, but Draco didn't want that. He wanted more than an arrange marriage that might end up in love; he wanted to choose his own witch, his own life.

"Mother, do you love father?"

He asked, changing approaches. Narcissa stared at him suspiciously, her smaller hands reaching for her teacup, before cautiously answering,

"Yes, of course."

She brought the almost forgotten cup to her lips, taking a sip.

"Did you always love him?"

Draco asked. Narcissa's second sip stopped short from her lips and she held onto the teacup, hardening again before looking away; looking away from the familiar gray eyes she would stare at in her husband.

"I know where you're going with this, Draco. It's not the same."

She said, her tone turning softer as she continued to stare out the windows.

"I thought you wanted my best interests, mother?"

Draco asked. A few more silent moments and Draco thought the subject was put to rest; his mother started sipping her tea again and he relaxed slightly, taking bites of his sausage. He should have known better. His mother placed her teacup down, gingerly eating an apple slice before saying,

"Fine, we'll set up marriage meetings and you can choose."

[-]

"So you're not speaking to Draco?"

Blaise asked for the tenth time. Theo sighed, closing his eyes as he tiled his back against his preferred seat – the lounge chair in his entertainment room. After a brief morning flying session after a light breakfast, both Slytherins came back to the magenta room to relax. Blaise had shown up to wake up an upset Theo but perked up when Blaise mentioned he brought his Thunderbolt to match Theo's Firebolt. Now coming back from a broom race, Theo was drinking a glass of Quintin Black mixed with tonic water while Blaise opted for just fizzy orange juice.

"Not right now, no, Blaise."

He said through gritted teeth. Theo had lost just by an inch to the last race and he swore Blaise had asked nine time prior about the blond. Blaise couldn't help but to chuckle, taking a drink of his non-alcoholic beverage for once as he leaned back on the chair besides Theo. Both males wore loose fitting tees, Blaise was white and Theo's was a dark brown, and dark muggle joggers with matching trainers. The muggle attire was all Draco's doing as Theo and Blaise both witnessed how absurdly comfortable their friend was when they visited him in France. They both wasted no time in harassing and teasing the Malfoy heir until they soon had muggle clothes of their own. Theo regular used his for exercise while Blaise strictly used his for flying leisurely.

"Until when?"

Blaise asked, holding his glass in his hands as he watched the drink's bubbles pop.

"Until he apologizes for being a prat."

Theo stated matter of factly.

"Draco's always a prat."

Blaise retorted. Theo sighed out loud at this, opening his eyes as he stared at the ceiling above.

"True."

He replied. Theo knew it was only a matter of time before their best friend came apologizing, but that didn't mean it made him less of prat at the moment he was at Hermione's. He knew his friend would have trouble with his feelings for the witch, but he didn't think his jealousy was out of line the way it showed at Hermione's.

"How did you know he was at Granger's?"

Blaise asked, curious as he sat his glass down on the table before them. He leaned his arms against his thighs, stretching out.

"He left a note, thank Salazar. Otherwise, you and I both would be searching for him in his usual haunts."

Theo answered. He took a drink of his Quintin, wincing slightly at the harshness so early in the day but drank it regardless.

"I had dinner with Pans the other night."
Blaise started saying. This perked Theo up, but he forced himself to remain calm, only letting his eyebrows raise at the statement. Blaise was the only person he had told about his childhood crush on Pansy, but he had an inkling Draco knew as well.

"She misses her family."

Blaise said, also appearing the epitome of calm despite wanting to tease his friend. Both Slytherins – Theo and Draco – did not take to Blaise's teasing ant that made Blaise want to do it even more. Theo took another sip of his drink before replying.

"Did she say that?"

He asked. Blaise snorted and finished stretching out his back and arms. He reached for his drink once more.

"Yes and then she confessed her affection for us."

Blaise sarcastically answered, smirking at his friend, before finishing the carbonated drink. Theo shot him a glare which Blaise returned with a wink. He placed his cup down once more and leaned into the cushioned seat.

"You know Pans, you've got to read in between the lines as best with that one."

Blaise said. Theo nodded slowly in agreement, sighing internally at how well he knew that. Like most consummate Slytherins, they all had to read between most lines if they hadn't already established closed friendships. Pansy was the worst of them all next to Draco, but all three boys had slowly begun figuring her out when she wanted to say things that she couldn't.

"Speaking of in between the lines, I wonder when our favorite Gryffindor became so private."

Theo pondered out loud, speaking of his interactions in public with Hermione. He had noticed all the wards she had set up but chalked that up to being a war heroine. Then he noticed her attitude at the media and how small her circle was because of one scared war hero. Blaise shrugged, not one to comment about how private people were when themselves were just as private.

"Probably when the bloody media wouldn't let off."

Blaise replied. Theo hummed in agreement before finishing his own drink. Blaise looked at him, his usual twinkle turning serious as he leaned in towards his friend.

"I've heard her and her parents are estranged. That could have something to do with it."

He said softly. His own relationship with mother almost as estranged as rumors around Hermione Granger made Blaise sympathetic to the curly headed witch. Theo's eyebrows rose higher at this, standing up to get another drink – perhaps something lighter since it wasn't even 10AM yet. The trainers made soft noises against the rug beneath him unlike his usual dress shoes.

"Really? Do you know how?"

He asked, pouring more champagne than orange juice into his glass and making two this time as he noticed Blaise's empty drink.

"No clue, only her inner circle know."

Blaise said. The brunet nodded, walking back towards his seat and offered Blaise the second mimosa he made. Blaise took it with no hesitation, and then Draco Malfoy was hastily making his way towards the bar cart before he took his first sip. Blaise couldn't help the smirk that fell on his lips, eyebrows raising up at the sight of their matching muggle clothing mate. Theo took a healthy swig of his drink, remembering why he had felt his wards but thought that was his imagination from drinking hard liquor so early in the day and the exertion from broom racing with Blaise.

"Well, well, look who it is. Slytherin's Prince has decided to grace us with his – "

"She's gone off her fucking rocker."

Draco snarled, cutting of Blaise's taunt. He didn't bother with the fruity, light drink his friends were drinking and went straight for the Odgen's. Blaise rose his eyebrows and Theo rolled his eyes at their friend's theatrics.

"Care to say who?"

Blaise asked as Theo gave their mate the silent treatment.

"My bloody mother."

Draco snapped, only adding a small amount of tonic to his glass before making his way towards the lounging snakes. Theo rose one dark eyebrow at Draco while Blaise continued to smirk into his drink. Draco sighed heavily, taking another drink, before looking straight at the Lord of the house.

"Apologies for my actions yesterday, Theodore."

He said formally. Theo's eyebrow continue to rise as Blaise stopped himself from snickering. The Italian wizard manage to cough into his free hand, but couldn't help the grin that overtook his face. Draco ignored him as Theo continue to stare at him. This wasn't going to be enough and all three of them knew it. After a few seconds, Draco groaned, tousling his hair with his free hand and looking up at the decorative ceiling.

"I'm sorry I was being a wanker; I should have controlled my jealousy better."

Draco practically yelled out loud, still avoiding eye contact with his closes male friend. At this, Theo finally cracked a smile at his friend as he lifted his glass, nonverbally accepting his apology. He knew apologizing in front of Blaise was a blow to his pride, but Theo would have it no other way if not in front of a certain witch. However, he knew this was as good as it was currently going to get in light of Draco Malfoy apologizing.

"Now what happened with Lady Malfoy that has you in such a tizzy, Draco?"