𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍 2008

Between Love and Honor

Title: Between Love and Honor
Author: enchanted_jae
Team: Fanon
Prompt: The Lovers
Wordcount: 2730
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Sexual suggestion
Summary: Draco is faced with the need to choose between the desires of his heart and his obligations to his family.

"The Parkinsons are coming over tonight," Narcissa remarked, taking a sip of tea.

"Oh?" Draco replied, hiding a grimace behind his own cup. He knew his mother had an ulterior motive for inviting the Parkinsons to dinner. It was a commonly held belief that he and Pansy Parkinson would marry someday, and since they'd graduated, Narcissa seemed determined to step up the time table. What she didn't know was that, although Draco was fond of Pansy, he was in love with someone else...someone whom his mother would definitely not approve of.

"Eldora tells me Pansy is eager to spend more time in your company, now that you two have graduated," Narcissa commented, reaching for a small cucumber sandwich.

"I had hoped to spend some time traveling this summer," Draco countered smoothly. He didn't bother to tell his mother that he'd made plans to visit Harry at the small country estate his boyfriend had purchased.

"Indeed?" Narcissa sniffed. "I think perhaps you should concentrate on your family obligations, instead."

Draco had had the concept of family obligations drilled into his head for as long as he could remember. With his father serving a sentence in Azkaban now, Narcissa seemed more intent than ever that Draco fulfill his obligations to the Malfoy name by marrying and producing an heir. Draco felt honor-bound to obey his parents' wishes, yet his heart wasn't in it. His heart was with Harry.

<>*<>*<>*<>

The evening had been a nightmare. Draco had sat on the settee in the parlor, and Pansy had settled herself closer to him than was necessary. She was aware that Draco had been dating Harry while they were still at school, but naively, she had thought it was just a passing phase. Draco wished he could make her understand that there was no future for them...not when he was gay and in love with another man.

Narcissa and Mrs Parkinson had begun discussing wedding plans, as if the engagement were already official, and Mr Parkinson had blathered on to Draco about their family's holdings and what role Draco would be expected to take on once he was part of the family.

It was all Draco could do not to scream.

His face was frozen in an expression of polite interest, but inside, his stomach was churning, and he had a throbbing headache. Only years of strict upbringing prevented Draco from leaping to his feet and telling them all to just shut up.

After an interminable two hours, the Parkinsons finally took their leave. Pansy gave Draco a hug, and he responded with a perfunctory kiss on her cheek. Once they had left, Draco wanted nothing more than to retreat to his room and try to forget what had just transpired. Unfortunately, his mother was still making wedding plans.

"Eldora and I think it's best if we have the first banns read next Sunday," remarked Narcissa. "Don't you agree, Draco?"

No, I don't agree! Draco wanted to shout. Instead, he took a steadying breath and countered with, "Don't you think that's rather sudden?"

"Not at all, dear," Narcissa said with a brittle smile. "You and Pansy are both of age, and in fact, I was the same age when I married your father."

And look how well that turned out, thought Draco, barely able to refrain from snorting. Instead, he held his tongue and excused himself as soon as possible. Draco trudged up the steps and to his bedroom, flinging himself across his bed and wishing he still had a security blanket to curl up with. Unfortunately, his security blanket was somewhere else tonight.