arranged love // drarry

two

The man's father smiled charmingly, "Hello, nice to meet you!" He looked at Draco after his son had pointed out his presence.

"Hello," He smiled at the little gaggle of people gathered in his home to fix his unwanted marriage.

"Draco, come and have a seat." Narcissa pulled him to sit next to her on the couch while his father occupied the singular armchair.

"This is James Potter and Lily Potter and their son, Harry Potter. James Potter here is a dear friend of Sirius."

"Lovely to meet all you," Draco smiled, his eyes lighting up at the name of his favorite cousin.

Harry grinned, "It's nice to meet you as well, Draco."

Narcissa placed a hand on her son's arm, "I remember when you both met for the first time. You were very young, perhaps around four years old?"

"Ah yes! I remember!' Lily chirped in, her green eyes glinting with mischief. "Harry had started crying because Draco wouldn't give him any attention."

Narcissa laughed as Harry groaned into his hand. "And when Draco finally did talk to him, they were inseparable." James added.

"Mum, can we not?" Draco whispered.

"Oh shush, it's just a bit of teasing." Narcissa brushed him off.

They all chatted more for a while. Draco and Harry occasionally butting in to quieten their patents from revealing too much private and embarrassing information. The entire time, Harry was trying to make eye contact with Draco, who purposefully avoided his inquisitive gaze.

"Should we get down to business then, eh? The main thing we came here for. Firstly, we're having an Indian wedding. No take backsies." James clapped his hands.

"James, no." Lily reprimanded. "Harry and Draco will decide that. But right now they need to talk things over, before we decide anything."

Narcissa nodded, "You two can go somewhere private." She looked at her son, "Draco, why don't you give him a tour of the house?"

Draco agreed hesitantly, "Alright, Mother." He finally met Harry's eyes, "Follow me." He nodded with a small smile.

They both left the room.

"Draco, we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Harry, your maybe-soon-to-be-husband." He grinned cheekily and raised his hand for a shake.

"Oh, uhm Hi, I'm Draco." He shook his hand and turned around. "Let me show you around. Come on."

"Tell me something about yourself? Are you always this pretty or is it just for me today?"

"Are you always this flirtatious or is it just today?" Draco retorted.

"Neither, I think it's you." Harry said smoothly.

Oh my god. That shouldn't have made Draco blush from head to toe.

He cleared his throat awkwardly to clear up his state of beffudlement, "Do you have a job or are you still studying?" Draco asked and led him into the garden.

"I'm training to be a Professor, I love physics and want to teach it. It's my passion."

"Don't you think it's too early for marriage? You haven't even finished your studies yet."

"I don't think so, arranged marriages like these have been in our family for generations. I don't want to break tradition and also because I really don't mind being married right now."

"But why do you need to keep the tradition? You aren't obligated to it. It's not like they will murder you." Draco frowned and ran a hand through his impeccable hair.

"So you don't want to get married?" Harry frowned sadly, pausing in his place and looking at Draco with wide eyes.

"I—" Draco licked his lips nervously, "I never said that."

"You mean to."

"Okay, fine. I don't like the idea of arranged marriages. They're horrible. You're just going to tie a know with a complete stranger and be happy about it? Pathetic."

"Do you know that in Indian families, priests look at their birth chart and decide how good the pairing will be? We got our birth charts checked. All our stars aligned perfectly. He said we will be perfect for each other." Harry said.

"I'm not going to believe just anybody." Draco said hastily, "Besides, how are you so sure that I'll be happy?"

"I'll keep you happy. I promise."

"I'm sorry but I don't want to get married right now." Draco slumped his shoulders.

"Do—Do you love someone else?" Harry asked timidly.

"No, I don't."

"A boyfriend, then?"

"No." Draco shook his head and Harry sighed with relief. "Then maybe you could give us a try?"

"I—I don't know."

"You don't need to decide now  you can take a few days. Think it over." He looked hopeful.

"Right. Okay, I'll think over it." Draco nodded furiously. He would be away from all this mess by then.

James and Lily didn't look pleased with Draco's decision but agreed nonetheless, promising to visit again as soon as they asked.

Harry bid Draco adieu with a hopeful smile and a lingering kiss on his cheek. Draco felt saddened by the fact that he might have to break his heart.