arranged love // drarry

seven

Narcissa was sent to Paris to take care of their estate for the next few weeks by Lucius.

"When did she leave?" Draco asked.

The absence of Narcissa Malfoy in this house was disconcerting. Even the staff looked sullen and unhappy with the unexpected change. The house which had seemed full of happiness seemed to have dulled with the lack of the Malfoy mistress.

Draco felt uneasy at the thought of her being away for such a long period. She had never been separated from him. It felt wrong that he wouldn't see her familiar face at the table, waiting for him so they could eat together or her voice instructing the staff to look after the garden properly.

"Last night," His father responded, sipping on a glass of whiskey. He was the only person who looked gleeful and calm.

"And why am I getting to know now?" Draco frowned. Lucius sighed, "It was urgent, there was no time." Draco closed his eyes in frustration.

"You were just worried that your secret might be exposed," Draco taunted his Father, hoping he would give away something.

"I have no secrets, Draco Malfoy." Lucius finished his glass of liquor and stood up from his seat, glaring at Draco. "And you have no right to nose about in the business between me and my wife." He snarled.

Draco gritted his teeth, "There is a wedding coming up soon, if you remember. We can't have my wedding without mum."

His father smirked, "She'll be back before that, don't you worry about her. All you need to worry about is your wedding with that Potter boy. Now off you go, I have some meetings at the office.” He waved off his son with a swish of his hand and strutted out of the room with his head held high, looking smug.

Draco wanted to throw the glass at his head.

***

"Draco," Harry said his name breathlessly, a smile gracing his lips. "Hi."

Draco couldn't help the smile creeping onto his own lips, "Hello." He said softly. "Come in," He led Harry into his home to the dining room.

Harry placed the wine bottle he had got onto the table. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Draco lied. He wasn't good, but nobody ever told the truth anyway. "You?"

"That's good to know, I'm good as well."

They fell silent again.

Was this how it's always going to be? Draco thought, did Harry have to be this naturally awkward.

"So, what brings you here today?" Draco smiled.

"I know we decided that you'll be choosing the place for the next date, uhm, but I just wanted to see you," He admitted with a nervous laugh.

Draco, bless him, blushed from head to toe and ducked his head to fiddle with his fingers. "Oh." Was all he said.

Clearing his throat to rid his flusteredness, he gestured Harry to sit down and asked Dobby to serve them some water. "How are your studies going?" Draco asked.

"They're going well, just six months more and then I'll be eligible to apply as a Professor in any university." Harry said proudly.

"What about you? You never really told me what you want to do?"

"I'm writing a book," Draco said, "I have been working on it for the past one year and I'm currently editing it."

"Oh that's wonderful! What's It about?" Harry asked excitedly, face splitting into a curious expression.

Draco found him endearing.

"It's about a boy and his best friend who travels the world searching for a treasure,"

"Does he find it?"

Draco grinned, "You'll find that in the book. No spoilers."

"That's not fair," Harry argued, "You have to tell me now!"

"Nope, you'll get to know like everybody else." Draco shook his head and thanked Dobby who placed two glasses of water for them.

"But I'm not everybody. I'm your fiance," He boasted. "I need to know."

"No," Draco deadpanned, "Nobody except me knows and I'd like it to remain that way."

Harry pouted miserably, "Fine," He sighed sadly.

"Harry, I wanted to ask you something," Draco said. Harry nodded, "Yes?"

"Why did you agree to marry me? We barely know each other." He said slowly. "I'm just curious," Harry bit his lip.

"Uhm it's kind of embarrassing," He chuckled and ran a hand through his messy hair. "We used to meet each other a lot when we were kids and I'm sure you don't remember it."

Draco shrugged and passed him a guilty smile.

"My mum used to tell me all sorts of anecdotes where the two of us would play together and hang out and then I asked her if she knew where you were so I could meet you,"

"She didn't know where you lived so she gave me your photograph from our childhood and I just kept it close to me,"

He blushed darkly as he remembered the photo frame near his bed with seven year old Harry and Draco standing next to each other, a gleeful look on his face as they shared smiles with flower crowns on their heads.

"I've always wanted to meet you after you moved away. So when we moved here a few months ago, my papa contacted your father. When I finally got to meet you that day, I just knew that I wanted to be with you forever, nothing else."

Draco felt air leave his lungs and his breath hitch. He didn't expect such a sweet and loving answer from him. Harry was such a romantic.

Heat crept onto his cheeks, coloring them a dark red. "Do you still have that photo?"

"Yeah, it's back at my place." Harry nodded, taking a sip of water to wash away the embarrassment in his chest.

"Will you bring it the next time we meet? I want to see it."

"Okay," Harry smiled.

"Okay," Draco repeated and smiled too.

please help point
out typos and errors
& sorry for delay :(