The Social Media Wars

Chapter 33: The Sad Button (4th tie-in)

"Hey Pans." It was Harry Potter.

The young man just had to sigh when Pansy, his girlfriend, looked up to him in response. He didn't really know if smiling was the appropriate exchange to seeing her crying face. Even he himself was having an internal battle. What with Draco Malfoy butchering his own marriage proposal. That was a game changer.

That was a game changer on so many levels. For starters, a supposedly all warm and fuzzy evening almost ended in a disaster. In fact, Harry was sure everyone in the soiree left feeling disappointed more than they'd like to admit. Including him.

A few days ago, Draco Malfoy sent him word about a meeting between just the two of them. In truth, he went to meet the Slytherin without any idea what their discussion was going to be about. All he knows is that Malfoy has never called on him for anything even if his life depended on it. That alone made the invitation interesting.

"Oh~" Harry remembered himself say as he sat on one of the Malfoys' lavish sofas. "Oh~ that's...That's good news."

"You don't look happy to me Potter." Draco said quite amused. Harry can still picture in his mind the victorious smirk the Malfoy scion had that day.

"I am." Harry said clasping his hands together in an attempt to compose himself. "But, won't Theo and Blaise feel bad about it? Are you most certain that you're choosing me?"

"Not that they know I'm about to break the question. But, we have long established, in order for us to not feel bad about who assumes the position of who, I'm not going to be their best man and neither are they going to be mine."

Harry nodded at this. "But why me?" He asked. "There's not really any more friend I have who can take the on the role. Besides, you are Hermione's bestfriend, loathe am I to admit it." Draco said matter of factly.

"So, when are you asking Pans?" The blonde added as he too sat next to Harry on the sofa. "Don't look at me funny Potter. I saw you buy the ring. Just make sure you're not doing it during the soiree."

"Well, I was actually planning to do it that day. After I mean." Harry said defensively. Draco had to chuckle at that. "Alright, I'll move mine for you." The latter added.

Draco Malfoy just made compromise! It was just so uncharacteristic of him. And Harry suddenly felt like it's a competition of chivalry or something like that.

"No. I'll move mine. Besides, between the two of us, you've more reasons to secure your relationship." Harry said. "It's not a secret Hermione's flying to America to further her studies."

"Are you sure?" Draco asked. Harry can tell Draco would very much want to go first given the situation.

"It's a pact mate." Harry said holding a hand up for Draco to shake. That, which the latter took readily and firmly.

That's what happened a few days ago. So it was kind of unnerving for Harry when Draco winked at him before the young man kneeled in front of Hemione, his trademark smirk painted on his face. The next few minutes confirmed the anxiety Harry felt build in him. It wasn't unfounded. Draco was giving way for him.

And now, the aftermath. He knew Pansy was invested in their friends' love life. But he wasn't prepared to see her cry out of frustration.

Shaking his head, Harry sat next to her on the bench where he and Hermione spent most of their nights during summer. "Hey, come here." He said pulling her in an embrace. She's staring at her phone, reading one of her bestfriend's facebook post.

"I can't believe him Harry. How can he do that? It was all wrong." She asked. Her finger lingering on the options on reactions.

With a sigh, she finally resigned to choosing the "sad" reaction as a response to Draco's Christmas greeting on his facebook wall.

Taking a deep breath, Harry exhaled hard, getting Pansy's attention. Damn Draco Malfoy and his caprice! He was prepared and not prepared for it and now he's resolved to just winging the whole thing.

All or nothing.

"Harry?" He heard Pansy ask as she looked at him. He can't believe he still finds her so beautiful despite her tear streaked cheeks.

Lord have mercy!

Wiping her tears away, he shifted to face her. "How do I make you happy?" He asked her in earnest.

"What ever are you talking about? You always make me happy." Pansy said finally smiling. 

"Yeah, but I'm not sure if this can make you happier." Harry said releasing her and kneeling in front of her. 

"Harry? What are you--?" Pansy started but she was cut mid sentence when she saw him put his hand in his pocket. "No shit!?" 

Harry had to chuckle at that. "Wasn't really the response I was hoping. But..." He said as he opened the box he was holding.

"Marry me?"

"Godric! Yes!"