arranged love // drarry

fourteen

Pansy gasped and grasped his chin to look at his cheek, examining the red-tender flesh.

"I'm going to murder him,"

"Pansy, you aren't doing that. He was angry, okay? And it was my fault. I insulted him." Draco pushed away her hand and hugged his knees to his chest, his chin resting on his knees.

"It's not your fault. You may have insulted him but it doesn't give him the right to fucking abuse you!" Pansy said, her voice getting louder and angrier with every word.

"He is your father, Draco. If you insult him, he's supposed to be mad at you and let you apologise rather than fucking abuse you!"

"It was once, Pansy. Once! He has never done it before. I'm sure it was a mistake–"

"A mistake can happen twice, Draco," Pansy frowned, "Even more than twice."

Draco fell silent and ran his tongue over his lips thoughtfully. Surely his father won't hit him again. He loved Draco. Even though he never said it, Draco could see it in his eyes that he was sorry for what had happened, for hitting his own son.

Draco knew he could forgive him but he sure as hell couldn't forget it.

"I trust him, okay? I know he won't hurt me again." Draco said, inhaling a sharp breath, "Can we please stop talking about this? I need to go meet Harry soon. He asked me to meet him for brunch yesterday,"

Pansy frowned, "But Draco–!"

"I don't want any ifs or buts, Pansy. I'm leaving." With those words he stormed out of his own bedroom, trying to ignore the prickle of tears in his eyes, leaving Pansy alone in his room.

He knew he should listen to her but this was his father they were talking about. The father who always loved him, cared for him and never hurt him. It was indefinitely Draco's mistake for insulting him and talking back rudely when he knew he was getting angry.

But he slapped Draco. Which left an imprint on his face but a deeper bruise one on his heart in the shape of a hand.

Who was to make sure it won't happen again?

***

The Potter Manor was much grander than Malfoy Manor. It looked majestic and had a red-gold theme with small lions carved and stuck to the stone walls and fountains that circled the mansion and the garden.

Draco was led in by a few servants who were clad in black robes, they gave Draco a scrutinizing look before letting him into the Living Room.

The rug, curtains and the furniture that was in the room was all a dark maroon color. One side of the room was an opening to the garden behind, two big glass doors that gave a breathtaking view of the green grass and the flowing fountains.

He heard a few loud barks and a small golden retriever came running in the room right on top of him. He was small and weighed absolutely nothing in Draco's arms. Draco laughed loudly and petted the dog, who wagged his tail happily and licked his face with a few loud barks.

Draco grinned and pushed his face away just as he heard another soft chuckle from the door. Harry was looking at them with a bright smile, his eyes glowing with happiness, "Alright, Jerry! Get down, boy."

Jerry, became alert at hearing his name, his ears perked up and he jumped from Draco's lap and ran towards Harry. He stood on his hind legs, pawing at Harry's legs to pick him up. Harry sighed fondly before scooping him up and scratching his ears.

Jerry's tail wagged happily.

Draco's lips were stretched into a wide smile, "Hi," He said when Harry plopped down next to him, letting Jerry run around the room in circles.

"Hello," Harry reached for his hand and squeezed gently, "I missed you." He said.

Draco felt his cheeks heat up, "You saw me last night,"

"It's been hours!" Harry grinned, "And you can't blame me for missing my fiance." He leaned forward to peck the corner of Draco's mouth gently. Draco turned his head and kissed him properly, mumbling against his lips, "You're such a sap, honestly." Harry hummed at this and shrugged carelessly before leaning back into the couch, his face bent into a smile.

"You're amazing," He said breathlessly. Before Draco could respond with a flush, Jerry barked loudly, making them look at him. He was standing on his hind legs, paws on the glass pane as he stared outside.

Harry got up from his seat and walked to him, he bent down and ran a hand over his head, "You want to go outside?"

Jerry barked, jumping once, ran in a circle and wagged his tail happily. Harry pushed open the door and let Jerry out and a gust of wind in.

"Is Jerry always this hyper?" Draco grinned, joining Harry next to the door as they stared at the little dog running after butterflies and rolling in the grass, barking happily.

Harry smiled fondly, "Yes, he is. We adopted him when we moved here."

"From a shelter?" Draco asked.

"Yes. His mother had given birth to many puppies but he was the only one who survived, even his mother didn't survive. The shelter gave him to us, saying that he won't survive but look at him now."

Draco moved closer to Harry and linked their hands, "He's living."

Harry kissed the top of Draco's head, "He is." He whispered.

***

"Where are your parents?" Draco asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Harry frowned suddenly, his previous happiness evaporating and a dark look crept on his face, "My godfather is missing," He confessed.

"Fuck. What? Sirius is missing?!" Draco sat up, alert. Harry nodded solemnly, "He didn't return home yesterday. Remus said that he always gave him a call before leaving and never forgot to call."

Draco swallowed heavily, "Oh my, I really hope he is okay. Mom is going to be devastated when she hears."

Harry sipped on his water and led Draco out of the room to the garden where they sat on one of the benches.

"My parents are with Remus. He's been inconsolable since then. I wanted to go to him but they told me to stay here and look after the house."

Draco scooted closer to him, "Oh Harry. Can I do anything?"

"Love, I appreciate it but nobody can help. We can't even file a complaint till it's been a complete day since he's been missing."

Draco ignored the flutter in his chest at the use of the nickname. Now was not the time. So he wrapped a hand around Harry's shoulder and kissed the side of his head.

"He'll be alright, you know? Maybe this is one of his elaborate pranks, hm?" Draco mumbled, running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah. I'm hoping so, Draco."

The grass was a bright green and the sky was blue. The birds chirped and the trees swayed along with the wind and Draco could only pray to every force that Sirius Black would be okay.

"I hope so too, love."