Bound by Fate

Chapter 24: The Proposal and the Pull

The atmosphere in Malfoy Manor was tense. For days, the impending arrival of the Greengrass family had hung over the estate like a storm cloud, casting a shadow over everything. The proposal ceremony, an old tradition meant to formalize the arranged marriage between Draco and Astoria, was being meticulously planned by Narcissa. The entire house was abuzz with preparations, and Draco, despite his best efforts to focus on anything else, could feel the weight of it pressing down on him.

He sat stiffly in the drawing room, his mother beside him as they awaited the arrival of the Greengrass family. Narcissa had insisted on overseeing every detail of the event—ensuring the right guests were invited, that the decorations were tasteful but not overly extravagant, and that everything reflected the stature of both families.

When the Greengrasses finally arrived, their entrance was grand and traditional, with Astoria clinging delicately to her father's arm. She looked beautiful, of course, with her dark hair styled elegantly, her pale green gown shimmering as she moved. But as she smiled softly at Draco, he felt nothing.

His chest tightened, and all he could think about was Hermione.

The ceremony planning was mechanical. Discussions of the engagement, the formal proposal, and the upcoming wedding filled the room, but Draco barely heard any of it. The reality of his situation was sinking in, and all he wanted was to get away. Away from the stifling expectations, away from the hollow formality of it all.

Hermione had spent most of the day in the library, as usual, her mind focused on anything that might take her thoughts away from Draco. But as the commotion grew louder, she had wandered out of the library, curiosity getting the better of her. She stood quietly by the stairwell, listening to the conversation unfolding in the drawing room below.

When she heard Astoria's name, her stomach dropped.

She had known about the arranged marriage—it wasn't a secret—but hearing the reality of it, hearing Draco's name spoken in the same breath as Astoria's... it hurt more than she had expected. The pull between her and Draco had become undeniable, but now it felt like it was being severed by something far out of her control.

Without thinking, Hermione stepped back from the staircase, retreating to the safety of the library. Her heart ached, and though she told herself that it didn't matter, that Draco's life was his own, she couldn't help the sense of betrayal that washed over her.

The evening arrived, and the proposal ceremony was in full swing. Astoria clung to Draco's arm, her smile polite and practiced, as they mingled with the few select guests who had been invited. Draco went through the motions—nodding when expected, offering half-hearted smiles—but his mind was elsewhere.

His thoughts kept drifting to Hermione. He hadn't seen her since the Greengrasses had arrived, and the distance between them felt like a physical ache. He needed to talk to her, explain why this marriage had to happen, why he had no choice. But every time he tried to find her, something pulled him back into the ceremony.

At one point, Astoria leaned into him, her voice soft. "Are you alright, Draco? You seem distant."

Draco forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the lie felt like poison on his tongue.

After what felt like hours of meaningless conversation and forced smiles, Draco finally excused himself, claiming he needed some air. Astoria, ever the perfect pureblood daughter, smiled and let him go, her attention quickly turning to another guest.

Draco stepped out into the cool night air, his lungs finally able to take in a full breath. But even out here, with the stars overhead and the distant hum of the party behind him, he couldn't escape the turmoil inside him. His feet moved of their own accord, carrying him back into the manor, toward the one place that had always brought him some measure of peace.