Chapter 13

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The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the sprawling grounds of Malfoy Manor. Draco paced through the meticulously manicured gardens, his thoughts a tumultuous storm. Each step crunched softly against the gravel path, but the sound felt distant, overshadowed by the weight of his internal struggle.

The cool night air nipped at his skin, yet he barely registered the chill. Instead, his mind raced with images of y/n—their laughter, the stolen moments, the warmth of her presence. But with each fond memory came the suffocating reality of his family's expectations. His parents had already mapped out his future, and the thought of disappointing them gnawed at him.

"Draco?" A soft voice broke through the silence, and he turned to see his mother, Narcissa, emerging from the shadows. Her presence, usually comforting, now felt like an impending storm.

"Mother," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Narcissa's gaze sharpened, noting his distracted demeanor. "You seem troubled, my dear. Is something weighing on your mind?"

Draco hesitated, the truth swirling on the tip of his tongue. He could tell her about y/n, about the way she made him feel alive, but the consequences loomed large, like a dark cloud overhead. Instead, he forced a smile. "Just thinking about... the future."

She studied him closely, her expression a mixture of concern and expectation. "Your father and I have been discussing your future, Draco. We have a wonderful alliance in mind—an opportunity that would strengthen the Malfoy name."

The words felt like a trap, tightening around him. "What kind of alliance?" he asked, trying to mask the dread creeping into his voice.

Narcissa's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "The Greengrass family has expressed interest in a union. It would be advantageous for all involved. I believe you would find Daphne to be quite... suitable."

Draco's heart sank. He could hardly imagine a future with Daphne Greengrass when y/n filled his heart with warmth and hope. "I don't know, Mother. There's so much time before—"

"Time is of the essence, Draco!" Narcissa interrupted, her voice firm. "You must understand the importance of duty to our family. The Malfoy name must be preserved."

He felt a surge of anger rise within him, battling against his ingrained sense of obligation. "And what about what I want?" he shot back, surprising even himself with the intensity of his words.

Narcissa's expression shifted, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. "What you want? This is not about personal desires, Draco. It's about legacy, about power."

"Power is nothing without happiness," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, silence enveloped them, heavy with unspoken truths. Draco's heart raced as he contemplated the choice before him. Would he risk everything for the sake of his feelings for y/n?

Narcissa seemed to sense his turmoil, her voice softening. "You must think carefully. Your decision will affect more than just yourself."

Draco nodded slowly, but inside, a resolve began to form. He couldn't let fear dictate his life any longer. "I will think about it," he said, but he knew that if y/n was in the equation, his heart was already made up.

As Narcissa turned to leave, Draco remained in the moonlit garden, the weight of his family's expectations heavy on his shoulders. But for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope. He would fight for what he wanted. He would fight for y/n.


The next morning, the sun rose over Hogwarts, casting a warm glow on the ancient stones of the castle. Draco stepped off the Hogwarts Express, his mind still swirling with thoughts of his conversation with Narcissa. The excited chatter of students filled the air, but he felt detached, wrapped in the weight of his family's expectations and the uncertainty of his feelings for y/n.

As he walked through the Great Hall, his gaze instinctively drifted to the Slytherin table, where y/n sat, her head bent over a book. The way she furrowed her brow in concentration made his heart flutter, but the reality of the alliance his parents had planned for him loomed large in his mind.

After the feast, Draco made his way to the Slytherin common room, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. He needed to talk to y/n, to share the burden he felt and to find solace in her presence.

As he entered the dimly lit room, he spotted Pansy Parkinson lounging on a couch, her expression curious. "There you are, Malfoy! Off brooding again?" she teased, but her tone shifted when she noticed his somber demeanor. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Just... thinking," he replied tersely, pushing aside the weight of his thoughts.

"About y/n?" Pansy asked, raising an eyebrow. "You two are getting close. Not that I blame you—she's decent enough."

Draco's jaw tightened at her casual remark. "It's not that simple, Pansy."

"Right, because nothing ever is with you Malfoys," she said, rolling her eyes. "But if your parents find out—"

"They won't," he snapped, cutting her off. "I won't let them ruin this."

Pansy studied him for a moment before nodding. "Just be careful, Draco. You know how your family is."

With a curt nod, he left the common room and headed toward the library, a familiar sanctuary where he and y/n often met to study and escape the pressures of their house.

As he entered, he quickly spotted y/n at a table, her head buried in a book. The sight made his chest tighten with affection and anxiety. He approached her, and y/n looked up, her eyes brightening at the sight of him.

"Draco!" she exclaimed, a smile breaking across her features. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

"Of course," she replied, her expression shifting to concern. She closed her book and followed him to a quieter corner of the library, where they could speak without interruptions.

Draco took a deep breath, struggling to gather his thoughts. "Last night, I had a conversation with my mother," he began, his voice shaky. "She brought up the alliance with the Greengrass family. They want me to marry Daphne."

Y/n's expression turned serious, her eyes widening with concern. "Draco, I—"

"I don't want that!" he interjected, the words spilling out. "I care about you, y/n. I can't let them dictate my life. But I'm scared of what will happen if they find out about us."

Tension hung in the air between them, and y/n reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "You have to stand up for what you want, Draco. It's your life, and you deserve to be happy."

"But what if it costs me everything? My family's name, my future?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Is it worth sacrificing your happiness for a future you don't want?" she challenged softly. "You're not alone in this. I'll support you, no matter what you choose."

Draco felt warmth spread through him at her words, but doubt still lingered. "You don't understand. My parents... they won't take this lightly. They'll want to control every aspect of my life."

"Then fight back. Show them you're not just a pawn in their game," y/n urged, her eyes fierce with determination. "You have a choice, Draco. It's time to make it."

His heart raced at the thought. Could he really stand up to his parents? The idea was terrifying, but the thought of a future without y/n was even more daunting.

"I'll talk to them," he finally said, a mix of fear and resolve flooding through him. "I'll tell them I won't go through with the alliance."

Y/n smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "That's the spirit. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

As they sat there, hands intertwined, Draco felt a flicker of hope igniting within him. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with y/n by his side, he felt ready to confront whatever his family had in store.

Mine forever ( Draco Malfoy x reader) 🌶️ spicy🌶️ Where stories live. Discover now