The Noctis Codex | DRARRY

FORTY-SIX

Draco took another bite of the fruitcake, savoring it with a look of surprise and satisfaction. "This is actually... really good," he admitted, which earned a warm smile from Molly. She seemed pleased and leaned over, resting a hand on his shoulder as she spoke.

"Draco, you're just a misunderstood child," she said gently, a twinkle of understanding in her eyes. "Now, you finally have the love and happiness you truly deserve." She paused, her gaze tender as if assuring him that despite the past, everyone could see he'd come a long way. "Even after everything that happened, you deserve this."

A warmth spread through Draco, and as he looked around the table at these people who had taken him in so fully, he couldn't help but feel something he'd never felt before: belonging. This was different than any satisfaction he'd once found in teasing or boasting back at Hogwarts. The laughter that filled the room, the clink of their glasses as they toasted to their new happiness—this was genuine joy, the kind that didn't come from status or power. For the first time, he felt free.

But that newfound peace shattered in an instant as a booming voice echoed from outside, calling for him. "Draco Malfoy!"
Every sound stopped as if frozen in the air, each face turned toward the door. The blond's heart hammered, and his hand instinctively reached for his wand. Harry, with a steadying breath, whispered, "Let's go out there. Let's show him that he doesn't control you anymore—that you're free." One by one, each person nodded, resolve hardening in their faces as they all rose to their feet, wands in hand.

They stepped out into the night, finding Lucius standing just a few feet away as his figure casted a menacing shadow under the moonlight. Fury burned in his eyes, and he took a step forward, his voice cold and cutting. "So this is where you've been hiding," he sneered, each word laced with contempt. "I have searched high and low for you, Draco. How dare you flee from your own wedding? How dare you disobey me?" His voice rose with each accusation, and his hands clenched at his sides. "You've brought nothing but shame on the Malfoy name. It's already splashed across the papers—your disobedience on full display."

Draco took a step forward, trying to keep his voice steady as he raised his wand, but the fear of his father's wrath still flickered at the edges of his mind. "This ends here, Father," he declared, feeling the strength of his own words. "I'm no longer bound to you or to your vision of what my life should be. I'm free, and I'll live the life I choose, with Harry, whether you like it or not." His voice wavered only slightly as he mentioned the other, but he straightened his shoulders and met his father's eyes.

Lucius's face twisted in fury, and he began to stride forward, but a sharp voice from behind Draco stopped him. "No further," Molly Weasley commanded, her tone as fierce as any protective mother's. The group raised their wands in unison, each one steady and unwavering, warning Lucius that he was outnumbered, outmatched. His gaze darted between them, recognizing the resolve and power behind those raised wands, and he halted, rage simmering in his eyes.

After a tense moment, he let out a sneer of disgust, muttered something under his breath, and finally backed away before retreating into the dark.

Draco let out a shaky breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding as a wave of relief washed over him. For the first time, he truly felt free from his father's control. Although he knew this wouldn't be the end of Lucius's attempts to assert his will, for now, it was over. That was enough.

Before he could fully process it, he felt a familiar warmth around him as Harry's arms wrapped around his shoulders and held him close. Laughter bubbled up from around them as the group let out cheers of relief, and they headed back inside, ready to continue the celebration.

—

Later that evening, after the guests had dispersed and a comfortable quiet had settled over the house, the boys lay on a mattress together. Nearby, Hermione and Ron were already fast asleep, soft snores echoing through the room. Harry turned slightly to face the blond, who was comfortably beside him, his gaze soft in the dim light. A small, mischievous smile appeared on Harry's lips as he spoke.

"Are you really alright with all this?" he asked, gesturing to the small mattress, a far cry from the luxury Draco had grown up with. "Sleeping here, I mean."

A chuckle left the other's lips as his fingers brushed against Harry's. "It's not exactly what I'm used to, but it's nothing I can't handle." He squeezed his hand gently. "I'm just... grateful for the hospitality. And besides, I have everything I need right here."

Harry smiled, sitting up slightly. "What are we going to do now?" he murmured. "We need jobs, a place to live... all of it. And I guess I'll need to find work before I start looking for a place."

"You don't have to worry about that, Potter." His tone was reassuring, and when Harry looked at him in confusion, he just gave a small smirk. "I'll provide the place. For both of us. If that's what you want."

"Wait—you mean you want us to move in together?" The surprise in his voice was clear, but so was the excitement beginning to spark.

Draco looked down, a faint blush coloring his cheeks, but he nodded. "I know it's early, and maybe a bit impulsive, but... I want a life with you, Harry. I've wanted it for a long time, and I don't want to wait any longer."

A few moments passed, a silence full of meaning as Harry's expression softened, realization and joy mixing together. "Yes," he whispered, the word coming out breathlessly. Then, with a wider smile, he repeated, "Yes. I'd love to. It might be early, sure, but it feels right. And... well, we can't stay with the Weasleys forever." He grinned, then looked at Draco curiously. "But how do you plan to do that? We don't have any money, after all."

Draco rolled his eyes before looking at the dark-haired with a mock exasperation. "Are you serious, Potter?" he teased, shaking his head. "I have money. A lot of it, actually."

"Are you sure? I don't want to just... take your money like that."

The blond, however, seemed unfazed, his fingers brushing against Harry's hand with a reassuring touch. "You don't have to worry about that. I want this," he whispered, his tone soft yet certain. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Harry's hand, sealing the promise between them.

A sense of peace washed over the boy, and he nodded, the last of his reservations fading away. Draco then leaned back before pulling Harry down beside him on the mattress. They lay together in the quiet, feeling the weight of the day settle into the comfort of each other's presence. As Draco wrapped an arm around the other, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.

"Today was exhausting," he murmured after they pulled apart. His eyes softened as he looked at Harry, a look full of love and quiet relief. "Let's rest. Tomorrow... tomorrow, we'll start looking for our own place."

Harry nodded, nestling closer into Draco's warmth, a contented smile on his face as they both closed their eyes. After everything they'd faced, this was the beginning they'd been waiting for—together, free, and ready for whatever lay ahead.