Black Truth [READ DESCRIPTION]

chapter thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-Five: Trial by Heart

Of all the things Professor Severus Snape expected to hear Draco ask him during his entire lifetime, this was not one of them.

"Why in Merlin's name would you ask such a question?" he asked, partly in shock, and partly hoping that Draco was not serious in having an answer. "And why, also, would you ask my opinion?"

"It's very simple, Godfather. Legally, you're my guardian, and that makes you my Auctor, so I have to have your approval."

Snape sighed. "Draco, this kind of a question puts me in a very bad position. Please find someone else to act as your Auctor and ask them. Do not ask me to give permission to such a thing."

"And who would you have me ask? Dumbledore? I think not. I did not choose who my Auctor would be, it just happened, and you are my Auctor. I can't change that."

"Then do not ask me for permission to propose an engagement between yourself and Harry-Bloody-Potter!" Snape snapped. His voice lowered to a calmer tone. "Do not forget my status with the Dark Lord. As such, there is no way I could give my consent. Again, I beg you Draco, do not ask this of me."

"You're lying to me. I don't care what you say, you're not a Death Eater, not really."

"And how would you know this?"

"I just do. And I can't get permission from anyone other than you. But I will ask you a different question instead. As my Godfather and my Auctor, would you do everything in your power to allow me to propose an engagement to someone I felt worthy of myself?"

Snape looked at Draco for a long moment before replying. "If the occasion arose where you found someone whom you deemed worthy of engagement to yourself, as your Godfather, I would happily give you permission to propose to that person. However, as your Auctor, I would only allow you to marry someone whom you not only deem worthy of yourself, but also deem worthy of sharing your very heart and soul with as per your Veriae blood."

Draco nodded, turning to leave. "Don't worry, Godfather. If I do say the vows, they will mean more than just words do."

Harry couldn't eat breakfast, just pushed his food around on his plate for a few minutes before finally giving up all hope of eating any of it and excusing himself from the table. Hermione and Ron watched him leave the Great Hall worriedly, but they had not bothered to ask him what was on his mind today. They already knew: today was Monday.

Draco was just leaving the bedroom when Harry entered the portrait. The blond was dressed in clothing that Harry awkwardly realized were probably three times more than all his clothing put together. He had again deviated from the Hogwarts uniform to appear in clothing similar to what Harry had first seen him wearing in Diagon ally before he had started his first year at Hogwarts.

"I noticed you weren't at breakfast," Harry muttered.

"I wasn't planning on having any," was the crisp reply.

Harry shrugged. Now that he was in their rooms and in Draco's presence, he had nowhere to focus his anxiety.

"Harry." Harry looked up at Draco's almost hesitant tone. "How serious were you on Wednesday?"

There was a question in the blonde's silver eyes, one that Harry was not sure he understood. "I wouldn't have said anything if I wasn't serious." Somehow he hoped that he'd said the right answer.

Wordlessly, Draco crossed the room to where Harry was standing, picking up a small, nondescript box from the mantle as he did so. He stopped in front of Harry for a moment, looking down the few inches that separated their heights, as if searching for some truth in Harry's own gaze. Gently, Draco dropped to one knee, his hand holding out the box toward Harry.