It was supposed to be another Weasley dinner. Nothing special, nothing too out of the ordinary. Well, yes. Draco being in the Burrow was already out of the ordinary enough but he and Harry had been dating for a good portion of about three years and at this point, if the Weasleys still didn’t like him, they had some tolerating issues.
Granted, he was still pretty sure the other Weasley twin gave him the stink eye when he was sure no one was looking. That was fine. He wasn’t dating him anyways.
“So, Draco, are you excited for you and Harry’s trip? Those little islands under North America?” Molly asked excitedly, passing the bowl of mashed potatoes to her husband without looking, her expectant eyes on him instead. He and Harry had planned a sort of two week getaway to the tropics, just to get away from the England drab for once. Not that they didn’t like it here, but they figured that after all they had been through plus three years of just dating and no traveling, they decided it was about time they do something grand.
The blond man smiled and nodded politely, rubbing his mouth with his napkin before he spoke. “Yes, it’s about time we took a break.” He felt Harry’s hand seek out his under the table and Draco reached out for it naturally. This was a common occurrence, one that anchored both of them subconsciously. But when Draco’s hand wrapped around Harry’s, he started when he realized that his lover’s hand was quite clammy and cold. He chanced a look at him, only to see that there was an actual bead of sweat running down Harry’s neck. But the man didn’t look at him in return, and instead was quite focused on shoveling food into his mouth with his free hand.
Draco cleared his throat, growing slightly worried, and turned back to Molly. “I’ve never been to the Caribbean so this will be quite the experience for me.”
Molly hummed in return, satisfied with the answer, and turned to try and ask Harry the same question. She paused, however, noticing Harry’s pallor and Draco could see the worry settle on her face. But before she could ask, Harry loudly cleared his throat, not only grabbing the attention of the entire table, but causing Molly and Draco to grow a bit more worried. Under the table, Draco squeezed his hand tighter.
“I-I…I have an announcement.”
Several pairs of eyes stared at him, waiting. Draco’s own concern was soaring. Harry had seemed fine earlier that day. In fact, he seemed quite a bit elated, as if going to the Weasley’s for dinner was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. But now, it looked as if he were about to throw up what he just ate. “Harry…” he said quietly, hoping to calm the man down in any way.
Harry turned to look at him, green eyes shining with nervousness, hope, and, well, basically nervousness. “Draco,” he said, and Draco quieted. The brunet pulled away and pushed his chair back, rising from his seat and looking around the table. Draco glanced around quickly as well and saw with surprise that instead of worry for Harry, some were looking at Draco expectantly. He quickly looked back to Harry in confusion.
But his breath caught in his throat when his eyes came back and landed on the site in front of him. Harry had gotten down on one knee and had pulled out a small box from presumably his pocket. It was open – open and presenting one of the most stunning rings Draco had ever seen. He had seen more intricate ones, yes, but the plain platinum band and the bright and shining diamond was made his vision swim. Harry was…Harry was proposing…Harry was proposing right now.
“Draco Malfoy, for the past three years, there’s nothing more than I could ask for in life but you. We’ve been through so much, and it’s only right that after it all, there should be no one at my side but you. I love you, I always have, even if I didn’t realize it, and I know you love me too. Will you marry me?”
The dining room was silent. The Weasley family was waiting, Harry was waiting. Harry, with his big heart, warm smiles, loving words…Harry was waiting for Draco to say yes.
But all Draco could even say was “But…But why would you want to marry me?” He heard how broken his own voice was. He could feel the tears running down his cheeks as he felt as if he’d shrunk three times his size and was now a tiny person in a room full of giants. It made no sense! He was an ex-death eater for crying out loud! Harry didn’t deserve a life tied to a man like him. A broken, worthless, exiled man like him.
The room had taken a deep breath, and Harry himself hesitated at Draco’s own answer. If Harry’s hands weren’t shaking before, they were now, and Draco was sure the ring box would fall from his hands. Molly had let out some sort of whimper and Ginny had ‘harumphed’ at her end of the table.
Had he done it again? Had he ruined every single chance he had at a normal future once more? Not only did his current family hate him, but the one that finally took the chance to let him in, give him warmth, and accept him with Harry…Did the Weasleys now hate him too?
And Harry…perfect Harry… How could he say yes to an incredulous question like that?
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