Chapter Text
The invitation arrived early on a Monday morning, delivered by Hedwig herself.
Draco was sat in his lounge, rifling through some complicated looking papers when the large, snowy white owl made her presence known. She clicked her beak and hooted softly, big black eyes staring at the blonde patiently. The envelope attached to her leg was thick and when Draco finally removed it, she gave him a quick nibble before ruffling her feathers importantly and taking off again.
He could tell by the golden ink and the fancy parchment that this particular letter could only mean one thing.
And it made his heart sink and his stomach twist.
Still, he found himself opening it, and in the process, confirming his worst fears.
Mr. Harry Potter and Miss. Ginevra Weasley would like to invite you to their upcoming wedding.~
Location: The Burrow
Time: 1:30 pm.
Date: October 21st.
Gifts are not required, only your presence.
Draco swallowed. So it was finally happening— the famous Potter and Weasley wedding. He knew it was coming, saw the engagement in the Daily Prophet. But seeing it in black and white — or in this case, gold — made the entire thing so much more real.
He should be pleased for them both, after the War and all that Harry had been through, of course he deserved a happy ending. It was...
...Just with the wrong person.
Perhaps it was best if he simply didn't go. He and Potter were hardly friends, and even if they did share that one — thing — years ago, it clearly meant nothing to Harry anymore.
Almost as if Harry could read his mind, another owl bringing yet another letter arrived. This owl was tiny, barely larger than a tennis ball, and yet it held the letter in its beak like a prize. Hopping from foot to foot, it hooted shrilly when Draco finally took the note.
Draco,
I know you've already received the invitation. I personally sent it via Hedwig as she always knows your location and won't take no for an answer.
I also know you're debating not coming. It may be selfish of me, but... I would love to see you again.
Whatever you decide, I hope you're well.
Harry.
Little git, Draco thought to himself. After all these years, Harry still knew he had Draco wrapped around his finger, always ready to drop everything and give the famous Harry Potter some attention. But this time he was asking too much. How could Draco sit there in the crowd and feign happiness for a couple that quite frankly, felt wrong to him?
Potter broke his side of the promise; to remain single until they'd figured things out, choosing instead to run to the Weasley girl and hide who he truly was.
Draco on the other hand, stayed alone. He knew exactly who he was, and what he wanted, and thus decided against meaningless relationships. Sure, it annoyed his father — more that he wasn't bringing a Heir to the Malfoy lineage — but telling Lucius that Harry Potter owned his heart would undoubtedly end in another fight.
If Potter wanted to lie to himself and play straight then that was his perogative, but why did Draco have to watch?
He set the invitation down, pushing it and Harry from his thoughts. Ten years. Ten years of pining for someone who clearly didn't feel the same.
Tonight it would stop.
——
Draco arrived at the Burrow a little hungover. One firewhisky turned into two, which then doubled to four, until he was comfortably sloshed and living down memory lane. It seemed like a good idea at the time...
...But now all he had was a lingering headache.
——
The Burrow was decked out in red and gold. Gryffindor colours, Draco thought bitterly. How fitting for the happy Gryffindor couple. He lingered near the food tent, where Mr. Weasley was levitating plate upon plate onto a table that was already heavily overloaded.
"Draco?"
Spinning around, Draco's gaze fell upon the very person he was dreading to see. Harry Potter wore an expensive looking tux, which hugged him at exactly the right places, and made Draco feel things he hadn't felt in a long, long time.
"Harry."
Seeing his ex like this was harder than Draco expected, and the stupid romantic music in the background didn't help either. Forcing a smile onto his lips, he motioned around at everything.
"Congratulations, I guess." The bitterness in his voice was not needed, but then again, neither was this entire wedding, so. .
"Thanks," Harry responded, watching him carefully, "You look good."
He looked good on purpose, to be petty and to show Harry what he was missing, and what he'd never have again. Plus Potter always used to have a thing for him in a suit.
Was always so eager to take it off.
"As do you, Potter." He drawled. "Where's the lucky lady?"
Harry's face fell at being demoted to Potter again. Draco knew that he knew that Draco was being off, cold, distant, but Draco also knew he wouldn't call him out on it, not unless he wanted his little secret to be revealed.
"Upstairs getting ready. I should probably go... as well..."
Draco could hear the hurt in Harry's voice, but he kept his expression neutral. He was good at that, acting like he didn't care when inside he was being torn apart. But then, hearing Potter in pain brought him a grim satisfaction. Why should he be the only one to suffer?
"See you at the aisle then." Draco nodded.
——
Draco sat at the back of the room, on an end seat so he could potentially make a quick getaway. He watched as Mr. Weasley led Ginny up the aisle, and he could admit that she did look pretty. His gaze wandered over to Harry, who was staring back at him, and he smirked. Soon it'll be over and then, then he could go back to pretending Harry didn't exist.
"Wait." Harry said, and Draco stiffened.
Ginny looked at him; processing his expression for a moment before slowly understanding. She swallowed, and Draco could see the tears gradually appearing. Maybe he should just go...
He stood up as quietly as possible and turned to leave.
"Wait." Harry repeated, louder this time.
Ron was next to him now, both hands resting on his best friend's shoulders. "Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry seemed to be having an internal conflict with himself, as though trying to decide whether to let his head, or his heart, lead. Draco lingered near the doorway, half wanting to run and half wanting to see what Potter chose, his own heart beating impossibly fast.
He couldn't get his hopes up and yet, Harry hadn't taken his eyes off him. Ron followed his gaze, and glared at Draco. "Malfoy? What's he doing here?"
His hostility pulled Harry from his thoughts. "I invited him, Ron."
"You invited the Ferret to your wedding?"
Harry's eyes flashed, and it was as if he had woken up from a dream. "I can't do this."
He jumped off the little stage he was waiting on and stalked towards Draco, who was still frozen in limbo, his lip curled upwards at Ron's use of the word Ferret. He watched as Harry approached him, painfully aware that all eyes were on them both, and waited.
"Were you leaving?" Harry accused, wrapping one hand around Draco's tie.
Draco could hear Ron muttering furiously to Hermione, Ginny choke back a sob, and other people in the crowd gossiping, but Harry didn't seem to notice.
"Were you?" He asked again, yanking Draco closer by his own tie.
"You don't need me, Harry." Draco muttered, trying to keep his voice low. For some reason, he was still trying to protect Harry's secret. "Just marry Ginny and be happy, please."
Harry's eyes flashed dangerously. "Are you happy, Draco?"
No. But his happiness wasn't as important as Harry's.
"I'll be fine." He answered instead, his hand lifting to try and undo the grip Harry had on his tie. But Potter was strong, and Potter was stubborn.
"I don't want to marry Ginny."
And there it was, the truth. Out in the open for everyone to see — and judge. Draco swallowed back the lump in his throat. He could see Ron advancing, fists armed and ready, though whether the punch was for him or Harry, he couldn't be sure.
"I want you, Malfoy."