Life Debt

It was only a month later, closing in on the spring equinox, that they were setting up their wedding. They kept it small. Twenty, maybe thirty, of their friends and family. Draco had even sent a notice to his mother and father if they wanted to protest. She wanted to do it in France, but Draco had no desire to see his parents, yet. Harry told him that he was proud that he told them, though. He asked Headmistress McGonagall to be their bonder. Draco was surprised he didn't choose Hermione or even Mrs. Weasley, but Harry was adamant he wanted her.

In her office weeks ago, the Headmistress looked at them in both shock and pride. "Mr. Potter... Mr. Malfoy... I have never in all my years had two students who were so... at ends with each other... come together like this. I couldn't have imagined it."

Draco snorted. "I still can't, but Golden Boy is pretty fit."

"Ha ha, Draco," Harry replied, eyeing him up. "Look who's talking."

She huffed in resignation. "You want to do this so quick?"

Harry nodded. "I know Draco is all I want. He's my everything. But I can barely say pass the soap without his Mark burn him."

"I see. Of course, I'll accept. Can I ask... why me?"

Harry didn't answer right away. "You never had an agenda. You wanted to help me... to help me. You were the only one in the whole Wizengamot who spoke up for Draco, too. I trust you more for it," he whispered.

The Headmistress had some tears in her eyes. "Harry... you're right... I only wanted you to be happy and safe. I'm sorry I wasn't able to... save you from any of it. You as well, Draco. I'm so... proud that you found your own path."

"Well, I found Harry's anyways."

"Hmmm... we'll have to work on that. This school year is nearly done. Would either of you consider studying here over the summer?"

"Studying for what?"

"For your NEWTs, of course. If you pass them... jobs will open up. Something that you want to do."

Draco grimaced. "I don't want to be away from Harry... not yet... not anytime soon."

"The soulbond will both help and make that worse. But... I know that Professor Slughorn is getting ready to retire, again. And my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor does not wish to stay either."

Harry and Draco looked at her and each other. "Us? Teaching?"

"Severus taught you well, Mr. Malfoy. An apprenticeship under Professor Slughorn would prepare you for the Potions Mastery exams. I know Harry enjoyed his DA back in his time."

"I don't think we will be ready... healed... by next year, Professor. That's a lot of learning."

"Perhaps being a student teacher next year, would be less stressful? In two years, you can try for your NEWTS?"

Harry looked at Draco, who shrugged. "It sounds like a plan, Headmistress."

"Good. If you need more time... I'll understand, of course. Now... let's talk about the ceremony and your vows.

***

Molly had been harder. She hugged Harry for a long time, crying inconsolably. "It thought I lost you... and now you're... getting married! Bonded! Harry, that's really risky... and permanent. Are you sure... I mean..." she glanced at Draco, getting the third degree from Mr. Weasley.

"I'm sure. I'm sorry that you lost... Ginny and Fred. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to stop it. And I didn't really anticipate coming back... alive. Draco is the only reason I'm here, Mrs. Weasley. He kept me alive. He kept me from killing myself... and losing my mind. He's the only reason we won. He figured out that we could win... that I didn't have to die. He's the reason I can talk to people and look them in the eye. So, yes... he's my everything... and I am his."

She gave him a long, hard look and nodded. "Ron and Hermione have spoken well about him... and you. I just don't know why it has to be so fast."

"Mrs. Weasley... imagine that your husband would feel immense pain every time you asked him to do something. Come down for dinner... burning pain. Turn off the light... burning pain. Kiss me... burning pain. On top of that... he has no choice but to obey you. Would you let that continue? Would you let your significant other be hurt?" he explained.

"Oh..." she gasped.

"Yes... now imagine that he believes that you are his master and doesn't deserve to look at you because a spell is binding him to you as your property," he said, meeting her eyes.

She paled. "I thought it was just...."

"It's not just hormones or a response to our trauma or whatever. I don't want him to feel like he's not equal to me. He's the only reason I can look people in the eye and talk like I'm not insane. He gave up everything for me... and I love him."

Mrs. Weasley hugged him, again. "Okay, Harry. I just... worry."

"I... was wondering if I could ask a favor?"

"What is it, Harry?"

"Could we... could we have it here?"

"Your Bonding Ceremony?"

Harry nodded. "I always felt like this was a second home. It would mean a lot, but if it'll be too much...."

"Absolutely, Harry! I would love to have you here!"

"Don't worry, I'll pay for everything. I just don't want it somewhere that reporters or strangers can intrude on."

"I understand. It would be great to have it here."

"Draco said that this account was set up for you, Ron or Hermione to use for the ceremony."

"Harry... you don't have to...."

"Mrs. Weasley... Draco and I have enough money to last us the rest of our lives. Please don't overextend yourselves on my account."

She reluctantly agreed. Harry had thought to ask about wizarding traditions, but he had owled Draco's mother first to see if there were any Malfoy traditions that he needed to know. She recommended some books and gifts that should be exchanged to have magic bless the union. Rings were still expected as well, but as gifts and should be matching. She recommended asking a family member to bless the union as well.

Harry lowered his eyes and asked, "It... It would mean a lot if you and Mr. Weasley would... bless Draco and I... as a representative of my family."

She gasped. "Harry... that is... I would be proud to bless your union."

"Thank you."

"We'll talk about it before the ceremony. What about your betrothed?"

"I mean... I talked to his mother. I don't know."

"Let me ask him, Harry. As I understand it, Ron and Hermione are taking you to get muggle suits?"

"Yeah. Draco said he'd prefer that rather than going to Diagon, right now. And I don't want him to go out in public, wizarding public, without me."

She smiled. "I understand."

"Thank you... I'm really sorry for all the stress that I've put you all through. I was just... we were just trying to survive," Harry mumbled.

Molly hugged him. "I know, dearie. Don't you worry about anything. Now... are you getting the bands?"

Harry bit his lip. The suitor was supposed to do that. Narcissa told him. "Yes."

"Good. I'll keep Draco here, and we'll talk. Why don't you, Arthur and Ron go out to get bands?"

"Ron?" Harry questioned.

"He'll be here shortly with Hermione."

"But shouldn't Hermione come with...."

"Hermione can help Draco and me with preparations. Draco needs more friends than you," she insisted.

Harry didn't know what to say to that. It was true. Ron and Hermione came through the floo and greeted him and Draco with hugs. Mrs. Weasley gave out instructions, minus the why, and no one argued. Draco gave Harry a look, but Harry just shrugged an apology.

Mr. Weasley took them to a jeweler, but Harry was really overwhelmed with the options. Mr. Weasley gave advice, and Ron chimed in. Harry settled on a silver and black band with jade inlay. He didn't want anything too goddy. Then Ron asked him if he'd help him pick out an engagement ring for Hermione.

"I ain't gonna ask for a binding... that's too... Hermione was against it. I think that she'll agree to a handfast, though, but either way. I need a ring."

"Go for you Ron... I hope that I didn't make you think you needed to do this so soon," Harry murmured, sensing that this was why Hermione wasn't allowed to come.

"Hermione's pregnant, Harry! It's just right... proper. I mean, especially if anything happens to me. It's right."

"That's a good lad, Ron. Kinda doing things out of order... but I think it's right," Mr. Weasley said.

"Ron... I want you to get the ring you want. You can pay me back in like twenty or fifty years if you want, but I want you two to be happy. You were always there for me and Draco through all this. Thank you," Harry murmured.

Ron was red-faced, but Mr. Weasley gave him a nod. "Okay. Thanks. But I will pay you back, Harry... sometime in the next twenty or fifty years."

Harry clamped his hand on his shoulder and they picked out a ring for Hermione as well. Harry smirked as he was sure that it was Mrs. Weasley's plan all along.