Draco Malfoy’s train of thought was clouded with a demanding sense. The voice in his head was cold and unforgiving, but it spoke so confidently in his mind, so commanding in his own voice, he believed it was his own judgment.
No reaction is necessary. Love is punishable. The sense of circumspect is unacceptable. Fear is prohibited, crying is outlawed. Bored expressions show no interest and are not permitted. Apologize sincerely and if you do are weak, and if not you are weaker. Excuse the action but do not forgive. In the case one is to forget they are a liar, and to be outcast for their acts of manipulation.
Devotion and commitment are expected yet may not become overbearing. Crying is not healing, scream and you are of no use. Do not complain. Adrenaline should tear your nerves to shreds, and be the only thing keeping you alive. Grief is a mood that passes quickly. The judgment confidently yelling in one’s mind is unsympathetic, unforgiving, and accurate.
Every lie should taste like poison, and if liars should roam the rooms, they are put in check. Beauty is found in a single place, the devastation and desperation, the anguish, and the deep, inexplicable, blazing pain that stops one’s heart for several beats. The sick, the cruel, the toxic are romanticized, you strive to become one of them, and if you fail you are met with fatality. Follow who you are instructed to follow. Listen to the powerful not the wise. The Dark Lord is of the highest worth of life, should he ask for yours you give it, willingly and without hesitation.
However, Draco had come to break and defy every single rule that was placed on him. Every restriction, every ‘law’ was broken, all because of Harry Potter. All because Harry Potter had grown to love Draco Malfoy, and Draco had grown to love Harry. All because being partnered with Harry Potter during his time as an Auror taught him forgiveness. Harry had taught him trust. Harry taught him being human was allowed. Harry taught him of healing and love. Something Draco was once sure he’d never experience.
“Hey,” Harry snapped. “You haven’t heard a single thing I said!”
“Hmm?” Draco averted his attention to the slightly shorter man.
“Do you think we should get this training bra for Lily or this one?”
Draco sighed, “Obviously the one without butterflies on it. She’ll burn it if we get her that.”
Harry sniggered, “you’re right, the ones with snitches will be so much better.”
Draco chuckled, “Let her know they’re from you, and not me, I had no say in this matter.”
Draco was lucky. He was lucky to have a husband, to have a love, to have a family. Knowing his daughter, Lily, wouldn’t have to go through what he did, made his suffering and experiences worth it.
“Potter, if you seriously get those for her she’ll get all awkward and angry just like you, you know she doesn’t like it when we go clothes shopping for her, and then I’ll have to deal with it.”
“Oh shut up Potter,” Harry said in a mocking tone, “She’ll love them.”
“If you say Ginerva gave them to her.” Draco replied in an equally playful tone.
Harry put them in the cart and they continued down the aisle, Draco smiled and continue to push the cart down the aisle. He really was lucky.