A/N: Written for Kiss Me I'm S L Y T H E R I N 's Head Canon Challenge

and

RoseWeasleyRoxX 's Ultimate Rosie/Scorp Challenge.

When you say over the table, into the silence, that, "I'm in love with Rose Weasley," you honestly expect the flood gates to break. It's what she's prepared you for, and even though she'd rather be here when you tell them, you think it's better off this way. No one gets hurt directly, and besides, you can't imagine the shock on their faces if Rose Weasley- or any Weasley- shows up unannounced in their manor.

Astoria looks solemn but completely unsurprised- like you figured. It was never really her battle, always Father's. She looks like she wants to tell you something but she doesn't, and just as well because then Dad speaks. He's shaking but you can't be sure if it's from rage, or from something else. Either way your frightened of what damage his words could do (and secretly you pray he chooses the right ones).

"Granger's daughter? The red-head?"

It takes all you have not to elaborate on that. It's not just red hair, it's fire hair, something that reflects the playful, ambitious soul within. And yes, the Weasley with thousands of golden-brown freckles, and dimples whenever she smiles (which is a lot), and has more relatives than you can count- spread throughout the whole of Hogwarts. You stop yourself from saying that you'd give anything for just a slice of that, and not to be this lonely, isolated Malfoy who people constantly misconceive as his father. You don't say that, but in your heart you feel that with Rose, with the Potter's and Weasley's clan, is the place to be, and you don't care if your own parents hate you for it because at least your happy- and at least you've found someone who's made you this happy. But you don't say this, you just think it while Dad stares at you, and Mom stares at her plate, and you reply, "Yes."

Then it's silent. And the silence is an ache more powerful than any you've ever felt, and you can see Dad pondering, practically hear his shouts and thoughts, but the suspense is nothing you've ever known. If only you could share with Rose just this, because miles away she's enduring her parents- however more calm, or sane, they seem. And oddly enough you think that both the fathers (with their hatred so deep) will react just the same (so they have stuff in common) but you wait anyway. Your Dad, he continues to eat and he continues to ponder and you don't touch your plate at all but to push it away. He doesn't meet your eyes then and you wonder if this is better (or worse?) than outright same, and anger, and even him disowning you. But, he's still your father and you want his approval no matter what course of action you'll take. You know, and he knows.

Forget Grandfather Malfoy, and Grandfather Weasley, both imposing this on the pair of you. Forget their reactions and cares and just disappear- let it be just you and Draco for now. Let it be just you and Rose later. You love her, she's your life.

You remain sitting as your father gets up, he pushes in his chair, he skirts past your mother and he's standing above you, far above. He looks at you, jaw set, eye to eye, and you don't want to mess this up- you stare back.

His hand falls to your shoulder, not gripping or binding. Just enough pressure to know it's there. You brace yourself, she said this would happen, you try not to close your eyes (Father really is a great Legilimens). But then he says (whispers, strangled like you feel)-

"Never let her go."

And you'll wish for nothing less than to be part of this moment right here.