aixuzw.cc 
Draco glanced at both his mother and father before handing Harry a package that he’d had tucked away in the pocket of his robe.
“It’s from Victoria and me,” Draco said.
Harry opened it much more slowly than he had the other gifts, sensing from Draco that this one had a lot more significance. He carefully opened the lid on the jeweller’s box, and stared at the contents.
“What do they mean?” he asked reverently.
Draco reached over and lifted out the silver chain with two rings dangling from it. He captured one of the rings and showed it to Harry. It was a silver band with an intricate pattern of ivy, and within the ivy rested a brilliant blue gem in the shape of a heart.
“This ring represents Victoria,” Draco said, which explained to Harry its rather delicate, feminine appearance. “The blue sapphire is her birthstone and the ivy represents her birth month as well. The silver itself is muted because grey is one of her colours.”
He met Harry’s eyes. “This is the type of ring traditionally worn by godparents of a Malfoy child,” he said.
Harry’s eyes darted to Severus. Without comment, Severus reached into the neck of his robes and pulled out a similar chain with a ring on it.
“Traditionally it’s worn on the pinkie finger, but Severus doesn’t wear his because of his potions,” Draco said. “You can’t wear it on your hand because, well, because people would ask questions. Normally it would also have the child’s name engraved inside, but I didn’t dare risk it yet,” Draco said regretfully. “But we’ll put it there as soon as we can,” he promised.
Harry simply nodded, desperately trying to keep a hold on his emotions. This ring meant approval from the Malfoy family for his role in Victoria’s care. It meant far more than some arbitrary paperwork from the Ministry.
Draco took hold of the other ring, holding it up. It was muted silver also, but wider than the other ring. Rather than ivy, there were matching intricate engravings of dragons on either side, long wings extending forwards to surround the inlaid pearl shaped into a flower.
“This ring represents me,” Draco said. “It’s rather similar to the one Severus has and it was also made when I was born. Pearl is my birthstone, lily-of-the-valley represents my birth month as well and I’m sure you understand the dragons. The details on the dragons are more elaborate on this ring, but the main difference would normally be the engraving. The traditional engraving is there, but I don’t want to risk everything by putting my name on it. There’s too many people who would recognize it as mine as it is.”
He practically thrust it at Harry, even while he continued to ramble nervously. “It’s a promise ring. They’re always more detailed than wedding or bonding rings. They are traditional in the Wizarding world, especially in the older pureblood families. But they do tend to seem more feminine because, well, because there’s so much focus on producing heirs, which means they’re generally given to a girl. I wouldn’t expect you to wear it properly, even if you could, but I wanted you to have it.”
Harry had taken the chain with the rings and read the engraving. “I promise myself to thee.” Simple and traditional.
“Draco,” Harry said his name, interrupting the flow of words still spewing from Draco’s mouth. “Shouldn’t you shut up and kiss me now?” he asked. “To seal the promise or something?”
Draco gazed at Harry searchingly, a smile slowly forming. He leaned in to press his lips against Harry’s and it was so sweet and tender that Harry felt he was going to melt under the onslaught of emotion expressed within the kiss.
They weren’t getting married, or bonding, but a promise of commitment felt close enough. It was overwhelming and Harry’s heart felt full to burst. “Thank you,” he whispered against Draco’s lips.
“You’re welcome,” Draco whispered back. He pulled back slightly. “I wanted you to know that Victoria and I aren’t going anywhere.”
Harry felt like he was going to cry, which he really didn’t want to do. That was a girl thing to do and he especially didn’t want to look like a girl under the circumstances. Things were stacked against his favour in that regard as it was. He felt a little better about it as he realized Draco’s eyes were shining more brightly than normal.
Draco’s lips curved into a smirk in an attempt to lighten the mood. “It’s that thick Gryffindor head of yours – I needed something more tangible to convince you I was sincere,” he said.
Harry was oddly appreciative of the light insult, and he grinned. “Yes, because we all know that Slytherins can’t be trusted without proof,” he shot back.
They were startled when Narcissa was suddenly on her knees beside them, attempting to hug them both at the same time. Harry was embarrassed, but pleased to have her obvious approval. Remus was smiling warmly as well. Severus remained suspiciously impassive. Harry glanced at Lucius.
Lucius smiled wryly. “Congratulations,” he said. “It would appear you are, for all intents and purposes, a part of the family now.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “And you’re all right with this?” he said, unable to keep the incredulousness out of his voice. Less than twenty-four hours before, Lucius had been in Azkaban and still technically on Voldemort’s side of the war. Now, he had switched sides and was welcoming Harry into the family?
Lucius looked pained for a moment. “I’m . . . adjusting to the idea,” he said. “Certainly I have respect for Draco to make his own decisions.” He paused, gazing at Harry speculatively. “You wish for me to be honest?”
Harry was surprised at the question, but nodded slowly. Narcissa had backed away, sitting on the floor on the other side of Draco, and they all waited expectantly for Lucius’ comments.
“It should come as no surprise that I have a great deal of respect for power,” Lucius said. “And you have an abundance of power, Harry.”
Harry was already shaking his head in denial, but Lucius held up a hand to stop him from speaking.
“You do have power,” Lucius continued. “I do not just mean that you are a powerful wizard, although I believe once you are fully trained that you will be a formidable force. Even without training, you hold power over the Dark Lord. I’ve learned that you have political power in the Ministry. You have power over those you lead in the Order of the Phoenix.”
“No, I don’t,” Harry said, unwilling to let that go.
“You do,” Lucius said firmly. “You simply wield your power far differently than the Dark Lord. You don’t use your power to harm others, you use it to help.”
“That’s not exactly something you’ve held in high regard,” Harry said wryly.
Lucius’ expression turned haunted. “No, it’s not,” he admitted. “I’ve had a year, however, to rethink my views,” he said shortly.
The room was silent as Narcissa moved quietly to sit beside her husband again. Even Victoria was quiet, as she crawled into Harry’s lap.
“My views have not all changed,” Lucius said. “In all honesty, I do not believe my son could have chosen someone more powerful or influential to be with. I am fully aware that you are wealthy in your own right. You are a leader who does not back down in the face of adversity.”
Harry’s eyes were wide as Lucius listed what he deemed to be Harry’s positive traits. He darted a glance at Draco, but Draco had his eyes on his father. Harry looked back, trying to decide how he felt about this.
Lucius smirked wryly. “I find it ironic that when my son was attempting to convince me of your worthiness as a partner – so that I would give him his ring – he mentioned not one of these qualities. Qualities looked for in a potential mate of a Malfoy were completely overlooked in favour of far more sentimental attributes.”
Harry only blinked in response, his mind attempting to take in all the implications of what Lucius was saying.
“I still have concerns. Amongst them is a concern about an heir to carry on the Malfoy name. With your obvious devotion to family, however, I am confident that the two of you will come up with an appropriate solution,” Lucius said.
Appropriate solution? For an heir? Well, that was an impossible problem to deal with – as a male – Harry thought.
“It’s not something I can do,” he said bitterly. He glared at Lucius. “You know this. You’re mocking me and humouring Draco.”
“No, Harry, I am not,” Lucius said calmly. “I’m simply saying that it is possible there are solutions I would not have been willing to consider in the past. I am saying that I expect you to work on coming up with those solutions in the future if you two are serious about continuing this relationship. It is the only way I am willing to condone my son being with a male, despite whatever other qualities you may have. You have proven yourself resourceful – I expect you to continue being resourceful.”
“So, no pressure, then,” Harry muttered sarcastically.
“Harry?” Draco said his name hesitantly.
Harry looked at Draco, then down at Victoria who was chewing on her shoe in his lap, to the chain he was still holding – the rings representing them. Harry didn’t presume to understand pureblood Malfoy traditions, but he recognized that the fact that he was holding the rings was probably more significant than a verbal declaration of feelings.
For Draco to actively work to have his father accept him, and for Lucius to actually give his approval, it was a major undertaking. One that Harry realized he’d probably never truly appreciate.
Now was the time to let go if he was going to. It would not be easy to be with Draco, but . . . he wasn’t one to give up.
He held up the chain. “Help me put this on?” he asked.
Draco helped him put it on, sealing the promise with another kiss. Harry felt a little odd with it around his neck, but ridiculously happy anyway.
“Keep it hidden,” Severus said evenly.
