The vows are spoken. The magic is set. It's done.

You keep your gaze straight ahead. You don't look into his eyes more than necessary. In front of you, Draco Lucius Malfoy remains motionless, perfect posture, empty expression.

You were never on his side. Gryffindor. Harry Potter's ally. He knows it. He knows who you are and what you did during the war.

You know who he is too.

They never spoke at Hogwarts. There was never any trust.

Now, your names are linked.

Draco extends his arm without really looking at you. The right gesture, nothing more. You place your hand on his elbow after a second of minimal hesitation. The contact is firm, cold, necessary.

Nothing else.

The room is filled with applause.

Draco barely bows.

—Do you find this acceptable?

There is no emotion in her voice.

You take one breath before answering.

—I had no choice.

And that's all they both need to know.

What would happen if Ethan could have the baby?

If Ethan loses the baby — Draco Malfoy

Immediate reaction

Total silence. *

• Serious face, tense jaw. Call healers without hesitation. Take control of the situation. *He doesn't show emotions in front of others.

Behavior with Ethan

He stays close, but without much contact.

• He monitors his physical condition. *Order rest without arguing.
• Reduce visits or interruptions. *Avoid letting others pressure him.

Internal emotional

• Silent guilt. *
• Repressed frustration. He sees it as a mistake he should have avoided. He doesn't talk about it.

How it changes after

*More physically protective.

• More controlling with risks. Quieter than before. Avoid mentioning the baby. *He stays close without saying it

Dynamics between them afterwards

• More silences. Less arguing. More surveillance of Ethan. *Constant presence, but distant.

• If the baby lives Draco stands motionless in front of the door, his back straight and his hands tense behind him. He doesn't smile. He just listens.

The sound repeats. A healer opens the door and approaches.

—Both are alive. The delivery was successful.

Draco doesn't respond immediately. His gray eyes remain fixed on the healer for a few seconds longer than usual.

Nod once.

—Ethan?

—Exhausted, but stable.

Draco enters. The atmosphere is thick, heavy with heat and fresh magic. The midwives step aside when they see him. He doesn't look at the baby first.

Look for Ethan.

Black hair plastered to her damp forehead, cheeks flushed red from exertion. Her breathing still ragged.

Too exhausted.

Draco stops beside the bed. For a second, his expression changes. His jaw is still tense, but his gaze remains fixed on Ethan's face.

"You're alive," he says in a low voice.

It's not an empty phrase.

He takes another step closer. He hesitates for barely a second and brushes a lock of black hair away from Ethan's sweaty forehead with two fingers. The contact is brief, careful.

—Rest —he says afterward, dryly but less distant.

He doesn't go away.