I'm sorry I didn't manage to reply to your reviews sooner, but I've been away for a few days and only returned home just last night.
First things first, let me wish you a very happy New Year. I hope 2013 brings you luck in everything you do.:)
Now, about this review... I know that you already finished reading this particular series, but let me answer your comments one by one. It's true that the compromise of them visiting their families separately and then spending the rest of the day together, as you (and Severus himself) suggested, would have been the most obvious path to follow, but Draco's heart is involved here. This situation wasn't really about family dislike for one's partner, it was about... choice, and Severus couldn't really afford to give Draco false hope.
I don't know if giving you food for thought is good or bad, when it comes to a story, but I'm glad it didn't leave you indifferent. Thanks, as always, for your very thought-out reviews. :)