#don't focus on the quality or the coloring just focus on his pretty nose :)

[ashleyslorens]

And though you protest your disinterest I know clandestinely You're gonna grin and bear it: your newfound popularity

[eunkimmie]

Ease Me [Draco Malfoy x Reader (x Harry Potter), Two]

Hello! I just wanted to make a quick note and say that I have made a playlist for this particular story linked here! It is on Spotify which isn't supported on the Safari browser. If you'd be interested, there are a collect few songs that I personally thought fit well with the story. Thank you!

Previous Chapter

Harry Potter was brave, for one thing. He wasn't the smartest, nor was he the most charming by far, but brave he was. And he swore, even after having to endure battle after battle because of one bloody scar, the worst battle was having to see (Name) cry. Truthfully, he didn't think it was downright possible if he was being honest with himself. Regardless, (Name) crying was still something he never wanted to see.  She was his friend that was always there to help others when they were down, and never seemed to need help herself...But he supposed one person could hold so much in before they broke down. No matter how much he told himself that, it was still unnatural to see (Name) cry.

"Man," (Name) sniffled, faking a laugh. "I'm pretty dumb, aren't I?" Her eyes were puffy and, well, to put it simply...She looked terrible. Even if Harry couldn't understand how (Name) could love a creature as vile as Draco, there was no doubt that they made each other happy. Besides, (Name) wasn't an idiot. She could judge someone's character effectively, so there must have been something about Draco that was redeeming.

"Don't... Don't say that. You know this isn't your fault." Harry was skilled at a lot, but comforting girls was not one of his best qualities. Especially if that girl was...well, (Name). Beautiful, intelligent, witty (Name). Perfect was an understatement when it came to her.

And... If Harry was being honest, when he first met the girl he found himself blushing around her more than anyone else. He found his heart pounding and his hands get clammy. It's not like he was in love with her or anything, but he definitely would've liked nothing more to be the one to hold her in his arms. Alas, Draco of all people was the one to capture her heart. So, Harry learned to cope with his feelings, and eventually they faded over time. However, as the boy stared at (Name), who was somehow still ethereal when she was sobbing, he couldn't recall how he ever got over those feelings. Putting his own thoughts away, Harry took a seat on the floor next to (Name).

"I know, Harry. I know. It's just—" She let out a frustrated cry, slamming her clenched fists on the concrete ground. "I can't believe him! Absolutely fucking insane, that's what he is! I never want to see that son of a bitch again!" Pent up anger got the best of her, and she ended up cursing in the hall. If someone heard, so be it. If a teacher heard, they'd get over it. She had a reason to be so furious. "I mean," she started, glossy eyes scanning the ground. "It wasn't like official or anything, but we were already set to... Y'know, get married and stuff."

"W...What?" Harry sputtered. Now this was a fact that he hadn't ever seen the light of. The more he thought about it though, the less surprise he became. The Malfoy family was all about formalities and keeping up their appearance, so no doubt that they'd choose a wedlock for their only child. (Name) was the perfect choice, too. She maintained an air of elegance around her, especially around people she knew would judge her harshly if she didn't, and could play the role of a perfect heiress in front of anyone. That's not who she really was of course, but she could still pretend. The Malfoy's obviously approved of her as it wasn't uncommon for (Name) to tag along on Draco's holidays and vice versa...But the thought of (Name) and Draco getting married punched Harry in the gut harder than he would like to admit.

"Yeah," (Name) sniffled, laughing bitterly. "Like I said, it wasn't official and he hadn't proposed to me...obviously. But our parents had this big, pompous, ball like party to discuss matters. I was aquatinted with his parents, and of course they already had his entire life planned out. My parents agreed, and had it been anyone else I would've said no. But it was Draco! I was fine with it, and by Merlin did I think he was fine with it too," she spat. Harry didn't respond for a moment, but instead just listened. Sighing deeply, (Name) collapsed and her head ended up on Harry's upper arm. She found comfort in her friend and the fact that, even though he really couldn't give advice to save his life, he could be there to listen to her problems.

The boy who lived was a fighter. He was brave, athletic, and honestly his luck wouldn't ever seem to dissipate. He could fight enemies left and right and still come out alive, but it seemed that his biggest weakness was the girl beside him.

.

.

.

(Name) was...In a sense, vacant. She showed up to class and the once enthusiastic girl was now quite monotone and quiet. She didn't participate in class unless she had to and instead of staying for a few minutes to talk to her friends, she simply left. While Draco didn't have any classes with her, Parkinson made sure that everyone knew that she in fact did.

"Pathetic, really. I mean, what kind of person lets one little breakup make them all mopey and gross?" she snorted, her pug like nose lifted in the air with pride. How would Parkinson feel if she knew that Draco was feeling the exact same way as the girl she was talking about?

"It would be in your best interest to just drop the topic, Parkinson," Draco spat. He couldn't stand her. He couldn't stand to look at her, to hear her, and he definitely couldn't stand to hear her talk about (Name) like she was any less of a goddess. "Touchy! What's wrong, Draco dear?"

'Dear'?

Was she out of her mind? Draco stood up from the dining table abruptly. He glared down at her. "You're delusional if you think that you and I are an item. And a word of advice, don't stick your dog's snout where it doesn't belong." Parkinson slapped a hand on her nose and avoided the icy gaze of Malfoy.

Draco, as he walked away, found himself unconsciously looking for (Name). He spotted her, and in turn it seemed that she had found herself looking for him as well. They made eye contact for a split second, and for a split second at the sight of her beauty, Draco forgot what he had done. (Name's) own glare reminded him of everything he tried to forget, the Slytherin boy unable to do anything but walk away.

.

.

.

(Name) found her nights to be filled with sighs and regrets. She understood fully what had happened was not her fault since, in essence, Draco was the one who had decided to fuck everything up and cheat. But...Sometimes she found herself doubtful. Sometimes she wondered if she wasn't pretty enough, or if she was annoying, or if she should've been a better girlfriend.

On those nights Harry Potter would find room in his schedule full of chaos to make time for her. He never hesitated to lend a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to her grievances. Sometimes he would bring candies or snacks to hopefully soothe the pain a but, but sometimes he was simply bring his company and that was good enough for (Name).

Tonight, however, he brought snacks. It wasn't all that late at night, so students were mostly littering the common room or other areas in Hogwarts that he honestly didn't care much about. At then time, the only thing he cared about was seeing (Name). When he found her, she was sitting on the edge of her bed, head hung low. He made his presence known by knocking on the wall a bit. Immediately, her head shot up and a small smile found its way on (Name's) face.

"I um...I brought you these," he mumbled. Awkwardly, he held up a box of Berties Botts Beans and some Butter Toffee he had snagged from Honeydukes.

"Harry I swear you're going to give me a cavity, but thank you," (Name) joked, moving over a bit to give Harry room. He handed her the boxes and she went to open the beans, humming softly. She popped one in her mouth and smiled triumphantly. "Marshmallow. Okay, your turn."

"Oh, I really don't—" But Harry found himself unable to speak at the sight in front of him. The moonlight shone in the window, cascading a soft glow on (Name's) features. He sucked in a breath. She was as beautiful as she had ever been. Still, he complied as (Name) placed a bean in his hand, the boy putting it in his mouth before grimacing. "My rotten luck. Soap." (Name) let out a laugh, Harry finding himself laughing as well.

Compared to the other times that Harry would give her his company at night, (Name) seemed happier. Of course, she was still upset, but tonight she seemed to smile more and talk about mundane things rather than her heartbreak. The duo found themselves move from sitting on the bed to laying on the bed, much to Harry Potter's dismay. (Name) laid down and made enough room for Harry to lay down beside her. He gulped, adjusting his frames in a habit of nervousness. Shakily, he laid his form next to hers. (Name) was speaking—what about, he wasn't sure. He couldn't focus on what she said for the life of him because he was too focused on the girl beside him and how her side pressed into his, or how their hands were nearly touching.

"—Don't you think, Harry?" (Name) turned over on her side so that her face was facing Harry. He glanced at her, a lump in his throat. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Ha...You didn't hear anything? Man, you really know how to charm a girl, don't you?"

He wished.

Regardless, (Name) found herself in a small fit of laughter. Harry's own lips curled up softly at the sight of her—happy, as it should be. (Name's) laughs were shallow and short as she attempted to catch her breath. Harry could only gaze at her, struck in a daze and wondering to himself how one person could be so utterly perfect.

As she came down from her fit of laughter, it seemed that their faces had moved closer to each others. (Name) was no longer laughing, but instead staring into Harry's eyes. Pools of green, the colors so vibrant that even (Name) found herself getting lost in them in the dark. Harry's gaze flickered down to (Name's) lips, only for a second, but she still caught it. She felt her cheeks heat up.

"C....Can I...?" (Name) felt herself nodding. She felt it was rational. If someone had been there every night to soothe your heartbreak, to support you, to make you feel like you weren't alone...

Harry brought a hand up to her cheek before he moved his head forward, lips barely grazing hers. He barely pulled back before he felt (Name's) own hands, much smaller than his, he noted, pull him forward. He was shocked at first, but he didn't complain. Harry felt his eyes shut, lost in bliss. The kiss was awkward, much like a first kiss with someone should be, but it felt right.

And despite her doubts, (Name) couldn't help but think that it felt right as well.