#drarryexchange

[rmh8402]

This is for @meles-meles-serpentes for the @drarryexchange Secret Santa! I loved the secret santa idea, but it wandered a bit lol. I hope you like it!!

[harryanddracoarehusbands-blog]

So I did the @drarryexchange this year and my recipient was  @sasuhinasno1fan I hope you enjoy it!

[sasuhinasno1fan]

Suposed to be babysitting, not falling for you all over again

So @harryanddracoarehusbands, I’m your @drarryexchange santa. This is like my 3rd Harry Potter fanfiction, the second one I really wanted to finish, so I really hope this one is up to par and I hope you like it. Merry Christmas

Draco didn’t know what he was doing here. After his mother divorced his father – finally in his opinion, he was glad to be free of that man – she re-established connections with her other sister, the aunt Draco never knew. He barely knew his cousins, Sirius and Tonks before they died but he did know Tonks’ husband. He had been a teacher at his school and as much as he complained about it, Remus was an extremely good teacher. He knew that his aunt had lost a lot, her husband, daughter and son-in-law and was only left with her grandson. He didn’t realise that his mother had offered him up as a babysitter whenever she needed.

Draco wasn’t good with babies, toddlers he could deal with but babies? What was his mother thinking?

In attempts to keep her spirits up, his mother proposed a weekend trip down to the Black family lake house.

“It was your favourite place to be. You used to beg mother and father to let us go there during holidays. And I don’t seem to remember any bad memories lingering there.” She said, pretty much convincing her sister to go.

“I can’t believe your making me do this. I have no experience with babies!” Draco complained, opening the passenger side door and going around to the boot of the car to drag out his suitcase and bag.

“Darling, you need to spend some time with your cousin. I plan on keeping in contact with Andromeda because quite honestly, I prefer her to your Aunty Bella.” Narcissa said, walking around to meet her son as he fixed his bags so they’d be easier to carry in.

“Mother, anyone would prefer a rabid dog to Aunty Bella.” Draco stated

“Be that as it may, you never grew up with your cousins and I’m upset that after I married your father I didn’t try reaching out. Your aunt needs this week Dragon, and I want to be able to talk to her again. I’ve missed her greatly.”

He couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. He never realise how badly his mother had it until he was a teenager. After he swore he’d do whatever possible to keep his mother happy and if that meant having to babysit, he’d do it.

“I understand. Shall we?” he asked, holding out his arm for his mother.

“My little gentlemen. Now I’ve told Andromeda that your experience with babies is not good, so she said she’s invite Teddy’s godfather to help.”

“Godfather?”

“He’s the same age as you. He was practically Remus’ godson as well, so it was no surprise he asked him to be Teddy’s godfather.”

Draco was curious, but he could deal with strangers. The reached to door and after ringing the doorbell, the door swung open revealing a woman bearing a close rebalance to his Aunt Bella but her hair was brown instead of black and her eyes were much kinder.

“Narcissa, Draco, so good to see you.” Andromeda said

“You as well. Are you ready for the trip?” her sister asked

“As I’ll ever be. Please, come in, come in.” she let the two blond family members in, leading them out of the entry way and into the house. Draco could hear laughing coming from the living room. “Draco, I hope you don’t mind I invited Teddy’s godfather to help you? I didn’t want you getting flustered.”

“It’s fine. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“I think the two of you will get along well. Harry dear, my sister and nephew are here. Bring Teddy so I can introduce you.” She called.

As he heard movement, Draco’s mind went to the only Harry he ever knew. The git he went to school with who he could never get along with, no matter he quietly wished he could.

It was like every force in the universe converged for this to happen, because out, holding Teddy securely, was Harry Potter.

“Potter?”

“Malfoy?”

The two sisters looked at the two boys back and forth.

“Do you two know each other?” Andromeda asked

“We, uh, went to school together. I didn’t know you were related.” Harry said, still staring down Draco

“Yes my sister and nephew. Draco here offered to babysit Teddy while we sisters have a weekend to ourselves.”

‘Great so not only do I have to take care of a baby, it has to be with Potter as well. I did not ask for this!’

It seemed like no time at all that his aunt’s bags were in the car and Draco gave one last hug to his mother before the pair of sisters were off, leaving Draco with his cousin and Potter. He hadn’t seen him since they graduated and last he heard, he went straight into working, while Draco went off to college. He had forgotten about him, pushing him to the back of his mind, trying to forget what he ever felt for him. But now, it was all gonna come rushing back, he knew it. He was tempted just too hid in his room, but he was sure Potter would say something to his aunt and he was trying to be nice and help his mother out as well. He took a deep breath and went back downstairs, where Potter was playing with Teddy on the floor on a blanket.

Teddy was a nice kid, minus his odd hair. His mother had a love for dying her hair and when giving him a bath, apparently she accidently grabbed a bottle of hair dye that was in a shampoo bottle, giving him his slightly green hair that grew. Poor Tonks had been a panicked mess, Andromeda explained, but was reassure that it could grow out or at the very least they could dye it back when he was older. It was just the fact that he was a baby, fragile crying baby that scared Draco. Letting himself get shown up by Potter had his competitiveness brimming under his skin but honestly, he’d let Potter take the lead on this. He was completely out of his comfort zone.

“Look Teddy, who’s that?” Draco watched Potter lift his cousin into his arms, pointing at Draco. Draco was given a gummy smile in return, one hand reaching out trying to reach for him. “Wanna go to Draco?”

That was weird, hearing Potter call him by his first name. He only remembered after they graduated and everyone was saying their goodbyes, Potter came and shook his hand, telling him, “It was good knowing you.” He wasn’t sure what to make of that, but he was so sure that would be the last time he saw him. Now look.

“You wanna hold him Malfoy?”

Draco shook his head. “I’m not good with babies.”

He got a confused look for that statement. “But you were asked to babysit?”

Looking embarrassed, Draco looked away from the confused look. “Because my mother offered me up. She wanted a chance to reconnect with her and that includes me connecting with them, hence why I’m here.” He dared a glance at Potter who had this look on his face. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just. I’m surprised that you’d do this for your mother. You must really love her.”

Deciding to actually go in the living room, Draco plopped down on the couch near Harry. “My father isn’t exactly the best person to be around and I didn’t realise it until I was a teenager. I just like trying to make her happy.” He didn’t know why he was telling this to Potter but everything just seemed to be flowing out.

“I’m sure she appreciates it. And I know Teddy wants to be with Draco, don’t you? Ahh, no Teddy!” he scolded when Teddy decided he’d rather have his glasses instead, pulling them partially off the moment he was lifted near Potter’s head. Draco couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “I see that you’re entertained. I could just leave you with him.” he gave him a smug smirk at Draco’s panicked look. “That’s what I thought. I’m not doing all of this by myself, so I hope you’re ready to learn.”

“Potter, I hope you remember I beat your bushy haired friend in exams. You are the last person I expect to be taught by.”

“But you can’t change a diaper or make a bottle can you.” Draco’s silence said it all. “Look, seeing each other after all this time is definitely odd but we’re both here because we want to help, so we might as well try and forget about any things from before. Hi, I’m Harry Potter, nice to meet you.”

Draco looked down at the hand that was stuck out; reminding him of the first time he met him. It didn’t end well and was the start of their rivalry. Part of him was tempted to do the same thing Harry-god, he even started to change how he called him in his head- had done to him when they met, but it was time to put the past behind him. And hopefully that meant all of the past and not some crush that part of him still held on to.

“Draco Lucius Malfoy.” Draco replied shaking Harry’s hand.

“That’s a mouthful.”

“I’m just being polite, something you obviously never learned.”

“Hilarious.” Harry drawled

It looked like they couldn’t do away with old habits in a minute.

Teddy didn’t seem to care. His attention was to Draco and he lifted his arms, little hands clenching in attempts to reach the blond. Harry took one look at him before depositing him on Draco’s lap.

“Potter! What do you think you’re doing?”

“He wants to be with you. Might as well learn what to do now. Who knows if the next time your mum wants to go out with her sister I might not be here to help. Now, stay here. It’s been a while since he’s eating so he’s probably hungry. Make sure he doesn’t fall off your lap.”

Harry disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Draco floundering as Teddy started squirming in his lap.

‘I’m doing this for mother; I’m doing this for mother.’ It was a baby, how hard could it be?

Very hard. In school, he and Granger, Harry’s bushy haired friend, had been extremely competitive when it came to who came out on top in academics and he and Harry would battle it out on the football field during matches. He liked proving he was good at what he was doing, but the babysitting thing, Draco was ready to concede defeat.

Teddy liked everyone, Draco could tell that, but when he didn’t like something, he let the whole world know.

“What am I doing wrong?” Draco asked, frazzled as Teddy cried his head off when Draco was trying to get used to holding him.

“He might need his diaper changed.” Harry said

“But he just ate!”

“He’s a baby Draco, food goes through them really quickly.”

He would usually push away any help people tried to offer him when he was struggling but he was grabbing on to every bit of advice and help Harry was giving him. Maybe it was because he was getting the chance to be close with Harry that he always wanted that he was willing to take whatever chance he got. But a small part of him wanted Harry to see him as capable.

“You might want to show him something to distract him, he can squirm away really quickly.” Harry said, pulling out the wet wipes, cream and a new diaper as they stood in front of the changing table in Teddy’s nursery

“Like what?”

“I usually show him something on my phone. Or distract him with a toy.”

The first thing Draco thought of was his newest animation video. He had been attending school for animation and was doing a small series about a small dragon. He pulled up the video and handed it over to Harry so he could show Teddy before pulling Teddy’s pants off. As he was starting to open the diaper he realised that Harry was looking at the video.

“Did you make this?” Harry asked

“Yes?”

“It’s really good. I remembered that you drew but I never realised how good you were.”

The comment tested Draco on how well he could keep the red from reaching his cheeks.

“The video is for Teddy, start it over and show it to him and do not drop my phone on him.”

Harry did what he was told, making sure to instruct Draco on what to do. Teddy was thankfully enamoured with the little dragon cartoon he was watching. When he was fully changed, he went grabbing for Draco’s phone.

“Looks like you have a new fan.” Harry said, handing Draco his phone back, once Teddy was secure in his arms. “Are you hungry? Andromeda said we could order whatever we want. There’s a really good pizza place not far from here.”

“That’s fine.”

Draco was able to manoeuvre washing his hands while still holding Teddy while Harry disappeared into the kitchen and took the time to breathe.

“Your godfather is going to drive me insane by the end of this weekend, I can tell.” He said to Teddy who just looked at him before trying to reach for his phone again. Draco sat themselves down on the couch and adjusted his hold on Teddy so he was leaning against Draco’s chest and could see the screen.

“You’re getting better at that.” Harry said, the menu for the pizza place in his hands.

“Not as good as you.” Harry was exceptionally good with Teddy. It was nice seeing Harry dote over Teddy whenever Draco couldn’t calm him down.

“Only because I spent so much time with him when he was born. He’s really easy to please though, aren’t you Ted?”

Draco could feel himself smiling at the sight. He liked watching Harry with Teddy. Harry was such a natural with kids that Draco was sure he’d be an amazing father.

‘And maybe an amazing boy-no, nope, stop it Draco. Enough of that.’

“So pizza, what are we getting?”

“I hope you like Zizi’s. They don’t deliver so I’d have to get an Uber down there. Think you’d be ok with Teddy or do you want to go get the food.”

Just that sentence sparked the old competitiveness in Draco. It sounded like a challenge even though he knew it was a genuine question.

“I can do it. And I want King Prawn pasta or Margherita pizza, take your pick.”

“You sure?”

“Yes Potter, go. We’ll be just fine.” He hoped.

Thankfully Teddy was easy to deal with after Harry left to go pick up the food.

“I tried forgetting how I felt about him, but your godfather can leave quiet an impression. It’s almost infuriating how I still can’t stand him but I still want the chance to be with him. I guess babysitting you was pretty good after all though.” Draco said, as Teddy lay on Draco’s stomach, his eyes drooping at the sound of Draco’s voice. “I hope I’m not boring you talking about my crush. If my mother wants to spend more time, I’m probably going to have to see you more often. It won’t be so bad. You’re actually rather easy to take care of, thank goodness. I hope you won’t hate me for wanting to see Harry more because of you.”

Teddy made a humming noise as he drifted off to sleep, cuddled up close on Draco’s chest. Draco dropped his phone next to him and gently wrapped his arms around Teddy. He had been apprehensive earlier, but he could see just how Harry could love spending time with him. He also realised something, he couldn’t move. “Great, I’m not with Nova and yet I still end up with a creature on me that’ll complain if I move him.” he said, thinking about his British Longhair who was staying with Pansy for the weekend. “You’re lucky I like you.”

Teddy just let out a little snore before dozing back off.

“I can’t believe he’s there though. I mean, Mum told me that Malfoy was related to them, but I never thought he’d be babysitting. It’s just, I can’t.”

Harry listened to Ginny talking on the other end of the phone as he waited in the nearby Zizi’s for his order. They were almost done, just waiting for the pizza.

“I know. Trust me I was surprised to.”

“And I’m sure many other things, hot and bothered maybe?”

“Gin!” even though he and Ginny no longer dated, they were still good friends. It helped that he was practically a Weasley. After Ginny found out about Harry’s small – she said gigantic but it wasn’t that bad – crush on Draco Malfoy, she would tease him and push him at every chance she got. After they graduated he never expected to see him again. But lo and behold, there Draco was, ready to help take care of Teddy. It was interesting putting their differences behind them and get along, though they still fell back into their usual arguments. Maybe that was something he loved, being able to just go at it but in good fun. He was learning so much about Draco while watching him with Teddy. But still, “I don’t think he thinks of me that way.”

“You’ve got a whole weekend, maybe longer if his mom wants longer with her sister and they have fun up wherever they are. I say take advantage of it, get to know him the way you couldn’t in school. You don’t have the pressures of school so you can be as flirty with him as you want. I insist upon it.”

“I thought you didn’t like him.”

“You like him and that’s all that matters. Harry, other than me and that really awkward relationship with Cho, you’ve never been in a committed relationship and I can’t believe I’m saying this because, yes, I don’t like him, but I think he could be good for you. Now stop stalling and go and seduce him so you can shag him into the next week.”

“Gin.” Harry said, sounding tired. Ginny had a one track mind at times; he had no clue how he didn’t see this before.

“Harry Potter!”

“Yes! I got to go Gin.”

“Promise me you’ll at least try flirting with him, even just a bit.”

“I will, bye.”

Harry collected the food and was back in the Uber heading back to the house, deciding he could at least listen to Ginny on getting to know Draco better. They weren’t in school anymore; he didn’t have to stop himself.

He opened the door, one hand balancing the food, not hearing anything.

“Draco?” Harry asked as he locked the door behind him. He didn’t hear any response and dropped the food off in the kitchen before going to living room, stopping at the sight before him.

Draco laid out on the couch asleep, his arms keeping Teddy on his chest, also sleeping. It was a simple thing, something he had done with Teddy himself but just seeing it with Draco felt different.

“Oh Teddy, your cousin is going to drive me insane.” He muttered, trying to make sure he didn’t take a picture of the cute scene in front of him. But it solidified it for him, he still liked Draco and he really wanted to get to know him more and hopefully date him. Now he had to just survive the weekend. Maybe he could ask Andromeda to stay at the lake house longer so he could spend more time with him.

[drarryexchange]

Hey there, dear Drarry fandom all around the world!

We would like to remind everyone who would like to, but haven't signed up yet to this years Drarry Squad Secret Santa Gift Exchange that you have only about ONE WEEK left to submit your application for participating in the event.

We would also like to thank for everyone who has already signed up. I can tell you people with confidence that there are a hell of a lot of fantastic requests what are waiting for getting into their gift makers hands.

So don't forget, the sign-up is open until October 28. You only need to fill out this form.

You can also find the Schedule here and the FAQ here.

[postjentacular]

@ultraleahbaby; Happy Drarrymas!  Have 4k of soulmate!au, hope you enjoy!   You can’t just waive a trope like soulmate tattoos under my nose and expect me to leave it alone!

Major kudos to the mods over at @drarryexchange for making this all work.

***

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy Additional Tags: HP: EWE, Lucius Malfoy’s A+ Parenting, Implied (albeit canon-typical) child abuse, mutual drunken handjobs in a filthy loo, So many flashbacks Summary:

[Soulmate AU] In which Harry and Draco (unsurprisingly) fail to notice the obvious until it slaps them in the face.

[l0vegl0wsinthedark]

Title: His Happiest Christmas

Pairing: Harry/Draco

Word Count: 6.5k

Rating: NC17

Summary: Harry would've never thought that spending Christmas with Draco Malfoy, doing nothing at all in particular, could bring him as much happiness as it does.

I wrote for the @drarryexchange and wrote this fic for my giftee @jily-died-36-years-ago! 

Hope it’s to your liking. ❤️

[gold-from-straw]

Life Debt

Merry Christmas @rmh8402!! I was so excited when I found out it was you I’d got your prompt for the @drarryexchange Secret Santa! It turned out a lot more angsty than I was expecting, I hope you like it...

You can find the whole story already on AO3

“Thank you for taking the time to meet me, Mr Potter,” said Mrs Malfoy, her hands folded in her lap. She nodded thanks to the house elf as she poured the tea into delicate china cups. Harry felt clumsy just being in the posh tea room. He’d seen it before, set back a little way from Diagon Alley with a pretty courtyard giving the illusion of somewhere more provincial, but he’d never considered going in there.

“I still don’t know why you want to talk to me, if I’m honest, Mrs Malfoy.” He held his own cup gingerly in both hands. He just knew he was going to drop the damn thing.

“Narcissa, please,” she said, sipping her tea. “I’ll get right to the point. I assume you have been keeping abreast of wizarding news?”

Harry raised an eyebrow and refrained from mentioning that she wasn’t exactly at any point, yet, and indeed, he still felt like he was being led in little Malfoy circles. “Yes?”

“Then you will understand that the Malfoy name has become rather…unpopular of late.”

He congratulated himself for not bursting out laughing in her face. “I have noticed.” He wondered what she was going to ask him to do. Give an interview extolling the virtues of Malfoys in general? Remind everyone that both she and Draco had saved his life, like he had at the trials? Not that it had done much good. Draco still had to go to Azkhaban for six months.

She nodded. “It is for this reason that I’ve come to ask you to take Draco to the Yule Ball.”

He was wrong. He wasn’t going to drop the cup. He snapped it in his fist during a coughing fit, after spitting tea through his nose.

After the house elves had cleared up, vanished the shattered shards of porcelain, mended the skin on his hand and replaced everything, all with the minimum of long-suffering looks, Harry turned to Narcissa again. “I’m sorry. For a moment there it sounded like you wanted me to date your son.”

She raised her eyebrows ever so slightly at him. “I don’t see why that’s so surprising, Mr Potter. The Malfoy name needs dragging out of the gutter, you are the most well loved character in the wizarding world, for Draco to accompany you to the Yule Ball seems to me a surefire way to raise our standing in the community. Particularly in light of…recent exposés in the press.”

Harry rubbed the bridge of his nose. The pictures of Malfoy snogging some random bloke in a popular wizarding nightclub had been plastered all over the Daily Prophet for weeks. Harry hadn’t known what to think. On the one hand it had meant Rita bloody Skeeter had stopped yapping about him being a disappointment and failing auror preliminary training for, oh, at least a day. On the other hand, seeing Malfoy like that…well, he hadn’t been able to look away from the photograph. He cleared his throat and pushed the insidious thought to the back of his mind. “How do you even know I’m queer?”

“I didn’t, until now,” she smiled, and ooh, there was that Malfoy smugness. Harry narrowed his eyes at her until she relented. “Very well. I had reason to believe you would be bisexual. The son of one of my very great friends is seeing your ex girlfriend. Ginevra and I have become rather well acquainted over the last six months.”

Harry rolled his eyes. Bloody Ginny. Zabini had turned her into a proper honorary Slytherin, especially if she was making friends with Narcissa Malfoy and apparently telling all his secrets. Just because he’d got drunk one Sunday at the Burrow and might have blurted out that he wasn’t sure which one of the pair was more fuckable. Ginny, thankfully, had found it hilarious. Molly Weasley, not so much. She’d been having trouble enough coping with the fact that her only daughter was dating a Slytherin, Harry commenting on his shaggability was enough for her to threaten to wash his mouth out with soap.

George had been delighted with the new teasing material, though, and to see him act a little like himself again made Molly almost grateful for Harry’s idiocy. In the end.

“Malfoy’ll never agree to it,” he said, shaking his head.

“Draco will understand the political expediency of a match like this. He was prepared to marry Astoria Greengrass until the family pulled out following the media storm. It seems Draco’s six months in Azkhaban is something they’re prepared to work with, but him being gay is not.” She muttered the last sentence into her teacup, and Harry cocked his head on one side. There’s the Narcissa he knew, he thought, the one who lied to the greatest known Legilimens of the century for the sake of her child.

“So you want me to take Malfoy to the ball to…what, shove their face in it?”

“Don’t be uncouth, dear,” she said, pursing her lips. “Of course not. I wish to improve his prospects so he may attract a better match.”

“You’re still going to marry him off to a good pureblood witch after this?”

She didn’t roll her eyes, she was way too posh for that, but oh, Harry could tell she wanted to. “No, Mr Potter, I wish to marry him off to a good pureblood wizard.”

He felt no compunction to hold his eyeballs still. “Oh, so anatomy doesn’t matter, as long as they’re not a muggleborn, is that it?” He snorted. “I should have realised you lot would never change.” Suddenly thoroughly sick of the conversation, he stood up. “I need to get back to work.”

“Mr Potter, I hereby invoke my Life Debt.”

He spun round in place and stared at her. She continued looking straight ahead and blew the steam off her tea before taking a delicate sip. “You’re going to waste a Life Debt on one date?”

“No, I plan to spend my Life Debt on a three month relationship with a high ranking wizard, one which will improve my son’s quality of life for a much longer timescale. I consider it a small price to pay.”

“Three months!”

“Oh, do sit down, you are attracting quite the audience. Yes, three months. That seems like a satisfactory length of time to prove to any potential suitors that my son is capable of conducting a medium term relationship.”

Harry sat and glared at her. “One month,” he said.

She shook her head. “I don’t think you entirely grasp the concept of a Life Debt, Mr Potter. I set the terms, it is not a bargain.”

Harry buried his face in his hands and groaned.

[rapsbaer]

Happy Holidays!! Have this cute little drarry drawing I did for @swiftmalfoy as part of the @drarryexchange this Christmas 🎄 

I don’t really have much to say but this is technically the first time I actually properly finished a drarry drawing ahaha, I do hope that you’re gonna like this and have some lovely holidays!

[potter-art]

Written for my giftee @sailorslash for the 2017 Secret Santa event by @drarryexchange !

Title: The Mystery Thief

Pairing: Draco Malfoy / Harry Potter

Words: 17.5K

Summary:

Inbetween having to figure out a Mystery Thief, dealing with an old lady who's cat obsession could rival that of Mrs. Figg, and having to work together with his former arch-nemesis as his Auror partner, Harry Potter just can't seem to catch a break.

And when had Malfoy even grown his hair out?!

I hope you enjoy it, and Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays!

[daisymondays]

Drarry Fic: Expecting the Unexpected

Title: Expecting the Unexpected (3.5K)

Summary: 

A list of things Draco doesn't expect at Pansy's Annual Christmas Party: 1. Potter to be invited 2. Potter to be pleasant 3. Potter to be interested in Draco.

A list of things that end up happening at Pany's Annual Christmas Party: 1. All of the above

Tags: 

Christmas Party; Drunken Kissing; Drunken Flirting; Mistletoe; First Kiss; Meddling

So I decided to take part in the @drarryexchange this year and my gift is for @harypottur !! And I really hope you like it <3

Also thankyou to @magpiefngrl for doing a fab beta job

Find the fic on AO3

[unearthing-the-ghost]

This for is @feministxibalba for the @drarryexchange! I did two separate versions because I wanted to make sure that you could see them without the words over top of it. I liked the idea of making it into a Greeting Card family photo format that they could send out.

Anyway, I hope that you like it and that you have a great holiday season!

[lower-east-side]

Holy Names (Drarry Secret Santa)

Harry thought he was finished with the Forbidden Forest.  That’s where things go to die, and Harry is alive, right? Maybe Draco can convince him that’s true.

Hey! So I did the @drarryexchange this year, my giftee was @aelys-althea.   I do hope you enjoy it!

Thanks @untilourapathy for the stellar last minute beta.

Holy Names on AO3

[paperairplaned]

I did a Drarry Secret Santa ( @drarryexchange ) and I can now post it!  I wrote a fanfiction for @callingdrarry titled ‘Favours’.  You can find it here if you want to read it!

[arituzz]

and i wonder if i ever cross your mind (for me it happens all the time)

-DRARRY-

for @thespicygay for the @drarryexchange. I hope you like this, happy new year!!

All the love for my amazing beta @velvetnoodle

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley/Pansy Parkinson

Summary: Harry knows his way to happiness is going to be nothing short of difficult. He needs to stop drinking. Go to therapy. Find a job. What he does not calculate is falling in love with Draco Malfoy in the process. 

OR Five times Harry and Draco meet at Pansy’s annual party and one time they don’t. (Plus one time they go together.)

Word count: 5.7k

Rating: T

Tags:  enemies to friends to lovers, alcohol, depression, hurt/comfort, angst, fluff, enemies to lovers, pining, 5 + 1 things

Title from the song “Need You Now,” by Lady Antebellum

Also on AO3

[December 2000]

Harry knows it has to stop.

Ginny is staring accusingly at him from the apartment door, her arms crossed over her chest and a disgruntled frown on her face. “Harry James Potter.”

Full name. So it’s that bad this time.

Harry barely remembers last night, but, judging from the empty bottle of firewhisky discarded beside him, he guesses it wasn’t much different from the other nights since the war ended: Killing the time testing how much alcohol he can handle before passing out on the sofa. Or the floor, like this time. If he’s being honest with himself, Harry barely remembers anything from the past few months.

“I know, Gin,” Harry tells her, sitting up. His head is burning. “I bloody know, trust me.”

“Take this,” Ginny says, offering him a glass of what looks like a mixture of every fizzy drink flavour plus vomit.

“Erm… What is it?” asks Harry.

“Hangover potion.”

“I think I’ll pass,” he says, deciding it’s not worth it. “I’m used to feeling like shit.”

“Not an option,” says Ginny. “Today is the party and I want you presentable.” She pauses, looking at Harry from top to bottom. “Or the closest we can manage. So, here.” Ginny offers Harry the revolting potion again, this time shoving it to his face. “Drink.”

Harry reluctantly takes the glass and makes the mistake to smell the content. It takes him a lot of effort not to gag. “What party?” he asks, and discards the drink on the nearest table.

“The party,” Ginny says. “Pansy’s annual party. She’s going to make our thing official. I told you like a month ago.”

Ugh. Harry really isn’t in the mood for a party. He isn’t in the mood for anything but lying around and drinking himself into oblivion. “I’m sorry, Ginny, I…”

Ginny cuts him off. “Save it,” she says. “I let you choose. Either you come to the party…”  She makes a dramatic pause, for effect. “Or I’ll make Pansy wake you up for the rest of your life.”

“Cruel,” Harry complains. The alternative sounds about as good as dying. Somehow, he will have to get to the party.

“You know I love you,” Ginny says, kissing him on the cheek. “Don’t forget to drink your potion.”

Harry ends up passing out again after Ginny leaves. He only recovers consciousness thanks to a Howler that Ginny sends him, scarily similar to the ones her mother used to send Ron when they were at Hogwarts.

Harry stands up and opts for drinking the potion this time. He grimaces as he swallows the greenish liquid. Definitely worse than hangover, he thinks.

After a quick–but very much needed–shower, Harry manages to Apparate in front of the Parkinsons’.

He isn’t that late–fifteen or twenty minutes– but all the seats are taken when Harry enters the dining hall. All except one. Harry thinks he must have consumed all his luck fighting Voldemort because of-fucking-course the only free space left is beside Draco bloody Malfoy.

Harry glances around quickly in search for someone else to talk to. Anyone. But nobody can save him, all the guests are already enjoying dinner. And Ron and Hermione chose the worst sodding time to go on their honeymoon.

“Shit,” Harry mutters under his breath as he takes the seat.

Malfoy looks bored. “Nice seeing you too, Potter.”

“Shut up, Malfoy,” Harry growls.

“Or what?” Malfoy asks. “You’ll stop gracing me with your presence?”

There’s a hint of exhaustion in Malfoy’s voice. To anyone else, Malfoy may look his usual meticulous, flawless self–he’s clearly put a lot of effort into it. But not to Harry, who has been paying close enough attention for all these years to tell the difference. Harry can see the bags under Malfoy’s eyes, hiding underneath the makeup; his green tie slightly crooked to the left; his smirk, a tad bit too forced; his eyes, lacking their usual spark and providing a glimpse of his exhaustion. Malfoy looks sloppy. Well, as sloppy as Draco Malfoy can be.

It reminds Harry of the Malfoy from the war.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll leave,” Harry says, more to himself than Malfoy.

“Be my guest then,” says Malfoy, half-smirking.

Bloody Malfoy. It’s very tempting to stand up and just leave. Technically, he has come to the party, so that should save him from the Pansapocalypse. But Harry knows how important this party is to Ginny. She would never forgive him if he left.

“Nice beard, by the way,” Malfoy says, sarcastically.

Fuck, Harry inwardly curses. He forgot to shave. Again. “Sod off, Malfoy.”

Harry pours himself a glass of Knotgrass Mead and, as he fights with Malfoy for the better part of the evening, Harry is filled with a familiar sensation he hasn’t felt for a long time.

[December 2001]

A year passes and Harry is still a living mess. Improved, but still a mess.

He doesn’t collapse on the floor anymore, he manages to arrive to bed now. Hangovers are yet horrible but the potion helps. And Ginny. She comes over every day for breakfast–when she isn’t abroad playing Quidditch. Harry suspects that’s her way to make sure he doesn’t spend the day in bed. Ginny’s been pressuring him to get a job, or at least go to therapy, but Harry isn’t ready. He promised her he will do it–both things–just not yet.

“Don’t forget today is the party,” Ginny tells him over breakfast.

Bloody hell. Harry had completely forgotten about it. “Do I have to go this year, too?” he asks, making a face. “You know Pansy hates me.”

“What,” Ginny exclaims more than asks, raising her eyebrows in surprise. “She doesn’t hate you, Harry. In fact, she’s quite fond of you.”

“Gin,” Harry says. “She tried to hand me over to Voldemort.”

“Harry,” says Ginny, her expression suddenly serious. “We all made mistakes. We were at war, for Merlin’s sake!” Harry doesn’t think he’s ever seen Ginny this upset before. “And you don’t know what she had to go through,” she adds. “Just fucking grow up already, you’re not seventeen anymore.”

Harry knows Ginny is right. But people can’t expect him to suddenly trust the ones who, not that long ago, wanted him dead. “Well, she sure has a funny way to show it,” he says.

“I have to go help prepare everything,” Ginny says, standing up and cleaning the breadcrumbs of her–Pansy’s–leather jacket. She’s gotten the bad habit of wearing Pansy’s clothes lately.

“Have fun,” Harry wishes her, taking a sip of the potion. He doesn’t even grimace anymore.

“I will,” she says, opening the door. “And Harry?”

“Yes?”

She gives him one of her Ginny looks that make one wish to be dead, before saying, “Don’t be late this time,” and closes the door behind her.

There is no way Harry will be late this time.

Harry makes sure to shave before Flooing to Hermione and Ron’s place so they can all go together to the Parkinsons’. Going with them is a double win: Harry won’t be late to the party and, most importantly, he won’t have to sit beside Draco bloody Malfoy again.

Harry and Ron spend the night talking about Quidditch, and drinking Butterbeer and elderflower wine–the only alcoholic drinks Hermione lets them have. At least this year Harry doesn’t have to stand Malfoy.

He’s at the other end of the room, talking to Blaise Zabini. Harry can’t help sparing a glance or two over their table. Their conversation doesn’t look too interesting, if Malfoy’s face is any indication. He’s resting his head on his hand, boredly sipping at his drink. He doesn’t look as bad as last year but he still isn’t the same he used to be all those years ago. Although Harry guesses no one is.

Malfoy catches him staring and holds his gaze. Then, abruptly, Malfoy jumps up and walks away. Harry thinks about following him; see what he’s up to. But he discards the idea.

“We’re leaving,” Hermione says, seconds later. Ron is drunk enough to fall asleep on the table at any moment. “Harry, you should go, too.”

Hermione is right. Harry is quite tipsy, too, and he doesn’t want to pass out here of all places. But the elderflower wine is doing its usual effect and Harry needs to take a toilet break. “Yeah,” he says, and excuses himself for the toilet.

Harry’s break should have lasted two minutes, at most, if it weren’t for the annoying person occupying the bathroom, who is taking forever to come out.

Harry has the not-so-brilliant idea of opening the door by force. But, it turns out, he’s drunker than he thought and, as he rushes to the door, he stomps on his foot. At the same time, the door opens from the inside, making him inevitably crash against Draco Malfoy, tumbling them both to the ground.

Malfoy lets out an exasperated sigh. “Sodding Potter,” he curses. “What on Salazar’s name were you doing?”

“Nothing,” Harry says, from on top of Malfoy. “I just wanted to open the door.”

“By falling onto it?”

Harry adjusts his glasses. “What was it taking you so long?”

“None of your business,” spits Malfoy. “Just get off me, already.”

Not without a great deal of effort, Harry manages to hoist himself up onto his elbows, taking a moment so as  not to throw up.

“What the fuck are you staring at, Potter?”

“Obviously not you, Malfoy,” Harry says.

“Yes?” Malfoy says, gritting his teeth. “I’m not a Death Eater anymore, so you don’t have to bloody follow me everywhere like you used to do.” Then, he adds, making a full stop between every word, “Get the fuck off me.”

Harry lifts himself up from Malfoy, balancing himself with a hand against the wall. “That’s…” he starts, but he can’t deny it; he used to follow Malfoy. But for good reasons: He used to be evil. He may still be.

“I’m not the fucking Golden Boy like you, but that doesn’t give you any right to stalk me, Potter,” Malfoy snarls, standing up.

“I’m not following you!”

“Why would I believe you?” asks Malfoy.

“Believe what you want, Malfoy,” Harry says, entering the loo.

When Harry steps out, Malfoy is outside waiting for him to continue their quarrel. Malfoy looks every bit as drunk as Harry. “Seriously, stop following me, Potter,” he says.

Harry is too tipsy to ignore him so he snaps back, “Why don’t you stop following me?”

Ron and Hermione are already gone but Harry is way too amused fighting Malfoy to leave.

They keep fighting for a long time and, maybe due to the influence of the alcohol, the unexpected happens: They end up having a civilized conversation. It’s almost even something close to nice.

But they both keep drinking until they have to be taken home by Ginny and Pansy.

[December 2002]

Harry finally listens to Ginny and starts going to therapy. He and alcohol are no longer friends and, consequently, his life is a little bit less of a mess.

Against all odds, Ginny and Pansy survived all the media pressure that started after them making their thing public and moved in together. Like Hermione and Ron, they pay Harry a visit on the weekends and have tea together.

“You’d better come to the party, Potter,” Pansy tells him, taking the last swig of her tea. She’s wearing one of Ginny’s Quidditch jumpers. “Don’t forget it’s today. Seven sharp,” she says, and it somehow sounds like a menace.

Harry gulps. “Yeah…”

When Harry gets to the house, he realises every guest have their designated place to seat. Something about making it more “classy” now that they have their own house, Pansy says.

He looks over where Hermione and Ron are but Harry’s name isn’t around there. He keeps looking until he finds his name card–far from his friends.

As Harry goes to sit down, a small miscalculation in distance makes his foot trip with the chair and stumble onto the person sitting next to him, being it none other than Draco bloody Malfoy.

“Sodding Potter,” Malfoy hisses, flattening his suit and picking off an imaginary speck of dust.

Harry gets back to his feet, wishing the earth would swallow him up. “Sorry, Malfoy. I didn’t see you.”

“Are you doing it on purpose?” Malfoy snarls, crossing his arms.

“No!” Harry protests and sits down on his seat.

Malfoy bites his lip and briefly shakes his head. “Then why is it always me the victim of your severe lack of motor coordination?”

“I didn’t ask to be placed next to you, Malfoy,” says Harry.

“What do you even wear glasses for?” Malfoy mutters. “At least this year you don’t stink of vomit.”

“Yeah,” Harry admits. “Hangover potion.”

“What?” Malfoy asks, confused.

“The smell. It was hangover potion,” Harry explains, at the same time dinner is served, which gives him the opportunity to take a brief pause, while bringing a piece of Yorkshire pudding to his mouth. “I kind of was going through a rough time,” he continues. Harry doesn’t know why he’s telling Malfoy about his problems, nor if he even cares, but it actually feels… relieving.

Malfoy says, so low it’s almost a whisper, “I was having a bad time, too.” He’s looking down at his plate, playing with his fork.

Harry remembers the Malfoy from two years ago, trying really hard to hide his exhaustion. Certainly not his favourite Malfoy. “I’m sorry,” is all Harry can say.

Malfoy doesn’t say another word for the rest of dinner.

When dessert comes, Harry is too eager to eat the chocolate cake, with the result of it falling from the spoon right before Harry can put it into his mouth.

Malfoy tries to stifle a laugh. “You are way too cack-handed for being an auror,” he says.

“Malfoy?” Harry asks, genuinely surprised. “Are you shitting me?”

“No?” Malfoy says, . “You have to admit it, Potter, you aren’t the most dexterous person.”

“No, I know that,” says Harry. “But I’m not an auror.”

“Whatever,” says Malfoy, discarding his dessert plate. “Minister?”

“Don’t you read The Daily Prophet?” Harry asks, this time managing to eat a spoonful of cake.

“I am not in the habit of reading garbage.”

With his mouth full, Harry says, “I’m nothing.”  He finishes his cake and starts nervously tapping his foot against the table leg. “I mean, I don’t have a job.”

“Oh,” says Malfoy, surprised. “Since Weasley is an auror, I assumed…” he trails off. “Why don’t you teach at Hogwarts, then?”

“What?”

“Didn’t you already use to do it in fifth year?” asks Malfoy. “With your little Dumbledore’s army?” It visibly pains Draco to even say his name.

“Yes!” Harry smiles remembering how happy it made him. “We had to stop, though. Thanks to you.”

“Nobody is stopping you now.”

“I guess you’re right, Malfoy,” Harry says.

“I always am,” Malfoy smirks.

“What about you?” asks Harry.

“What about me?”

“Are you working?”

“Not at the moment,” Malfoy replies.

“Is there anything you’d like to do?”

Malfoy thinks about it before answering, “Might be a Healer.”

It is a mystery to Harry why Malfoy is telling him all that. He doesn’t remember the exact moment when they started tolerating each other and stopped being sworn enemies. And it occurs to Harry that maybe they never were. “Then go for it,” he says, smiling.

The night passes by rather fast and soon it’s time to go back home. Harry never thought it was possible to hold a decent conversation with Malfoy, while being completely sober.

[December 2003]

Harry becomes professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Headmaster McGonngall was very pleased when Harry applied for the job–it turned out to be a challenge finding a decent professor who wasn’t afraid of the jinx that position used to have.

For once in his life, Harry has to thank Malfoy for the advice. He actually has thought quite a lot about Malfoy this past year, especially at Hogwarts.

Ginny comes alone for breakfast at 12 Grimmauld Place for Christmas. Even though Harry lives at Hogwarts during the school year, Ginny still drops by from time to time.

“The party is tonight, right?” Harry asks her.

“Yes, Pansy is in charge of the seats arrangements this time, so don’t worry,” she says. “I’m so sorry about last year’s mistake, Harry.”

“It’s okay, Gin,” Harry assures her. “I survived.”

“Plus, Pans says she’s reserved you the best place.”

“I guess she isn’t that evil after all,” Harry jokes. Harry wouldn’t consider Pansy Parkinson his best friend but he has to admit she’s actually quite decent after all. “Does she know you call her Pans behind her back?”

Ginny brings a finger to her lips, mouthing, “Shh.”

Harry wonders what place has Pansy reserved for him and plays with the idea of it being next to Draco Malfoy. Last year was actually very nice and Harry wouldn’t mind sitting beside him again this year.

But of course that won’t happen, because Pansy thinks they hate each other.

Harry arrives at the party quite early. He finds his place, at the far end of the table and notices that there’s only another plate beside him and then there are many empty seats, isolating them from the rest. Harry peers at the name card beside him, taking it in his hand to see it closer.

There’s no mistake. The card reads Draco Malfoy.

“That’s my seat, Potter.”

Harry jumps, dropping the card with Malfoy’s name. His knees give out, but he somehow manages not to fall onto Malfoy. Again.

“Already drunk?” Malfoy asks as he swings into his seat.

Harry ruffles his hair in frustration. “No, I was just…”

“Staring at my name?”

“Yeah,” Harry says. “I mean…” Harry feels an uncontrollable surge of heat rushing to his cheeks.

Malfoy laughs.

“What?” Harry asks, ignoring the lump in his stomach.

“Nothing. It’s just too funny to see you all flustered.”

“I’m not…” starts Harry.

“It’s fine, Potter,” Malfoy says.

Harry finds his legs are working enough to sit. “So, uhm. We have to sit together again, huh?”

“Apparently so.” Malfoy fakes a disgusted look.

“I’ve been told it’s Pansy’s doing this year,” Harry tells him.

“Oh, is that so?” Malfoy says, uninterested. “So I heard you’re the new professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts?”

“Are you reading the Prophet again?” Harry asks, surprised.

“Salazar, no. Pansy told me,” he says. “Anyway, congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“Also, guess who’s just become a Healer,” says Malfoy, smirking.

“I told you you could do it!” Harry is so happy he could actually hug Malfoy right now.

“Thank you, Potter,” Malfoy says and Harry’s stomach twists into a knot again. Because Malfoy is smiling. Not smirking. A genuine Draco Malfoy Smile. Harry didn’t think those existed.

“Want to know something?” Malfoy asks out of the blue.

“Yeah?”

“The beard,” Malfoy says. “It really suited you.”

Harry guesses Malfoy is just drunk but the comment makes something stir inside him. “Thanks,” he says, and continues eating.

Harry has a nice time talking to Malfoy until they realise they’re the only ones left in the party and go separate ways.

[December 2004]

Harry kind of spends the whole year looking forward to the annual party. Last year’s proved to be very entertaining and he may or may not miss having a conversation with Draco.

And it’s not like he can break into the Malfoy Manor and demand to have tea with Draco. Although he supposes he could invite Draco over. But Harry is trapped in too many “what-ifs”: What if he says no? What if he laughs at Harry’s invitation? What if it annoys him? What if it angers him? It’s a nice thought, though. Having tea with Draco Malfoy.

This year, Ginny is abroad for a match and will not be in England until later in the afternoon, so Pansy comes alone for breakfast at Harry’s.

She brings muffins and scones and is a surprisingly nice company.

“For being a Slytherin you aren’t that bad,” Harry tells her, finishing his muffin.

Pansy flashes him a murderous look and gives him the finger.

“No, seriously, Pans,” Harry insists. “You are great. Ginny is lucky to have you in her life.”

“Don’t get it wrong, Potter. I am the lucky one, but…” Pansy says, suddenly all serious. “Do you think she will want to be lucky with me for the rest of her life?”

“Wait,” Harry says. “Are you… going to propose?”

Pansy nods and takes out a little box from inside her leather jacket. She opens it and shows it to Harry. Inside it, there’s a ring with a green band and a little red diamond in the center.

“Wow.”

“Yeah,” Pansy says, pocketing it back.

“Of course she will say yes,” says Harry.

“Thank you,” Pansy says, making her way to the door. Before leaving, she turns around, catching Harry’s gaze. “Also, Potter?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t call me Pans ever again,” she deadpans. “Or you’ll regret it.” Which in Pansy language means, “or you die.”

Harry swallows.

Pansy’s lips curl up in a devious smirk. “See you later, Potts.”

Harry arrives to the Parkinson-Weasley house half an hour early to help the couple with anything they need. (Not because he was bored.)

Pansy told Harry this year everyone could choose where to sit. No name cards. She said it’s “an experiment.”

The only other guest already at the party is Draco. He’s talking animatedly to Ginny, helping her with the cutlery arrangement. Harry wonders when these two became friends.

Malfoy’s attire is even more fancy than the past years. He’s wearing a light blue suit that fits him just perfectly in all the right places. When it comes to clothing–among other things, Harry’s mind adds–Draco Malfoy never disappoints.

“Liking what you see, Potter?”

Pansy’s voice startles Harry, making him deviate his attention back to the task in hand. It occurs to Harry that he’s been staring at Ginny and Malfoy for quite a long time and Pansy could have mistaken the situation.

“You know I don’t like Ginny,” he hurries to assure her. “I mean, I love her. Just as friends, you know that.”

Then, Pansy does something Harry has never seen her do: She bursts out laughing. “Calm down, Harry, I know,” she says, recovering. “I wasn’t talking about her.” Pansy winks an eye at Harry and goes talk to her girlfriend.

Harry wonders what she meant. Was she possibly talking about Draco? No, that’s crazy.

Harry walks over where Draco is and tells him about Pansy and the ring because he just can’t hold it in.

Draco looks genuinely surprised. “Ginevra and I have been planning this for months,” he says. “She will also propose today.”

“What? They both plan to propose today?”

“We’ll see,” Draco laughs.

“Who do you think will propose first?” Harry asks.

“Want to bet?” Draco says, arching his eyebrows and taking a bottle of Dragon Barrel Brandy.

Harry is tempted to say yes. He really wants to say yes. Not to the alcohol, but to Draco.

But he can’t drink.

Or maybe he can, if he can manage to somehow turn the brandy into something non-alcoholic. Harry quickly thinks of every spell he knows, but can’t come up with anything useful. But, luckily, he knows the best person for that. Hermione.

“Yes,” he tells Draco and excuses himself for a toilet break.

After he convinces Hermione to spell his glass so that it turns alcoholic beverages into virgin ones, Harry takes his seat back and pours him and Draco a glass of brandy. “I bet Pans proposes first,” he says.

Draco fails to fight a laugh. “If she ever hears you call her that…”

Draco’s laugh is contagious and it always catches Harry by surprise. It’s that rare kind of phenomenon that makes you stare stupidly at it before realising you are unable to move. Harry thinks it will never fail to amaze him. “Don’t tell her,” he says.

“What do we do while we wait?” Draco asks.

“We could bet on other things,” Harry suggests.

They spend the night competing about who can come up with the silliest bet, and getting smashed in the process. Well, faking it, in Harry’s case.

Draco keeps giving Harry what appear to be casual touches here and there: A hand lingering on Harry’s shoulder; their fingers brushing as Draco takes the bottle from Harry’s hand; Draco’s sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his forearm grazing the back of Harry’s hand. But Harry isn’t fooled; nothing Draco Malfoy ever does is casual.

Harry, though, has slipped into a perfect drunk impersonation, so he pretends not to notice. But a thought that he’s been unconsciously avoiding makes its way to the top of Harry’s head: What if he likes Draco?

“I bet we can’t get outside without being caught,” Draco says, loosening his tie, amusedly looking at Harry.

Uneventfully, Harry and Draco make it to the front of the house and settle on the bench, Draco’s leg perilously close to Harry’s.

“I bet you can’t kiss Ron,” Harry says, playfully.

“I would rather die,” says Draco, and chugs the rest of the brandy.

After discarding the bottle, Draco stretches out and lays his head on Harry’s shoulder. The silence is suddenly so loud Harry can barely hear his own thoughts. Which is a good thing, because Harry would rather just ignore them.

Draco moves his head lightly, his pointy nose breathing against Harry’s neck. Harry turns around to look at him and their noses touch. Draco’s eyes are closed.

Draco’s face looks so peaceful under the dim light of the night sky that Harry doesn’t even dare to breathe. Their lips are millimeters apart.

“I bet you can’t kiss me,” Draco whispers, so low Harry doesn’t know if he’s imagined it.

Harry’s throat is so dry he can’t speak, his heart echoing in his ear so loud it’s like it has multiplied a thousandfold.

Harry moves his mouth to Draco’s, abusing that blurry gray area between kissing and accidentally brushing lips, and it feels the bravest thing he’s ever done. Saving the world was easy in comparison.

Everything stands still for a moment. Their lips. The world.

Then, Draco’s lips start moving slowly against Harry’s. Harry kisses him back and then he suddenly wants more. He holds Draco’s head in his hands, his mouth fiery and demanding.

Draco complies, letting Harry kiss him deeper, his hands tugging at Harry’s hair. A soft moan escapes Draco’s mouth, fucking murdering Harry’s last brain cell.

Harry doesn’t think he’ll ever get enough of Draco Malfoy.

But then Harry remembers that Draco is drunk, and he isn’t. Which can mean Harry might be taking advantage of the situation. “I should go,” Harry says, breaking the kiss. Pretending this isn’t the best freaking thing that’s ever happened to him.

“Me too,” says Draco, his Adam’s apple lifting and lowering as he swallows.

Harry urgently needs to do something before he’s all over Draco again, so he turns around and leaves.

[December 2005]

Harry’s year is a slow-motion torture. What happened between him and Draco has colonized Harry’s mind: He can’t stop thinking about Draco and the kiss.

He spent the first months trying to convince himself that it was a mistake. In March he gave up and started thinking about how much he liked it. In May he came to the conclusion that what he really likes is Draco Malfoy himself. In July he considered and discarded going to the Manor and trying something out of it all. In September he remembered Draco was smashed the day of the kiss and he probably doesn’t even remember. In November he realises he has missed Draco all year, badly. And it finally dawns on him that he’s fucked. Because he’s in love with Draco Malfoy.

When Harry arrives to the annual party, only Ginny and Pansy are there. Fact that may have something to do with Harry being one hour early. (Not that he’s anticipating anything. Or anyone.)

This year, Harry has opted for finally following Pansy’s advice about the clothing etiquette. He’s wearing a black dress robe–one of the finest from Madam Malkin’s–over a dark gray suit vest that Pansy chose. And he’s grown a beard, too.

Harry helps his friends with the final arrangements and takes a seat while he waits for the rest of the guests to arrive. One in particular.

But Harry waits and waits. And Draco never comes.

And despite Harry being crowded by most of his friends, he actually feels… alone. Harry thinks of drinking his loneliness away, but the simple sight of alcohol brings him memories of Draco and last year’s party. And the kiss.

Harry starts pacing across the room, ignoring every person who approaches him to talk, until the place feels too small and Harry is overpowered by the urge to run. So he does. He leaves the house and runs away.

Almost unconsciously, Harry Apparates in front of the Malfoy Manor.

After twenty minutes waiting for a response from inside the Manor, Harry falls to the floor, resting his back against the iron gates. He isn’t sure about what he is doing here, or what he expects from Draco. Something. Just anything would do. Seriously, Draco could come out right now and kick Harry in the shin and Harry would be happy.

But he doesn’t. (Get out.) (Nor kick him in the shin.)

Harry can’t believe his relationship–or friendship, or whatever the fuck–with Draco has ended before it even started.

He tries it one last time. But, instead of ringing the doorbell, Harry sends Draco a Patronus Charm.

Five minutes. Twenty. Half an hour. Nothing.

Harry stands up and gives the Manor one last look. And then the gates open. He stares stupidly at them until he comes back to his senses and starts running through the driveway.

Draco is sitting on the step before the door, staring at the ground.

Harry takes a minute to enjoy the sight. What is he going to tell him? Harry sighs, steading himself. “Draco,” is all he says. And it’s like a spell, making him feel instantly better. Because it’s the first time he’s said Draco’s name out loud.

Draco looks up and their eyes meet. And the world stops.

Draco stands up so that they’re only inches apart. Harry swallows. He feels more than sees Draco grabbing him by the collar. His nostrils flare and Harry thinks he must be very angry. “Potter,” he finally says, his voice breaking. Harry’s heart breaking. “Fucking. Potter.”

Harry thinks Draco might kill him tonight. But instead, he kisses him.

Locking eyes with Draco Malfoy can make the world stop. Locking lips with him makes the world melt.

Draco pins Harry against the wall and angles his head, deepening the kiss. Reconstructing Harry’s heart one kiss at a time.

Somehow–very inelegantly, and without leaving each other’s lips–they make it inside the Manor.

Correction: They make it to the Manor’s Hall floor, because kissing and walking at the same time is sodding hard and Harry already has problems with the latter alone.

Draco laughs against Harry’s lips. “You bloody fucking stupid clumsy shite.”

“Wow,” Harry says, staring at Draco and probably grinning like an idiot. “Where did your eloquence go?”

Draco stops laughing and just stares at Harry. Softly, he runs a hand along Harry’s cheek and slowly reaches up for Harry’s mouth, closing his eyes and parting his lips. This, Harry decides. This is his favourite Draco Malfoy.

When Harry wakes up in the morning, he is sure he’s just dreamt it all. But then he finds himself alone in Draco’s bed. He has a moment of panic, thinking Draco might have run away, before he enters the room carrying breakfast on a tray.

“What’s that face for, Potter?”

Harry fights a smile. “Just call me Harry,” he says, pulling Draco into a kiss.

“By the way,” Draco says. “Nice beard, Harry.”

[December 2006]

Draco carefully fixes Harry’s–Draco’s, actually–green tie. He bites his lower lip, as he does when he’s concentrated, his pale blue eyes focused on the tie.

Harry still can’t help feeling a springing on his chest every time Draco is this close–so close that he can feel Draco’s breath on his face–which is all the time. “I kind of told Ginny,” Harry tells him.

Draco moves his gaze to Harry’s eyes, letting go of the tie. “You did what?”

“And Ron. And Hermione,” Harry adds, averting his eyes. “Maybe Luna, too.”

“Harry,” Draco says trying to sound stern, but his face betrays him. “We agreed to keep it a secret.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Harry says. “I swear I tried but they sort of pried it out of me.”

“How?”

Harry shrugs. “They kept asking me why I was so happy,” he says, meeting Draco’s eyes. “Also Ron caught us once showering in my apartment.”

“Ew.”

Harry laughs at Draco’s faked expression of disgust. “He spent two days without looking at me in the eye.”

“That doesn’t sound half bad,” says Draco, a smile hiding in the corners of his mouth. “Actually,” he adds. “Pansy already knew.”

“She knew?” Harry asks.

“She saw us kissing.”

“When?”

“Two years ago,” says Draco. “You don’t remember because you drank your weight in brandy but…”

“I wasn’t drunk,” Harry confesses. “I thought you were drunk.”

“I used a magical alcohol drainer. I…”  Draco trails off. “I wanted to remember.”

“Remember?” Harry asks, confused.

“Maybe I was planning on kissing you that night.”

Draco’s hands travel back to Harry’s tie, only to pull at it this time, making their lips clash together. Harry places his arms around Draco’s neck, where he wants to spend the next five hundred years, and kisses him back.

Harry recognises the familiar sensation filling his chest every time he’s near Draco: Happiness.

-FIN-

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The Tale of Draco and the Bloody Love Letters

AUTHOR: First of all this is my own fic and therefore not a recommendation. This is my contribution to the drarry secret santa exchange by @drarryexchange . This was a lot of fun so thank you soo much for organizing it! Like I said, I had a lot of fun writing this for my person, @qpocpotter !!!! I hope you like it!!! Also Sorry it’s a little late….Technical issues 

Pairing(s): Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Hinted Ginny Weasley/Blaise Zabini

Summary: Draco Malfoy wasn’t known for writing love letters until eighth year when he starts writing them anonymously to Harry Potter. (I suck at summaries)

Word Count: ~5k

Rating: T

Tags: Fluff, eight year, love letters, Hogwarts

Draco Malfoy had never been one for sappy romantic gestures, he would normally skip all the tedious pining and just get straight to the snogging. However, Harry Potter never did fit Draco’s definition of normal, even less so after the wizarding war when the reason for his slight obsession for the other boy became crystal clear. As much as he hated to admit it, he was in love with the boy who lived.

This story takes place after the beginning of his eighth year being spent avoiding the Gryffindor in hopes of ridding himself of his confusing feelings. He finally decided he needed an outlet for said and proceeded to formulate a plan that he considers very Hufflepuff. This is the tale of Draco Malfoy and the Bloody Love Letters.

 _______________________________________________________________

“I cannot believe you are actually going through with this! I mean it’s about time but I’ve never pegged you for someone to write something so-” The girl paused a moment looking for an appropriate word, “sappy.” Draco sighed, he was expecting this kind of reaction from Pansy, considering she was correct.

“I know, I just need get it out of my system.” He groaned.

“Are you going to send it?”

After many hours of wracking his brain, he finally came up with the idea to anonymously write the boy about his feelings, though he never planned to send it.

“Are you kidding Pansy? It’s a bloody love letter, of course I’m not going to send it!” He replied, “I’m not about to degrade myself like that just because of some stupid fucking crush.”

Pansy smirked, “Well, it’s too bad you aren’t currently in possession of the so-called ‘bloody love letter’, it’d be a shame if it somehow accidentally found its way to Potter.”

“You wouldn’t dare-” Draco started, but with a flick of her wand, the letter was placed in an envelope, sealed and given to an owl.

“Oops, my hand slipped.” And with that, the owl was off to deliver the letter and Draco was left scowling.

 _______________________________________________________________

Harry Potter, has been feeling out of sorts lately. Everybody can see it and though no one knows why, there have been many speculations, mainly from his two best friends. Ron has a theory that since Voldemort is gone, he is feeling an emptiness due to the lack of conflict. Harry thinks that Ron’s theory is bloody insane, sure his eighth year hasn’t been as exciting the years prior but there also isn’t a sense of impending doom and frankly he’d take boredom over death any day.

Hermione’s theory is slightly more plausible, and even has some truth to it. She believes that he is upset because Draco’s been ignoring him and she has the crazy idea that he is in love with him. Harry WILL admit that his mood is due to Malfoy ignoring him, but he is definitely not in love with him. He just finds his behaviour a little off putting. The last time Malfoy ceased his taunting, it did not end well for either of them.

“Harry, you haven’t even touched your breakfast!” He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of Hermione’s voice.

“Sorry Hermione.” He replied sheepishly. Before he could say anything else, the mail arrived. The regular sounds of excitement from the first years filled the air. ‘You’d think they’d be used to it by n-’ Harry’s thought was interrupted when a letter landed in his breakfast, addressed to him. He carefully opened it and read over the very neat writing,

Harry,

You won’t know who I am from this letter but I suppose that’s kind of the point isn’t it. This is incredibly embarrassing but I just had to do something.

The point of this letter is to inform you of this small crush I seem to have developed, I’m not sure when it came about but all of a sudden when I looked at you time would seem to slow down, all that existed in those moments was you. I never imagined myself writing something this sappy but you cause little else to matter than my feelings and that is reflected in my thoughts and writings. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m in love with you but I will say, this is the strongest I’ve ever felt about something and I hate myself for it.

Writing this letter disgusted me because I never knew I could sound so Hufflepuff, especially when it’s addressed to a Gryffindor.

Sincerely,

You may never know.

Upon completion, he stared at the letter dumbly. He has gotten many letters from secret admirers but never did they sound so at war with their emotions. They usually went on and on about how brave he was and how he’s the chosen one and his defeat of Voldemort. This letter was different. This letter intrigued him, he wanted to know more.

He quickly cast a tracing charm on it but unfortunately this person was probably incredibly smart and included anti-trace charms. ‘This should be interesting.’ He thought.

 _______________________________________________________________ 

Draco definitely did not watch the Gryffindor table when the mail came, and he did not notice that the look on a certain Gryffindor’s face was not one of disgust like he had expected, but one of curiosity.

And, he was certainly not thinking about the boy in class when he was supposed to be paying attention.

“Mr. Malfoy, care to give us the answer?” A voice disturbed him from a particular daydream that was not school appropriate. He glanced at the board and almost sighed in relief, he may not have been paying attention but he was not an idiot. “The answer Mr. Malfoy?”

“It’s a spell to slow down and obstruct attackers.” He replied.

“Very good.” This time Draco really did sigh in relief, if he had gotten it wrong, Pansy wouldn’t have let him hear the end of it. ‘I’m really gone for this boy, aren’t I?’

 _______________________________________________________________

The rest of the day passed by quickly, Draco continued about as normal, though with slightly gained confidence, began taunting Harry Potter once again. Sadly, he was not the only one to notice this change.

He walked into the Slytherin common room and almost turned around immediately. There sitting on chair in front of the entrance, legs crossed and knowing smirk on her face was none other than Pansy Parkinson, the girl that tormented Draco endlessly.

Proud of his own cleverness, Draco had decided to smirk back and voice this thought, which earned him a punch on the shoulder.

“You twat, you should be nicer to me since obviously I helped you out.” Pansy said rolling her eyes.

“Ok, I admit I no longer want to strangle you for sending that letter but that doesn’t make me want to be nice to you.” He replied.

“Anyways, what do you plan to do from here? Go up to him in the corridor, slam him against a wall and snog him senseless? Shag him on McGonagall’s desk?” She quipped. “Or perhaps something more subtle like writing him another letter?”

“Well I do rather like the image of shagging on McGonagall’s desk,” Pansy scrunched up her nose, “However, I think I’d prefer to stay in Hogwarts so I guess I’ll settle for writing more letters.”

“Damn you and your annoying wit for putting that godawful image in my head.” Pansy stated dramatically, Draco just smirked in reply.

 _______________________________________________________________

Harry was annoyed. It has been a week and he’s been getting letters, similar to the first, every day. He didn’t want them to stop. Quite the contrary, he found them quite charming actually, he just wanted to know who they were from. He was also growing increasingly upset with Malfoy, of course he just had to start being an annoying git again, right when something interesting was happening.

“Hermione, what do I do? You must have some idea!” He groaned. She has always been the smart one, but they’ve been thinking about this for three days and she still has no ideas. Ron wasn’t helping with his ludicrous suggestions either.

“Well, I’ve been analyzing the letters you have gotten and I think I can deduce what house they’re in. However, I have not been able to learn anything else, as whoever it is, is taking great care not to reveal anything about themselves.”

“That’s fantastic! You can really narrow it down to a single house? You’re bloody brilliant!” Ron mused, pressing a quick kiss to his girlfriend’s lips.

“Well, in the first letter they weren’t as careful as the subsequent ones. They stated it was very Hufflepuff of them to be writing these things and since this seemed to place a negative connotation on how romantic they were being, it obviously rules out Hufflepuff.” She paused looking at the boys’ bewildered faces, “The next house we can rule out is Gryffindor for slightly more obvious reasons.”

“Because they were addressed me as a Gryffindor?”

“Precisely Harry, so that leaves Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Though they seem to have a negative opinion on both Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors so my money’s on Slytherin.” She finished, looking quite proud of herself.

“Oh bloody hell, of course it’s a Slytherin, that’s just your luck Harry.” Ron said, though a quick glance at Harry told Ron he didn’t care, Harry Potter was absolutely beaming.

“Hermione, you are brilliant!” He said happily, leaning over to give her a hug. “I think I’m going to write them back.”

“What?! Mate, are you insane? How do you plan to do that?” Ron asked.

“Well, I’ll just write a reply and tell the owl to find who to send it to?” He said unsurely, “Do you think it’ll work Hermione?”

“I think it is plausible, write out a response tonight and then when the owl drops off your next letter, you can ask it to bring the letter to whoever it came from.” She stated.

“Hey, then Harry can just watch who the owl goes to.”

“I don’t think so Ron, this person is very clever, they must have given the owl strict instructions to bring any replies to them at a different time.” With Hermione’s thought in mind, Harry left to the boys’ room in order to write his letter.

 ___________________________________________________________

The next day, Draco was surprised when the owl he had been using to write to Harry came to him with a letter addressed to no one. He reluctantly accepted said letter, but before opening it he hesitated. ‘What if it’s cursed?’ he thought, but as he stared down at the sealed envelope his curiosity got the better of him, ‘to hell with it!’ he thought as he quickly pulled out a letter with atrocious handwriting. He held his breath as he began to read:

Dear random person,

I don’t know who you are and my curiosity is eating me from the inside out. But, do not worry, this letter isn’t going to be me just begging to know who you are, that’s not important right now.

I’m writing this as an acknowledgement and a thank you. I obviously got your letters (if you haven’t figured it out) and frankly, I cannot stop thinking about them. You are beautiful with your wording and I am so incredibly flattered. I have never had someone go into so much detail. I have gotten letters from admirers yes, but those are so much different from your’s. You seem to know me quite well as a person while usually people just like me for my status which is bollocks really. I’m amazed and intrigued and really hope one day you’ll tell me who you are.

By the way, don’t freak out, there is no tracking charm on this or whatever and I just told your owl to bring this to you, I like a bit of mystery and discovering your identity would ruin that for me. I would like to know though, what gender are you? Not that it matters, either gender is ok really, I just think it would be easier to write you back if I knew.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Ps. Sorry this rambles on and is awkward to read…I’m not good with my words.

Draco threw down the letter. ‘Holy shit, Potter answered, was not expecting that’ he thought. ‘I need to find Pansy.’ He got up from his chair in the library and went to the Slytherin common room, letter in hand.

 _____________________________________________________________

“I don’t see what the problem is, this is good isn’t it?” Pansy sighed. She was just trying to enjoy her night when Draco came in and ranted to her for about an hour.

“Pansy, I don’t think you heard me. He. Wrote. Back.”

“And?”

“And, what the hell am I supposed to do now. This is supposed to help me get over this, and I can’t bloody well do that when he responds and ignites the fire again!” the boy exclaimed, he was exhausted from trying to explain this to her.

“Look, why don’t you just continue writing to him cause I know you Draco and you don’t want that fire to go out completely, I can see it in your eyes. You are as curious about him as he is about you!” She yelled finally rendering Draco Malfoy speechless.

“But-“

“Just give it up Draco, besides I like you better when you don’t ramble on about Potter this and Potter that. Now how about we get Blaise and have a few drinks.”

 _______________________________________________________________

“Hermione! It’s a boy!” Harry Potter yelled quietly while walking into potions class.

“Harry, mate, by exclaiming things like that the school’s going to think you have a child,” Ron said shaking his head.

“Sorry, but I’m excited, I’m slowly narrowing it down!”

“That’s fantastic Harry, want me to look at the letter?” Hermione asked. ‘She’s always so supportive of me-’ Harry’s thought was interrupted by a loud obnoxious voice.

“Whatcha got there Potter? The weaselette writing you love letters again?” Malfoy teased.

“Sod off Malfoy, I’m in a good mood right now and don’t need you to ruin it.” Harry replied, noticing that for a split second the Slytherin seemed taken aback. As quickly as the emotion flitted across his face, it was gone and replaced with a small glare before Malfoy turned around.

Something about the reaction irked Harry and he soon found himself saying, “And, for your information Malfoy, Ginny and I broke up a while ago.”

Malfoy turned around and gave him a questioning look before very sarcastically saying, “Good to know Potter, I’m oh so glad you feel the need to fill me in on every aspect of your love life.”

The look Draco was giving Harry suddenly got very intense and Harry could feel himself yearning. He wasn’t sure what exactly caused this but he did know he was slowly giving in to the temptation. As he was about to act on it, Professor Slughorn walked in, breaking the trance.

Both the boys scrambled to sit in their respective seats while the class just looked on confused at what just happened. As Slughorn began to teach, hushed whispers fell across the crowd.

“Harry what was that just now?” Ron asked.

“What do you mean?” Harry feigned innocence.

“You and Malfoy were just standing, staring!”

“I certainly wasn’t staring, but if Dr-Malfoy was staring could you blame him? I’m irresistible!” Harry joked.

“Oh yeah mate, I’m sorry you have to find out this way but I’m totally attracted to you.” Ron joked.

“I knew it! Hermione I’m sorry but your boyfriend is in love with me!” Harry sighed dramatically.

“Mr. Potter, is there something you’d like to share with the class?” Professor Slughorn asked.

“No sir,” he replied hastily.

“They were just talking about how Ron is in love with Harry sir.” Hermione supplied, the entire class started laughing.

“Sometimes I wonder why I’m dating you,” Ron stated with a sigh at her smirk.

 _____________________________________________________________

Draco was irritable, ‘How the hell am I supposed to get over that prat when he looks at me like that!’ he wondered.

“I don’t know!” Pansy exclaimed, exhausted from her best friend’s rambling.

“Wh-, what? Wait, did I say that out loud?” Draco asked taken aback.

“Duh!”

“You’re right about that look though, it was definitely weird, even for Potter.” Blaise spoke up, ignoring Pansy’s frustration.

“Why don’t you ask him in a letter if you’re that concerned?” Pansy groaned.

“Keep it down will you?” Draco hissed. ‘The last thing I need is for Potter to hear!” Though as he thought about it, he realized it wasn’t a bad idea.

 _______________________________________________________________

On the other side of the great hall, Harry Potter was staring intently. He was just as confused as Draco was about that look earlier and was trying to figure out what it all meant.

“Harry, eat something! You’ve been staring at the Slytherin table for forty minutes!” Hermione exclaimed.

“No I haven’t” Harry replied not taking his eyes off the eighth year Slytherins but shoving a forkful of food in his mouth. Just then, Harry heard a very hushed utterance of ‘Potter’ in the silver haired boy’s voice and his ears perked up.

He didn’t hear much of the conversation but assumed it was some sort of agreement as both Parkinson and Zabini were nodding their heads along with Draco. Harry was just about to focus on his food once and for all until he heard the word ‘letter’.

Normally, one would not think much of this word but for Harry, everything clicked at once. The notes, the stares, Draco being as annoying as ever, it was all connected.

Throughout the great hall everyone went silent as a very audible gasp could be heard coming from the Gryffindor table, followed by Harry Potter quickly rising from his seat and exiting, Hermione and Ron on his heels.

As Harry practically ran to the Gryffindor tower, Hermione and Ron were firing questions at him rapidly.

“What was that?”

“A gasp.”

“Why?”

“I think I know.”

“Know what?”

“Who my admirer is!” He replied turning around to face them.

“WHAT?!” Hermione and Ron yelled in unison. “Do tell.” Hermione continued.

“Well…”

 _________________________________________________________

It has been a couple of days since Harry left the great hall quickly. Draco has yet to write the letter demanding an explanation for why Harry and ‘Malfoy’ shared such a heated look. He had it all planned out to make it sound as though it wasn’t him and was finally heading to his room to write it.

As Draco approached the boys’ dorm, he got a weird feeling that something wasn’t right. His suspicions were confirmed when he opened the door to find a letter on his bed addressed to him. He reluctantly opened it, and the knot in his stomach grew.

Draco,

You are probably wondering why you are currently holding a letter with such atrocious handwriting. Well, I just want to tell you that I know. I know, it’s you who wrote me all those beautiful letters, it’s you who might not hate me as much as I once thought and it’s you who I have fallen for in the past couple of weeks. To tell you the truth I’m not 100% certain I have this right and I don’t even care because it feels right.

Meet me at the Quidditch Pitch at midnight, I feel we have a lot to talk about. I’ll be waiting

~Harry Potter

Draco stared at the letter and reread it a couple of times. ‘This CAN. NOT. Be happening.’ He screamed internally. ‘This is definitely some cruel joke he’s playing on me, there is no way in hell he can feel anything towards me. How the fuck did he even figure it out?’ and with the thought that this would ruin his life, Draco just sat down on his bed and cried.

He cried for all the hours wasted writing the letters, he cried for the special precautions he took to not be found out, obviously in vain and he cried for his love for Harry Potter that will clearly never go away and most definitely can never be reciprocated. He doesn’t want Harry’s pity or to be pranked or made fun of, so he decided he just wouldn’t go.

 ____________________________________________________________

ALL NIGHT, that was how long Harry waited outside. He expected this, but he forgot that it would come with him being hopelessly tired the next day. He walked into breakfast twenty minutes late, dark circles under his eyes and hair disheveled. The first thing he noticed was the crowd staring, the second thing however, was a certain blonde very pointedly Not Looking at him. He sighed, and sat beside his friends, intent on just eating and getting to class. Just because he expected Draco to be a no-show, doesn’t mean it hurt any less.

 _____________________________________________________________

At the Slytherin table, Draco had heard the crowd go quiet and noticed everyone staring at a point behind him. Knowing the only person to ever gain that much attention is Potter, he kept his back turned.

As he looked on at his awestruck friends, he noticed both Pansy and Blaise acknowledge his decision to not turn around and a moment of understanding crossed both their faces. He could see the light bulb go off in their heads.

After three brutally long and painful minutes of silence, the crowd slowly started to get back to being boisterous and loud. A lot of the conversations were on the topic of Potter, which didn’t help Draco’s mood.

“Draco,” Pansy started in a warning tone. He knew what was coming but decided to act naively.

“What?” He asked.

“You know exactly what! You were totally just Not Looking at Potter!”

“I wasn’t Not Looking I just was not looking at him, there’s a difference.” He replied defensively.

“With you there is no difference and you know that!”

“Also, is it just me or does Potter look particularly awful today?” Blaise piped in. Draco couldn’t help it, he turned to look at the boy.

He was met with a terrible sight. Potter’s hair was even more unkempt than usual, his shirt and tie were not put on properly, he had charcoal black bags under his eyes and those emerald eyes, normally so full of life, looked as dull as those of the house ghosts’. Unable to help himself, Draco slightly gasped in surprise and quickly turned back to his friends.

Cursing himself silently for choosing such observant friends, he braced himself for the questions about to come.

“Explain.” Was all that was said, accompanied with a burning stare.

“Not here.” Was his reply as he got up and started walking towards the door. Pansy and Blaise quickly got up and followed, giving Potter a look as they passed his table.

 ____________________________________________________________

After the initial flurry of questions from his friends and surprisingly honest answers from him, Harry was ready to just head up to his dorm and go to sleep. As he seriously contemplated this, he heard people leaving the hall in great haste and was surprised to see Draco and company speed walking out the door. His gaze following Draco all the way, he didn’t notice the looks his friends were giving him. He was just hopeful that his plan would work.

“Remind me what you’re doing again.” Ginny wondered.

“I just wrote him another note and I’ll send it.” Harry replied still looking at the door.

“Also, I think you broke my brother earlier.” She added. Finally, Harry turned back around to meet the horrified expression on Ron’s face.

“Really Ron? It wasn’t all that surprising if you ask me!” Hermione said.

“B-but it’s Malfoy!”

“I think we are at the point where we can call him Draco.”

“It’s Malfoy! He made your life a living hell!”

“Made is past tense Ron, he’s fine now.” Harry said while yawning.

“Didn’t you call him a prat like a few weeks ago?” Ron asked desperate to change his friend’s mind.

“Things can change.”

“Well… I guess as long as your happy.” He said giving in. “But, if Mal- If Draco keeps acting like a git and still refuses to show up, I won’t hesitate to punch him.”

 ____________________________________________________________

“I don’t understand you.” Pansy sighed, she was exasperated. “Isn’t this a good thing?”

“It would be if it was true, but it’s obviously some kind of sick joke.” Draco sounded absolutely defeated.

“Whatever, I hope you figure this all out.” Blaise said sympathetically, “But, I’m going to class are you guys going to join?”

“I’m not really up for it,” Draco admitted slowly starting to tear up but expertly hiding it. Pansy told Blaise just to go without them as she fully planned to stay back with him. No matter how annoying he is in this Potter situation, he is still her best friend.

As they talked about anything and everything in the Slytherin boys’ dorm, Draco could feel himself cheering up. They stayed in all day, laughing and drinking and reminiscing. Pansy was doing an effective job at distracting him from the core issue.

They had just decided to skip dinner when a light tapping sounded on the door. Pansy got up to answer it and as soon as she opened it, an owl flew in with a letter for Draco. Draco’s breathe hitched in his throat as he pleaded for her to open it for him.

         Let’s try this again shall we?

Is all the note read. Pansy looked at Draco who was absolutely in shock and uttered one short sentence.

“You should go.”

Draco nodded in response and they slowly prepared him for the events about to occur.

_____________________________________________________________ 

Harry waited patiently for half an hour before he began to think Draco would not show yet again. He got out his broom and took to the skies flying at different speeds. The night air proved successful in calming his nerves and the stars were terribly relaxing. He felt his previous tiredness disapparating away.

As he flew around, forgetting about his troubles, Draco approached the Qudditch pitch hesitantly. Seeing no one there, his immediate thought was that it was all a trick, but as he turned to leave he could make out a faint whizzing sound in the sky. He looked up and what he saw was absolutely breathtaking.

Harry Potter was flying up above. The wind flew by him, pushing his messy raven black hair hair off his face, exposing his forehead, the scar that started it all and those striking green eyes. He flew both quickly and slowly while performing tricks and laughing to the rhythm of the night. Overall he just simply seemed free.

Draco couldn’t bring himself to interrupt, so he just stood there, watching. After several minutes, Draco couldn’t stand just waiting around. He quickly went and retrieved his own broom and took to the air.

Careful not to fly where Harry could see him, Draco flew around, gazing at the stars and thinking of what was to come. How would the conversation with Harry go? He was not prepared to face the truth of his feelings. How would Harry react? As Draco worried about this, he got distracted and flew right into view of the person he had been avoiding.

Harry abruptly stopped flying, eyes widening. ‘He actually came!’ he thought excitedly as he flew over to the distracted Slytherin.

“Draco!” he softly called out, not wanting to scare the boy away. He wobbled slightly at the mention of his name before steadying his broom.

“Well Potter, I’m here, what do you want?” Draco spat a bit more viciously than intended.

“To talk?”

“Well go ahead and talk, I don’t have all night, and I’m sure you don’t either.”

“Well, under normal circumstances I would disagree but seeing as I’m still tired from staying out waiting all night yesterday, you are right.” He admitted. At his words, Draco warmed, ‘had Harry really waited all night just for him? No, he must have just gotten distracted flying.’

“Anyways, before I start, it was you who sent the letters right?” Harry asked, breaking Draco out of his trance.

“What’s it to you Potter? Looking for a good laugh? Then, yes, yes it was me you wanker!” He could feel his emotions and unease seeping into his words in the form of anger. He had never been able to control his emotions when he was feeling so much. ‘Why am I like this?’ he wondered as he noticed Potter clench his fist.

They were now barely hovering above the ground on their broomsticks. Not being able to contain his anger at how unreasonable Draco was acting at this moment, in such a sleep deprived state, Harry shoved him.

This quickly turned into a fight with insults and hits being thrown left and right when finally Harry shoved a bit too hard and they both went tumbling down in a tangled mess of limbs. They stared shocked at each other for a moment before both boys burst into a fit of giggles.

“You should’ve seen your face Potter, it was priceless!”

“Probably not as golden as your’s Malfoy, reminds me of the time in first year when we were sent into the forbidden forest! You were so scared!” Harry replied trying (and failing) to hold in his laughter.

“Well it was a nice change to see your face in fear, after all the chaos being met with neutral expressions, I was beginning to think you weren’t even human.” He had meant it as a joke and Harry knew that but the other boy still answered back sombrely.

“Well, with everything that’s happened, I guess I just got desensitized to the small stuff.” A silence fell over the two as they just stared at each other. They were still tangled in each other’s limbs and were both surprised to find how close their faces had become.

“I meant what I wrote Draco, I really have fallen for you and your love notes.” Harry said quietly not breaking contact with the other’s eyes.

“Clearly, since you stayed out all night waiting for me like a crazy person.” Draco replied, eyes briefly flickering to Harry’s lips before recovering eye contact.

“If by crazy you mean constantly thinking about all the things I want to do to you, then I’m definitely crazy.”

Draco’s breathe hitched for a moment before he boldly stated, “Why don’t you.” And with that, Harry’s lips were on his own. The other boy tasted distinctly of treacle tart and was incredibly talented with his mouth.

 ______________________________________________________________

A month has passed since that night on the Quidditch pitch and neither Harry nor Draco could be any happier.  Harry had finally found what had been missing, not only from his eighth year, but his life in general. And Draco had finally found an outlet for his feelings that was much more effective than a few letters.

As the happy couple sat in the Gryffindor common room discussing Draco’s friends’ love lives, or lack thereof, Ginny entered the room holding a recently opened letter.

“Do either of you know anything about this?” She asked the boys handing them the letter. Draco read on knowing full well who the letter was from but when she asked if they knew, he just smirked.

Ginny,

I noticed recently that Draco Malfoy’s technique of writing these letters was rather effective. Despite heavy protest from a certain Slytherin girl that ‘doesn’t want to deal with this again’ I finally grew some balls and decided to write to you. I have liked you for a while and hope these letters will help you see the good in me.

Sincerely,

A Friend

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Blaise Zabini had never been one for sappy romantic gestures, he would normally skip all the tedious pining and just get straight to the snogging. However, Ginny Weasley never did fit Blaise’s definition of normal.

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Author: I haven’t written in a while so it might be a little choppy and awkward but I tried :)