#henrymercury

[lostdrarryfics]

Hi there! I was wondering if you could help me find a certain fic. McGonagall had put up a spell that stopped anyone from doing something another party didn't consent to, like fighting or sex. But, Draco and Harry could still fight. I don't remember what it was called. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

We believe you are looking for Orbit (52k, E) by HenryMercury!

Don’t forget to bookmark, leave kudos and comments!

[sitp-recs]

omg love the water recs you shared!!! what a good idea for how to make a list. what about fics set in gardens or featuring gardening? recs from followers welcome too! thank u livvvyyyyy

I’m so happy that you enjoyed the water-centric recs. And thank you for the excellent prompt! I’ve really enjoyed these, most involve gardening and a couple feature gardens in a special way even if it’s not the focus, so I thought I’d include them too🪴

I Fall On Grass by @tackytigerfic (T, 3k)

Harry loves his garden, and he loves his sons, and he also loves— Well, he definitely feels something for Draco, who is currently distractingly topless under a pear tree. The language of flowers isn't much good when it comes to big declarations, though; Harry needs to find the words to tell Draco just exactly what he's been feeling all these years.

To the Rhythm of the Waves by @tsauergrass (G, 3k)

They found a lot of things together: the cottage, the garden, their lives, each other. Then one day, Harry finds a hammock.

In the Garden After Dark by @the-starryknight (M, 3.5k)

Unspeakables work in teams of three, but when Draco and Harry lost their third, Draco left too. Now he's back, Illusion magic stronger than ever, and Harry is less lonely in his arms.

Harry, Harry, Quite Contrary by @maesterchill (T, 4k)

It's almost Midsummer, and that can only mean one thing! Time for Upper Itchington's annual Tidy Streets contest. Draco Malfoy is supremely confident his street will retain the title. It just takes one contrary neighbour to bollocks things up: a certain Mr Harry Potter.

Garden War by @cibeewastaken (T, 5k)

Harry and Draco are quarantined in their houses, a lake across from one another. What better ways to spend this time than to annoy each other with letters and attempts to prove that their garden is better ?

This Delicious Solitude by Omi_Ohmy (M, 17k)

Draco is sent to investigate Harry’s extraordinary carrots for the Prophet after whispers of cheating rock the world of competitive vegetable cultivation. But how’s he meant to get anywhere when Harry won’t even let him past the garden gate?

A Ghost in the Garden by thistle_verse (E, 27k)

Harry and Draco are thrown together on an investigation into a sinister political movement.

Orbit by HenryMercury (E, 52k)

They don't like each other. They're not friends. There's not even a ceasefire of any sort because they're fighting as much as ever—but there's definitely something different about it. An added layer of self-awareness they don't dare identify, but which colours every Scared, Potter? and Do your worst; each You wouldn't dare and Then prove it.

along each garden wall by @oflights (E, 61k)

Draco has to have a baby (or have one on the way) at the time of his fast-approaching 35th birthday, or he's going to lose his home to his vile cousin. Harry offers to help, but their complex past—even beyond Hogwarts—prompts Draco to set out on a long journey of friendship, kittens, gardens, motorbike rides, and more.

That Old Black Magic by bixgirl1 (E, 77k)

Centuries ago, marriage contracts were the norm — ready-made alliances between families, expected and complied with, without complaint. But norms have a way of changing, and when a long-dormant contract flares to life, Harry has to navigate an unexpected splintering of the path he'd thought would be easy after the war... with Draco Malfoy.

Wild, orphaned (E, 92k)

“No,” Harry said, by way of greeting. Malfoy’s blonde head rose slowly, carelessly. “Get out.�� “I feel as though we’ve already established this, Potter,” Malfoy responded. “And I feel that what we established was that you telling me to get out of places really doesn’t make me more likely to vacate them.”

Dronarry:

Trillium by @wolfpants (E, 13k)

Harry and Draco are shagging. Ron’s got a hunch, and the only way to find out is to volunteer his services alongside Harry’s in the Big Malfoy Manor Cleanup of 2010. What could possibly go wrong?

Silhouettes by @sweet-s0rr0w (E, 17k)

Draco's trying to fix the Burrow, Ron's trying to grieve, and Harry... well, just what is Harry actually doing, anyway? A tale of grief, gardening, and ghouls, bad memories, bad puns, and bad flirting, and nudity both accidental and very, very deliberate.

[xi-xi-chen]

Hi, I love your art so much, you are an amazing artist. By the way, do you have any Kazula (Katara x Azula) fics recommendations? Tysm

Hello~ this is long overdue, I apologize for that...

It's been awhile since I've visited Azutara fics, but you definitely had to have read—

Measure Each Step to Infinity by paxbanana

To me, it's the mother of Azutara fics.

Other than that, I'm not sure if you have read these or not, but these were pretty good in imo:

Confluence by HenryMercury

the fire lily that blooms in adversity by tophsgf (this is mostly zukka but squint and you have the gals too)

if this were a movie by LesbeanLatte

one girl in all the world by LesbeanLatte

the corners of the world our mere prologue by Theo (Theodur) [I actually haven't read this yet, let me know how it is, seems interesting]

My Virtual Girlfriend by ItspronouncedJulia

You can find this on Archive Of Our Own (Ao3)

[terezis]

Curious to know your fave fics but I’m personally a big Azula stan 👀

azula-centric:

to be sublime by hierophantasic (non-bender azula au)

on top of the world by mindbending

sifu azula by neuronary

a room at the end of the world by blossominribcage

the enemy you can't live without by wintersnufkin

asymmetry by henrymercury

in miniature by neuronary

zuko-centric:

towards the sun by muffinlance

little zuko vs. the world by muffinlance

where mighty oaks do fall by witchofendor

salvage by muffinlance

mountains and badgermolehills by glass_onion

years by grumpyhedgehogs

kintsugi by discordiansamba

the problem with zuko by avocadolove

azula and zuko -centric:

where the stars do not take sides by witchofendor

life in eden by witchofendor

as the world should be by muffinlance

to open every door to night, to meet each rising sun by erisenyo

misc:

the courage that my mother had by damkianna

blood, milk, and oil by howlikeagood

what a mom does by dawen

[haveyoureadthisfanfic]

Summary: Sam just wants to get away from his reputation as That Guy Whose Girlfriend Died in a Fire. Lucifer is an unfulfilled artist who wants Sam as his muse. A story about finding new paths forward.

Author: @henrymercury

[herbeloveve]

i was tagged by @villanevehaus

9 album covers and 9 peoples

Hozier - Wasteland Baby! (2019) | dodie - Hot Mess (2022) | Unloved - Pink Album (2022) | Dotan - 7 Layers (2014) | Taylor Swift - folklore (2020) | blackpink - Square One (2016) | Adele - 30 (2021) | dodie - Build a Problem (2021) | Halsey - Manic (2020)

i tag -- @killingayu @archangelradio @penkwinn @killingsaray @lesbian-hannibal @henrymercury @canadianfruitpunch @oddly-here @villanerys

[hpsaffics]

2017 ~ Longest HP Femslash Fics

F/F tagged works sorted by Word Count on AO3*

As of 2023.2 (1,077 works)

*Only fics with a sapphic main pairing are included (listed by WC)

—

1. Unicorns by FearlessLadyfun, Ladyfun, TiAdoro914 [Fleur/Hermione, M, 304k]

The Love and friendship forged between Hermione, Narcissa and Gabrielle, brings someone back into Hermione's life that will change it forever. No murder, no Voldemort. Begins five years post-war, celebrating life after the light won, and the true courage it takes to live life, afterward.

2. ANGRY! LESBIAN! SPACE! PRISON! by gyruum [Quinn Fabray/Spencer Hastings, Hermione/Aphasia (Glee), Other ships, E, 274k]

After committing murder, Spencer finds herself imprisoned in...well.  Spoiler: It's kind of gay. *Crossover with Glee, Pretty Little Liars, Battlestar Galactica, Orphan Black, Orange is the New Black, Buffy the Vampire Slayer  

3. Secrets We Keep by 99bottlestogo (darkside213) [OC/OC, T, 219k]

Sequel to Into the Fire. With talks of Voldemort, Harry Potter's supposed insanity, and the ever looming question of what you want to do in the future, Jamie is stressed. The fifth year of Hogwarts is a year of change, that will bring extreme happiness and sorrow.

4. Athena Black and the Escaped Lord by Thewallflowerwithasword [Hermione/OC, M, 187k]

Third year has arrived bringing with it childbirth, strained friendships, personal revelations, advanced magicks and missing prisoners. This is the year that everything changes.

5. In the End... by 99bottlestogo (darkside213) [OC/OC, T, 167k]

Jamie Pendragon has done it. She has survived to the seventh year, but things are not as they should be. Dumbledore is dead, war is on the horizon, the happy life she has managed to obtain is threatened. There are two options, run and hide, or follow her best friend Harry Potter on a quest to save the Wizarding World, only question is, are you brave enough to follow her?

6. Start the Clock by 99bottlestogo (darkside213) [OC/OC, T, 119k]

War is in the air and Jamie Pendragon is not keen to get in the middle of it. After surviving last year's disaster, she is ready for a nice long break to spend focusing on two things: school and Ariana Dumbledore. She is yanked from her blissful peace by none other than reports of Death Eaters, and Harry Potter who will not leave the war alone...

7. Athena Black and the Knight's Squire by Thewallflowerwithasword [Hermione/OC, M, 119k]

Hermione and Athena are trapped between two times. One in desperate search for answers in 1994 and the other in a desperate fight for her life in 1745 Scotland; the second uprising. Will they find what they need or will war be the end of one? There's only one way to find out...

8. A Curse and a Kiss by shy_octopus [Tonks/OC, E, 108k]

Nymphadora Tonks had grown to accept her secret talent. But in her final year at Hogwarts, she discovers her Metamorphmagus talent extends well beyond her hair. She finds love with an American transfer student with his own painful secrets, and is thrust into a quest to save his life.

9. Out and the Open by HenryMercury [trans!Draco/fem!Harry, M, 75k]

The war is over, and Draco finally has the courage to decide who she is. The war is over, and Harry finally has the freedom to decide what she likes.

10. This Magic Works by standardusername [Laura Hollis/Carmilla Karnstein, M, 72k]

If there's one person at Hogwarts that Laura Hollis cannot stand, it's Carmilla Karnstein. So, what happens when they get paired up as study buddies for their final year? *Crossover with Carmilla

—

Want more HP Femslash?

Find recs in the WLW Library

Join the HP SAFFICS (18+) Discord server!

More from 2017 | Top fics in other years

[wetassdrarry]

Eighth Year Drarry Recs

A Dented Old Street Sign by orphanghost (27k)

A Gift for Draco by SquadOfCats (33k)

All Roads Lead Home by dracogotgame (15k)

An Issue of Consequence by Faith Wood (20k)

Crup-tion of the Not-So-Innocent by calanthe_fics (17k)

Dating Draco Malfoy by QueenofThyme (47k)

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by agentmoppet and decanthrope (25k)

Dwelling by aideomai (83k)

Helix by Saras_Girl (92k)

Hungry by birdsofshore (24k)

I-A-M-D-R-A-C-O-M-A-L-F-O-Y by maraudersaffair (10k)

In Evidence of Magical Theory by bixgirl1 (43k)

Life is a Twice Written Scroll by lauren3210 (22k)

Nice Things by aideomai (22k)

No Greater Victory by dicta_contrion (27k)

Orbit by HenryMercury (52k)

Out and the Open by HenryMercury (74k)

Purity Control by yrfrndfrnkly (28k)

Seeker, Chaser, Keeper by VivacissimoVoce (59k)

Sex and the Art of Castle Maintenance by birdsofshore (15k)

Slithering by astolat (27k)

Start a Revolution (From My Bed) by untilourapathy (29k)

The Boy Who Lived (To Not Be a Boy) by TheLightFury (26k)

The Nightmare Club by Elle Gray (85k)

The Potter-Malfoy Problem by who_la_hoop (29k)

Through the Looking Glass and What Draco Found There by magpie_fngrl (17k)

To Hurt and Heal by cassisluna (21k)

Find your flavor

[killingevedaily]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Killing Eve (TV 2018) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Eve Polastri/Villanelle | Oksana Astankova Characters: Eve Polastri, Villanelle | Oksana Astankova Additional Tags: Celtic Mythology & Folklore, Alternate Universe - Supernatural Elements, Bridge Scene, Selkies, Cursed Content Rating: Low, POV First Person, POV Eve Polastri, Ambiguous/Open Ending Series: Part 5 of Henry's Cursed Killing Eve Week 2021 Collection Summary:

A selkie on land is much like a hired gun, and Villanelle was both.

[dictacontrion]

"I'm fine, Draco. All I need is a nap, okay?" "Okay," Draco nods. "But be sure to owl me if anything changes." "Yes Doctor Malfoy," Harry rolls his eyes. "You do know that I actually am a doctor," Draco points out, a small, smug smile on his face. "Not that kind of doctor." "Don't speak, it might irritate your throat," Draco huffs.

Wooing With Woodwork by HenryMercury

[sitp-recs]

Hello, thank you for all your hard work!! ᕦ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕤ

As a former drarry fic addict I want to go back to reading again. Could you please recommend me some really good fics with happy endings?? They could be really old or brand new (๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ✧

Hello and welcome back! I’m afraid you’re never leaving Drarry again 🤣 happy to share some recs, I decided to highlight fics published within 2017-2022 (some very prolific years imo) and I think you might be familiar with a few already. These are mostly long, plotty fics; I can def do a shorts version if you’re interested (in fact I’d love to do it sometime because short fics are my jam), I just didn’t want this post to get even longer. You’re also welcome to check my master post with many other lists. Happy readings!

2017

Blood and Fire by @lqtraintracks (E, 45k)

9 1/2 Days by @magpiefngrl (E, 69k)

Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love by @aibidil (E, 80k)

Dwelling by aideomai (T, 83k)

Balance, Imperfect by @bixgirl1 (E, 91k)

What We Pretend We Can't See by gyzym (M, 131k)

Things Worth Knowing by Femme (E, 164k)

2018

In The Red by @bixgirl1 (E, 45k)

Take the Air by dysonrules (M, 51k)

Orbit by HenryMercury (E, 52k)

Little Compton Street by @writcraft and LLAP115 (E, 65k)

Little Deaths and How to Avoid Them by nerakrose and dustmouth (M, 96k)

All Missing Things (Can Be Found) by daisymondays (E, 100k)

Changing Tides by carpemermaid (E, 109k)

A Sword Laid Aside by @korlaena (E, 128k)

Away Childish Things by lettered (T, 153k)

2019

amid this warm and steady sweetness by warmfoothills (E, 21k)

Like Lightning at Your Fingertips by potterwatch (T, 43k)

Turn from Stone by @harryromper (M, 45k)

The Beauty of Thestrals and Other Unseen Things by @writcraft (E, 63k)

The Promise of Summer by Omi_Ohmy (M, 66k)

That Old Black Magic by bixgirl1 (E, 77k)

I Am Not Who I Became by mab_di (E, 93k)

Who we are in the shadows by @quicksilvermaid (E, 100k)

Way Down We Go by @xiaq (T, 109k)

Grounds for Divorce by Tepre (E, 122k)

2020

Vortex by @xanthippe74 (T, 20k)

Nice Things by aideomai (M, 22k)

Clouds That Veil the Midnight Moon by @drarrytrash (E, 36k)

(Un)wanted by @aibidil (E, 36k)

Unseen by @jackvbriefs (T, 47k)

The Four Doors by @fluxweeed (E, 49k)

Modern Love by @tackytigerfic (E, 61k)

Super Rich Kids by @thusspoketrish (E, 81k)

Criminal by @the-sinking-ship (E, 83k)

The Liars Department by @dorthyanndrarry (T, 103k)

Far From The Tree by aideomai (E, 112k)

2021

Take A Chance On Me by @mintawasalreadytaken (E, 41k)

The Trouble with Wanting by waldorph (E, 60k)

The Compact by astolat (E, 64k)

Home Truths by @skeptiquewrites and @fantalfart (E, 67k)

Timecode by Rasborealis (M, 73k)

Among Ancient Pines by @graymatters, @cambiodipolvere and only_the_heart_knows (M, 74k)

Nor All That Glisters by @sweet-s0rr0w, Danceabra and @fantalfart (E, 110k)

This Ain't the Garden of Eden by @romaine2424 (E, 131k)

By the Grace by lettered (T, 140k)

The Secret Keeper by @the-fools-errand and Razielim (M, 225k)

2022

Eager for the Sky by @oknowkiss and @upthehillart (M, 35k)

Heal Thyself by astolat (T, 47k)

Vis-à-Vis-à-Vis by @vukovich (E, 50k)

Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (T, 57k)

Kept in Cages by @sweet-s0rr0w and @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm (E, 77k)

all the western stars by @oflights (E, 78k)

A Case of You by @epitomereally (E, 97k)

where all the veins meet by eight_of_wands (E, 146k)

[tdcatsblog]

Harry's really not as dense as people—especially Malfoy—often decide he is, but he'll keep that quiet if it'll put Malfoy's guard down around him even slightly. He thinks about Dumbledore, and everything in Harry's life carefully orchestrated to produce one result. The Dursleys, the rewards he'd get for facing down Voldemort as a child, the increasingly obvious ways in which Dumbledore had asked him to fight, to die. He thinks of Malfoy shivering atop the Astronomy tower, being not stopped but forced to make a terrible choice. Thinks of Snape, who was kept at hand for such tasks as killing his old friend, the truest believer in his own decent character. Dumbledore gave of himself too, of course—but that was a decision made, not a direction followed.

Orbit by @ @henrymercury

[snowgall]

HDconsentfest Recs

So many great fics were posted for @hdconsentfest 2018 that I could hardly keep up - there were something like 50 fics in all!

It’s always hard to narrow it down, but here are some particular fics that stayed with me:

Orbit by @henrymercury ( E | 52K ) quote rec here

They don't like each other. They're not friends. There's not even a ceasefire of any sort because they're fighting as much as ever—but there's definitely something different about it. An added layer of self-awareness they don't dare identify, but which colours every Scared, Potter? and Do your worst; each You wouldn't dare and Then prove it. 

It’s Been Draco For Awhile by @oceaxereturns ( E | 15.5K ) quote rec here

What harm can a love potion do if you're already in love? In which Harry finds out that it's not a love potion but it can do quite a lot of harm, and Draco finds out how fiendishly difficult it is to fend off his flatmate's advances when all he wants is to give in to them.

That's What You Get For Waking Up by @alpha-exodus ( E | 8K ) quote rec here

Draco wakes up in the morning hungover and with someone in his bed. He never could've dreamed it would be Harry Potter.

Cold Like Fire by @queenofthyme ( M | 12K ) quote rec here

Head Auror Harry Potter had no problem with mandatory consent training for his team. He’d actually been looking forward to it, that is, until he discovered who the teacher was. Now, he had no idea how he was going to get through the training without throwing a hex at Draco Malfoy. Or a punch.

Mixed Drinks and Crossed Wires by @korlaena ( E | 16.5K ) quote rec here

Draco is a handsy drunk. Harry is okay with it, really. They’re friends, so it doesn’t mean anything.

A Hag, a Hex, a Tale of Redemption by @aibidil ( E | 43K ) quote rec here

A fuck-or-die fairytale in which Draco Malfoy lives a despicable and unapologetic life — that is, until he's cursed to die unless he can fall in love with and fuck Harry Potter. 

A Gift for Draco by @squadofcats ( E | 33.5K ) quote rec here

Though their new relationship is going well, both Harry and Draco have trouble communicating and are holding back from taking things to the next level--both emotionally and sexually. When Harry decides he is ready for more, he stumbles over how to start the conversation, but figures out a plan with the help of his friends. He comes up with the perfect Valentine's Day gift to show Draco trust, commitment, and desire: sexy pictures of his naked arse. Thankfully, Pansy Parkinson has a camera and is willing to help...

Purity Control by @frnklymrshnkly ( T | 28.5K ) quote rec here

In which Harry tries to ignore his trauma with fantasy Quidditch but Malfoy's Thereness™ is distracting and all his classmates want to talk about are unicorns, virginity, and Muggle music.

Come Inside by @vaguedisclaimer-ao3 ( E | 4.5K ) quote rec here

��Can I come inside you?" Harry asks, his voice a breathy whisper. And Draco nods, just once, ever so slightly, biting his plump bottom lip and looking deeply into Harry's eyes. At least, that’s how Harry imagined it going.

Treat Your Body Like A Temple by @rose-grangerweasleyisbae ( M | 1.7K ) quote rec here

It hadn't been easy, and it hadn't been fast, but after many years Harry had finally gained Draco's trust. Now he woke up next to him every day, and he knew just the way to show the Slytherin how grateful he was for that.

Arseholes by @postjentacular ( E | 1.4K )

In which words and actions don't mean the same thing.

[lostdrarryfics]

Thanks anon!

Wooing With Woodwork (9k, T) by @henrymercury

Don’t forget to bookmark, leave kudos and comments!

Hello! I am desperately searching for a fic on ao3 where Ron forces Harry to confess his love to Draco. They (Harry and Draco) are auror partners and live together in a flat I think. Pretty much spend the whole day together on a regular basis.

In the summary harry and ron have a conversation about how harry has to confess his love in the next 24 hours or ron will tell Draco because he's so done about harry's pining.

Thanks so much!

Sorry, we could not find this fic. Maybe one of our followers can help!

[aibidil]

Fic Rec: Gifted

Title: Gifted Author: @henrymercury Pairing: HD, Lucissa Rating: G Word Count: 2k Content: Christmas, Crack, In-Laws, Established Relationship, Humor Summary: Maybe, if he's particularly unfortunate, Lucius will have bought him the new title in Carina Cuttlebrie's wizarding basics series. The year Harry unwrapped a pristine, cloth-bound copy of Potion Skills for Imbeciles remains one of the less restrained Potter-Malfoy Christmases in his decade with Draco. Rec: I cannot believe that henrymercury wrote this amazing and hilarious little fic in response to my offhanded comments about Lucius buying Harry passive-aggressive gifts and Harry finally having enough and wanting to one-up him. Seriously, the whole thing is amazing, go read it. I laughed so hard when Lucius opened Harry’s gift that I’m pretty sure I scared my dog. Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12888834

[dewitty1]

Chapters: 15/15 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood/Pansy Parkinson, Seamus Finnigan/Dean Thomas/Ginny Weasley Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Minerva McGonagall, Neville Longbottom, Pomona Sprout, OCs Additional Tags: Consent Issues, Fist Fights, Detention, Oral Sex, Internalized Homophobia, Homophobia, Anal Sex, Coming Out, revenge porn, Gardens & Gardening, Slow Burn, Asexual Character, ace neville, Rimming, Awkward Sexual Situations, Explicit Consent Summary:

"The classical problem of celestial mechanics, perhaps of all Newtonian mechanics, involves the motion of one body about another under the influence of their mutual gravitation."

*

They don't like each other. They're not friends. There's not even a ceasefire of any sort because they're fighting as much as ever—but there's definitely something different about it. An added layer of self-awareness they don't dare identify, but which colours every

Scared, Potter?

and

Do your worst

; each

You wouldn't dare

and

Then prove it.

Excerpt: "Hah. Then why do you look like someone pissed in your pumpkin juice?"

"Doesn't matter. What did you rob those kids of this room for us to talk about?"

Draco seems to remember himself, and his scowl falls back into place. He sits on top of the teacher's desk in the front corner and beckons for Harry to join him. The desk he's assigned to Harry is significantly shorter and rather rickety.

Ah, yes. What I wanted to know is what in Salazar's name you think you're doing with Blaise Zabini."

Harry scratches the back of his neck and looks at the floor. "He's, er, helping me with a project."

"I'm sure. Is this project much like the one you and I have been helping each other with?"

"Not exactly," Harry protests, unsure of how exactly to characterise his project with Blaise. It's not entirely unlike what he and Draco were doing... it's just differently motivated. Infinitely more superficial.

"Not exactly," Draco parrots, a nasty sneer forming on his lips. And Merlin, Harry misses kissing those lips even when they're curled nastily at him. But Draco's made it clear he doesn't want Harry to do that anymore.

"Why would you care if it was?" Harry bites back. "You've made it obvious that you want nothing to do with me, but you don't get to stop me being friends with your friends if I want to."

"He's using you. You're just a shag to him. Everybody is. Zabinis are constitutionally incapable of caring about anybody they're shagging, just so you know. All he wants is to make famous Harry Potter a notch on his bedpost."

There are many things Harry wants to ask in response to this. Things like What were you doing with me, then? and Why should you care?

What he says is: "Maybe Blaise was right, and you really are jealous."

"I see," Draco says slowly. "So your project is to use each other. Nice, Potter. I suppose I gave you good practice at it."

"You were the one who didn't want anything more than sex!" Harry exclaims, and belatedly realises that for all they're alone in the room, Quentin and the little Hufflepuff are probably waiting right outside. Possibly with their ears pressed against the door.

"It was about what I could have! Not what I wanted!" Draco counters just as loudly.

Harry scrubs a hand through his hair. "Damn it," he sighs. "This is something you only need two people's permission for: the person you want to be with, and yourself. What everyone else thinks affects your decision, but only if you let it."

"And I do let it!"

Draco's face is going a bit pink. It makes Harry want to touch him, to smooth his hands over his flushed cheeks and kiss him, to press against him until some of that blood rushes elsewhere. It's hardly the moment for that, though. Harry's a little ashamed of how much he wants to do it anyway.

"I can't help it," Draco goes on. "And I bet you think it makes me cowardly or vain or- or whatever! But I need my parents' approval, alright? I need their approval or I'll have nobody's."

"That's not true," Harry tells him, gently. Draco just sits on the desk and hauls in laboured breaths for a few beats. Harry waits.

"Well, I clearly don't have yours. I am, after all, Draco Malfoy—who'll only fight for what affects himself and his own. Draco Malfoy who can't even bring himself to be properly fucking gay without his daddy's permission, which he'll never get. Draco Malfoy, who's too scared to try taking it up the arse even when he's thought of just about nothing else for weeks—"

The moment the last words leave Draco's lips, Harry's brain disregards everything else. "You have?" he blinks at Draco.

"Yes. Laugh it up," Draco grumbles, deflating. He looks like he's given up, and Harry hates it.

"Why would I laugh?" Harry asks. "I've been thinking about it too. Almost as much as I've been thinking about how I want to kiss you. Just all the time. I think about kissing you while we fuck, or kissing you while we study, or flying next to you and leaning over to—"

"Terrible idea," Draco interrupts. "That particular pursuit has a body count attached to it."

Harry rolls his eyes, but there's a little hint of a smile forming at the corner of Draco's mouth, and it buoys him. 

"I said I thought about it, not that we had to try."

"Who can tell the difference with you Gryffindors. You only thinking about kissing me as a dumb, hypothetical idea too, then?"

"I've started to think it might just be something to daydream about, given that you clearly aren't keen for it to happen anymore."

Draco's legs swing off the edge of the desk, heels tapping out a quick rhythm against the legs. His hands, too, move restlessly.

"It wasn't that that stopped me coming to the Tower, you know," he says, so quiet after his earlier shouting. "It was- I'd started to think- if I came to you, and we did that, then there'd be no going back. I'd want it too much more than anything else that was available to me. And I'd have to put an end to it one day, or more likely you'd get sick of me and chuck me for someone nice. So I decided it'd be easier if I never knew what I was missing in the first place."

"I think," says Harry, swallowing heavily. "I think it's a bit late for that."