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Chapter Text

"OI, MALFOY!" Pansy Parkinson yelled as she threw the covers off the poor wizard.
"What in the name of Merlin's $@?!$# do you want?" Draco barked back grumpily, having been woken up roughly.
"Ta-da!" the Slytherins standing behind Pansy yelled, gesturing to the walls around them.
Posters were plastered on every nook and cranny of the dorm, some magically drawn, others hand drawn.
All of those scrolls featured Draco himself with his arms twined around a certain dark-haired, green-eyed wizard, their lips inches apart.
The posters made Malfoy's eyes hurt.
"I think I'm scarred for life." he muttered.
"Take them all off, you idiots!" Draco ordered his fellow Slytherins.
They simply grinned in response.
Malfoy launched himself off the bed and approached the nearest scroll, fingers closing around the edge and pulling.
It wouldn't budge, much to Draco's annoyance.
"One of you warts come here and help me!" Draco screamed.
"Not yet, Malfoy." Pansy smiled sweetly, which looked horrible on her face.
With a wave of her wand, a banner hanging over the heads of the Slytherins, suspended by magic, unfurled dramatically.
'Ship Drarry!' it said.
Malfoy let out a such colourful string of insults that even Mrs Black would be proud of him.
His fists clenched and unclenched, his expression murderous. His roommates backed away, in case he fired a random bolt of Avada Kedavra.
"Maybe I should have tried going to Durmstrang." Malfoy sighed.
At the other side of the Hogwarts Castle, Harry Potter was also experiencing the exact same problem.

Chapter Text

"Gryffindors!" Ron yelled.
"As much as I would like to join you to ship Drarry, we're gonna be late for class!" As a prefect, Ron's authority was what made the Gryffindors moodily trudge back to their bunks to collect their books.
"Thanks, man. I owe you a treat." Harry said, rubbing his messy hair, and polishing his glasses.
Ron smirked.
"The only treat I want is you finally getting along with Draco now. Maybe you could even be more than just friends."
"Ron Weasley!" Harry's yell sounded through the common room.
"Just saying." Ron shrugged carelessly and went over to peck Hermione's cheek.
Harry groaned and began to sink back down onto his bed, but knocked his head on the bunk during the process.
"Ow!"
Heads shook in the room, exasperated at Harry's clumsiness.

"Students," Professor Snape drawled, his black robes drifting along the cold floor.
"Today we will be concocting an anti-paralysis potion. Please do not get into your regular pairs. I will be assigning you your new partners, as there are some... matters taken to consideration."
The class groaned, but was immediately silenced by the glare Snape had on his pale face.
He whipped out a scroll and began reading names out.
"Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."
Hermione squealed, before clapping a hand over her mouth. Ron sat back onto his chair, grinning stupidly.
"Ginevra Weasley and Neville Longbottom."
As Snape rattled off names from his scroll, Harry began to fidget.
The list of names was slowly dwindling, and his name wasn't called yet.
"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy." Snape finished with a flourish, a smirk visible on his thin lips.
Harry slammed his head on the table, nearly breaking his glasses.
A few tables away, Draco groaned.
Snickers were heard throughout the class, which brought Harry's mind back to the heavily vandalised Gryffindor common room.
Apparently Snape was also trying to bring Drarry to life too.
"Get into your new pairs, you foul pigs! What are you waiting for?" Snape asked coldly.
Harry collected his books, taking his own sweet time on purpose, while praying to whatever god who was listening to make time go faster.
Draco sighed loudly as Harry dropped down beside him.
"Pairs, discuss about the ingredients needed for the anti-paralysis potion now!" Snape instructed.
Both Draco and Harry kept their mouths shut and stared straight ahead, not caring about what Professor Snape might do to them.
At least they were united by a common cause.
"Malfoy, Potter, do open your fat mouths and talk, before I open them myself!" Snape barked behind them.
So Harry opened his mouth.
"Professor, I want to change partners. I don't get along with Malfoy well." he blurted out.
"No." That response was all he got.
"No?" Harry repeated.
"You heard me, Potter. Now, discuss the ingredients with Malfoy!" Snape lifted his nose into the air and strode away.
Harry rolled his eyes discreetly, but abruptly stopped when he heard Draco chuckling next to him.
"What's so funny?" he asked. His tone didn't come out as harshly as he had intended.
Draco winced.
"I... uh... found it funny?" Draco offered.
It was so obvious he was lying, but Harry dismissed the thought, shrugging.
"Let's get to work."
"What does the Grindylow's stomach have to do with the anti-paralysis potion?" Draco grumbled.
"Perhaps to make the drinker puke so much the paralysis spell wear off." Harry suggested.
Draco snorted, but immediately stiffened as Snape walked past.
"Uh, what do you think of the leaf of the Whomping Willow?" Draco asked, pretending that they were serious and not joking around.
Harry shrugged.
"Maybe just a leaf they had to use because the ingredient list was too short so they had to make it more complicated."
The other boy stifled a laugh.
"Alright, students!" Snape clapped his hands, looking satisfied by the interaction between Harry and Draco.
"Please stand by your cauldrons, flip open your textbooks to page 205 and begin concocting the potion. This test will be graded."
"He didn't tell us there would be an exam!" Ron gasped a few tables away.
"Don't worry, Ron." Hermione pushed up her sleeves slightly, a confident look on her face.
"Your time starts now, students." Snape flipped over an hourglass on his table.
He walked soundlessly to Neville and Ginny's table, where the two were arguing.
"Now!" Snape repeated loudly, making them both jump and scramble to light their cauldron.
"Go get the Hippogriff's feather for us, Harry." Draco's voice was unnaturally soft. Harry turned his head and found himself face-to-face with the boy he thought he had disliked the moment he met him.
Except that the hatred was dissolving.
Harry's green eyes widened in shock at the realization.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Draco asked.
"N-nothing." The other boy stumbled and dashed off to find the feather of the Hippogriff for the potion.
Malfoy had asked nicely. Harry had thought that he wouldn't live to see that day.
And he said 'us'. Harry's heart jumped.
"What's wrong with me?" he cursed quietly as he received the feather from Professor Snape.
Hurrying back to their table, Harry dropped the feather onto the tabletop and began reading the next instruction.
"Pour half of the tears of giants and stir continuously, while dropping the feather of the Hippogriff into the potion on the fifth stir." he recited out loud.
Draco did as instructed, and Harry leaned back onto the table awkwardly, having had nothing to do except dunking the feather into the concoction that was bubbling in the cauldron.
His eyes somehow found their way to Draco, who looked ethereal in the morning light, his blond hair giving him a halo. Malfoy's blue eyes looked especially bright today, and his nose was furrowed in concentration as he stirred the mixture.
Harry thought he looked quite cute.
Suddenly, murmurs from around him pulled him back to reality.
The black-haired wizard whipped his head around, and saw that the whole class was staring at him and Draco, including Snape.
Harry's cheeks flushed, and he looked down, picking at a loose seam on his robes.
Shockingly, Malfoy didn't seem to notice the change in the mood of the class, and of the wizard standing beside him.
"Potter, I think you should be focusing on your textbook, not your partner." Snape's cold voice rang out throughout the classroom, earning a few barely-hidden laughs.
Harry cringed, and his eyes shot back to the textbook lying on the table.
Draco finally looked up, and gazed curiously at his flustered partner.
"Professor Snape, may I go to the washroom?" Harry mumbled. This was the first time he talked to Snape politely, but he didn't want a 'no' for an answer.
"You may go." Snape announced, piercing Harry with his gaze.
He wasted no time, bolting out of the room.
The poor boy felt stares burning into his back, but kept sprinting till he ran through Nearly Headless Nick.
"Whoa, my boy! Where are you going?" Nick asked.
"Running." Harry replied, as if speeding through the halls of Hogwarts was perfectly fine.
"To where?" the ghost seemed genuinely curious.
"Away from Snape and Malfoy." Harry said simply and rushed off again.
"See you later at lunch, Nick!" his voice echoed around the hallway.
He heard Nick mutter something about young boys and their manners behind him.
Harry trudged through Hogwarts until the bells rang, signalling lunchtime.
Finally.
A smile lifted the corners of his lips as he sprinted back onto the Potions classroom.
"Did you have a nice, long piss, Potter?" Crabbe yelled from the back of the classroom.
Harry ignored him, but the familiar burn settled back onto his face as he realised how long he was gone.
Snape dismissed the class, and Harry got ready to tear out of the room again, but Snape called him back.
"Yes, Professor?" the boy took reluctantly stood in front of the Potions master.
"I noticed you staring at Mr Malfoy just now. Was there a problem?" Snape asked.
Harry shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.
The professor gave him a long, disapproving stare that made Harry shift nervously.
"Even if you might not have feelings for Draco, please do stop treating him badly." Professor Snape finally said and dismissed him with a flick of his hand.
Harry, stunned, tottered out of the classroom.
To his surprise, Ron and Hermione were waiting outside.
"What'd Snape tell you?" Ron asked excitedly, while his girlfriend bounced on her heels, eager for news.
Seconds ticked by.
"Uh... He seems... Paralysed." Hermione remarked.
"Maybe he needs the anti-paralysis potion he and Draco made earlier." Ron joked.
Hermione frowned and snapped her fingers in front of Harry's unfocused eyes.
The wizard jumped, and his eyes became clear again.
"W-what were you saying?" he spluttered.
Ron and Hermione sniggered.
"What did Snape tell you?" Ron repeated impatiently.
Harry's jaw went slack.
"Harry James Potter!" Hermione yelled and slapped his face.
Ron raised his hand and closed Harry's mouth.
"You'll attract flies." the Weasley was trying not to laugh.
Harry glared at his friends.
"Fine, fine!"
Walking through the hallways leading to the dining hall, Harry told them about his strange interaction between him and the Potions master.
"Soooo... Harry." Hermione said in a tone both boys knew extremely well.
It was the 'here comes the million dollar question but I don't wanna offend you because you're stupid' tone.
"What is it this time, Hermione?" Harry sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair.
"Snape asked if you had feelings for Draco."
"Did he?" Harry asked absently, still trying to flatten his hair.
"Seriously, Ron. How do you manage to talk to him? It's like conversing with a suit of armour!" Hermione glanced at her boyfriend.
"Well, he isn't usually like that." Ron shrugged.
"And if I do have feelings?" Harry stopped, staring at his friends.
"You'll tell us." Hermione declared.
"Although I would rather you continue dating my sister. Malfoy isn't a really interesting person." Ron said.
"Ronald Weasley!" Harry used the exact same tone Hermione used to chide her boyfriend.
Ron blinked innocently.
"Just saying."
The trio continued bickering as they entered the dining hall, where hundreds of other young witches and wizards were having their lunch.
They walked past Draco Malfoy and his lackeys, although Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be insulting him rather than the other Slytherins.
"How was Potions with Potter, eh?" Goyle boomed in laughter.
"It was just like any other Potions lesson! And Crabbe, could you shut up?" Draco exclaimed.
Harry stumbled, his cheeks lighting up.
Ron and Hermione snickered and manhandled him away, towards the Gryffindor table.
"Snape just had to put me and Malfoy together!" Harry groaned, trying to regain some of the loathing he had for the Slytherin.
Apparently the detestation Harry thought would stay in his heart forever had mysteriously vanished, replaced by a weird feeling of butterflies whenever Draco looked at him.
Harry suspected that it would get worse if Malfoy touched him.
"Why me and Draco?" he said, putting his chin on the wooden table filled with all sorts of mouthwatering dishes.
Hermione smacked him with her spoon.
"Get up, Harry, and eat! Sorry, Ron, could you change this spoon for me? It's dirty."
That girl was sounding more and more like Mrs Weasley with every passing day.
The green-eyed wizard sat up sulkily and began picking at his spaghetti, while is mind wandered elsewhere, latching on a specific blond-haired, blue-eyed boy sitting at the Slytherin table.
If only he knew Draco was thinking the same thing too.

Chapter Text

*Harry POV*
"What do you have now, Harry?" Ron asked his best friend.
"Uh... Oh! Quidditch practice!" Harry bolted off his comfortable position on his chair to grab his Nimbus 2000.
Quidditch could distract Harry from his weird thoughts now!
Grinning, Harry rushed out of the room.
Even from his position in the Gryffindor tower, Harry could see that there was something wrong in the training grounds.
Both red and green robed players were on the field, huddled together.
A frown spread across the young wizard's face as he mounted his broom and kicked off, landing almost instantly at the edge of the field.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, jogging over to his team.
"We booked the field first, but the Slytherins here claimed the same thing." Oliver Wood complained.
"Come on, Wood. At least we can... you know..." Marcus Flint side-eyed Oliver, giving him a knowing smile.
"Oh, yes, of course!" the captain of Gryffindor Quidditch team exclaimed.
Confused by the sudden truce, Harry turned to the rest of his teammates.
They all wore matching smirks.
Movement caught Harry's eye.
The Slytherin team had moved, revealing a blond behind them that Harry knew too well.
He suddenly wanted to bash his head with his broom.
Not Draco Malfoy again.
How could Harry take his eyes off the other boy now?
Wait. What am I thinking? Harry thought.
He turned away from his team, angling his face so they wouldn't see his flush.
The great Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, reduced to blushing over a Slytherin.
Well, at least that Slytherin was hot. How pathetic had he become?
While he battled with his thoughts, Oliver assigned parts of the field to the two teams.
"Gryffindors!" George cried, hopping onto his broom and shot off into the clear blue sky,to the section of the field where they were supposed to practice.
The Slytherins followed suit, chanting their own house name while rising into the air on the other side of the training grounds.
Reluctantly, Harry peeled his eyes off Draco and got onto his broom again.
As a Seeker, he couldn't afford to be distracted.
Oliver made the Gryffindors do a few warm-ups, and proceeded to set up a few obstacles suspended in midair for them to try.

*Draco POV*
Draco would die before he admitted it, but watching Harry Potter soar here and there in the sky was a pleasure to his eyes.
His red robes were of stark contrast to the crystal clear sky, and whenever Harry turned his head, his glasses would catch the sunlight and blind Draco momentarily.
Not that he even needed the glasses to blind him.
Harry had that brilliance that illuminated every room he went into, or so Draco thought.
His easygoing personality, matched with his crooked humor, was enough to make Draco fall for him.
Hard.
"Oi, Malfoy!"
Marcus Flint had opened the box of Quidditch balls.
The two Bludgers zoomed out, and one of them instantly went for him.
Shaken out of his lovestruck thoughts so rapidly, Draco was at a loss of what to do.
Managing to swerve, the Bludger caught his broom rather than his body.
Honestly, Draco wasn't sure which option was more painful.
His broom splintered into two parts, and he spiralled down, helpless, toward the unforgiving ground below him.
Well, I'm dead. Draco thought.

*Harry POV*
On his way to do a few loop-the-loops,the whole Gryffindor team had turned to the Slytherins and gasped.
Glasses nearly falling off his face, Harry turned sharply, abandoning his flying trick to face the other team.
A tiny speck was plummeting down to the ground, and recognizing the unmistakable blond hair, Harry's heart dropped with Draco.
Instincts taking over, Harry darted towards Draco in a speed he never thought his Nimbus 2000 could achieve.
He heard whoops behind him, and was sure that they came from Fred and George Weasley, but he didn't care.
All that mattered was Draco's safety.
And it was currently being taken away rapidly unless Harry acted quickly.
He urged his broom to go faster, and suddenly stopped right below Draco, who was muttering prayers in midair.
Harry stretched his arms out, and felt a little nervous.
Seekers were supposed to catch lightweight, tiny objects, but Draco was not any of them.
Harry never tried catching someone about his height, balancing hundreds of feet above the ground, while making sure that none of them fell off.
There's a first time for everything, I guess. Harry thought.
Draco flopped into his waiting arms, screaming.
Harry winced at the high-pitched sound, but managed to stay on his broom.
He gently positioned Draco onto his broom, and drew his wand.
"Accio Draco Malfoy's Nimbus 2001 broomstick!" he muttered under his breath.
He probably sounded stupid, but he had to be extremely careful with his phrasing, or he might summon the whole Slytherin team's broomsticks from under their fat arses and earn a lot more enemies than he had wanted.
The pieces of Draco's broom came racing towards him, and this time Harry was ready.
His hands caught the splintered wood, right before they hit his face.
Draco was whimpering.
A few months ago, Harry would have thrown him off the broom while laughing.
But now, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You okay?" he asked awkwardly.

*Draco POV*
Harry had saved him.
Harry Potter.
Harry goddamn Potter.
Draco's mind whirled, and he grabbed the smooth wood underneath him for support.
He couldn't embarrass himself the second time by falling off again.
Both accidents would have to be blamed on Harry, since he was the one who distracted Draco in the first place.
"You okay?" Harry asked. His breath brushed the nape of his neck,and he shivered.
"Uh, I'm fine. Just cold." he stammered.
He was so not cold.
He was practically burning from the heat of his face, and Harry's breaths brushing his hair wasn't helping.
He shifted and cried out.
"Draco? Is there something wrong?" Harry asked immediately.
"Wrist. Hurts." Draco grunted in pain.
He lifted his arm gingerly and showed it to the boys sitting behind him.
Harry whistled.
"Sprained wrist. I'll have to get you to Mdm Pomfrey."
With that, Harry guided his broom back up into the air and into one of the huge open windows of Hogwarts.
Gliding through the halls, Draco soon found himself in front of the infirmary.
Harry dismounted, so Draco mirrored his actions.
The other wizard caught his broom in one hand easily while the other knocked on the door.
Strange, Draco thought.
Harry always seemed like someone who would abuse his title as The Boy Who Lived and go around barging into doors and make demands with no manners at all.
But the Harry Potter standing in front of Draco proved that he wasn't like that.
The door opened, and Mdm Pomfrey stepped out.
"Harry, dear, where's the injury this time?" she sighed.
Draco covered his snicker with a cough.
He was probably a regular in the infirmary, judging from Mdm Pomfrey's tone.
"Uh, it's me who got injured. Sprained wrist, according to him." Draco gestured to Harry.
"I get injured so much I can practically name every wound and sprain." Harry laughed.
"I'll leave you to Mdm Pomfrey's more caring hands. Oliver's gonna kill me for abandoning the team." Harry saluted to both of them and jumped on his broom.
"Get well soon, Malfoooooy!" Harry's voice echoed back as he sped away.
"Uh..." Draco looked up to Mdm Pomfrey.
"Sweet boy, that Potter. Shame he inherited his father's recklessness." she smiled at the general direction where Harry had disappeared.
"Now, Malfoy, follow me." The witch turned and walked back into the infirmary.

*Harry POV*
Zooming away from the hospital wing, Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
Having Malfoy sit in front of him while riding his broom was a little too awkward.
When he returned to the training field, Harry was welcomed back by lots of wolf whistles and smirks, followed by ridiculous kissing sounds from the Weasley twins.
"God-" Harry muttered.
"He's Malfoy's knight in shining armour!" One of the Slytherins exclaimed gleefully.
Harry wanted to set a thousand Bludgers after everyone, including his fellow Gryffindors.
"Should I hit myself till I lose consciousness?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Oh yes, Potter! Do that! You can join Malfoy in the infirmary!" Oliver teased.
"Seriously, Oliver?" Harry asked.
"Maybe we could even ask Mdm Pomfrey to not waste beds. Put you two lovebirds together!" Another voice rang out, crystal clear.
The two teams erupted into roaring laughter.
A few minutes later, after embarrassing Harry a bit more, the team captains reluctantly called practice off.
"Some practice, huh?" Harry overheard Fred commenting to George, who chortled loudly.
Harry turned the same shade as his Gryffindor Quidditch robes.
Face burning, he hurried out of the field and bumped into Ron and Hermione.
"Hey, Harry. We heard about Quidditch today." Hermione smiled innocently.
Harry groaned.
"Please don't." he begged.
"Oh, we won't. But there's something you gotta do first if you don't want us to remind you about the ship." Ron said.
"What is it?" Harry would do anything for his friends to stop shipping Drarry.
"Visit Malfoy in the infirmary. By yourself. Maybe give him a bouquet of roses."
Okay, maybe not everything.
"No!" Harry shot back.
"Yes." Ron put his hands on Harry's shoulders and steered him to the direction where the hospital wing was located.
Obviously, Harry was stronger.
He twisted his way out of Ron's grip, and ran away with no idea where he was going.
Hermione sighed in exasperation.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Instantly, Harry fell to the ground.
"Come on, Hermione. That spell was so first-year. Try Immobulus sometime." Ron complained.
"I might do that when Harry and Draco finally get together. Freeze the moment, you know?" Hermione laughed.
"Let's bring Harry to his damsel in distress now, shall we?" Ron winked and slung Harry over his shoulder, walking towards the infirmary.

Chapter Text

Ron carried a very stiff Harry to the infirmary, and politely knocked on the door, while desperately trying to ignore Hermione's infectious giggles.
Mdm Pomfrey opened the door, greeting them with a friendly smile.
"Oh dear, what happened to Potter again?"

*Draco POV*
Mdm Pomfrey was tending to his sprained wrist when a knock sounded at the door.
Draco's heart leaped, as he expected Harry Potter to be waiting outside the infirmary, but internally slapped himself for even thinking of these thoughts.
It's impossible, Draco scolded himself.
Mdm Pomfrey got up curiously, and walked to the door.
Draco stared at his half-bandaged wrist, pretending to not care even if Harry was at the door.
The matron's next words, however, caused Draco's head to shoot up so quickly he nearly got whiplash.
"Oh dear, what happened to Potter again?"
Malfoy strained his ears, and heard the unmistakable voice of Ron Weasley.
"Oh, Neville...was...practicing Petrificus Totalus and it hit Harry." Ron mumbled.
Draco smacked his forehead with his uninjured hand.
It was so obvious the Weasley was lying.
Sometimes, Draco wondered if living with the infamous, always-scheming Weasley twins had any benefits or not.
Hearing Ron lie so blatantly, though, made Draco think not.
"Are you sure this is Mr Longbottom's work, young man?" Mdm Pomfrey asked.
She seemed to be examining something (or someone) beside Ron.
Draco caught Ron shifting from foot to foot, muttering unintelligible words.
"The magic keeping Mr Potter paralysed seems to be more of Miss Granger's."
"Caught." Hermione said under her breath, hiding a smile but failing.
"Alright, fine, it wasn't Neville practicing the body-bind curse, it was me." she told Mdm Pomfrey.
"And I assume you need me to lift the curse, right?" Mdm Pomfrey raised an eyebrow.
Wow. Draco thought.
She may be old, but not stupid.
"Correct." Hermione put on her most charming smile.
"Come in." The matron stepped back into the infirmary, where she made a beeline towards Draco.
He immediately looked somewhere else, pretending that he wasn't eavesdropping on the earlier conversation at the door.
"Put Mr Potter on this bed over here." Mdm Pomfrey winked and gestured to the bed directly beside Draco.
Ron got the gist of it and a smirk spread over his face.
That smirk.
The one that the whole of Hogwarts, including the teachers, even Severus Snape, always wore on their faces when they had ridiculous ideas on how to bring Harry and Draco together.
Sighing loudly, Malfoy turned his head away and faced the ceiling beams.
Mdm Pomfrey tutted and looked at Harry.
"Oh, that poor boy. Look at his ridiculous position! He's sure to get neck cramps!" The matron fussed.
Ron was suddenly standing next to Draco, and before the blond could react, Ron stretched out both hands and manhandled his head to face Harry's bed, where he lay in an absurd manner.
He seemed to be running right before he was petrified.
Malfoy couldn't help it.
He burst out laughing.
Harry's green eyes were wide in shock, and his mouth was slighly ajar.
His jet-black hair was as messy as usual, but a strange desire to run his hands through the strands hit Draco hard.
The petrified boy's open mouth didn't help.
Ron, Hermione, and Mdm Pomfrey watched Draco's reaction, amusement visible on their faces.
"One question, Mdm Pomfrey. Could the anti-paralysis potion help to cure the body-bind curse?" Hermione asked, changing the mood of the group.
The matron thought about it.
"Yes." she nodded.
Hermione brightened.
She pulled out a small vial, and blue liquid shimmered in it.
"I managed to get some from Professor Snape after Potions." she announced proudly.
"Would you like to test it, dear?" Mdm Pomfrey smiled reassuringly.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Draco asked, worried.
"Since when did you start caring about Harry's safety?" Ron snorted.
"My potions are all extremely safe, Malfoy." Hermione cast a disapproving stare at Draco.
"Fine, if you say so." he sighed.
Mdm Pomfrey carefully added a few drops onto Harry's mouth, and some of the blue potion traced its way down Harry's lips and settled just below the bottom one.
Draco's blue eyes followed the movement, cheeks reddening.

*Harry POV*
Harry bolted upright, gasping for breath.
In his abrupt movement, Mdm Pomfrey dropped a vial she was holding in surprise.
His Seeker instincts kicked in, his hand shooting out and grabbing the glass bottle before it shattered on the ground.
"W-what happened?" His voice was a little hoarse.
"I accidentally Petrified you." Hermione tried to look apologetic and innocent.
"You didn't." His memories came rushing back.
He looked around, trying to figure out where he was.
The room looked familiar.
Of course it looked familiar, his inner voice chided him.
You've spent about two-thirds of your life in Hogwarts here.
Everything was the same, the beds, the view outside the window, Mdm Pomfrey's office...
Except for one thing.
Draco was seated next to his bed, staring at him as if he had just seen a ghost.
"How's your wrist?" Harry attempted to make conversation.
"Okay."
As usual, Draco's voice sent tingles up his spine, but he tried to conceal it as casually as he could manage.
"Uh, gotta go!" Harry bolted out of the hospital wing in a speed that could rival his Nimbus 2000.
Ron and Hermione were running after him.

*Draco POV*
Draco Malfoy raised his eyebrows at Mdm Pomfrey.

"Any idea why that happened?" he asked.
Mdm Pomfrey shrugged.

*Harry POV*
"Guys, why'd you do do that?" Harry demanded once they drew near to the Forbidden Forest, stopping beside Hagrid's hut.
"Harry, just admit it you've developed feelings for Malfoy! What's so hard about it?" Ron asked.
"I'm just scared he'll reject me! I doubt he's gotten over the pranks we've set on him the first time we met him!" Harry glared at his friends.
"Seriously, Harry. Have you seen the way he looks at you?" Hermione shot back.
"In disgust?" Harry snapped.
"No, he looks at yeh dreamily." a new voice boomed behind him.
"Hagrid!" Hermione beamed.
Harry turned and found himself face-to-face with Hogwarts' beloved gamekeeper.
"Care for some tea, Harry?" Hagrid chuckled merrily.
"Of course!" the young wizard replied, not wanting to hurt Hagrid's feelings.
The half-giant pushed open the door to his hut and ducked inside.
A kettle was already whistling on the stove, and Hagrid pulled out four large mugs for them.
A few minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were seated by the table, sipping tasteless tea and not commenting on it.
"Harry, my boy, were yeh at the hospital wing?" Hagrid asked.
The boy nodded.
"How's Malfoy?"
Harry groaned.
"Even you heard about Quidditch practice?" he complained.
"Oh, the whole school knows. " Ron grinned.
"He's said only one word to me in the infirmary! That's enough proof that he doesn't return my feelings!" Harry growled.
"Hmm. Perhaps yeh should ask Malfoy himself." Hagrid got up.
"Where are you going, Hagrid?" Hermione asked.
"Oi! Come in! Me's not dum' !" The half-giant yelled at the door.
Harry heard frantic footsteps just as Hagrid opened the door.
The eavesdropper tried to run, but the gamekeeper lunged, arm shooting out to grab him by the collar, earning a panicked squeak.
Then Hagrid turned, and all air rushed out of Harry's lungs.

*Draco POV*
After Mdm Pomfrey bandaged his wrist again and warned Draco not to use it often, she stalked back to her office.
The boy felt fine, just a small throb whenever he lifted his wrist gingerly.
Draco waited ten seconds after mdm Pomfrey's office door closed, before sprinting away, into the cool evening air.
Draco glimpsed Hagrid's door closing, and drew his wand.
Twirling it around him, Draco muttered "Illusiont!"
The flash of white light his father said would inform the caster that the spell had succeeded appeared and vanished as quickly as it came.
Footsteps muffled by the vibrant grass beneath him, Draco made his way to the hut next to the Forbidden Forest.
Minutes later, he was crouched next to the door and let his concealing charm drop.
"-whole school knows." Ron's voice.
"He's said only one word to me in the infirmary! That's enough proof that he doesn't return my feelings!"
Harry was talking about him.
And he had feelings for Draco.
He was so shocked he doubled over, accidentally trampling a dried twig.
A snap echoed all around, but Draco heard Hagrid's next words loud and clear.
"Maybe yeh should ask Malfoy himself."
"I am so dead." he whispered to himself.
The door opened.
Draco held his breath, not daring to move a muscle.
Hagrid looked at the other side of the door, and Malfoy saw his chance.
Shooting to his feet, he leapt sideways, to the back of the hut where the half-giant couldn't see him.
But Hagrid's reflexes were quicker than he had expected.
A huge hand came out of nowhere and grabbed his collar.
The boy let out a squeak he would deny for the rest of his life, and tried to wriggle to freedom.
Hagrid was still too strong.
Draco covered his face with his hands as he got carried into the brightly lit hut.
Squinting, he could make out the silhouettes of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
Harry had turned pale, skin contrasting to his striking black hair.
"Ah, hello?" Draco offered lamely.
"Bloody hell. " Ron whistled in amazement.
"I still remember the time when I punched you in the face. It was awesome. I can do it more than once, you know?" Hermione glared at him.
Despite shipping Drarry, Harry's friends were still protective of him.
Draco winced.
"No thanks." he mumbled.
"What are yeh doin' out so late, Malfoy?" Hagrid inspected him like he was a dissected frog.
"You could ask them too." Draco glanced at the wizards and witch in front of him, trying to regain his former bravado.
With Harry still gaping at him, it was nearly impossible.
"How-how much did you hear?" Harry croaked, his voice shaking.
Draco refused to answer.
"Don't make me Confund you, Malfoy." Ron warned.
"Do you even know how?" Hermione asked him.
Ron smiled sheepishly.
"Nope."
"Knock it off, you two." Harry turned back to his friends.
"Draco... exactly how much did you overhear? And it's too much of a coincidence for you to be lurking in the shadows of the Forbidden Forest in the evening while we're in Hagrid's hut." Harry's eyes returned to Draco's blue ones with an intensity that made his squirm.
He probably looked like a worm on a fishing hook, as he was still dangling by Hagrid's fist.
"Could you... erm...put me down?" he pleaded.
"Muffliato." Harry cast an unknown charm on the door and motioned for Hagrid to release him.
Draco sighed in relief, but found a wand at his throat.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione demanded.
"Hey, hey, calm down." Harry used his own wand to lower hers.
Secretly, Draco was thrilled.
Harry Potter was taking his side for the first time.
"I-only heard the part when Hagrid told you to ask me something." Draco lied.
Harry paled even further.
"Right... Forget that part." he fidgeted, looking anywhere else but the faces of everyone in the hut.
"I think I'll go back to Gryffindor tower first. I'm a little tired." Harry said to his friends, giving them an exaggerated yawn to accentuate the point and walked out of the house.
Honestly, Harry was really cute, even when he was lying.
"We'll let you go this time, for Harry's sake. And only Harry's." Ron gave him a cold glare and walked off with Hermione.
Draco ran a hand through his hair, not knowing what to do.
"Hm! If I catch yeh sneaking around me house again, I'll set Fang after yeh!" Hagrid threatened and pushed him out of the hut.
Soon, complete darkness fell upon Hogwarts, and all the braziers were put out.
"Lumos!" Draco muttered.
His wand tip lit up, and he reentered the castle, keeping an eye and ear out for Peeves, Mrs Norris, or Filch.
Minutes later, Draco returned to Slytherin tower and extinguished his wandlight.
Pushing open the doors, he slipped in silently and proceeded to lie in his bed, the conversation he overheard playing continuously in his head.
A small weight lifted inside him.
Maybe Harry actually likes me.
Maybe I have a chance.
Draco drifted off to sleep, a small smile gracing his lips.

Chapter Text

*Harry POV*
"Hey, Harry, do you have a date to the Quidditch Prom?" Ginny asked during dinner.

The boy shook his head.

"Well, I know a few girls I could set time you up with." Ginny said.

"No thanks, Ginny. I'll...just play Quidditch the whole night and chat with you all." Harry replied tiredly, picking at his roast chicken.

"Come on, Potter. You know every Quidditch player has to have a date." Ron mumbled through a mouthful of food.

"Well, do you have anyone in mind, then?" Hermione rephrased Ginny's question.

Harry's green eyes took on a devious glint.

"And if I do?" He challenged.

"You'll spit it out or I'll Confund you." Fred threatened, while George roared in laughter.

"Not a chance." Harry smirked.

Getting up, he strolled away, exiting the dining hall, making his way to the school gardens, tired of his friends' constant pestering.

*Draco POV*
The Malfoy had been eavesdropping on Harry again, a habit he had adopted since the day he discovered his own feelings for Potter.

Ginny was asking Harry about his date to the Quidditch Prom, and Draco's chest tightened.

He was stupid, thinking the other night that he might have a chance.

Harry was constantly surrounded by girls clamouring all over him.

He could have his pick from his endless supply of them.

Draco abruptly snapped out of his thoughts when Harry shook his head, his messy curls settling over his forehead and neck adorably.

The weight in Draco's chest lifted.

Potter didn't have a date.

A few years ago, Draco would have laughed at him, because he was "The Chosen One", but no girl wanted to choose him.

Now, Draco smiled secretly. If he could only muster the courage to ask him.

A few tables away, Potter's eyes sparkled mischeviously.

He said something that made Fred Weasley draw his wand and George laugh.

Draco wondered what he had said.

Harry rose up from his seat and walked away from his friends, leaving the dining hall.

"Oi, Malfoy, what are you staring at?" Milicent Bulstrode nudged his arm rather roughly. She followed his gaze to Harry leaving.

Something in her eyes changed and she smiled soppily.

"Oh, in the name of Merlin's pants..." Draco said in awe as realization hit him.

"Milicent, you have a crush on Harry Potter!" he said incredulously. Milicent did something Draco thought she would never see.

She blushed.

The entire Slytherin table overheard, and burst into laughter.

Milicent turned redder.

"I know how you feel too, Malfoy. Don't deny it." she hissed. Draco's stomach plummeted.

"No, you don't. I have Occlumency lessons, so no one has ever gone through my mind before." he managed.

"I do not have to look through your filthy mind to know you like Potter. Your face reveals enough." Milicent growled and stomped away, her blush still deepening.

"Spill, Malfoy." Pansy scolded, after watching the commotion.

Draco put on his innocent face, the one that always got him out of trouble.

"Come on, Parkinson. Drarry's never gonna happen." He drawled.

"We'll see about that, Malfoy." Pansy grinned and turned back to her friends.

Draco sighed in annoyance, remembering Harry, who had just walked out of the dining hall.

"I need some air." Draco said as casually as possible. Barely restraining himself from running after Potter, he strolled out.

Stepping lightly, Draco caught a glimpse of Harry's robes trailing after him as he rounded a corner.

Silently, he followed the dark-haired boy.

Walking behind Potter, and ducking behind suits of armour every time he turned, Draco was led to the main doors of Hogwarts.

What the hell was Potter doing?

Harry veered a sharp right, and Draco followed.

Suddenly, he found himself all alone.

Where was Potter?

That freak. He probably used his Invisibilty cloak again.

Maybe Draco could cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself to infuriate the other boy.

Sighing, he made his way to the school gardens, gazing at the lake, shimmering in the moonlight.

He stared at his reflection in the water. Draco had changed, not just his appearance, but his personality too.

When Lord Voldermort made him a Death Eater to amend for his father's mistakes, he had stayed awake for the following nights, staring at the Dark Mark branded into his skin. He had been tasked to murder Albus Dumbledore, and was quite happy to do it, at first, because he had always sided with Harry Potter, and his father had drilled into his head that Dumbledore was bonkers. But now, with his newfound and seemingly undying affections for Harry, Draco couldn't bring himself to kill Dumbledore. That man was constantly advising Potter about surviving and ways to defeat Voldermort. He was keeping Harry alive, and without him, Harry would already be dead at Voldermort's feet.

Draco couldn't stand to see that. He wouldn't survive the sight.

The poor boy didn't notice tears leaking out of the side of his blue eyes until they dropped down to mix with lakewater, distorting his reflection.

Soon, he was crying his eyes out, his whole body racking with violent sobs.

*Harry POV*
Watching Draco Malfoy cry at the edge of the lake was almost too much for him to bear. Draco had always been the bully in school, until he tried to improve. He was always brimming with confidence, joking with his fellow Slytherins.

But this Draco, the one crying by the lake, was a Draco no one saw. This was a carefully concealed Draco, a broken boy who was pressured to be mean by his father.

Harry knew that if Lucius Malfoy wasn't Draco's father, Draco would be a completely different person.

Kinder, less mean, with a caring heart.

Harry breathed out and pulled his Invisibility cloak off.

Treading carefully to Draco, whose back was facing him, and simply stood there, not wanting to scare the Slytherin.

*Draco POV*
Draco stiffened as he felt the grass behind him rustle.

He lifted his head and glared at the reflection in the lake with blurry eyes.

There he stood, the great Harry Potter, his master's greatest enemy.

And Draco's first love.

"Harry." He mumbled, his voice soft and cracked.

"Shh, it's alright, Draco. Just let it out..." Harry sank down beside him and rubbed soothing circles on his back.

Seconds later, Draco was clinging to the other boy, clutching his robe as if it was a lifeline.

Harry didn't seem to mind, and continued whispering comforting gibberish in his ears.

Draco Malfoy, raised to never cry or show emotion, the Death Eater that worked with Lord Voldermort to mercilessly kill, had turned into a sniveling mess in front of Harry Potter, his first love, but Voldermort's enemy.

"Hey, Malfoy, wanna talk about it?" Harry asked once he had calmed down.

Draco shook his head.

"Okay, then. So, how's school? D'you mind the whole school shipping us together?"

Soon, Draco found himself engaged in an easy conversation with Harry Potter, mindlessly changing subjects.

But his mind had latched on one thing: the way Harry had casually said 'us'.

The word kept repeating in Draco's mind, tempting him.

Us.

Us.

Us.

Malfoy couldn't take it anymore.

He couldn't let the unasked question burn continuously between them without going insane.

"So, Harry." he suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Harry replied. He had laid down onto the soft grass at some point, contentedly gazing at the dash of sparkling stars across the night sky.

"Do you have a date yet?" he asked.

Harry looked confused for a moment, before he understood what Draco was saying.

"Uh, not yet. You?"

"Nope."

Draco's reply hung between them.

*Harry POV*
His heart was going about a hundred miles an hour.

It was now or never.

"So, uh, do you wanna be my date?" Harry mumbled the last part.

"I'm sorry, what?" Draco asked.

Harry studied his face. The other wizard didn't seem to be teasing or anything. He just looked genuinely baffled.

"DOYOUWANNABEMYDATE?" Harry blurted out, and it escaped his mouth way louder than he had expected.

Draco looked stunned, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, but Harry found it distracting.

"I-I'm sorry. You don't want to. Forget I said anything." Harry couldn't disguise the hurt in his voice.

"No, of course I want to! I've been wanting to ask since yesterday!" Draco exclaimed.

Oh.

That explained the glances.

*Draco POV*
Harry's smile was as radiant as the sun, lighting up his whole world.

Earlier when he found Draco crying at the banks of the lake, his world had been turned upside down, as dark as ink.

Now, he felt as light as a feather, and with Harry smiling brightly beside him, his green eyes dancing merrily, Draco experienced a sense of rightness, a feeling he never had before, as if this moment was destined to happen.

"It's getting late, Malfoy. Pick out your best dress robes." Harry stood, helping Draco up. With a heart-melting wink, he jogged back to the slowly dimming Hogwarts castle.

"Looking forward to beating you during Quidditch, Malfoy!"

*Harry POV*
He had finally done it.

He asked Draco to be his date!

A sappy smile spead across his lips as he joined the maelstrom of students back to Gryffindor tower.

"What are you smiling about, Harry?" Ron asked as soon as he caught sight of his friend, who had been missing for the past half hour.

"I have a date now, Ron." Harry drifted forward, drowning in happiness.

"Oh, great. I asked 'Mione too."

"Mmm." Harry mumbled.

"Aren't you gonna ask what she said, Potter?"

"Lemme guess. She said no and insulted you?" Harry teased.

"Hey!" Ron shoved Harry playfully.

"She said yes, you overgrown basilisk!"

"Really, Ron? Congratulations!" Harry winced at his accidental sarcasm.

Thankfully his friend didn't seem to notice.

He too, was escstatic after finding a date.

The hard part was settled now.

Harry just had to find a suitable suit to wear to the Quidditch Prom that wouldn't look embarassing in front of Malfoy.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed from the other side of the Gryffindor common room, causing Ron and Harry to cover their ears.

"Ron asked me out!" she was practically jumping in joy.

"Yeah, I heard." Harry replied with a smile.

"How about you, Harry?" Ron interuppted.

"Yes, I've got a date now." Harry said dismissively.

"Who is she?" Hermione grabbed Harry and shook his shoulders.

"Hey, hey. Stop." Harry laughed, and Hermione released him from her vise grip.

"Who is she?" Hermione repeated.

Harry gave his friends the wink he had given Draco earlier.

"He." Was all he said.

Ron let out a high-pitched sound that sounded disturbingly close to a squeal.

"Tell us!" He was about to strangle his best friend for keeping him in the dark.

"You'll find out during the Quidditch Prom." Harry grinned evilly.

Chapter Text

*Harry POV*
"Harry, do you have a suit for today?" Ron asked his best friend.

"Yes, why?" Harry replied.

"I don't have one." Ron groaned in despair.

"Hermione is gonna be so disappointed." He said miserably.

Leaving his friend to wallow in his thoughts, Harry hid a smile and opened his trunk.

"Hey, Ron. Look here." He told his friend.

"Hmm?" Ron turned his head.

Harry was proudly holding up a dark turquoise suit.

"Don't need to show off, Potter." Ron yawned.

Harry had half a mind to hex his friend.

"It's for you, you oversized goblin!" He bellowed instead.

Ron looked stunned.

"For me?" He asked incredulously.

Harry nodded.

"You have exactly one hour to get ready, Weasley."

Ron lunged off the bed and rushed away.

Satisfied, Harry turned and walked towards the bathroom to change into his own crimson suit.

Minutes later, after settling his outfit, he grabbed the comb Hermione had gifted to him last year and ran it through his unruly mop of hair, which only made it worse.

Abandoning his attempt to tame his hair, Harry stood in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to ignore the scandalous sounds Dean and Seamus were making beside him.

"Hey, Harry, how'd I look?" Neville asked from his left. He was wearing a black suit that was slightly too big, and his hair was slicked sideways. He looked way better than the Neville Harry had seen earlier, still hugging his pillow and groaning because he had been woken up too early.

"Yeah, really good, man." Harry clapped his friend on his back.

Neville grinned back.

Harry's heart was pounding, nervous that Draco might not like his new outfit. What if he runs away in disgust? Harry wondered worriedly.

He stared at his reflection. He looked nice, but like an awkward teen in an adult's clothes.

Sighing, Harry made his way to the common room, where Oliver handed him some broom polish and told him to clean his broom.

He took out his Nimbus 2000 and began working on it, his thoughts wandering to the Quidditch match later on.

"Harry! It fits perfectly! Thank you so much!" Ron walked back into the room, turning a full circle to show Harry the fitting of his new turquoise suit.

Harry smiled.

"Should we go down early and sneak a peek of the Great Hall?" Ron asked excitedly. Harry nodded, and the two set off.

The Great Hall was transformed.

Professor Flitwick had charmed instruments to play themselves at one corner of the hall, while McGonagall Transfigured the stage to be slightly bigger, the background decorated with banners depicting the different houses. Professor Sprout had brought in vases of intricately-arranged flowers and placed them artistically throughout the Great Hall. Snape had (reluctantly) concocted a potion that spread its sweet-smelling fragrance everywhere, mixing beautifully with the aromas the flowers cast around.

Even Filch and Mdm Pomfrey tried to help.

The caretaker swept around, hanging up the portraits of the previous headmasters of Hogwarts, while Mrs Norris gobbled up all the food the elves accidentally spilt on the floor.

Mdm Pomfrey placed first-aid kits at discreet locations around the hall, like under tablecloths, behind flowerpots, and even attempted to tie one around Mrs Norris' back.

Dumbledore glided around merrily, magicking grand tables around the hall for the elves to place the towering dishes of food.

Ron was drooling when he saw the spread, and Harry had to pull him back when he tried to snag a treacle tart.

"Ron, where's Hermione?" Harry asked, trying to distract Ron.

"Oh, yes! Let's go find her!" Ron said, much to Harry's relief.

The two boys made their way back to Gryffindor tower just in time to witness Hermione's grand entrance.

She walked down the stairs gracefully, her white dress flowing around her knees.

As heads swiveled to look at he, she became flustered and missed a step.

Her sandals didn't help, but luckily she was at the last step.

A flash of panic crossed Ron's face, but he recovered quickly, and got to Hermione in one large stride, and caught her in his arms.

Hermione brushed off her dress, and smiled up at Ron, thanking him.

Harry stepped into the shadow of one of the pillars, and watched the two lovebirds.

Ron turned as red as his flaming hair, and leaned down to brush a sweet kiss on Hermione's head.

"Who knew Ron Weasley was a romantic." Harry chuckled.

After grinning at his friends' open display of affection for a while more, Harry slipped back to the Gryffindor common room and grabbed his broom, hurrying down to the Quidditch pitch with his other teammates, even though the match only started in another half hour.

*Draco POV*
Draco glanced as himself in the portable mirror that stood on his dressing table as he tied his tie into a neat knot.

His hair was done immaculately, suit pressed and adjusted to perfection, and his broom polished beside him.

Harry wouldn't like his hair. He would say it was too neat. Draco thought.

After internally debating for a few more seconds, Draco gave in and ran a slender hand through his platinum hair, tousling it.

The was no point styling his hair when there was a Quidditch match later on that would mess it up again.

There. Now Draco was ready for the game and the prom.

"Hey, Malfoy, I didn't ask you earlier. Do you have a date?" Crabbe lumbered over and patted Draco on his shoulder, causing the blond to wince.

"Crabbe, hands off. You're wrinkling my suit. And yes, I do have a date." Draco snapped.

"Ooh. Is it Parkinson again?" His lackey hummed.

"No." was all Draco said.

"Who is it then, Malfoy?" Crabbe grumbled.

"You'll see."

"Is your date pretty?" Crabbe asked.

"No. He's handsome." Draco smirked.

The sound of Crabbe's jaw hitting the ground echoed throughout the boys' dorm.

"Malfoy! Why is your hair so messy?" Pansy shrieked, whirling into the room, carrying the scent of peonies with her.

Draco glanced at his mirror again, ruffling his hair with his hand again.

"New look. Like it?" he asked.

Pansy nodded slightly.

"It's... Different." she mumbled.

"Parkinson! Malfoy here says he's got a male date!" Crabbe exclaimed.

Pansy's red lips parted, leaving a gap that could rival the ocean.

"Merlin's pants!" she screamed.

Leaving Pansy and Crabbe to guess who his date was, Draco strode back to the washroom, washing his hands again.

"FELLOW HOGWARTIANS!" Dumbledore's magically magnified voice boomed throughout the castle.

Draco jumped in fright, and scowled, muttering curses. The day before yesterday, he was crying his eyes out beside the lake about how he couldn't kill Dumbledore.

Now, all he wanted was the old git to stop screaming with his stupid magic.

"OH- sorry. " the headmaster's voice lowered, as if just realising how loud he was.

"Students, please report to the Quidditch field in exactly ten minutes and thirty seconds. Twenty nine, twenty eight... The clock is ticking! Come down early or all the good seats and snacks are gone!" Dumbledore's cheerful voice faded.

Draco swore again.

He completely forgot!

Walking briskly out of the washroom, he got his broom and hopped onto it, flying straight out of one of the windows.

The Quidditch pitch sidelines were filling up with students waving colourful banners featuring the different players, and most of them were of Harry.

Of course, The Chosen One would be playing tonight too.

Getting off his broom, Malfoy headed to the Slytherin tent, where his fellow teammates were preparing for the game.

Snape was grumpily handing out green-and-silver cloaks, for the students to distinguish between themselves and the other teams, as they were all wearing different-coloured outfits.

The girls were required to wear leggings underneath their dresses, and everyone had to tie their shoelaces tightly or wear their Quidditch shoes.

"FIRST- up, is Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw!" Dumbledore yelled again.

The crowd screamed and shook their banners, and Mdm Hooch took her place among the players.

An earsplitting whistle cane from her, and the two teams immediately rose into the air.

The Quaffles, Bludgers and Snitch were released, and soon all Draco could see was streaks of yellow-black and blue-bronze.

After a few minutes, Ravenclaw beat Hufflepuff, while their Seekers glided around in the air, still unable to find the Snitch.

"Gryffindor and Ravenclaw!" Dumbledore announced.

Loud cheers erupted from the students at the sidelines, as more Harry Potter banners were unfurled into the sky.

Professor Flitwick had to cast a Severing Charm on the banners so as to not disturb the players.

The crowd didn't seem to mind, but whipped out shorter banners.

Mdm Hooch whistled, and the two houses darted into the air.

Draco squinted, trying to make out the silhouette of Harry, and found him, just as Oliver Wood blocked him from view.

He was hovering over the players, eyes scanning for the Snitch.

His green eyes were bright and alert, looking out for incoming Bludgers.

Finally, his eyes fixed on the Golden Snitch whizzing around the players, and dashed for it.

The Ravenclaw Seeker had been observing Harry, and when she saw him fly for something, she bolted after him.

Harry anticipated the move, and feigned left, to mislead the other Seeker, then veered a sharp right, hand closing around the struggling Snitch.

Gryffindor fans roared in victory, and Harry beamed, as bright as the sun, when he saw Dumbledore change the scoreboard and announce that Gryffindor and Slytherin were up next.

The Gryffindors took a short break, gulping water and congratulating Harry, and rushed back to the field again.

The last whistle sounded, and Harry face Draco, who was a short distance away, a wink before lifting off.

Draco was so flustered he nearly toppled off his broom and grabbed the handle for balance.

He straightened, giving himself an internal scolding.

He couldn't let Gryffindor win, no matter how much he liked Harry.

His blue eyes sharpened, looking for the familiar flash of gold.

"Oi! Malfoy! Eat this!" the Weasley twins laughed identically as they hit two Bludgers towards him.

Not again.

Panicking, Draco dived, and the deadly spheres whoosed past him.

The Slytherin Beaters shot the two balls back, this time aiming for Harry.

Draco could only hover there, staring in horror as the balls rushed closer and closer to Harry.

Suddenly, the black-haired boy was laughing, flying away to dodge the Bludgers, his green eyes shining with mirth.

That idiot Potter. Laughing even at death's doorstep.

Malfoy soon got lost in the emerald depths of Harry's eyes, and momentarily forgot about the game ongoing.

"SEE? I TOLD YOU MALFOY FANCIES POTTER!" Millicent Bulstrode's magically magnified voice screamed, louder and shriller than Dumbledore's. The fans were shocked to silence, only to boom with earsplitting cheers and catcalls. They weren't cheering for the Gryffindors and Slytherins; but for Harry and Draco. In the midst of all the chaos, Draco saw Harry's gaze land upon something buzzing at the bottom of one of the taller Slytherin goals. He rushed for it, and Draco was a little too late to react. Now, even with the fastest broom in the Wizarding world, there was no way Draco could catch up with Potter now. Harry stretched out his hand to grab it, but one of the Slytherin Beaters smacked his hand with that bat, causing the poor Gryffindor to yelp in pain. Draco winced in sympathy, and raced towards him. Now was his chance. But what he didn't expect was for Harry to reach out his non-dominant hand and grab the Snitch. Thunderous applause rang throughout the Quidditch pitch. The Gryffindors had won, once again. All thanks to Harry. The Slytherins moodily trudged back to their tent, while the crowd swarmed the field, carrying Harry to the sidelines, where Mdm Pomfrey was waiting. Back at the Slytherin tent, Marcus Flint even tore off his Slytherin clock and demanded a rematch. But the person who got the brunt of their anger wasn't Draco; it was Millicent, for distracting the team and causing them to lose. For once, Draco didn't join in the jeering, and sat quietly at the entrance of the tent, content to be watching Harry laugh and joke with his fellow Gryffindors while his hand was being healed and bandaged. "Students, please proceed to the Great Hall for the actual prom to be officially open!" Dumbledore said cheerily again. Draco herded the groaning Slytherin to the hall. Such sore losers, he thought. A pleasant aroma greeted them, freshly cooked food, Snape's potion, and the fragrance of the flowers. All students cheered, including the Slytherins, as they found another thing to be excited about. Dates began looking for each other, while couples stole kisses when they thought no one was looking. Draco was content to wait for his own date, discreetly keeping an eye on his fellow Slytherins to see their reaction when Potter came over. Draco sniggered softly as he imagined what they would say. "Bloodly hell, Malfoy, did you let Gryffindor win on purpose?" "Potter, of all the boys in this school!" "Malfoy, you didn't tell me you were gay!" Entertaining himself with those thoughts, he didn't notice a certain black-haired, green-eyed prince gently push through the the crowd towards him. *Harry POV* There he was. Draco. His Draco. Standing there smiling to himself about Godric-knows-what, wearing a form-fitting dark blue suit, Draco looked like an angel in the candlelight.

"Hey, Harry, I'm going to follow you all the way till you lead me to your date." Ron said determinedly.

Harry side-eyed his friend and shrugged, his eyes roving over the crowd, trying to locate Draco again.

There.

The unmistakable flash of platinum hair.

Harry grinned and carefully slipped in between the crowd, making his way towards his date.

Ron wasn't so graceful.

Trying to weave through the bodies, he tripped over and trod on some shoes, and knocked over countless bottles of butterbeer, while muttering apologies along the way.

"Harry!" Ron pleaded.

His friend turned and found his friend causing accidents along the way.

Sighing, he raised his wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Ron found himself floating above everyone's heads, and flapped his lanky arms in panic.

Trying to keep his face straight, Harry magicked his friend over to him at the edge of the writhing crowd, just as Hermione appeared at one of the side doors of the Great Hall.

"Harry! Tell. Me. Your. Date. NOW!" she yelled.

The boy just smiled and walked away.

*Draco POV*
"Hey, Malfoy!" Draco heard an all-too-familiar voice call his name.

His heart jumped.

Harry looked splendid, with the candles floating high above, casting a golden glow over him, the colour of the red suit he was wearing toned down to a soft Alizarin crimson.

His black hair fell over his deep green eyes, brushing his long lashes.

There was an unfamiliar shyness in his eyes that one wouldn't normally see in the eyes of a Gryffindor.

"YOUR DATE IS MALFOY? DRACO BLOODY MALFOY?" Weasley yelled, his eyes wide open.

Harry bit his lip quite attractively, and nodded.

Draco put on a straight face, strolled over to his date, and put one slender arm over his broad shoulders, laying his head softly on his shoulder.

Oh, Salazar. Was this how flirting was like? Draco asked himself.

He could practically feel Potter blushing.

The Chosen One, the true Gryffindor that pulled that sword of Godric Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat, the one who won the Quidditch game earlier, turning red just because of a Slytherin.

A bloody Slytherin.

Gryffindors and Slytherins were supposed to be enemies, but maybe opposites attract. Draco thought to himself.

"Hey, Potter." Draco managed to smile charmingly.

"Hey, yourself." was the weak reply.

"Merlin's underpants, Harry. I thought you asked my sister!" Ron exclaimed.

"But I thought you also shipped Drarry." Potter's tone was matter-of-fact.

Weasley turned redder than his hair.

"I mean, sure, you two look cute, but I still prefer you dating Ginny!" Ron pouted.

"Oh, come on, Ron. They do look cute together." Hermione cut in.

"And Malfoy, why is your hair so messy? I thought you liked to use your expensive hair gel even after Quidditch." Ron asked snarkily.

Draco opened his mouth to retort back, but Harry beat him to it.

"I like it." he smiled, running a tanned had through Draco's blond locks, earning a gasp from him.

"Aww..." Hermione cooed.

Ron made a gagging motion.

"Blimey, Harry. I thought you were straight." he said.

"I'm pan." Harry replied.

"Hey, by the way, Ron, where'd you get the new suit? It looks great." Hermione interuppted before anything could escalate.

Weasley's still-shocked expression changed to one of pride.

"Harry bought it for me." he said.

Draco turned to look at Harry, who also swiveled his head to glance at him.

His face burned as he realized their sudden closeness, and the way his arm was wrapped around Harry.

Potter's mesmerizing green eyes flicked down, and back up again.

Draco had butterflies in his stomach as he realized he was looking at his lips.

Hermione quickly escorted Ron away before he could make things worse, and left Draco and Harry standing there awkwardly.

Harry cleared his throat.

"Let's... uh... find some butterbeer." he suggested hoarsely.

Draco slowly let his arm drop from around his shoulders, and nodded.

Together, the two boys walked towards one of the overflowing tables, and snagged two bottles of warm butterbeer, freshly bought from The Leaky Cauldron.

"Let's go out, yeah?" Harry tilted his head to motion at one of the various doors leading out of the Great Hall.

Smiling slightly, Draco nodded again.

"Oh, wait." Harry darted over to one of the tables and grabbed a piece of treacle tart.

At this angle, the Slytherin couldn't help but stare at Potter's arse.

Face bright red, he turned away with difficulty.

Harry took his place beside Draco again, and they exited the crowded Great Hall.

"Where do you think we should go?" Harry asked.

A slow smile spread across Draco's lips.

"How about the Restricted Section of the library?"

Harry brightened.

"Of course! Mdm Pince is at the hall, I just saw her. Great night to break some rules, eh?" Harry wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, which made Draco think of all the inappropriate things about breaking rules.

Turning to look at the suits of armour lining the walls so Harry wouldn't see his flush, he nodded once again.

Since when did he nod so much? Malfoys always replied with a verbal answer.

But Draco was the black sheep of the family. He was gay, while his other family members were all straight.

Maybe it was a night to break some rules, and prove himself different from his own family.

"Hey, Draco." Harry suddenly said.

The other wizard hummed in response.

"Do you think you could make the suits of armour dance?"

What a random question.

"Maybe. Why?" Draco asked cautiously.

Harry shrugged.

"Bored, I guess. And you're tense."

The Slytherin realized his shoulders were knotted tight, and immediately tried to relax them.

"I guess we could have a laugh, since all the teachers are in the Great Hall." Draco decided.

Pulling out his wand, he pointed it at the nearest suit of armour.

"Tarantallegra!" he cried, and a reddish-purple light shot out of the tip of the wand, going into the metal armour.

Suddenly, the armour's legs gave way, and started to spasm wildly, and soon the carefully-assembled pieces of metal were rattling apart in the middle of the hallway, going out of control.

A snort of laughter came from Harry, and that was all it took the set the two boys into uncontrollable laughter, as if they had been hit with Rictusempra, the tickling charm.

A loud meow echoed throughout the empty hallway, and the sound frightened the two wizards into silence.

"Mrs Norris." Harry breathed.

"We're dead." Draco whispered back.

Unknowingly grabbing each other's hands, they charged to the direction of the library, away from the caretaker's cat.

*Harry POV*
The boy was running for his life, and stupid tingles chose the exact moment to jolt up his arm.

He looked down briefly, only to see his fingers entwined with Draco's long ones.

Heat rushed to his face again, and he looked away.

"What do you think is gonna happen to that suit of armour now?" Draco asked, breaking the silence only punctured by their puffs of breath. "McGonagall's probably gonna suspect that it was caused by Dark Magic, and'll vaporize it." Harry shrugged nonchalantly. A tentative smile tugged at the edges of Draco's pink lips. They rounded a corner, and after a few more paces, the two wizards found themselves in the dimly lit library. Harry squeezed Draco's hand, and walked towards the Restricted Section, pulling the blond along. Reaching the forbidden part of the vast library, Harry let go of Draco's hand and pulled out the piece of treacle tart he had taken from one of the tables in the Great Hall and broke it into two, offering the larger one to Malfoy. Draco pushed away the big piece and instead took the smaller.

The other boy's eyebrows rose, but he said nothing.

They ate in silence, occasionally drinking from the bottles of butterbeer they held.

*Draco POV*
Draco was distracted.

Very distracted.

He couldn't help but stare as Harry's tongue swept out to lick the crumbs on his lips, and the way he lifted his bottle of butterbeer to his mouth.

Draco had to swallow every time that happened, and he was sure his face was redder than a tomato.

Draco was normally composed, armed with snarky retorts at the tip of his tongue.

But now, he was slowly unravelling, his composure slipping, his rude comments vanishing from his mouth.

All because of that idiot Potter and his damn mouth.

Harry seemed to notice, and smirked.

Still keeping silent, he took another bite of his treacle tart and moaned with pleasure, the sound low and sending tingles up Draco's spine and a lot of other areas.

A lock of Harry's hair had fallen in between his bright green eyes, and he was going cross-eyed from staring at it.

Draco couldn't take it anymore.

Curse Potter and his cuteness.

Before Harry could set down his butterbeer, Draco stepped forward and brushed his pale fingers across Harry's forehead, his touch featherlight, eyes trained determinedly on the scar above Harry's eyebrow.

He heard Potter's breath hitch, but let his fingers linger.

"Draco." Harry breathed.

He leaned in further, and Draco's hand fell, settling instead on the nape of Harry's neck.

"Draco." Harry said again softly, and that was all the encouragement Malfoy needed.

He pressed his lips onto Harry's, exploring the feel of him against Draco.

Harry made a low sound in his throat, and Draco shivered at the sound.

His other hand came up, sinking into Harry's soft hair, teasing the ink-black strands.

Harry's hands landed softly on Draco's sharp hips, pulling him even closer.

Sparks erupted at Harry's every touch, his blood dancing in his veins.

Draco felt that sense of rightness again, and smiled against Harry's lips.

The lips he had longed to kiss since a few weeks ago, when the school started shipping Drarry.

Harry slowly drew away.

"What's so funny?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse.

"Seems like Drarry is coming to life." he said, staring into Harry's eyes.

"I- was it okay?" Harry asked uncertainly.

Instead of responding, Draco met his lips with his again, in a faster, more passionate kiss.

Harry's lips parted, and Draco's tongue swept out to meet his.

Potter tasted of treacle tart, butterbeer, and sugar quills.

Draco had only a few kisses in his life, and none of them we as good as this.

Slowly, they drew apart again, lips lingering sweetly.

"Let's go back to the Great Hall, yeah?" Harry asked.

Draco realised how long they were gone, and nodded.

Breathless and red-faced, they stumbled back to the ongoing prom.

Both boys were thinking the same thing as they raced back to the hall.

That was the best kiss of their life.

Chapter Text

*Harry POV*
"Thank you, fellow Hogwartians, for clearing all the scrumptious food our dear elves had prepared for us today! We will now be presenting the award of the Quidditch match to Gryffindor!" Dumbledore said, his voice booming across the Great Hall, just as Harry and Draco entered throught the side door, trying to blend in with the crowd as if they had never left.

"Gryffindor! Gryffindor!" The house pushed their Quidditch team forward.

Oliver Wood was about to receive the award eagerly from McGonagall, but Fred cried out.

"Where's our Seeker? We can't take the prize without our Seeker!"

Heads turned and found Harry, trying to hide behind a flowerpot while desperately flattening his hair, which was tousled after his snogging session with Draco in the library.

"Harry James Potter, would you please bloody get up here?" Dean Thomas hollered.

McGonagall shot him a disapproving glare.

The Gryffindor Seeker winced, but made his way to the stage, brushing off his crimson suit and adjusted his glasses.

Fans screamed as he took his place beside Oliver, and watched as the team captain took the prize.

Dumbledore tapped his wand at Oliver's broad neck, and he immediately thanked the audience.

"I must say, all the houses put up a good fight today, and it was a pleasure playing against all of you. It was one of the best Quidditch matches I had ever played in my life in Hogwarts. But, however, we must thank Harry Potter for capturing the Snitch and helping us win. Harry, please do give a speech for your adoring fans too." Oliver beamed.

Dumbledore did the voice-magnifying spell again, this time on Harry.

Harry cleared his throat.

"Uh, thank you all for supporting Gryffindor, and I really enjoyed the games today. To all the Seekers of the Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin teams, you all did an amazing job today." Harry locked eyes with Draco, who was leaning casually against a pillar, sipping from his butterbeer bottle.

"I would specially like to thank Milicent Bulstrode, because if not for her earsplitting distraction, I wouldn't have gotten to the Snitch before Draco."

Below the stage, Milicent's face turned a lovely beetroot red as everyone laughed at the memory.

*Draco POV*
Draco didn't feel any feelings of jealousy as Harry thanked Milicent, because his brain was still repeating his name in Harry's voice.

Draco.

Draco.

His deep voice made him shiver, tingles racing down his spine.

The floating candles lit the stage perfectly, casting a shadow across Harry's chiseled features, and he was easily the most handsome of all the Quidditch players.

"Most of all, I want to thank every single one of you, who made tonight a memorable one. A toast, to all of you, and this beautiful night, not just the Gryffindors." Harry raised an invisible glass.

Beside him, the Gryffindor Quidditch team lifted their wands and yelled "Periculum!"

Red sparks shot out of the tips, and darted high into the air, narrowly missing the candles.

Mdm Pomfrey tutted and muttered something about danger, but the rest of the crowd cheered.

"Now, Professor Flitwick, the music, please." Dumbledore announced, motioning to the tiny Charms professor, who stood on a high stand beside a bunch of violins, cellos, double basses, and violas.

With a flick of his wand, the instruments began playing a fast-paced song, adapted from a jig and Hogwarts' school song.

Draco had thought the school song sounded terrible in his first year, but his feelings towards the song had changed greatly, much like how he looked at Harry Potter.

Harry, seeing that the whole school had found their own dance partners, leapt off the stage gracefully, and walked towards Draco.

Holding a hand out, he smiled.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance?" He asked formally, making Draco laugh.

"You don't have to treat me like a lady, Potter." He drawled back.

"But yes." He grinned. Harry's smile turned shy, and he lifted Draco's hand, brushing his lips onto the soft skin of the back of it.

Draco blushed, and let himself be led to the middle of the dance floor.

Harry's hand landed on Draco's waist, and although the touch was light, Draco felt the heat of his hand sear his skin, branding him.

He placed his own hand on Harry's broad shoulder, and his other met Harry's, lifted into the air.

They waited for a beat, just staring into each other's eyes.

"Scared, Potter?" Draco murmured. Harry's melodious laughter rang in his ears, and he felt all warm and fluttery.

Harry took the first step, and Draco followed.

Soon, they were dancing in time with the music, exchanging shy smiles.

Potter, who was known for his clumsiness, missed a step and trod on Draco's toes, causing him to yelp in surprise and draw more attention than intended.

More than half the school turned and saw Draco and Harry dancing together, and cheered.

Drarry wasn't impossible to bring to reality.

"So sweet!" Hermione gushed as she twirled by, Ron holding her in his long arms.

Draco gave her a fake glare.

"Shut it, Granger." He muttered.

Ron swept her up and planted a soft kiss right on her lips.

Laughing, Harry led Draco away from the red-faced lovebirds.

"Hey, Draco." He whispered.

Draco turned his blue eyes back to the boy.

"Yeah?"

"Uh, I hope it isn't too fast but... um..." Harry stammered.

"Spit it out, Potter." He said in a low growl.

"W-would you like to join me the next time we're allowed to go to Hogsmeade? Like, maybe grab a drink or something?" Harry lifted his eyes to meet Draco's.

Butterflies wrecked havoc in Draco's stomach.

Potter was asking him out.

Oh, Salazar.

Say something! A voice in his head yelled.

*Harry POV*

"Well?" Harry prompted.

"Yes." Draco breathed, his voice barely audible, but Harry heard him loud and clear.

He rushed forward, kissing his soon-to-be boyfriend with all he had.

Harry heard Draco gasp, and felt him kiss back. Draco pulled him closer and tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss.

The heavens would have fallen, Voldermort would have murdered every living thing on Earth, the whole Wizarding world gone extinct, and Harry and Draco wouldn't have cared.

All that mattered now was each other.

It wasn't anything like Harry had imagined.

In fact, it was way better. Their passion and affection for each other was stronger than a thousand doses of Amortentia, drowning out everything like firewhiskey.

The whole hall was silent as the two drew apart slowly.

"Oh, dear Merlin. That was a kiss worthy of a page in Hogwarts: A History." Dumbledore said, amused.

"An entire chapter." Hermione blew out a breath nearby.

"An entire book!" Fred and George chorused mischievously.

Casting a quick Amplifying Charm, the twins' identical voices rang out.

"Dearest Hogwartians! This steamy novel titled "Drarry, a true love story" will be on the shelves of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes located in Diagon Alley soon! Do visit during the holidays to get your very own copy of this amazing work by our resident author, Hermione Granger!"

In Harry's arms, Draco turned a colour a shade darker than apple.

"Remember to give us credits for inspiring your story!" Harry called back.

The Great Hall erupted into peals of laughter.

Even Snape had a tiny smile at the edge of his thin lips.

Seriously, that man had to smile genuinely, and not wear his evil smirk every second of every day.

"See, Malfoy? We have our own romance series now." Harry tilted Draco's head upwards to face his.

Instead of answering, Draco smiled and wrapped his own arms around Harry, breathing in the scent of him, treacle tart and vanilla, with a hint of soap.

"Thank you." He mumbled.

"For what?" Draco could sense Harry's confusion.

"For changing my life."

Chapter Text

"Students!" Professor McGonagall clapped her hands for attention.

"The usual rules: no wandering away from Hogsmeade, do not smuggle butterbeer and firewhiskey back into Hogwarts, and try not to murder anyone on your trip." The students were barely listening; all of them were gazing longingly at the road to Hogsmeade, eager to escape the professors of Hogwarts and their frightening piles of homework.

"You may go." McGonagall sighed in exasperation, seeing that no one was paying attention to her warnings. The Hogwartians cheered and raced away.

In a few heartbeats, the Hogwarts front entrance was empty, as silent as a graveyard, except for the first and second-years in their classrooms.

"Cheerful bunch, eh?" Dumbledore appeared beside the Transfiguration professor, smiling into the distance, where the older students were having fun.

*Harry POV*
Where was Draco? Harry had seen his unmistakable flash of blond hair as they were running away from the school grounds, but once he reached the bustling streets of Hogsmeade, the Slytherin was nowhere to be found.

"Bye, Harry!" Hermione laughed as she dashed past with Ron. Harry waved distractedly, his eyes still frantically searching for Draco.

"Periculum!" He muttered, and a red flash was seen high in the air. Draco should be able to find him now.

He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.

Whirling around, he yelled "Levicorpus!" without thinking.

The person who had scared Harry was instantly hanging in the air, upside down.

"Hey!" he protested.

"Draco?" Harry's jaw dropped.

"Merlin's pants, you gave me a fright!" He exclaimed.

Smirking, Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry hello upside down.

The Gryffindor was so flustered he had to try to say the Dangling Jinx's counterspell three times before finally getting it correct, dropping Draco onto the cold, hard ground.

"Jeez, Potter. It's 'Liberacorpus', for Merlin's sake, not Loborecotus or Lolovcopas." Draco grumbled as he pushed himself up, brushing off his Slytherin robes.

"You distracted me!" Harry protested.

"Oh, so now I'm distracting, huh?" Draco brought his face closer to Harry's flushed one.

Seriously, where did Draco get his flirting skills from? Did he practice with Crabbe and Goyle every night?

"Let's get on with our date, shall we?" Harry blurted out, embarassed. Draco straightened, still grinning stupidly.

"Of course." Malfoy replied.

"Obscuro." Harry whispered. His wand arm hanging beside him was suddenly raised, and a blindfold appeared over Draco's eyes.

"Potter! What was that for?" Draco yelled in surprise.

"It'll only be for a while, Drac." Harry murmured.

"Drac, huh? What's up with the new nickname?" Draco asked.

"Or would you prefer if I called you love?" Harry smiled, even though Draco couldn't see him.

*Draco POV*
His heart was thundering, his palms sweaty.

Harry just called him love.

And Draco liked it. He wanted Harry to repeat that a million times, just to permanently tell himself that he was Harry's. Just like how Harry was his.

"Say that again." Draco's voice was quiet.

"Love. Draco, my love." Harry's voice was low, just for him to hear.

Draco wrapped his arms around the other boy, crashing their lips together in a hungry, furious kiss.

"Hey, love. Let's proceed with our date." Harry said against Draco's lips.

*Harry POV*

Putting his hands on Draco's shoulders, Harry guided him to Brews and Stews Café.

Keeping the blindfold covering Draco's eyes in place, Harry let his nose figure out where they were before taking it off.

"A coffee shop?" Draco asked, confused.

"Not just any." Harry grinned.

"Recommended by Ron Weasley, as it was the place where he and Hermione shared their second kiss together. Or, at least, at the door." He said.

"Weasley?" Draco gasped dramatically.

"I never knew he was adventurous enough to wander all the way here." He teased.

Harry rolled his green eyes fondly.

*Draco POV*
Harry was the perfect gentleman, holding the door open for Draco, pulling the chair out for him before sitting down himself.

Draco was about to grab the menu and choose his food and beverages, but Harry put his warm hand over his.

"I've already ordered in advance, Draco." He smiled.

The Slytherin's perfectly groomed eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Don't worry, you're gonna like it." Harry said reassuringly.

"I'll pay for my share, then." Draco prepared to take out his wallet, but Harry simply pulled a plastic card out from his pocket and dangled it by two fingers.

Oh. He used his Hogsmeade vouchers Gryffindor had won during the Quidditch prom.

"I asked you out, I'll pay." Harry's eyes staring into Draco's dared him to argue.

Draco didn't, though. He had ruined enough dates with the women his father had set him up with.

Harry was someone he actually liked, and he couldn't risk this relationship crumbling too.

"Hey, I have some stuff for you too." Harry pulled a little bag out of nowhere.

It was from Honeydukes.

Harry's grin widened as Draco dug through the bag like a little child.

There were packets of sugar quills, boxes of peppermint toads, and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.

"Seriously, Harry, you didn't have to get me all this." Draco chided, but couldn't help the sappy smile that spread on his face.

"See? You're happy." Harry said smugly.

"Mr Potter, your butter sandwich, vanilla croissant, and signature hot chocolate. Enjoy!" A waitress came over, balancing a tray with their orders.

Harry thanked her with a bright smile, which made her blush and turn away, flustered.

"Come on, Harry. How is that fair? You made her fall for you by just smiling stupidly!" Draco complained.

Harry shrugged.

"I didn't need her to fall for me. I already have a boyfriend." He winked, which made Draco forgive him immediately.

Seriously, that boy could worm his way out of every single problem by simply grinning!

"You ordered hot chocolate?" Draco changed the subject, eyeing the steaming mugs in front of them.

"Sets the mood for a romantic afternoon, doesn't it?" Harry was already staring at the sandwich, that hungry git.

Draco grabbed the vanilla croissant, and was about to take a bite, when he suddenly leaned forward, pressing his lips to Harry's.

The Gryffindor looked shocked.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"It's a thank you kiss." Draco said, sinking his teeth into the heavenly pastry he held in his hand.

The croissant melted on his tongue, the golden-brown layers still warm and sweet.

The vanilla filling inside was not too sweet, but rich and creamy, the milky taste lingering in his mouth, and it wasn't too overpowering.

It was the best croissant ever, and totally worth the calories.

Harry gave an unexpected moan as he bit his buttery sandwich, which made Draco colour deeply.

Clearing his throat, Draco placed his half-finished pastry on the plate, lifting his mug of hot chocolate from the saucer daintily.

The hot chocolate wasn't made from the disgusting powder, but from a perfect blend of dark and milk chocolate, and whole milk, with a hint of heavy cream.

"Harry, the food is absolutely amazing." Draco told his boyfriend in wonder, sipping his chocolate and restraining himself from letting out weird noises of pleasure.

"And being with you makes it all better." Harry shot him his heart-melting winks again, and the effect hit Draco full force.

He only just managed not to swoon like some lovesick teenager (which was probably what he was at that moment) and grabbed his hot chocolate to cover his overheating face.

Harry smirked at Draco’s reaction.

Seriously, why must that Gryffindor sit there looking so beautiful while he roasted his boyfriend with his words and looks?

“Well? Did I do something to render you speechless?” Harry asked. Draco bit his lip.

“No, but…” he said carefully.

“Yeah?” Came Harry’s response.

“You are just so perfect and this date is the best I’ve ever experienced and never in my life had I expected our rivalry to end like this!” Draco blurted out. His face was quickly reaching its boiling point.

“Perfect, huh?” That smirk of Harry’s was really annoying and endearing at the same time.

Draco rolled his eyes.

“Yes, is it really that worth gloating about?” He shot back playfully.

Exchanging lighthearted insults, the pair finished their food, and Harry got up to pay for their food.

The waitress who had served them earlier blushed deeply as Harry handed her a few vouchers from his wallet.

Feeling awkward sitting by the window by himself, Draco strolled over to his boyfriend, casually hooking an arm over his broad shoulders.

Apparently the girl at the counter sucked at reading signs.

Leaning over the tabletop, she put on her flirt-face, and asked Harry to send her an owl soon.

Luckily, Harry had way more patience than Draco.

“I’m sorry, I already have a boyfriend.” He politely declined. The girl’s brown gaze flicked to Draco and back to Harry.

“H-Harry Potter, is gay and has a boyfriend?” She spluttered in surprise.

“I’m bi.” The Gryffindor corrected.

The waitress simply blinked.

“Well, have a nice day!” Draco interrupted, and all but dragged Harry outside into the cool air.

Potter doubled over, laughing and clutching his stomach.

Draco gave him an unimpressed look.

“Stop that or you’ll puke up the food we ate earlier.” He told the other wizard, who was currently cackling so hard tears leaked out of his brilliant green eyes.

“It’s my vouchers, why would you care?” Harry retorted, still giggling like a child.

“I’m worried, because if you vomit I wouldn’t be able to kiss you! Your mouth would be foul for a week!” Draco exclaimed, indignant.

“Oh.” Harry said.

“Seriously, Potter?” Draco muttered, loud enough for Harry to hear.

Suddenly, a pair of lips slammed onto his, moving in a way the owner knew would soften Draco’s words.

His protests were muffled by those sweet lips, and Draco’s arms rose automatically, wrapping lightly around Harry’s neck.

Hands were placed on his hips, and this time their grip was strong and soft at the same time, setting off fireworks under his skin and sending pleasuring shivers down his spine.

Draco lost his train of thought, his world becoming blurred and unfocused except for the amazing wizard that stood in front of him.

Harry drew back, and the movement drew a low whine from Draco, who started chasing his lips but stopped himself in time.

The sneaky Gryffindor smirked again.

“Come on, love. I still have a surprise for you.” He said, tugging Draco’s hand slightly.

Like an obedient hippogriff, the Slytherin followed him.

*Harry POV*
While they were walking, Draco peppered him with questions.

“What was so funny when we stepped out of the café? And why did you suddenly kiss me? And did you know that that girl at the café had a stupid crush on you? And- oof!”

Harry had slapped his hand over Draco’s mouth, effectively shutting him up.

“You know, I would have kissed you, but you were talking so much I didn’t want to kiss your teeth.” Harry murmured beside Draco’s ear.

Draco was sure Harry could feel the heat of his blush from his hand.

“So… you asked what was so funny.” Harry commented.

“Well, I particularly enjoyed the way you acted in front of that waitress. It’s was as if you were jealous or something.” He laughed.

Draco pouted but said nothing.

“And the reason why I kissed you was because you looked so cute, complaining endlessly. And also to shut you up. And yes, I know the girl at the café had a crush on me.”

“And?” Draco asked expectantly.

Harry looked confused for a moment, but realisation finally dawned on him.

Leaning over, he ruffled Draco’s immaculate hair, smiling cheekily and planting light kisses on the soft blond strands.

The only words Draco could manage through his shock was “You messed up my hair.”

Harry’s laughter was mesmerising, like a gentle trickle of water, and dried autumn leaves fluttering over stone.

Draco turned his head and kissed Harry’s soft cheek, grinning from ear to ear.

“Why are you smiling?” Harry asked.

Draco shrugged.

“I’m happy, I guess. My last date feels so long ago, like a few decades, but it’s really only a few years.” He said.

“Oh? Who was your date?” Harry asked. Draco expected his tone to be a little jealous, but Harry seemed really intrigued.

“It was uh… Pansy. But honestly, it was arranged by my parents.” Draco coughed, feeling awkward.