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Harry Potter, the boy who lived-Twice, the savior of the wizarding world, youngest seeker in the history of Hogwarts and all round defender of all that is good and pure, sighed as he looked across the Great Hall at the Slytherin table.
His eyes, as they so often did nowadays, landed on a certain blonde haired wizard who sat there playing with his food. Draco Malfoy.
Ever since the war ended and they had returned for their eighth year, Harry found himself growing more and more fascinated by his former enemy. Perhaps it was facing death together in the Room of Requirement that had changed things. Made him see the blonde in another light Or maybe Harry was just going crazy.
All he knew was he couldn't stop thinking about Draco. His sharp features, the way his robes clung to his fit body, the way his hair fell into his eyes when he threw his head back and laughed at something one of his friends said. Harry was obsessed.
But Draco didn't seem to have changed how he felt about Harry at all. He still sneered at him in the corridors and shot him dirty looks whenever they crossed paths. Harry didn't know how to get through to him, how to show Draco that people can change. That he had changed.
He tried everything to get Draco's attention. He started showing off in Potions, trying to one-up Draco's perfect potions skills( even though those mostly ended with the bottom of his caldron melted). He stood out in the Quidditch trials and challenged Draco for the seeker position on the Slytherin team( which seemed to make him avoid him more) and even started getting into fights with other students just to try and impress Draco with his dueling abilities (which landed him in detentions with filch).
Nothing was working. Draco seemed completely disinterested in Harry, always brushing him off with an eye roll or a scoff. Harry was running out of ideas.
That's when he decided to go to Hermione and Ron for help. He told them everything, how he felt about Draco and his failed attempts to woo the wizard.
"Mate, I think you've gone barmy," Ron said, looking utterly horrified. "It's Malfoy! After everything he's done-"
"People change, Ron," Harry interrupted. "The war changed us all. I just want a chance to show Draco I've changed too."
Hermione, ever the pragmatic one, came up with a plan. "I think a direct approach is best here. No more showing off or nonsense fights. Tomorrow at breakfast, you need to confront Draco. Tell him how you feel and ask him on a date. Be honest about your feelings and your desire for a fresh start. It may be the only way to get through to him."
Harry felt sick with nerves at the thought but knew Hermione was right. It was time for bold, direct action.
The next morning, Harry marched over to the Slytherin table with purpose. His heart was pounding but he steeled his nerves and approached Draco, who looked up at him with a sneer.
"What do you want, Potter?"
Harry took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
Draco raised an eyebrow but stood up gracefully and followed Harry out of the Great Hall. Once they were in a private nook of the corridor, Harry turned to face him.
"Look, I know we have a lot of history, both good and bad," Harry began, Draco snorting derisively at this. "But I think people can change. The war changed me, and I'd like to think it maybe changed you too, underneath all that attitude."
"Get to the point, Potter," Draco drawled.
Harry plunged ahead. "What I'm trying to say is...I have feelings for you, Draco. Strong feelings. I can't stop thinking about you and I want the chance to show you I'm not the same brash Gryffindor I used to be. So...will you got on a date with me this Hogsmeade weekend?"
For a long moment Draco just stared at Harry, expression unreadable. Harry waited with bated breath. Then, slowly, the corners of Draco's lips began to turn up into a smirk.
"Well, well, well, Potter. You sure know how to surprise a guy. A date, huh? I suppose everyone is entitled to one lapse in judgement. Fine, I'll go. But no guarantee I'll have any fun," Draco drawled.
Harry broke into a beaming smile. "Brilliant! It's a date then. I'll meet you at the gates at 11 o'clock Saturday." Heart lighter than it had been in weeks, Harry practically skipped back to the Great Hall, feeling more hopeful than ever.
His friends were shocked yet pleased when Harry told them how it went. "I knew a direct approach was best!" Hermione gloated. Now they just had to plan for Hogsmeade to make sure it was the perfect date.
Saturday came and Harry was a bundle of nerves getting ready. He wanted to look good but not too try-hard. After agonizing over his outfit choices, he finally made his way to the gates at five till. Draco was already there, looking gorgeous in slate gray robes that made his eyes shine.
"You're early, Potter," Draco drawled, looking Harry up and down in an assessing way that made him blush.
"I'm punctual," Harry retorted. "Shall we?"
They made their way into the bustling village. Harry had planned a full itinerary, starting with a trip to Honeydukes for sweets, then the bookshop, a stroll through the Shrieking Shack, and lunch at the Three Broomsticks.
To his surprise and delight, Draco seemed to be having a good time. He was looser and more carefree than Harry had ever seen him, even cracking smiles and jokes. Over lunch, they talked for hours about everything from schoolwork to Quidditch to their families. Harry found Draco was actually quite funny and charming when he wasn't putting on a front.
As they walked through the village after lunch. their hands brushed, fingers intertwining in a shy, tentative grip. Draco didn't pull away, instead squeezing Harry's hand gently in his. He turned to face Harry, expression uncharacteristically soft.
"You know...this date wasn't a total disaster," Draco sighed. Harry beamed, leaning up to press a soft kiss to Draco's cheek, making him blush. Hand in hand, hearts full, they made their way back to the castle, a new chapter beginning for the once hostile wizards.
From that day on, Harry and Draco were nearly inseparable. Despite some grumbling from the other Slytherins at first, their relationship blossomed over the following months. There were stolen kisses in empty classrooms, study dates in the library that ended in more heated antics, and lots of affection whenever they were together.
It was perfect.