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Language:
English
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Drarry, Drarry 8th Year
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Published:
2025-09-30
Updated:
2026-02-11
Words:
29,954
Chapters:
16/?
Comments:
4
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50
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6
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1,062

Defence Against the Love Arts

Summary:

After the war, all Hogwarts students were required by Ministry decree to repeat the year. Snape, as headmaster at the time, was too occupied with his wartime role, and the other teachers focused more on protecting the students than on pushing their education forward. So Draco and Harry, long-time rivals, find themselves crossing paths once again in the halls of Hogwarts. How has the war changed their enmity? Will they manage to bridge the gap between them?

Notes:

Dear readers,
this story is being published alongside its original version in my native language. I first began writing it eight years ago, then took a break, and now I'm returning to finally finish it. Because the story was quite well received in my native language, I've decided to start releasing it in English as well. As I've mentioned, English is not my first language. Please forgive any awkward phrasing or occasional grammatical errors. I hope you will enjoy your reading anyway!

A heads-up: the story moves slowly, and the relationship between Harry and Draco develops very gradually. I hope that won't put you off, I promise we'll get to it.

Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter Text

"It's time to make your choice. Step forward and join... or die," Voldemort commanded the defeated students and professors. But in the tense silence that followed, not a single person moved.

"Draco!" Lucius hissed from behind Voldemort, teeth clenched. Urgency laced his voice. Draco shot him a piercing look but didn't respond to the demand. "Draco!" Lucius groaned again.

The blond boy, however, remained frozen among his classmates, fists clenched, lips pressed tight. The decision was made. Draco had chosen his side in the war, unaware that he had aligned himself with the victors. Unaware that Harry Potter was still alive.