oblivious child
The grand sitting room of Malfoy Manor was nothing short of extravagant. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the elegantly furnished space. The fire crackled in the ornate fireplace, warding off the October chill, while thick velvet drapes framed the enormous windows overlooking the gardens.
Harry, sprawled on the pristine white couch like he belonged there (he did, as far as he was concerned), lazily watched as Draco sat by the marble coffee table, reading. Blaise and Theo were across from them, engaged in a competitive game of wizard’s chess.
But Harry had other plans.
Draco had recently dyed the edges of his hair silver-blue—a small change, but it had sent Harry’s brain into overdrive. The color suited him. Too well. Unfairly well.
Harry sighed dramatically. "You know, Draco, if beauty were time, you’d be an eternity."
Draco didn’t even look up from his book. "That doesn’t make any sense, Potter."
Harry smirked. "Sure it does. You’re timeless."
Draco exhaled through his nose, turning a page. Blaise smirked knowingly, while Theo muttered, "That’s got to be the worst one yet."
Undeterred, Harry leaned closer, watching Draco’s profile. "Are you a Lumos spell? Because you light up my life."
Draco turned a page, deadpan. "You really need to pay more attention in Charms."
Blaise nearly choked on his drink. Theo was barely holding in laughter.
From the other side of the room, five adults sat in refined amusement. Lucius, Narcissa, Severus, Sirius, and Remus had taken up residence on the plush armchairs near the fireplace, pretending to be engrossed in their tea and books.
"Is he truly this dense?" Remus mused, sipping his tea.
Lucius sighed, rubbing his temples. "Painfully so."
Sirius snickered. "At this point, I almost want Harry to say something so ridiculous that even Draco understands."
Narcissa, with the perfect poise of a queen, delicately placed her teacup down. "It’s rather sweet, in a foolish sort of way."
Snape simply pinched the bridge of his nose. "If Potter wastes this much effort on nonsense, it explains a lot about his academic performance."
Back on the couch, Harry was still on his mission. He tapped Draco’s book. "Did you fall from heaven? Because it looks like you landed right in my heart."
Draco, finally reaching his limit, closed the book with deliberate slowness and turned to Harry with the most unimpressed look imaginable. "Harry, if I had fallen from anywhere, it would be from an expensive broom, and I’d land in the Hospital Wing, not your—what was it?—heart?"
Harry grinned. "So you’re admitting you’d fall for me?"
Draco opened his mouth, then shut it. His ears tinged pink as he scowled, quickly reopening his book as if the conversation had never happened.
Blaise and Theo were laughing so hard they nearly fell off their chairs.
From the armchairs, Sirius let out a bark-like laugh. "That’s my godson!"
Snape sighed deeply. "I need a stronger drink."
Lucius put a hand over his face, while Narcissa exchanged a knowing glance with Remus.
For now, things were peaceful. But knowing Harry Potter, that wouldn’t last long.
---
Malfoy Manor’s sitting room was its usual picture of elegance, filled with ornate furniture, an unreasonably large fireplace, and the scent of expensive tea. A peaceful afternoon, perfect for studying—except Harry had absolutely no intention of doing that.
Draco, perched on the velvet couch with a book, was fully absorbed in whatever pureblood nonsense he was reading. He looked effortlessly composed, his silver-blue hair catching the light just right.
Harry, on the other hand, was currently lounging in the armchair across from him, *plotting.*
Ever since he’d grown taller, things had changed. Now, when he leaned in to whisper something to Draco, he had to tilt his head *down.* When they stood side by side, Draco had to look *up.* And, most importantly, when Harry *wanted* something, he had the advantage of just *grabbing* Draco and taking it.
He intended to exploit this completely.
"Draco," Harry said casually, pushing himself up from the chair.
Draco hummed absentmindedly, not looking up.
Harry took that as permission.
He moved behind the couch and leaned *down,* resting his chin on Draco’s shoulder. "You smell nice," he murmured.
Draco tensed for a split second before going back to his book. "Of course I do, Potter. I have good hygiene."
Harry smirked. He shifted so that his lips brushed Draco’s ear. "And you’re so soft," he said, nuzzling against Draco’s shoulder just to be annoying.
Draco *shoved* him off without looking up. "Do you *mind?*"
"Not at all," Harry said, grinning as he flopped onto the couch beside him. "In fact, I was thinking—" He grabbed Draco’s waist and *pulled him onto his lap.*
Draco let out an undignified squawk, his book nearly flying out of his hands. "Harry!"
Harry rested his chin on Draco’s shoulder again, arms snugly wrapped around his waist. "Yeah?"
Draco turned to glare at him, his face slightly pink. "Put me down."
"But I *like* you here," Harry said, tightening his grip, his voice shamelessly amused. "You're the perfect size to fit in my lap now."
"You absolute *menace,*" Draco grumbled, shifting to get comfortable despite himself. "I liked you better when you were short."
"Too bad," Harry whispered, tilting his head to press a lingering kiss just beneath Draco’s ear.
Draco *froze.*
Harry grinned. *Got him.*
From the other side of the room, Blaise and Theo were barely holding in their laughter. Pansy smirked like she was watching the best show of her life.
And at the armchairs, the adults observed.
Sirius, looking *far too pleased,* nudged Lucius. "Your kid is doomed."
Lucius sighed, rubbing his temples. "He is still a Malfoy. He will catch on… eventually."
Remus hummed into his tea. "At this rate, Harry might have to *spell it out.*"
Snape, already looking exhausted, muttered, "I will need *so* much Firewhisky to survive this year."
Back on the couch, Draco had yet to recover from the kiss, stiff in Harry’s hold. Harry, meanwhile, rested his cheek against Draco’s and smirked.
"Oh? No protest?" he teased.
Draco finally snapped out of it and *elbowed* Harry in the ribs. "Shut *up,* Potter."
Harry just laughed. He *loved* having the height advantage.
---
It started as a joke.
Harry had discovered something wonderful—Draco Malfoy fit perfectly in his lap. And, more importantly, when Draco was in his lap, Harry could *hold* him, touch him, kiss him—without getting shoved away immediately. So, obviously, it became his new mission to make *his lap* the one place Draco always sat.
Draco, however, had *not* signed up for this.
The first time it happened, they were in the Malfoy Manor library. Draco had been searching for a book when Harry, already settled in a plush chair, casually reached for him and *pulled him down* before Draco even had time to react.
Draco blinked, completely stunned. "*Harry—*"
"This is your seat now," Harry announced, resting his chin on Draco’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Draco tried to stand, but Harry tightened his grip. "*Nope.*"
"Harry," Draco growled, wiggling.
"Draco," Harry grinned, not budging an inch.
Draco huffed but, instead of fighting further, he rolled his eyes and *relaxed.* "Fine. But only because I’m comfortable."
Harry bit back a victorious smirk. *Step one: success.*
---
It became a pattern after that.
In the common room? Harry would be waiting on the couch, *patting his lap.*
At lunch? "Draco, the bench is too cold, sit here instead."
During study sessions? "It’s better for posture."
At one point, when they were sitting with their friends, Draco went to sit on the couch beside him—only for Harry to *grab his waist* and *redirect him.*
Blaise choked on his drink. Pansy smirked.
Theo sighed. "Harry, you *do* know he can sit elsewhere, right?"
Harry shrugged, arms securely wrapped around Draco’s waist. "Not anymore."
Draco groaned but didn’t *actually* move away.
---
Lucius and Narcissa caught on quickly.
One evening, as Harry made his usual move of pulling Draco onto his lap in the sitting room, Lucius sipped his wine and said dryly, "Should I have the house elves remove the other chairs? Or will you two be merging into one entity soon?"
Harry grinned. "I’d like that, actually."
Draco covered his face.
Narcissa, hiding a smile behind her teacup, hummed. "It *is* rather adorable. Young love."
Snape, however, looked one second away from hexing himself.
"Potter," he said, exasperated, "must you *publicly* claim Draco as some sort of *personal accessory?*"
Harry only held Draco tighter. "Yes."
Draco let out a dramatic sigh. "*This is my life now.*"
Sirius, on the other hand, was beaming. "My godson *knows what he wants.*"
Lucius shot him a glare.
Remus chuckled. "At least he's persistent."
---
The real victory came during a study session in the library. Draco was already sitting at the table, deeply focused, when Harry entered. Without a word, he pulled Draco up from his seat and plopped down, guiding Draco back into his lap.
Draco opened his mouth, ready to argue—but stopped.
Then, to Harry’s absolute delight, Draco sighed, adjusted *slightly,* and leaned back into him.
Harry froze. *Wait. What.*
Draco, eyes still scanning his book, mumbled, "Fine. I give up. This *is* comfortable."
Harry blinked. "You—You're not fighting me on this?"
Draco turned a page. "You *wore me down,* Potter."
Harry grinned, resting his chin on Draco’s shoulder. *Mission accomplished.*
---