new enemy of the chosen one
Harry was running as if his life depended on it, he didn’t know why but somehow, he knew. He knew where Draco was and knew that Draco was in distress. When he arrived at the scene, Cormac McLaggen was flying and Draco was leaning on Nott. Harry’s stomach twisted at the sight, an angry green emotion forming. Before he could even take a step forward and take Draco out of the boy's arms, Theo spoke.
“Let me make this clear, if you have problems with Draco coming back to Hogwarts, Take it up with Harry bloody Potter. He spoke for him during his trials, the reason why he is here is because of him. And if you still have a problem, I won’t hesitate to torture you in more ways than one.”
Theo turned and carried Draco, leaving the scene, leaving Harry seething at the sight. His magic was flaring. But he stood there and watched the two Slytherins walking away. His magic only continued to put a blanket of pressure on the air around him and the students present. The students were falling to their knees, gasping for air. Harry was mad, he was mad at Theo, mad at Draco, but mostly, mad at himself.
Harry was losing himself to his magic, losing himself in the haze of his anger until he felt a tight grip on his wrist pulling him away from the hallway. He then felt a sting on his left cheek. He looked up and saw brown eyes glaring at him.
“Mione…”
“You idiot! What happened that made your pheromones go haywire?”
Draco Lucius Malfoy
Draco had expected to settle into the cold and harsh environment that would be his cell in Azkaban, along with his Slytherin friends. But, no. Potter, saviour of the wizarding world, and apparently, his saviour had to butt in and save him too.
When he first met the ever so popular, the Boy-who-lived that he had only heard from stories told by his elf and the Daily prophet, he longed for a connection, a friendship with the boy. It was one of his dreams to be friends with the boy, to listen to his stories of his childhood and truly get to know who the boy was. Unfortunately, the boy he had long admired had rejected his friendship, but he knew he only had himself to blame. He had always approached Harry Potter the wrong way, he continued to do so for years, until he realized that he had become the opposite of what he wanted to be, until it was too late. So, he did what he does best, lie.
He lied about his intentions, his words and their meaning to the Gryffindor and he lied to save him. He lied to save him and let him flee from the manor. Despite his fears of death and the noseless prick who had taken over his life and house, he lied to protect the boy he had once dreamed of. He even let the boy flee from the manor, leading them through a gap in the wards he had found in his childhood with Theo, as his last act before he died. He knew that letting the boy go would only pave the path to his impending death by the hands of Voldemort, but he needed to save him, to save his dream and the hope of other wizards and witches fighting for what is right.
Draco knew he was to die, but Theo had other plans. After Potter and his friends had left, his friend had led him to the greenhouse and had used a portkey to send them to their second home, Hogwarts. Theo had always been there in his childhood, he first met him when he was 4 years old. His mother had brought the boy to the manor with tears glistening her eyes, explaining to him that the boy was to stay with them since his parents had died early. Despite his doubts of the boy’s lineage and the questions as to why the boy had to dye his hair a lighter brown & change his eye-colour, he had come to appreciate his presence in his life. He hadn’t felt alone in a long while. Theo was there to protect and care for him like an older brother, and he had always protected Draco, no matter the circumstance.
When the trials came, he had asked his solicitor to save Theo and keep him out of Azkaban even if it meant he had to go to that awful place. But, before any of the Slytherins could even go on the stands for their trials, it ended with his trial. With the Saviour of the Wizarding World vouching for their involvement and their innocence, the Wizengamot had no choice but to set them free, after all who would dare argue with Harry bloody Potter?
After the trials, Theo had informed him that he was going on a trip before their return to Hogwarts leaving Draco at the hands of his mother who had taken him to see his aunt, Andromeda Tonks. He had never met him due to his father’s warnings and he felt quite uncomfortable being there, but he was happy for his mother nonetheless. What he did not expect to see was Harry Potter taking care of a blue haired baby, he did not expect to see Harry Potter terribly failing at childcare. He found it amusing, little smiles creeping up on his lips. He would soon come to regret his thoughts as he was left with the baby during one of his visits and found himself completely falling in love with the bundle of joy, Teddy Black-Lupin.
Ever since his first encounter with Teddy, he had volunteered and even encouraged his mom to take him during her visits to Andromeda just to spend time with the metamorphmagus. Draco knew that this would lead to some rather awkward moments with Potter, but thanks to some power at play it was not horrible. They were civil and over the few days they spent together, they had gotten closer. Even introducing, or rather, re-introducing their friends to each other. Draco had regretted from reaching out to Gran- Hermione, apparently he and the witch had shared plenty of common interest that the rest of his friends had found boring, even Theo who usually listened to his tangents would fall asleep but Hermione had actually held the conversation and listened to his opinions and shared her insight on the topics. They have exchanged letters ever since.
Life in Hogwarts was abysmal as usual, the other houses had hated the Slytherins, even more so after the Battle of Hogwarts. It was as if it was easy for them to join the light side when they had always been pushed to be the villains, as if it was easy for them to turn their backs on their family and fight them. But Draco was tired of it all and had ignored the hatred, it was after all targeted at him more than it was for the other Slytherins. This meant Theo learning more healing spells and potions from Pomfrey and Slughorn much to his amusement. Theo was reluctant to leave him by himself, but soon relaxed when he saw Potter’s constant involvement with the blonde. It was very amusing how the saviour had acted the same he did during their 6th year only with less intensity.
It was one unusual afternoon for Draco in a long while, he had no company walking through the halls since Theo was still with Pomfrey learning spells in healing. So he walked calmly and slowly, until he felt the presence of multiple students following him. He quickened his pace, determined to get to the nearest corridor with a professor around or to Theo and Madam Pomfrey.
But it was too late, the other 8th years were there, he spotted 2 Hufflepuffs and 3 Ravenclaws led by one Gryffindor he was too familiar with, Cormac McLaggen. Before he could even react to protect himself, the ravenclaw nearest to him had hit him with the oscausi curse, though imperfect since he still had his mouth and lips, he just couldn’t move them. He had to give them merit for such a smart move, but he was defenseless now. The hufflepuffs didn’t let him rest even for a minute, hitting him with a stinging spell, the others following while Mclaggen only looked at him staying at the back. ‘Idiot’ he thought. He was hit with another hex, causing him to lose his balance, falling on his back on the cold hard floor. Draco winced in pain, he was about to stand up when he was hit with a binding spell, binding his hands together behind his back like some prisoner.
“Not so powerful now are you, Death Eater? Without your gang of snakes, you are just nothing but a pathetic excuse for a wizard.” Mclaggen said pacing around Draco who was now seated at the floor. “You can’t come running to Daddy now, Malfoy.”
Draco glared at him in response, kicking the boy away from him. McLaggen scoffed at Draco before speaking once more. “You death eater scum” He was about to charge at the Slytherin with his fists when he was sent flying across the hall.
“Mon ange…” Draco tried to smile at him but couldn’t. He only let the boy take him as he fell into a daze, the pain was finally catching up to him. It wasn’t until 3 days had passed that he woke up on the hospital wing in a private room. McGonagall had informed him that he was excused for the rest of the week to focus on recuperating, back in his dorm.
Draco had expected to rest in silence since Potter was rarely in their dorm room anyways, but he was proved wrong when the said Gryffindor had stayed by his side and kept him company. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was back on his feet and had come to classes by the next day even with Potter and Theo’s request to stay at his room and rest. What Draco did not predict was his loss of freedom. Whenever he had stepped out to the halls to walk in peace, he would find either Theo or Potter and sometimes both boys following him\walking with him.
December, 1998
Draco was in high spirits when the calendar had officially turned December 1st, Yule was a special holiday for him and the holiday that truly showed how much he had loved the people around them. His gifts had always been unique to the receiver, a unique well-thought of gift that would only be thought of if one paid attention enough.
“Do you have any wishes for your present, Draco?” Potter asks him as he rests his head on his arms at the table while Draco works on his potions essay. Ever since the accident with McLaggen, Potter had followed him everywhere despite his protests, and had started calling him by his first name (Draco had found it odd but decided it best to not comment).
“I wish for you to stop following me around.” he says, rolling his eyes at the raven haired boy. Potter only gives him a pout and shakes his head in disagreement. “No can do. I’ll just think of something before Yule ends then.”
Draco stretched his arms out before diving back to his essay, he would’ve finished his task but was interrupted by the sound of the chair beside him after 30 minutes of productivity. “Hey Dray, ready to go?” Draco merely gives the newcomer a nod before tidying up. “Coming with us, Potter?”
“No, thanks Nott. I have to help Luna with something. See you in the room, Draco.” Potter says before walking away. Theo chuckled as he spoke, “He’s so obvious to everyone but him.”
“Obvious about what?” Draco asks, tilting his head.
“Obvious to everyone but him and you apparently. It’s nothing, mon ange. We must make haste, Pansy says and I quote; “If any of you are late by a second, I will see to it that you spend the rest of this year bald.” And you know I cannot live without my precious locks.” Theo says, taking the blondes bag and slinging it on his shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re finally putting a stop to the potions, black hair suits you quite well, even if it makes you look like Potter’s twin when you wake up.” Draco nods in approval. Theo freezes as Draco’s words left his mouth and only chuckles in agreement.
Grimmauld Place, Christmas Eve
Grimmauld Place has been transformed and renovated by Potter himself, and some designers he had hired to make it more homely without changing much of its original state. There was more natural light and the place had looked more welcoming than Draco had remembered from his childhood. His mother had taken him there to be acquainted with the belongings and the magic that belonged with the house. Potter had invited the last remaining Blacks (including the Weasley family), his friends and Draco’s friend for dinner at Grimmauld Place for the holidays. During the dinner, everyone had behaved more civilly and more friendly than Draco had initially thought. It was one of those few moments that he had felt truly at home. After the dinner, the adults including Teddy had gone to a different floor, leaving the remaining people who stayed on the first floor.
“To make this night even more pleasant, I present to you; Firewhisky!” Blaise says, pulling the bottle from his coat. It was at this point that Draco should’ve stopped, but today has been a day of surprises. Prior to their drinking adventures of that evening, Neville Longbottom of all people had been holding conversation with Blaise, and Luna was making Pansy laugh while Ron and him had actually found a common ground for them to hold a pleasant conversation.
Draco had downed 4 shots too many and had decided to grab some air on the observatory. He looked at the stars and laid on the cushions and blankets scattered on the floor.
“Tired?” Potter says as he lays next to Draco. The blonde shakes his head, still tracing his constellation.
“Just a little hammered, but nothing I can’t handle”
Harry stares at the blonde boy next to him, examining the way his eyelashes fluttered like wings when he blinked, staring at the freckles that never showed themselves until you were close enough, and the way Draco’s eyes sparkled as he spotted another favourite constellation of his. Harry wanted to be closer, so he did. He moved slowly, testing the waters and with half a mind asked the blonde beside him. “May I kiss you?”
Draco simply blinked at Harry, looking for any signs that might tell him the boy was lying. Harry only brings his hand up, caressing the blonde's cheek. “I really want to kiss you. Merlin, Draco. Please let me kiss you.”
The boy had merely nodded at Harry, and before the words could even leave his lips, his lips were met with Harry’s. A quick kiss. “I wish to drown in your lips” Harry mutters before putting their lips together once more. Draco raises his hand, running it through the boy's precious locks, losing himself in the kiss. Harry’s hand wandered through different surfaces of Draco’s blouse, unbuttoning the clasps one by one as their kiss deepened.
“I want you” Harry says breathlessly in between kisses.
“Then have me.”