Draco is walking alongside the pavement, making his way back home. Until an imbecile bumps into him, Draco abruptly turns around and stares at the tall man’s back, light skin, and black messy hair—wait black messy hair?
Potter.
Although Draco is not one to run away, he is a Slytherin, he has to do what they did best. Survive. The plan was half decent, he’d run away from Potter. He’d like to think himself able to go one-on-one with the slayer of dark wizards but right now? No way.
And as he spun around just about to sprint, a hand held his wrist tightly, spinning him around to face them. Draco almost lost his balance until another hand dared to touch him, a hand was placed around his waist. Disgusting.
Draco looked up and sure enough, it was Potter, his light face full of scars, his pathetic black bird nest that he dares to call hair, and green bright eyes, oh those eyes. Draco would rather drown in them than die any other way.
Draco squinted his eyes, staring at Potter like he was ugly, which, he was…definitely not.
“What,” Draco said, his eyes glancing up at Potter's face to his hand which was on his wrist to the hand which still rested on his waist.
Potter stared at Draco’s wandering eyes and quickly lifted the hand that rested on his waist but not the one on his wrist.
“Draco?”
Draco grimaced at the use of his given name, must be a muggle accustom “No, it’s Weasley. What do you want.” Draco ragged.
“Oh, er, nothing,” Potter said.
“Well if it’s nothing then get your hands off of me.”
Potter did no such thing, instead, he slid his hand all the way down to Draco’s hand and held onto it tightly. And all of a sudden he was getting dragged.
Draco’s mouth was agape “Unhand me! you dimwit!” Draco demanded, which at that demand Potter ignored.
Instead, Draco had to wiggle his hand away and bolt in the other direction of Potter.
He had hope until he heard footsteps all too heavy to be walking, he glanced behind and saw Potter chasing him, what in Merlin’s beard was this lunatic doing chasing Draco?
Draco hadn’t done anything wrong so what was this accomplished Auror doing following him around, scratch that, what was this lunatic doing chasing him down?
Draco had no chance of winning this ‘race’ after all Potter was the slayer of dark wizards and basilisks and hero of the wizarding world. Draco really had no chance of getting away.
What did Potter want? Did he want his head? Shite, Draco did not intend to die so soon after escaping the Dark Lord, no, no, no, he was going to live. And so Draco ran faster, but that was what he thought because he was already being held by the wrist.
Draco slowed down, gasping for air. Knowing he won’t have a chance, he spun around and faced Potter “Gods, Potter what are you doing?” Draco said, his voice out of breath and raspy.
“Why are you running away,” Potter said, not much in a tone that a normal person would use.
“I don’t know, maybe because a lunatic is chasing me down.”
“Who?” Potter said, looking around warily, God, this man did not use his brain.
“Let go of me,” Draco demanded.
This time Potter did, Draco dusted his robes down and started his walk back home, he was deep in thought about what in bloody hell was Potter doing until he sensed someone following him.
Draco quickly turned around and what a surprise, Potter. Potter tilted his head as if confused as to why Draco stopped walking.
“Draco?”
“Potter.”
“Yes.”
“Bloody hell, why are you following me.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Am not.”
“Are to.”
“Am not.”
“Are to.”
“Am not.”
“Are t—you know what? Fine, you aren’t.” Draco said and spun around, walking to his house. Yes, he could just Apparate but he had wards alongside his house so people cannot Apparate.
He sighed as he continued to hear Potter's footsteps, really, Potter was comical but not in the way Draco was, not good comical..he was an absolute idiot.
As Draco continued to walk to his house, he canceled out all of the noises except Potter's footsteps, praying to Salazar that he would stop following him.
After around fifteen minutes Draco had enough, he spun around to Potter, still walking, he was about to yell at him until Potter held onto his waist, stopping him from walking backwards any further. He pulled him in closer.
Draco's jaw was on the ground, Potter did it again, he was just about to lecture him to stop putting his hands all over him until Potter spoke.
“You really need to look where you’re going, Draco.”
Draco scoffed “What?”
Potter pointed at something behind him, Draco spun around—which he was doing a lot of as of late. He saw a pole right in front of his path.
Draco looked back at Potter and then pushed him away, his cheeks and ears red “Yeah, stop talking.” Draco said and quickly walked off only to hear Potter's footsteps behind him once more.
Draco sighed and continued to walk “Stop following me, you madman.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, ferret.”
Draco suddenly felt his face go red and not from embarrassment this time, it was from rage.
Draco leaned on his heel and turned around, facing Potter “You’re really taking the piss, aren’t you, Scarface?”
Potter stared at him shocked, where in Merlin’s beard did Draco learn such a muggle term?
Draco spun around and realized he was in front of his apartment “Where did you learn that term.” Potter asked.
Draco unlocked his door “What?”
“Taking the piss. Where did you learn that from?”
“I’ve had muggle interactions, Potter.”
Draco quickly entered and was about to close his door until Potter entered, what does he think he’s doing? Is his Gryffindor attitude acting up? Does he think he can do this?
Draco sighed “What is it you need, Potter?”
“Hm? Nothing,” Potter said and started looking around Draco’s house.
Potter somehow found the kitchen, entered, and made himself a cup of tea, it was like he knew this place like the back of his palm.
Draco sighed a heavy breath “Get out of my house.”
“Why?”
“Because you are not welcomed.”
“You opened the door for me.”
“No you idi—I opened the door for myself.” Draco spat out.
“So salty,” Potter murmured.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“Listen, slayer of dark wizards and basilisks and savior of the wizarding world, just because you may be the hero doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”
“No, no, not at all. But you obviously welcomed me in.”
Draco made a hand motion around Potter “What is the matter with you? We have just met after almost a decade and you act like we are best of friends.”
“It’s only been six years.”
“Ergo, almost a decade. Key word: almost.”
“Why don’t we catch up.”
“No, I wouldn’t like that. Leave.”
“Why are you so bitter? At least let me finish my tea.”
“Where’d you even find tea.”
“Somewhere in your cupboards.”
“You’re such a daft idiot.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Which one? Idiot or daft?”
“Both.”
“I do what I want.”
“No you—“ Potter got cut off.
“Hurry up and finish your cup of tea,” Draco demanded, sitting across from Potter.
Potter smiled sweetly at him and Draco could feel his heartbeat, damn, if only Draco could spell his heart to shut up without dying.
“Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“That.” Draco motioned to Potter's face.
“My face?”
“Yeah, stop that…grinning.”
That only gained Draco a wider smile.
“Just tell me to stop smiling.”
“Shut up. Finish your cup of tea and leave.”
Potter smiled then sighed and continued to drink his cup of tea as he stared at Draco.
And as soon as he finished his cup of tea, Draco shoved him out.
This became like a routine, Potter would come every day to his house uninvited, have a cup of tea then Draco would kick him out.
—
“Draco.”
“Yes, Potter.”
“There’s a party, come with me.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because Hermione and Ron are hosting and I can’t just go without a partner.”
“Take that Weasl girl of yours.”
“That was years ago, plus she’s going with Luna, as friends.”
“And? I’m not a backup.” Draco said, flipping the page of the book he was reading.
“I know that, but we are friends, and I thought maybe you’d like to come with me.”
Draco’s face turned red, friends? Potter thought he and him were friends.
“Why would I like to come with you?”
“Because?” Potter shrugged.
“Why are they hosting the party.”
“Hermione got made the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.”
“Congratulations to her then, don’t see what that has to do with me.”
“I want a date, you have to be my partner.”
Draco’s face became redder than before, did he have to phrase it as a date? Idiot.
“Fine..” Draco mumbled.
“What?”
“I said fine.”
Draco looked up from his book and saw Potter's glistening eyes.
“Really?”
“Yes, now shut up before I change my mind.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Potter said and continued to sip on his tea, a grin plastered on his face.
—
Draco now remembered why he hated parties so much, all the noise and the drunk people. He sighed and was about to walk to a chair until Potter held onto his arm.
“What?” Draco asked his sanity on the edge of a thin thread.
“You’re my partner, why are you leaving me?” Potter asked petulant.
“Don’t act like a child, Potter,” Draco said and shook Potter's hand off. He was about to walk away until Granger—Weasley and Weasley came over. Finally, they got married.
“Malfoy,” Granger said.
“Granger, congratulations. I’ve heard you’re deputy now. Amazing position.” Draco said, kindly, so kindly. He never spoke to Potter like that. For some reason, Potter felt jealous.
“Yes, thank you,” Granger said with a smile.
“My pleasure,” Draco said and nodded with a slight smile on his face.
“You’ve never been this nice to me,” Potter said, his mouth contorted into a frown.
“Once again, don’t act like a child. You’re already in my house all the time. That’s enough kindness to show to you.”
“Whatever.”
Draco sighed and stared at Potter. The two Weasleys staring at the both.
“Are you two…uh, a thing?” Weasley stupidly asks, which of course they aren’t. But for some reason, Draco can feel himself go red.
“No.” The both of them quickly answered.
“Oh, okay,” Weasley replied, then the two Weasleys left.
“Why would he think that,” Draco said, rolling his eyes.
“No idea.”
—
This ‘routine’ happened for almost a month until Draco started to warm up to Potter
“Draco!” Potter said a smile on his face.
“Yes, Potter,” Draco said, looking down at his bed where Potter was lying in.
“You’ve never let me stay long enough for me to cook for you.”
“Yes, and?”
“Don’t kick me out this time. Let me make you something.”
“I’d really rather not get poisoned.”
“Hey! For your information, I am an excellent chef.”
“Yes, sure you are.”
“Just you wait. I’ll prove you wrong.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Potter seemed to take that as a challenge and quickly got up and ran down the stairs to the kitchen.
Draco sighed and followed after, Potter was already getting the ingredients out. How Draco had this much food? He didn’t know, for he didn’t cook.
Draco sat down in the sitting area and started to read a book. Soon Potter called for him.
Draco sighed and got up, he sat down on the dining chair and waited for dinner to be served.
A plate of what looked like mush, meat, and vegetables was placed in front of him.
“What is this.”
“That’s meat and mashed potato.”
“It looks horrid.”
“Just try it.”
Draco stared at Potter and picked up his fork “If I die my parents know it’s you.”
“You’ve talked to your parents about me? How sweet.” Potter replied, a teasing grin planted on his face.
“No.” Draco quickly said dismissively and shoved food in his mouth, his eyes widening.
“It’s good..” Draco mumbled.
“Really!?”
“You’re so annoying. Why would I lie.”
“No clue.”
Draco rolled his eyes and felt a smile creeping up to his lips, shite, Draco was slowly liking Potter more and more.
—
Soon Draco would stop kicking Potter out of his house.
Draco was getting ready for bed, taking off his shirt.
“Potter, pass me the shirt on the bed,” Draco said, spinning around to face Potter.
Potter's face seemed to go red then dark, he held onto the shirt that was placed on the bed and slowly got up “I did that..?”
Draco raised an eyebrow and looked at Potter then saw where his eyes rested, his chest.
“Ah, yes. I suppose you did. Now give it here. The shirt.”
Potter did no such thing, instead, he came closer and placed a hand on Draco’s chest, going along with the X scar on his chest. Draco’s face became an abrupt crimson.
“What do you think you’re doing..?”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, it’s been ages.”
“No, it’s not. I never apologized. I left a scar this big.”
“Yes, you did. You’ve acknowledged your mistake. It’s fine. Hand me my shirt.”
Potter slowly handed him his shirt, Draco was just about to wear his shirt until he was slammed up against the wall.
“Potter. Calm down. Breath. It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.”
Soon Draco got Potter to calm down, but he was still obviously sulking from what he had done years ago. Draco paid no mind to Potter's act of sadness.
“Potter, get out of my house.”
“What, why? I thought we’d become closer.”
“Well, you thought wrong.”
Gods, this man was so naive for a twenty-four-year-old.
“It’s been almost two months don’t be like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like…like—whatever you’re doing right now.”
Draco sighed “I am about to go to sleep, Potter. You have been here since seven am, it’s almost ten pm. Get out.”
“Come on. Stop being such a git.”
“It’s my house.”
“Just this time.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“Please, Draco.”
“No. Leave at once.”
“I’ll just stay here then.”
“Are you implying that you’ll sleep here? At my house?”
“Maybe.”
“No, you may not sleep here for the night.”
“So mean for such a pretty face,” Potter mumbled under his breath.
“What was that?” Draco seemed to never catch what in bloody hell Potter said when he was mumbling. He was probably being an incoherent knobhead.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Potter said, which was obviously a lie, but Draco didn’t have the time for this.
He stared at Potter suspiciously before talking “Leave.”
Potter grumbled. He seemed to act like a child every chance he got. What a little shameless bastard.
“Fine, fine. I’m leaving. Calm your hair down.”
“Tosser.” Draco proceeded to say and climbed up his bed, Potter getting off of his bed to the ground, except Potter, like the clumsy wanker he is fell on top of Draco.
Draco fell to the ground, Potter on top of him, Draco slowly opened his eyes, about to yell at Potter until he found his mouth was unavailable, for another pair of lips were pressed against his. Draco fully opened his eyes and found Potter's shocked eyes staring back at his own.
Draco felt Potter warm into the kiss, but just as soon as he warmed up to the kiss, he was up on his feet.
“I-I’m sorry. I fell. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to.”
Draco quickly got to his feet, wiping his mouth as he stared at Potter in a way that could only be described as curiosity, his eyes blazing, that was definitely not curious.
“Out.” Was the short sharp answer Draco gave.
Potter stared at Draco in exasperation but it didn’t seem irate, more like sadness.
“Alright.” Was the last thing Potter said until he Apparated away.
Draco sighed and got into bed, closing his eyes and wishing the memory away.
—
And like that, their routine was closed short just as quickly as it was opened. Potter no longer invited himself to Draco’s house, instead he never even came by.
After around two weeks of this nonsense, Draco had enough. He went to the ministry, strutting through Hitwizard security, they immediately recognized Draco with his badge, he walked to the inside of the main hall, to find Granger.
He finally found her “Granger.”
“Draco.”
Once again, the use of his given name sent a chill down his spine, what was up with these muggle accustoms “Have you seen Potter?”
“Uh, no. Why?”
“Do you know where he is?”
“At home. He’s about to leave for work.”
“Thank you,” Draco said sharply and ended the conversation short with a small smile and a quick sprint to leave the ministry.
He Apparated to Grimmauld Place, a number twelve apartment appearing in between two buildings.
He walked to the building and lifted the door knocker, banging it on the silver plate underneath. Emitting a loud sound.
The door opened to show Potter “Hermione, I said I’d show up to work lat—“ Potter finally looked forward only to not find Granger but Draco.
“Yes, I am aware,” Draco said.
Potter stared at Draco.
Draco cleared his throat “I’m Granger now?”
Potter tried to close the door, but Draco placed his foot in between the door and the door frame, preventing Potter from closing the door.
Draco quickly shoved Potter out of the way and entered his house, giving Potter his coat as he sat down on the dining chair.
“Are you not going to offer any refreshments?”
“What?”
“Refreshments, Potter.”
“Ah. I have tea.”
“Yes, that’ll be much appreciated.”
Draco watched as Potter walked around the kitchen making tea the muggle way.
After about two minutes a cup of tea was placed in front of him, and Draco held onto the handle.
‘I’ll have to bring over some tea, goodness this will not do.’ Draco thought but nonetheless connected the cup to his lips, sipping at his cup of tea.
“What’re you doing here, Draco?” Potter seemed to finally realize the situation.
“I’ve come to check up on you.”
“What? Oh, er. I’m fine.”
“You haven’t come over for almost three weeks. That’s not you being fine.”
“I really am though.” Potter insisted.
“Explain your absence then.”
“I..I was busy with work.”
“That’s false. I’ve gone to the ministry multiple times, never saw you.”
“Working hours are different.”
“I would’ve seen you at least once in these past two weeks.”
“I..are you not uncomfortable?”
“What? Why would I be?” Draco thought Potter sounded hilarious.
“The kiss..?”
“It was an accident.”
“Yeah, but..aren’t you weirded out?”
“With what?”
“Me kissing—“
“Let me just interrupt you right there. You fell on me, causing us to kiss. You didn’t mean to kiss me.”
“But,” Draco could see Potter fiddling with the rim of his robes “What if I liked it..?”
Draco stared at Potter shocked, his breath caught in his throat. He could feel his face heat up. Did he like Potter? No, that’s impossible..so why was his face turning a bright crimson if he didn’t..?
“You liked it..?”
“I did,” Potter said, lifting his face to meet Draco’s eyes.
“You did.” Draco gasped.
“Do you like me..?” Draco asked. His voice was too small and high-pitched for his liking but that didn’t matter, for his face was a blazing red.
“I do.”
“You do.”
“Do you like me..?”
“I don’t know,” Draco replied truthfully.
“Okay.”
They stayed in silence for what felt like centuries until Draco broke it “Maybe we’ll have to find out.” Draco said, grabbing Potter's collar and smashing their lips together.
Draco stared at Potter, his eyes wide. Draco’s own eyes were not, his eyes showed a smile in them. Draco watched as Potter slowly closed his eyes. Kissing back.
Soon, when Draco thought it was about time to get some air, he looked at Potter, who let a laugh escape.
“I think I do.”
“That’s great that you think that, Draco.”
“Oh, shut up, Harry.”
“Your wish is my command, your highness.”
“That’s good to know, peasant.”
Harry let out a laugh and gave Draco a peck on the lips, Draco gave one back, a smile on his face.
FIN.