Work Text:
Eighth Year: Breakfast in the Great Hall:
Harry Potter had been feeling a bit lonely. Returning to Hogwarts for eighth year hadn’t turned out to be as great as he thought it would be. That morning, sitting at the breakfast table in the Great Hall only highlighted the dilemma Harry was having. He looked across the table at Hermione and Ron who were feeding each other bits of food and cooing. Ron reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and rubbed his thumb along her chin, Hermione gave him a smile in return.
He looked to his left and Neville was sitting next to Luna Lovegood talking about the venomous tentacula he had been caring for in the greenhouse yesterday. Luna had her chin on her hand and was dreamily watching him, twirling a lock of her hair, fully engrossed in his story. Neville stopped midway through his chat, noticing Harry's grumpy mood, “Alright there Harry?
Harry nodded at Neville, and turned to his right. Dean and Ginny were snuggled up next to each other, he was brushing his fingers through her hair and she was smiling cheekily at him. Dean leaned forward and whispered something quietly in her ear, she leaned back slightly and gave a soft chuckle, pink blushing her cheeks. Harry and Ginny had broken off their short relationship a year earlier and she had finally moved on with Dean Thomas. Not that he minded at all, he loved her as a sister and couldn’t bring himself to further their relationship past that. From the looks of Dean Thomas, he didn’t have the same issue with Ginny as Harry did.
Harry slumped down in his chair, pushing his food around his plate, suddenly losing his appetite. Someone sat down next to him and he looked over to see Padma watching him curiously, “You alright Harry? You seem a bit down this morning.”
He huffed and pointed his nose at the couples surrounding them.
“Oh, yeah. I see what you mean,” she nodded, knowingly.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them, you know,” he didn’t want to sound like he was being a twat, “But…after everything I’ve been through…”
“It’s a bit of an anti-climax.”
“A bit…yeah.”
Lavender Brown sat down next to Padma and greeted them both, “Morning you two, what’s going on?” Lavender loved a bit of gossip. Tell her anything and it’d be around the school before the end of the day, she was faster at delivering news than a barn owl on Pepper-Up.
“Harry’s got love issues, Lav.”
“I do not!’ he groused grumpily.
Lavender looked around the table knowingly, “Yeah, I get it Harry I really do. We’re all looking for love and companionship,” she sighed wistfully.
Padma nudged him gently in the ribs, giving him a cheeky smile with it, “There’s only one thing for it, Harry.”
“What?”
“You need a date!" She declared. "Valentine’s Day is coming up, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask someone out.”
Harry looked around the table nervously seeking a way out, then reached into his pocket looking for his invisibility cloak, but he came up emptyhanded. He wondered where he’d left it, but he thought it must be stuffed in the bedside drawer in his dorm. He then tried to remember the disillusionment spell they had been taught in charms, but couldn’t think of that either. His shoulders slumped and he slouched down in his seat, defeated.
Padma touched his arm gently, “Harry, stop trying to ignore me. We’ll both help you out, alright?” Lavender had squeezed up right behind Padma and the two girls were staring at him wide-eyed and hopeful, with smiles on their faces. Harry wondered whether he should be scared or not.
He leaned forward, placing his head in his hands. This was going to be a disaster.
Ginny and Dean stopped their canoodling and looked over. “What’s going on?” Ginny frowned.
“Harry needs a date,” Lavender piped up helpfully.
“Yes!” Seamus had plonked himself down next to Dean, and was shoving a piece of toast in his mouth. “We need a distraction, I was getting bored.”
“Oh Gods. no please,” Harry slumped forward, resting his head on the table.
The others surrounding them turned to Harry, concerned looks on their faces.
“Ummm, can somebody tell me what’s happening?” Hermione surveyed the group worriedly.
“Harry needs a date,” Lavender piped up again, far too cheerful. “But he’s too shy to ask anyone out.”
Harry groaned in embarrassment, “Someone avada me now.”
Luna patted Harry's back softly, “I know who Harry’s been watching.”
He whipped his head up quickly, trying to stop her from saying anything before it was too late, “Luna, no—”
She looked at him dreamily, “Draco Malfoy.”
Harry closed his eyes and blushed furiously, slumping back onto the table. He hadn't told anyone how he felt about Draco, but Luna always just seemed to know things. “How about a quick obliviation then?” he whispered quietly to the table.
“Harry?” Ron queried from across the table.
Opening one eye, Harry peeked at him. How could he explain to his best friends that he had been crushing on their prior nemesis. The feeling wasn't even new and he was still somewhat confused by it. Would they even accept how he felt about him, he sighed, there was only one way to find out.
“I can’t help how I feel.”
"Yeah...but, Malfoy?"
Harry grumbled into the table. He had known this wasn't ever going to go down well, but he had hoped that after everything he had been through, his friends would understand and have his back no matter what.
Padma patted him on the back, understanding Harry's hesitation. “Look, regardless of past history, I’ll be the first to admit he’s become bloody gorgeous this year.”
Lavender was behind her nodding vigorously in agreement. “And so much nicer. He came and apologised to me for what happened. Plus, he’s been helping me with the Charms assignment, you know.”
“Actually,” Hermione said quietly, “He came and apologised to me. About the name calling, bullying… everything. I...I was surprised.” She tilted her head, “Also you know he saved us … that day…”
Ron squeezed her hand, “Yeah. I guess, maybe he’s not the same git he used to be.” He looked over at Harry, "But don't expect me to be best friends with him, though."
Harry still had his face hidden on the table. He lifted a hand to wave at Ron, acknowledging his comments.
Padma glanced around the table at the Gryffindors, “That’s decided it then. Operation: Valentine’s Day is on.”
“Fuck, no. Please.” Harry groaned.
Seamus and Dean grinned at each other and high-fived, “Hell yeah!” They both chorused, laughing gleefully.
“But Harry,” Ron squinted at him, “I'm pretty sure you never told us you were gay.”
“Actually, I’m bi,” he said, still face down on the table.
“Hmmm. Ok then,” Ron grumbled, feeling like he'd been left out of the loop. “Ummm…does anyone know if Malfoy is gay though?”
Lavender sat up straight, raising her hand as if they were in the classroom, “I do. I once saw him snogging that cute Slytherin Theodore Nott behind the greenhouses.”
Harry lifted his head off the table, “That settles it then, he’s already got a boyfriend.”
“Nope, they broke up ages ago,” Lavender had tilted her head and was tapping her chin. “I remember seeing Nott snogging Anthony Goldstein just the other day in the library.”
“In the library!” Hermione screeched in disgust.
Padma and Lavender barked out a laugh at her comment, “Heaps of people snog in the library, Hermione. Lots of lovely dark corners to hide away in.” Hermione’s nostrils flared as if someone were burning books in front of her.
Ron frowned, searching everyone's expressions, "So the thing we were most surprised about was that people hook up in the library, and not that Anthony Goldstein is also gay?"
Hermione stared at him, shaking her head, "Honestly Ron."
Seamus clapped his hands, rubbing them together, “That settles it then. What’s the plan?” He looked around the group.
Ginny tapped the table and announced, “Anonymous letter. Tell him how you feel.”
Harry was shaking his head. He'd managed to hide away his feelings for a long time, and he did not feel ready to act on it.
“Yes! Great idea,” Dean was agreeing. “So romantic, Gin.”
Harry groaned and waited for something disastrous to happen. Based on past history it was only a matter of time. His friends were all sitting around him, grinning at each other maniacally. Harry was feeling pushed out of his comfort zone and he did not like it one little bit.
Gryffindor Common Room: Brainstorming the Plan:
That night they were all seated around the fireplace in the Common Room, warming themselves in front of the blazing fire. All of the younger years had retired hours ago or been kicked out, and they had claimed the space for themselves. The Eighth Years were spread out over the couches and chairs with Harry lying on his back on the floor, a cushion smooshed over his face, in denial about the conversation going on around him.
Hermione was seated on the couch, parchment and quill poised, looking around the group, “Right. So what should the note say?”
Seamus frowned to himself, “How about a limerick. 'There once was a Slytherin named Draco—”
“No,” Hermione and Padma said in unison.
“That makes it seem like a joke, we need him to take it seriously.”
“Agreed,” Padma was nodding, “It should be genuine, but not too sappy.”
“Harry,” Ron shook his shoulder lightly, “Maybe you should tell us how you feel about him?”
Harry mumbled from under the cushion.
“Mate,” Ron chuckled, “We can’t hear you under that bloody cushion.”
Huffing in exasperation, he moved it off his face, “This is far too embarrassing.” Why couldn't his friends understand that he just wanted to crush on Draco from afar like a love-sick puppy. He didn't want to actually have to do anything about his feelings. That was one step too far in his book.
Lavender sat down cross-legged next to him on the floor and gently held his hand. “Harry,” she squeezed, “We want to help you. Can you just tell us how you feel?”
He faced her and noted her quiet sincerity, he'd never told anyone how he really felt about Draco, he hadn't even examined his feelings fully himself, he just knew that he had them. He took a deep breath to centre himself and swallowed. Closing his eyes, and holding tight to Lavender’s hand he started speaking, “I….I… don’t know. It’s hard to explain. Sometimes it’s just a feeling, like I feel a warm fluttering when I look at him. Sort of something hopeful.”
“Like a yearning?”
He nodded, “Yeah, like there’s something missing in my life and maybe, maybe…he's the answer.”
“Oh, Harry,” Hermione softly whispered into the quiet.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I’m ridiculous.”
Ginny shook her head, “No, Harry. That was sweet.”
Ron reached down and gripped him on the shoulder, “It’s alright. We’ll help you. Besides, we’re all in Gryffindor for a reason.” He looked around the group for support. “When did a Gryffindor ever back down from a challenge. Even if it were a fucking huge one like this.”
Harry chuckled and smiled for the first time that day. He may be headed for the most embarrassing disaster of his life, but at least his friends had his back.
First Note: Slytherin Table Great Hall:
Draco was sitting at his usual spot in the Great Hall eating eggs for breakfast. He was reading the Daily Prophet, surrounded by the eighth year Slytherins, most of whom had returned to continue their education and put in the work of resurrecting and changing their House's reputation for the better. There was quiet murmuring around the table as they all slowly woke up, ate breakfast and chatted before heading off to morning classes.
He was minding his own business, as he had tried to do since the beginning of the school year when he felt Pansy shifting beside him. She placed a hand on his arm.
“Draco, what’s that?” she questioned, frowning. There was something small fluttering in the air towards their table.
“Is...that a bird?” Theodore Nott was on the other side of her. He reached up and grabbed it out of the air before it finished its journey. In his hand he held an origami paper crane, created out of folded parchment and charmed to fly. No one had noticed where it had come from, just that it had suddenly materialised heading towards them.
Written across a wing was a name: Draco Malfoy.
Theo turned the crane, showing it to the two sitting next to him. Draco raised an eyebrow and leaned over Pansy, grabbing it.
“Love letter Draco?” Pansy quipped, leaning over his arm, trying to read the note.
Draco sniggered, “Knowing my luck, probably something poisoned.” Draco pushed at her face so she couldn’t read the letter, and smirked at her as he unfolded it:
Draco,
I’ve watched you from afar, but I’m too nervous to come and talk to you in person right now.
Maybe one day I will tell you how I feel, but for now, just know that you have an admirer.
I think about you and hope you are well.
H
“Well that’s cryptic. Who’s H?” Pansy asked.
“Hagrid,” Blaise blurted out. They all laughed, Goyle the hardest, banging the table with his palm.
Draco chuckled and shoved Blaise's head, “It’s not bloody Hagrid, you bastard.”
“Hermione?” Theo guessed, scratching his head, trying to think of anyone who's name started with H.
“No, she’s going out with the Weasel,” Pansy poked him in the chest with a perfectly manicured nail.
“Madame Hooch,” Blaise blurted out again. They all laughed again, Goyle almost losing it this time.
“Bloody hell, Blaise. You’ll make me lose my breakfast,” Draco shook his head in amusement, knowing that Blaise wasn't being serious.
“What about Hannah ?” Goyle questioned.
“I guess it could be,” Draco remarked, “But, surely people know I’m not going to date a girl?”
“Well…” Theo scratched his head, “I mean it could be…”
Draco huffed, “Don’t even go there.”
“Yeah, probably not. I mean, is he even gay?”
Draco shoved the note in his pocket, thinking to himself.
They all turned back to eating breakfast, the excitement and humour of the moment over.
Meanwhile, over at the Gryffindor table Harry was starting to think this may have been a bad idea. His nerves were getting the better of him, and he finally realised there was no way Malfoy could even respond to his anonymous note. He was starting to sweat and felt very unwell.
“Well, did he read it or what?” Harry had his back to the Slytherins, facing Ron and Hermione. He had his head in his hands, unable to look and unable to stomach breakfast.
Ron squinted, “They’re laughing about something.”
“We don’t know what though,” Hermione was trying to reassure him. “Ah, he put it in his pocket. That’s a good sign.”
“We don’t know that," Harry whined, wanting to crawl into a deep dark hole somewhere and never come out.
“Yes we do. If he didn’t mean to take it seriously, he would have incendioed it.”
Harry looked pale and was holding onto his stomach, “I feel sick.” He leaned forward and let out a breath. “Maybe I should go see Pomfrey.”
“Harry,” Hermione frowned at him, “Are you sure you’re sick, or maybe just anxious?”
“I have no idea, but my stomach is churning.”
“Well, let’s go to class and if you get worse we’ll take you to see her.”
Harry dragged his feet all the way to the dungeons for Potions, he didn't want to be there. He was hoping Hermione would forget he was behind them and he could just sneak off on his own. But, Hermione and Ron kept glancing behind to make sure he was following them. She made ‘hurry up’ motions at him with her hand, but he couldn’t make his feet go any faster down the stairs. Each step felt like he was heading into danger, it was not a pleasant feeling and he didn't want to make it arrive any faster.
He walked into the classroom, his head down, and shuffling slowly behind them. He stopped once they had sat down, spotted an empty seat next to Padma and walked towards it. She smiled as he came over, “Alright there Harry?”
He nodded and sat down, turned to face the front, only realising after he'd sat down that he was looking directly at Draco Malfoy’s back.
He flinched, and turned to her. She placed a calming hand on top of his and squeezed.
“We’re fine,” she soothed, “We can make it through the class, just do as I say. First, I need you to pull out your parchment and quill.”
Harry sat there unmoving.
She squeezed his hand again, “Harry.”
He nodded dazedly, “Parchment and quill.”
She beamed at him and patted his shoulder.
He mechanically pulled out his equipment and then copied the instructions off the board, but he kept fumbling and making mistakes. Every time he looked up all he could see was Draco Malfoy sitting in front of him. His eyes followed the line of his shoulder, how it curved into the length of his arms and down to his long, elegant fingers. He watched him run his fingers through his pale hair as it fell over his face, and every time he turned in profile to speak to Zabini. Harry swallowed, lost in a daydream, ink at the end of his quill dripping onto the parchment in front of him.
Padma prodded him back to reality with her quill, “Do you want to set up the cauldron or get the ingredients?”
Harry jolted back to alertness and shook himself, “Ingredients.” He couldn't sit there watching Malfoy any longer. He needed to get out of his chair and hide in the store room for a while.
He placed his quill down on the table near his parchment, stood up and headed to the back of the classroom. He rummaged around the store room, removing ingredients from jars and opening tiny boxes looking for things. Harry held a container with a tidy pile of ingredients and stood in front of the shelves tapping his foot trying to locate the last item he needed: lacewing flies. Standing in the middle of the tiny room, scanning shelves, head bobbing to a silent tune playing in his head, he was lost in a daydream and didn't notice movement behind him.
“Are you looking for this?”
He swung around abruptly in surprise and face planted into Draco Malfoy's chest.
“Oomph,” he dropped everything he was holding and grabbed onto Draco to stop from falling over. He ended up smooshing into him, hands gripped tightly onto the front of his robes.
Harry released his hold and jumped backwards banging into the shelves behind him, face blazing red, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to….”
Draco was standing there with a curious smile on his face. “It’s alright, Potter. I’m fine.”
“Yes. You are… Fine, I mean… No. I mean, not that you’re not fine. Cause you are, but..., no. What I mean…is you’re alright.”
Draco’s eyebrows had raised the more Harry rambled.
Harry, blushing furiously, scrambled to get his ingredients off the floor, "Very busy....must go," and ran out of the store room back to the table.
Padma looked at Harry, who had dumped the mess of ingredients onto the table. She searched through all of the ingredients when he returned, “You didn’t get the lacewing flies.”
Harry shook his head at her and whispered, “I’m not going back in there.” He looked back to the store room doorway and saw Draco exiting it. Quickly turning back to the table, he shuffled items around and loudly started bashing at something with the mortar and pestle. He had no idea what he'd shoved into it, he just needed to be busy.
“You forgot your lacewing flies.” Harry heard Draco murmur beside him.
He stood immobilised and peeked out the corner of his eye, Draco had placed them on the table, his hand resting on top of them, right next to Harry.
Harry swallowed audibly. “Thank you,” he replied. He couldn't bring himself to look at Draco, he was too flustered and embarrassed by how much of a fool he had already made of himself.
“You’re welcome.” Draco walked away back to his table as though nothing had happened.
Harry’s hands were shaking and his heart was pounding. He sat down heavily and swiped a hand down his face, feeling wetness—he couldn't work out if he were crying or sweating, maybe it was both. He spent the rest of the class in a stupor, mechanically chopping and handling ingredients, head bent down over his task, refusing to look up. He’d hand things over to Padma with little to no thought behind his actions. They handed in a vial at the end of class which was mediocre at best, but he was surprised they had made anything coherently resembling a potion at all.
Harry tidied up, packed his bag and ran out the door as soon as Slughorn released them. He didn’t stop until he was back in Gryffindor Tower. He lay down on his bed, chest heaving, legs twitching from having run up so many stairs to get there. He grabbed a pillow and held it over his face and started screaming in frustration.
“Harry!”
He removed the pillow and lifted his head to see Seamus standing over by the door staring at him.
“You alright?” The other boy queried.
“Never better, thanks.” Harry just needed some time alone. He'd never understood the saying, how someone would want to die of embarrassment until today.
He put the pillow back over his face and resumed screaming. Maybe tomorrow he'll feel brave enough to obliviate himself.
Next Day: Defence Against the Dark Arts:
“Alright everyone pair up, we're going to be practicing nonverbal spells.” Their professor for eighth year DADA turned out to be a surprise for everyone when Bill Weasley walked into the classroom. As far as being a teacher, he was diligent, thoughtful and didn’t play favourites. He had launched the subject with revision of everything they should have known to that point, making them all practice to his satisfaction, before moving them on to nonverbal casting. He was the best subject teacher they'd had in years.
“This lesson I want you all to work on your nonverbal shields and stinging hexes. Grab your partner and line up please. Those along the windows can start with shields and those opposite them stinging hexes.”
Harry paired with Hermione as they had both been practicing various nonverbal spells for weeks now. He stood in front of her, widened his stance, rolled his head and shoulders, and shook his arm out to relax it.
“Ready?” She lifted her wand at him and he nodded. She flicked and a pale flash emerged from the tip of her wand, he swished a shield to deflect it. He raised his eyebrows and grinned at her. “Nicely done Harry,” she responded.
He stood back again in a ready stance, but noted Professor Weasley heading towards them. “Maybe we should make it a little bit harder for you.”
“How?”
“The two of us will cast at you simultaneously and let's see if your shield still holds up.”
Harry twirled his wand and nodded, “Ready.”
They both flicked their wands, casting a continous stream of spells at Harry. He immediately swished his shield into place deflecting them all. Both Bill and Hermione kept casting at him over and over again. Harry kept his wand raised, concentrating hard on his shield remaining in place. Eventually, they stopped and he relaxed, letting out a breath that he hadn't realised he was holding.
“Good work you two,” Bill smiled and stepped back, satisfied with their level of competence. “Alright, change partners everyone.”
As Harry was at the back of the room, he had to walk around to the front of the class where he turned and faced his new partner—Draco Malfoy.
Harry blinked rapidly in surprise, but stayed silent. Draco nodded at him, “Potter, do you want to cast or shield first?”
“I…I don’t mind.” His leg had started jiggling nervously, but he forced it to stop. He didn't want to look foolish again in front of Malfoy.
“Maybe you can cast, if that’s alright? I cast with my last partner and need to practice shields?”
Harry blushed, fidgeted and nodded, “Sure.”
Draco frowned at him, then raised his wand, “I’m ready.”
Harry lifted his wand and flicked the hex. Draco had his wand raised and waved it, but Harry noted his movement wasn’t quite correct as the shield failed. He flinched as the hex lightly hit him on the shoulder.
Lowering his wand, Harry uttered, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not,” Harry scratched his head. “Can I…can I show you something?” He walked over and moved to Draco’s side.
“When you cast a shield your wand movement is not quite right,” he held his hand out and cast the spell as he spoke, a shield flaring out in front of him.
Draco's brow furrowed as he concentrated, waving his wand, trying to mirror Harry's movements, but nothing happened.
“May I?” Harry stepped behind him and reached out gently holding his wand hand. Harry turned his head, realising he was snuggled up, so close to Draco he could smell a lingering scent of apples. He swallowed. “Like this,” he whispered and guided Draco’s hand through the movement, a shield popped out in front of them.
“Oh,” Draco gasped, genuine delight on his face. His hand was warm where Harry was still holding it. “Thank you. I…I hadn’t been able to manage it.”
Harry blushed, releasing Draco’s hand and stepping back, “You’re welcome.”
He walked back to facing Draco, and turned around, “Ready?” He waited, and then cast. The spells were all stopping with a fizzle as they hit Draco's shield.
Draco gave a gasp of surprise and delight, his face lighting up as he blocked spell after spell. He laughed, a bright, airy tinkle in the room.
Harry beamed at him, not sure if he'd ever heard Draco laugh before. “Really great work today, Malfoy.”
The other boy nodded, a genuine small smile creasing his features, “Thank you.”
Professor Weasley chimed up at the point, “That’s it for today, good work everyone. Class dismissed.”
Harry watched as Draco walked away, collected his bag, placing the strap over one shoulder and left the room.
“You ok Harry?” Bill Weasley was watching him with a curious expression on his face. Harry hadn’t moved from where he was standing, watching Draco walk out the door.
Harry blushed and shook himself, “Fine yeah, gotta go.” He hurried off to get his bag and headed out the door.
Second note: Slytherin table Great Hall:
The second note arrived like the first. Suddenly appearing out of nowhere, fluttering over to the Slytherin table, snatched out of the air and handed to Draco’s eager hand. He opened it and quickly scanned over the lines, devouring them, then he sat back, thoughtful.
Draco,
You seem different this year, and I can't help but wonder how much of the war has shaped you—how much it's shaped us both. Some carry visible scars, tangible proof of what they endured, but what about those of us who bear silent wounds across our psyche. The kind that linger in the quiet moments, the kind that rewrite who we are when no one is looking.
There were times I thought I’d never make it to the end of the war, or that it would never truly end. And now that it has.... I find myself at a loss. My life was once defined by survival—by what came next, by staying one step ahead. But now, with no battles left to fight, I'm left asking: What do I do now? How do we find happiness when so many never had the chance? Do I even deserve it? Moving on feels like a betrayal—of those we lost, of who we used to be. Sometimes, I wonder if the weight of what we've done will ever ease, or if it will haunt our dreams forever.
The distance between the two of us is immense and I don’t know if I can ever overcome it. I know I’d like to try—one day. I just don't know if I'm ready yet.
H
“If these are meant to be love letters, they’re bloody depressing,” Pansy was reading over his shoulder.
“No,” Draco said, holding tightly to the letter, “They’re the most genuine thing I’ve read in a long time. I feel exactly the same way.” He carefully folded the letter and put it in his pocket, brushing down the front of his robes flicking off a piece of lint. There was something he needed to do, he had been thinking about it for a while. He just needed the right time to act on it.
Later that day, Draco found his moment.
"Potter, may I speak with you?"
Harry stopped just outside the Great Hall, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Draco Malfoy standing a few steps away. Malfoy’s hands were tucked casually into his pockets, he looked relaxed, yet there was an intensity to his gaze.
Harry blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure.” He turned to Ron and Hermione, who had stopped beside him, frowning. "I’ll catch up with you guys later," he added, waving at them.
Ron hesitated, unsure if he wanted to leave, but Hermione pulled on his sleeve. “Let’s go,” she whispered, casting Harry a questioning glance before guiding Ron down the hallway.
Harry turned back to Malfoy, “What’s this about?”
Draco tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward the entrance. "Can we walk outside for a bit?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He followed Draco through the large oak doors and down the steps, the clear air chilling him as he walked. They moved in silence toward the Black Lake, the empty grounds around them quieter than normal.
The lake stretched before them, rippling faintly in the cool breeze. Draco came to a stop at the water’s edge, staring out over the lake. His expression softened as he gazed out, his shoulders lowering as if some tension had finally left him.
“I’ve always liked it here,” he murmured, his voice quiet in the silence. “Even when...everything was falling apart, the lake always made me feel—” He paused, searching for the word. “Smaller, I suppose. Like none of it mattered as much as I thought it did.”
Harry shuffled uncomfortably, unused to hearing such softness coming from this boy.
“Are you alright?” Harry asked finally, his voice cautious. “Malfoy?”
Draco let out a short, humourless laugh, turning his head just enough to glance at Harry.
“Probably not,” he admitted, lips curling in a faint smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “But I imagine that’s true for both of us, isn’t it?”
Harry gave a small shrug. “Yeah, probably.”
Draco turned fully to face him now, his expression serious. “I wanted to apologise,” he said, the words careful. “For everything. The things I said, the things I did. All of it. Merlin, I was such an arrogant child.” His hands left his pockets, fidgeting nervously before falling to his sides. “I don’t expect you to forgive me.” He snorted, “I know I wouldn’t. But... I needed to say it. I regret it, Potter. Every second of it.”
Harry studied him, his green eyes searching Draco’s face. There was no trace of the sneering arrogance he’d come to associate with the other boy—only sincerity.
“I know you do,” Harry said at last, his voice steady. “But it wasn’t all you, Malfoy. I wasn’t exactly blameless, either.”
Draco huffed a small laugh, shaking his head. “You don’t get to apologise on top of my apology, Potter. This is all about me here.”
A grin tugged at Harry’s lips. “Maybe just this once, you could let me have the last word.”
Draco raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Absolutely not.”
Harry laughed, the sound ringing out across the lake. For the first time in what felt like years, it wasn’t forced.
Third Note: Slytherin table Great Hall:
The third note arrived in the same manner as the other two. Fluttering its way across the Great Hall towards the Slytherins. Theo grasped it carefully and handed it to Draco.
Draco,
I find myself in a melancholy mood today. Sometimes I feel I am living a life that's not mine, like I've slipped into the wrong version of reality and can't find my way back. The past feels distant, like a dream I can't wake from, and I sit here waiting—waiting for something to change, and for my real life to begin. I know it’s a strange feeling and I’m not sure I can pinpoint what brought it on.
Lately, I've been wrestling with a problem that won't let go. Maybe everything I've been hoping for, that I've been writing to you about, is only in my head. I imagine what it would be like to talk to you, to hear your voice responding—but what if I'm only fooling myself? After all, these are all one-way notes. You don’t know who I am, and I don't really know what you think—if you think of me at all. Perhaps this is all just a joke to you, something you just want to stop.
But for me, these notes are everything. I think about you all the time. Do you ever think of me?
If the answer is yes, wear the badge today.
If not, I’ll never bother you again.
H
Draco looked down at the tiny metal badge in his hand. It had fallen out of the note when he unfolded it. He gripped it tightly and smiled.
Same day: Corridor outside the Charms classroom:
Harry was distracted, walking along the long hallway with his head bowed, eyes fixed on the pale stone beneath his feet. He was on his way to the Charms classroom, their first subject of the day. Hermione and Ron were walking ahead of him in the corridor, but had moved over to the side of the hallway to discuss something with other students. Harry enjoyed Charms, but he knew he wasn't exceptional at it, and he was heading for a long morning. His mind, was elsewhere, he had confusing thoughts swirling through his head that made the prospect of concentrating on classwork near impossible and unimportant. Sometimes he wondered why he had bothered coming back to school.
“Alright, Harry?”
The cheerful voice next to him pulled him out of his thoughts, and he glanced over to see Lavender walking beside him, her bright eyes scanning his face.
“Lavender,” he gave her a nod, “Just lost in thought. You?”
She squeezed his arm briefly, a small gesture that reassured his swirling thoughts, then slipped away to join Padma.
Harry sighed, then adjusted the strap of his bag as he neared the Charms classroom—then stopped.
Leaning against the wall outside the classroom doorway, standing in an effortless way, was Draco Malfoy. His bag slung over one shoulder, hands buried in his pockets, he gazed downwards, the soft light from the morning highlighting the angles of his face. As Harry approached, his eyes lifted—slowly, deliberately—and locked onto his.
There was silence from the two boys. Then, with a subtle push off the wall, Malfoy straightened to his full height. His hands slipped from his pockets, fingers nervously fidgeting with the material of his robes—and he stood there, as if waiting for something—or someone.
Harry's gaze flicked downwards, catching the light shining off of a small, silver badge pinned to the front of Draco's robes. It was shaped like an origami crane, small and delicate. He blinked and looked up in surprise, saying nothing. Instead his eyes travelled back up to Draco's face, searching for—something.
Swallowing, Harry found himself giving him the smallest of smiles, uncertain but sincere.
"Potter," Draco replied, his voice soft but full of something that Harry wasn't able to define.
And, just like that, the moment ended with the noise and bustle of students surrounding them returning in a rush.
Fourth Note: Slytherin Dormitory:
Draco discovered the next note tucked into his bag. He hadn’t noticed it being put there or by whom. Only that it was there when he arrived back in the Slytherin dormitory at the end of the day. With shaking hands, he opened it.
Draco,
I’m ready to meet now, and I hope you are too.
Black Lake, midnight.
H
Black Lake: Midnight:
Draco had spent the hours between finding the note and heading to the lake in a turmoil. Pacing the Slytherin dormitory and common room, snapping at everyone around him, until they all disappeared and left him to his churning thoughts and turbulent mood. Finally, he looked up at the clock, needing to make a decision. He walked to the common room entrance and pushed open the door.
He found himself outside the castle, standing outside the oak doors, gazing into the distance. He could see a figure standing in front of the lake, patiently waiting for him. He took a deep breath and walked down the steps towards them. He stopped a few paces away. He knew who he was going to find, but the reality was almost more than he could believe.
“I wasn’t sure you'd come,” Harry whispered into the darkness, facing away from Draco, unsure as to how this meeting was going to end.
Draco let out a huffing breath and gave him a small smile, “Neither was I.”
“So what now?”
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets, “I don’t know. I hadn't thought that far ahead.”
“I guess… I need to know," there was a hitch in Harry's voice, he still hadn't been able to work out how Draco felt about him yet. "Do we move forward together, or leave things as they were.”
“I...I'd like to try," Draco whispered quietly into the night.
Harry turned to study the face of the other boy, needing to understand how he was feeling, “I....you need to be sure.”
Draco nodded, a little overwhelmed by the moment, “I’m sure. The cost to get here was too great.”
Harry paused and, smiled. He had a little crease in the corner of his mouth as he tilted his head, “You know it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Will you come to Hogsmeade with me?”
Draco stood there with his mouth open, not sure if Harry was joking or not, “That’s a big step. We’ve only just met, you know.”
Harry grinned at him, a little bit of cheekiness starting to show through, “Best to rip the bandaid off, I guess.”
“Rip the what off?”
“Muggle saying. It means to just..sort of…get on with it despite the discomfort.”
“That’s your definition of ‘getting on with it’? Outing us to the entire world?”
He nodded. “My friends already know how I feel about you.” Harry had taken a step closer to Draco, wanting to watch his reactions in minute detail.
Draco stopped moving and swallowed. He could barely speak, but managed to whisper out, “And how do you feel about me?”
Harry stood there for a moment before replying, “Everything.”
Draco chuckled, the spell broken, “So, I’m the last one to know then.”
“Yeah...I guess so.”
“Merlin, Potter,” he chuckled. “You’re mental, you know that right?”
“Yeah,” he kicked his foot into the ground. “And you?”
“What?” Draco squinted at him.
“How do you feel about me?” Harry was looking anywhere but at him, unsure of himself.
Draco had a soft, wistful look on his face. He waited until Harry was looking at him again before replying, “You’re…. everything.”
Harry blushed, a pinkness flushing his face. “So, are you going to come with me tomorrow or not?”
“Very well then. Yes.”
“Good.”
“Wait. Does this mean we’re dating now?”
“It does to me.”
Draco smiled, “Alright then.”
Harry stood there, silent, hands in his robes, a few steps distance between them.
“Is this the part where you kiss me?” Draco took a step closer, waiting.
“Oh, ummm, alright…” Harry stood there fidgeting, too nervous to make the final move.
“Oh for god's sake, Potter,” Draco walked over, grabbed him by the front of his robes and pulled, smooshing their lips together in a quick, fierce kiss. After a moment, Draco pulled back, “I mean, honestly Potter, how can you consider yourself my boyfriend if you hadn’t even kissed me yet?”
Harry nodded in agreement dazedly, “Yes, I see what you mean there.”
Draco leaned back in again, slowly kissing Harry this time. He slid his tongue across the other boys' lips, waiting for a response before gaining entrance to his mouth. He ran his tongue gently across Harry’s teeth, while threading his fingers through the soft hair at Harry’s nape. He felt warm skin under his fingers and heard a soft sigh from the boy in front of him. He stopped and rested his forehead on Harry’s, “That’s more like it.”
Harry chuckled and slowly wrapped his arms around Draco’s waist pulling him in closer. He tilted his head and buried it in Draco’s neck, smelling his scent and softly kissing his way back up to his mouth. “Have you done much of this before?” He asked softly, he wanted to know everything about Draco, but more than anything he wanted to taste him. The feel and smell of his skin was intoxicating.
“No, only kissing,” Draco replied quietly, Harry's soft lips kissing up his neck were distracting him from his thoughts, “You?”
“Same, only kissing.”
“Good," Draco replied. He instinctively tightened his grip around Harry. He wanted to be the first of many things for Harry, as he would be the same for him. He was slowly losing his will to refrain, and wasn't sure if he would be able to let go of him tonight.
Harry gave him a shy smile, “Will you have breakfast with me tomorrow?”
“Are you sure you want to do that? Have breakfast with an ex-Death Eater?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Everyone will find out soon enough and I’m not going to hide us away.”
“Alright then,” Draco ran his fingers back through Harry’s hair and pulled on it so they were face to face. “You know, Potter, once we start on this path, there’s no getting off of it. Malfoys are notoriously possessive, we don’t share and I won’t let go of what’s mine.” He ran his fingers down Harry’s throat, opening up his collar and placing small light kisses on him whilst talking.
Harry squeezed his arms tighter around Draco, lost in the sensation, “I don’t plan on going anywhere, Malfoy.”
“Good,” Draco whispered before he sucked hard on the spot above Harry’s collarbone, “Because I want to utterly devour you.”
A shiver ran through Harry as he tilted his head back, eyes closed, mouth open and panting. He felt warm and languid, with Draco doing unspeakable things to his neck. He could hear sucking and slurping and it was setting off an ache low in his belly. Unable to move, all he could do was hold on tight. He dug his fingers into Draco’s back, running his hands slowly up and down, needing to have something to hold onto. “Oh Gods, Malfoy,” he whispered. His legs were becoming jelly and he had to grip onto Draco's robes tightly, lest he fall in an embarrassing heap at his feet.
Draco ran his fingers up Harry’s back and through his hair, holding and supporting his head. He kissed his way back up to his mouth. “Shhhh…,” he soothed the other boy and pulled him in close, feeling his heart beating hard as he leaned against his chest, feeling the depth of his emotions and knowing that they were mirrored in his own.
He kissed him again, deeply and desperately this time, hands and fingers running through his hair with his tongue thrust into Harry’s mouth, licking and sucking on his lip, tasting him until he had to pull away gasping for breath. He rested their foreheads together whilst hugging him tightly.
Draco swallowed loudly, trying to catch his breath and slow down his beating heart. He needed to move away from the other boy soon, otherwise he wouldn't be able to stop himself from taking a drastic step, and having Harry right there in front of the Black Lake in the middle of the night. But he knew that wasn't how he wanted them to start, so he stopped himself. He brushed his fingers through Harry's hair before softly speaking, “I need to go owl Mother. I can't have her find out about us on the front page of the Daily Prophet.”
Harry nodded, dazedly gasping for breath, “Good idea, will you give her my regards.”
“I will. You know she asks after you.”
Harry leaned back looking him in the eyes, “She saved my life. Did you know?”
“She mentioned something but wouldn’t give me details.”
“I’ll tell you about it one day. If you want to know.”
Draco hugged him tighter, feeling comforted by his words, “I do. We can talk about everything.”
“I’d like that. And I better go tell my friends. They knew I was coming here to see you.”
“Alright,” he kissed Harry again, softly this time, before pulling away. “If I don’t go now, I won’t want to go at all.”
Harry reached up and pulled him in for one last kiss, “Tomorrow then,” and turned around quickly and walked back to the castle.
Draco stood there watching as Harry walked through the front entrance back into the castle. Then he turned and headed to the owlery.
Gryffindor common room:
Harry had a stupid grin stuck on his face as he pushed open the portrait hole and entered the common room. He looked over and saw all of the eighth years sitting there waiting for him.
A gasp and a laugh met him as he walked over.
“Harry!” Hermione was covering her mouth trying not to laugh.
“What?” He asked, looking around, but not understanding what she was laughing at.
“Mate!” Ron sniggered, “You look completely snogged.”
Harry tried to brush his hair down and straighten his clothing. He wiped a hand across his mouth, but couldn't get rid of the stupid grin that kept on creeping back on his face.
Ginny giggled at him, “Ummm, it could be that massive bloody hickey on your neck.”
“Fuck!”
They all laughed and Dean and Seamus started clapping. “Bravo Harry, bravo.”
He sat down on a cushion in front of the fire, ready to get grilled by all of his friends.
But he didn't even mind one little bit.
Next Morning: Breakfast Slytherin Table: Great Hall:
Draco was sitting at the Slytherin table the next morning, drinking tea and browsing through the Daily Prophet. The other Slytherin eighth years were sitting around him chatting and eating breakfast when he heard Pansy gasp.
“Oh shit, he’s actually coming over.”
He turned towards the front entrance and saw Harry Potter striding towards him, dressed in casual robes, one hand shoved in a pocket and a small smile on his face. He was heading directly towards Draco.
Draco couldn’t take his eyes off of him as he came closer and closer. Harry swept his gaze across the group as he approached, nodding, “Slytherins,” he greeted. They all sat there, mouths open, wondering what the hell was happening as he confidently strolled past them all.
He stopped right next to Draco, leaned down hand gently caressing his cheek, and kissed him on the mouth, stroking his face with his thumb. “Draco. Sleep well?”
All noise in the hall had stopped as Harry had leaned over and kissed him. The sound of his lips smacking against Draco’s were echoing through the silence and every pair of eyes were on the two of them. He sat down in the empty spot next to Draco and looked around the table. He pulled an empty plate towards himself and started serving up breakfast, completely ignoring the questioning stares they were getting from everyone around them.
Draco’s face was bright red and all eyes were glued on the two of them. Harry poured himself a cup of tea and sat there calmly drinking it. Up until that point, Draco hadn't been sure whether Harry was really going to acknowledge their dating status or not. Him walking up in the midst of breakfast in front of everyone, answered that question with a giant full stop. There was no doubt Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were now dating and a couple.
Taking a deep breath, Draco turned to Harry to break the silence, “Mother says hello,” his face still bright red and quite warm despite the cool weather. “She’s invited us to tea when school ends.”
“Good,” Harry responded, “I’d like that.” He smiled at Draco and continued drinking his tea.
“Oh are we sitting with Slytherins now?” Ginny had shown up holding hands with Dean and squeezed them into seats across from Harry and Draco.
Draco looked at the two Gryffindors, “Weasley, Thomas” he nodded to them. He should have known that dating Harry meant bringing an entourage with him. He had forgotten to warn the rest of his house, but it was far too late for that now.
“Malfoy,” Ginny nodded back, “Lovely hickey you left on Harry last night.”
Harry choked on his tea, “Jesus, Ginny !”
Draco patted Harry on the back and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He was glad to get a bit of revenge on Harry for kissing him in front of everyone without warning, “Plenty more where that came from, sweetheart.”
Harry blushed awkwardly at him.
“Well, well, well. If I hadn’t already known, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Ron stood there, a big grin on his face, Hermione trailing behind him. He was squeezing into a seat diagonally across from Harry and opposite Pansy, pushing others over to make room for Hermione next to him. Draco nodded in greeting to the newcomers. He didn't think that a Malfoy had said a kind word to a male Weasley in generations, however this was Harry's friend and therefore now was going to be one of his.
"Weasley, Granger."
“Is this an invasion of the Gryffindors?” Blaise asked.
“Better get used to it,” Harry replied. “I’m certainly not going anywhere.” He put an arm around Draco’s waist and snuggled up next to him. Draco gave him a cheeky grin and brushed a finger down his nose.
“Oh, you two are adorable,” Lavender cooed, Padma right beside her. The girls were squeezing into seats between Goyle and Zabini. “Hello boys,” she giggled at the Slytherins.
“Well, hello there,” Zabini raised an eyebrow at her, brightening up considerably at the latest additions. Lavender gave him a little wave and a giggle. He placed his head in his hand, watching her, “It’s a lovely day for a walk to Hogsmeade, don’t you think.” She beamed at him and twirled a curl of hair around her finger. Blaise looked like he had decided that maybe having a few lions around wasn't such a bad thing after all.
“Didn’t you bring any single men with you?” Pansy asked, looking around the table, seeing only couples and single females.
“Oh hey there,” Seamus grinned at her, waggling his eyebrows.
“No, thank you,” she said simply, shaking her head. Obviously her idea of a date was not a short, cheeky Irishman.
Seamus shrugged, unconcerned with her rejection and sat down to eat breakfast with the others.
“I’ve got five older brothers,” Ron volunteered, “Only one of them’s married, and one’s a dragon tamer.”
“Ooh,” Pansy perked up at that, “Was he the gorgeous one that showed up in fourth year?”
"At least he'll know how to deal with sharp claws," Hermione whispered to Ron. They shared a giggle at that.
Hogsmeade: First Date:
Later that morning, the Gryffindor-Slytherin coalition walked in a huge rambling group to Hogsmeade and then broke apart into smaller groups, promising to meet up again in the Three Broomsticks later that afternoon.
Harry had a grip around Draco’s hand and was pulling him through the doorway into Honeydukes.
“Come on, I need chocolate,” he said, dragging him down the aisles. He picked up a basket and was randomly throwing items into it.
“Harry, are you even reading the labels of what you’re buying?” Draco was looking at him flinging things haphazardly into the basket like a crazy person.
“Nope,” he said. “I never do, I only ever look at the pictures on the wrapping.”
“What? That’s ridiculous.” He said, thinking to himself that he was mental.
“It’s exquisite,” he explained seriously. “That way you’re always trying new things.”
Draco was staring at him, shaking his head, “I just don’t even know who you are anymore.”
“Yes, you do,” Harry entwined their fingers and pulled Draco towards him, “You know I like pretty things,” Harry grinned.
Draco blushed furiously in response, unable to think of a quick comeback.
Harry chuckled, giving him a kiss on the cheek, “Come on, I think I’ve got enough, let’s go pay.”
They finally strolled out the door hand in hand, a large bag of confectionery in Harry’s hand.
Eventually after wandering in and out of various shops in Hogsmeade, they ended up at the Three Broomsticks, at a large round table surrounded by a mixture of Slytherins and Gryffindors.
Ron had started drinking before they’d shown up, “Harry, as the newest member of the Gryffindor Dating Club, you have to buy a round of drinks,”
“I think you just made that up,” Harry laughed at him, shaking his head.
“Nope, it’s a real thing. Your shout," Ron was blearily swinging a half-empty mug at him.
Harry laughed, “Fine. My shout. What does everyone want?”
“Butterbeer!”
“Anyone want something other than Butterbeer?” He looked around the table—nothing.
He leaned over to Draco, placing a hand on his nape and gently rubbing it, he leaned in close, “And for you, my darling, what would you like to drink?”
Draco smiled and blushed, “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Harry brushed his nose against Draco’s and kissed him, “Alright then."
Harry went over to the bar and ordered drinks for the table. He turned back to look at them and saw something he never thought he’d ever see; Gryffindors and Slytherins hanging out together, talking, laughing and planning joint activities.
He stood there for a moment and let it sink in, then he smiled to himself and walked back over to the table, next to his boyfriend, and sat down.
The Epilogue: Harry and Draco later that night.
After they left the Three Broomsticks, Harry walked with Draco back to the Slytherin common room entrance.
Draco held his hand and gave it a little squeeze, “Will you stay with me tonight?” Draco said. “After everything today, I really want to be with you. We don't need to do anything, even if only to sleep.”
Harry gave him a shy smile, “Alright.”
Harry stirred in the quiet of the night, his mind slowly surfacing from the depths of deep sleep as warm hands stroked languorously over his back. Soft lips pressed against his neck, leaving slow, sucking kisses that sent shivers down his spine. His eyelids fluttered as he felt gentle circles being rubbed into the soft skin of his hip. He let out a low sigh, his body arching instinctively into the touch, and he reached out with heavy, sleepy limbs to wrap himself around the solid warmth beside him.
His fingers threaded through soft hair, gently stroking as he felt a tickle of breath against his lips, followed by a lick and a kiss on his lips, “Harry.”
“Mmm,” he smiled and murmured.
“Wake up,” Draco's voice was a whispered plea, his nose brushing against Harry’s again.
“I’m waking,” he replied sleepily, eyes fluttering open just enough to glimpse the pale blur of Draco's face.
Draco chuckled softly, pressing kisses along his jaw, before pulling Harry’s t-shirt up, gently teasing the skin above his pyjama waistband. The light touch sent shivers through Harry's stomach, feeling the heat of Draco's palm pressing into his hip, tracing delicate circles that made his breath hitch.
He tensed his fingers in Draco’s hair, starting to feel himself becoming more languid, slowly falling into the sensation. He groaned, arching his back, “Draco.” He could feel warmth pooling low in his belly.
Draco didn't reply, only pressed closer, his mouth trailing lower, exposing more skin, his lips on a journey of discovery down Harry's chest. Each kiss, each touch of his tongue, felt like a silent declaration that Harry wasn't sure he deserved, but craved all the same.
He wasn’t sure how far he wanted this to go tonight, but he knew he didn’t want it to stop anytime soon, the heat in Draco's touch made him ache in ways he hadn't expected. When Draco's hands slid lower, teasing along the edge of his pyjama waistand, Harry's hips lifted instinctively, silently pleading for more.
Draco stopped and lay his head down on Harry’s thighs, calmly waiting for him to fully wake up. Harry’s eyelashes fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes, swallowing loudly. He carded his fingers through Draco’s hair and smiled down at the other boy. God, he looked so beautiful down there.
“Harry," Draco whispered.
“Hello,” Harry replied, running his fingers through Draco’s hair again, the soft strands slipping through his fingers.
Draco watched him and licked his lips. “We don’t have to do anything.”
Harry stroked Draco's face softly, noting the vulnerability, "I know."
Draco's fingers gently stroked over Harry's hip, “But I want to."
“Alright.”
“Harry,” Draco’s cheeks had pinked, his voice hitching slightly. “I…I….”
Harry lifted up on his elbows, “You can tell me.”
Draco swallowed and blinked.
“I want to suck you.”
“Oh,” Harry was surprised and a little nervous, he'd never had anything like that happen to him before. “You don’t have to.”
Draco blinked at him, licking his lips, “I’d really like to, but only if that’s alright with you.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, "Yeah. I do."
Harry nodded nervously, turning slightly pink, “Alright then.” The thought of Draco's mouth on him made heat pool in his belly, a tingling running down his spine.
Draco moved, crawling his way back up the bed to capture Harry's mouth in a kiss that was deep and all consuming. Their bodies were pressed fully together, the friction of their clothed erections sending sparks racing through Harry's veins. Harry reached up, placing his hands on either side of Draco’s face, running his thumbs over his features, studying him. He needed this moment to see him fully, to remember exactly how he looked, to hold onto it.
He threaded his fingers into Draco’s hair, pulling him back down to his mouth, kissing him, tasting his mouth, sucking and licking along his lip until he was panting. “Draco,” he whispered, running his nose along his face and down his neck.
Draco slowly kissed his way back down, wanting to taste and suck every part of Harry. He wanted to worship him, inside and out, touch every part of him, run his fingers along every ridge and groove, feel every scar, know every battle that he had fought to make it to this point. He wanted the other boy to know that he was here for him, that he saw him, the struggle that his life had been, that he wasn’t going anywhere.
Harry shivered, the sensation and touch, both sensual and too much, all at once. He looked down and saw Draco had moved to settle between his legs, gently guiding them apart.
Draco placed his hands on his thighs gently rubbing the soft skin and teasing the area, sending chills straight to Harry’s cock. Harry felt fingers lightly stroking along the skin moving towards his erection, he jerked and arched his head back, moaning. It was all too much and yet not enough, the heat and need overtaking any sense he felt. He lay back, too overwhelmed to know what to say, only knowing that he wanted to be touched, to be known by Draco, to be with him, like no one had before.
Harry gripped the sheets, feeling overwhelmed and too sensitive. Draco was sliding his fingers under the waistband of his pyjamas, and then slowly pulling them down releasing his hard cock. The cold air made him shiver again as Draco kneeled in front of him.
“Harry,” he whispered reverently, “You are so beautiful.” He reached out and ran his fingers softly through the hair at the base of Harry’s cock. Then he leaned forward and wrapped his lips around the tip, hot and wet and utterly consuming.
Harry arched his back, “Oooohhhh,” grabbing onto and pulling Draco’s hair, the sensation of being worked over slowly, the teasing and swirling of his tongue sending shivers and tremors through his hips, his skin burning with sensation.
He could hear the filthy sounds Draco was making, and he looked down to see his head bobbing up and down, his cheeks hollowing as he sucked. Harry closed his eyes to stop himself from coming too quickly. Seeing Draco’s mouth around his cock, the filthy sounds of him slurping and sucking and the feeling of warmth almost too much. He dug his fingers into Draco’s hair, needing to ground himself. He leaned his head back, screwing his eyes closed, trying to prolong the intensity of the moment.
“Draco,” Harry yanked on his hair urgently, “I’m not going to last.”
Draco hummed around him, the vibrations sending him over the edge with a shuddering gasp. He jerked uncontrollably, “Oh gods…Draco!”, and then suddenly his release spilled into waiting Draco’s mouth, as he collapsed breathless on the pillows, completely wrung out.
Harry looked at Draco, his tongue still lapping at his cock. He had his hand still wrapped around Draco's hair and he pulled it gently, “Draco,” he said, “Come up here.”
Draco looked up, gave Harry’s cock one last lick and let it go with a pop. He smiled and wiped his mouth, then crawled back up the bed, laying down on top of Harry. He gave him a kiss, full of tongue and the taste of semen, hands buried in his hair and grinding down on top of him. He murmured constantly, “Harry…..Harry….”
Harry rolled them onto their sides so they were facing each other. He wanted the other boy to know how intense the moment was for him, to look into his eyes, to try and convey everything he felt in that moment. The silence of the night, the softness of the bed, the breathy kisses they softly gave each other, he wanted it to mean everything for both of them.
Harry wrapped his leg over Draco to keep them in full contact and slowly pushed Draco’s pants down allowing his erection free between them. Harry licked a wide wet stripe across his hand and slowly wrapped it around Draco’s cock. He kissed him, one arm wrapped tightly around his neck, holding him in place, whilst gently stroking him with the other.
Draco threaded his fingers through Harry’s hair, whilst devouring his mouth, trying to taste him whilst fucking jerkily into his hand. “Oh god Harry,” he groaned into his neck, pumping hard.
He kissed down his neck and pulled Harry against him, needing his touch, the reassurance that he wasn’t going anywhere. Draco was erratically jerking now, knowing that he wasn’t going to last long, but not wanting to move. His movements became more frantic, more needy, more urgent, he leaned into Harry’s neck, smelling his scent, the fragrance that was so very much Harry, whilst frantically pumping his hips, “Ohgodohgodohgod.”
“Yes,” Harry whispered into his neck, “I want you to come.” He kissed him gently on the lips, and watched him as he urgently stroked his hard, rigid cock, “Draco .” He peppered wet, sloppy kisses down his neck all the while softly murmuring his name over and over again, like a mantra, like a promise. Draco held onto him tight and felt his cock spasm into Harry’s hand, finally releasing. His come emptied into the space between them, the aftershocks jerking through them both as they held each other tight, neither wanting to move away from their shared experience, feeling the bliss and euphoria of the moment.
Finally, after a while, Draco let out a breath and gently rubbed his nose against Harry’s, giving him a soft kiss on the lips, “God, I love you so much.”
Harry wrapped his arms around him tightly, returning his kisses, “I love you too, Draco Malfoy. More than I can even express.”
They cleaned each other up, tenderly caressing soft skin, sharing gentle kisses and murmuring words of love. They wrapped each other up in a tight embrace, neither willing to let go of the other, and pulled up the blankets over themselves, cocooned in warmth and darkness. They lay there for a long time, breath mingling, staring softly into each other's eyes, neither wanting to be the first to fall asleep.
“Thank you,” Draco finally said quietly into the night.
“For what,” Harry whispered in response.
“For taking that step. For crossing the distance.”
Harry smiled, reaching out and running his fingers through the soft fine hair at Draco’s nape. “You’re worth it,” he replied.
“We’re worth it,” Draco replied, grabbing his hand and kissing it.
They held each other through the remainder of the night and into the morning, sunlight slowly shining onto the expanse of the Black Lake, and trickling through the window into the dormitory. They found comfort in the warmth of each other, wrapped up in the love they felt, knowing that they would never be alone again, the knowledge that they had a lifetime ahead of them to look forward to.
In the distance the sound of water lapped against the window, pale fish swimming in the depth of the lake, as the two boys slowly drifted off to sleep