A Lazy Pretence Of A Boy.

A Lazy Pretence Of A Boy.

“So, you’ve come back to Hogwarts. Our splendid Saviour. The greatest of bloody heroes. Why are you hesitating? Cowering by the door like some first-year Hufflepuff? Enter. You’ve here to gloat, aren’t you, Potter? Here to brag? Here to shove your living, breathing face into mine?”

“No… Mafo- Draco. No. I’m not here to brag. It’s been… It’s been more than ten years. McGonagall asked me to come back. Asked me to talk to you… Your behaviour around the school isn’t acceptable. Appearing in front of the first-years, with half of your skin burnt off? You’re frightening them, Draco. They’re just kids.”

“Just kids? Fuck, but it’s true what the students say. You’ve turned into a spineless Ministry drone! We were just kids, remember? Just kids who fought a war. You were just a kid when you destroyed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Just a kid when you saved the world. Just a kid when you let me plummet to my death, consumed in the Fiendfyre-”

“And I’m sorry. I’m sorry! I wanted to save you, Draco. That’s why we flew back into the Room… But there was so much smoke. There was so much smoke, and my eyes were stinging, my throat was full of ash, and I could barely see… You hand slipped and then it was too late-”

“Don’t you dare lie! You did it on purpose. You hated me. You wanted me dead. You trapped me here, in these cold stone walls for time without end. The war hasn’t ended for me, Potter, and it never will! I don’t need your sympathy. Go back to Ginevra. Go back to your family, and leave me alone.”

“I didn’t marry Ginny, and I don’t have children... Bloody hell. You’re every bit as melodramatic a ghost as you were alive, drifting through corridors and waiting in dark corners. The war hasn’t ended for me, either! You think I don’t see your face, every day of my life? I hear the silence of your muted scream in every silent room I enter. I feel the lick of those flames in every fireplace-“

“Shut up! Go home! You killed me. Trapped me forever in this dark limbo. There are so many faces, Potter. All of them are getting older… All of them growing, laughing, kissing, fucking! Everything I never had. Everything I was never allowed. My life was naught but pure-blood formality and expectations, snuffed out before it even began-”

“Wouldn’t you rather leave? There’s a ritual. It’s old magic, dark spell work, but I’ve managed it before. You’d be freed from this reality… Finally free of Hogwarts.”

“The Libertatem Mori? I’ve heard tell of it from the other ghosts. They say that it’s as painless as falling asleep, though those insipid fools dare not take the final step.”

“Do you dare, Draco? I wanted to save you when we were boys, but I couldn’t. Give me this, please. Let me save you this time-“

“I’ll never let you save me. The boy I was, when I was alive… He loved you, more than any other on the earth... Everyday he waited for you to see his pain and his torment, but you never did! You were blind to him. Even when he stood before you, in tears, you chose instead to lacerate him. So now I’ll wait here, a hazy pretence of a boy who coveted and craved, diaphanous where once I was flesh. I’ll stay here, in the halls and corridors of your childhood, a cold imitation of a life once lived. Every day you live in this world, I’ll be here, waiting for you to die. Go away now and live. Live the life you denied me.”

Thank you mags for beautiful cover art. ❤

This was written for @gameofdrarry Exploding Snap.

Prompt: Write a Drarry fic of 544-816 words following this prompt: Harry and Draco meet in the Room of Requirement. Why are they meeting? Use only dialogue.

How to get away with murder?

Prompt used- Sitting on others lap | harry and draco get's assigned for a murder mystery as pretend boyfriends | TW- torture | ENEMIES TO LOVER |

" no Simon, get the hell out of here " robard yelled walking into the room

"now, my favourite aurors " robard grinned as he settled down in his office chair in front of his two employees.

" greetings robard " harry nodded

" morning " the other one greeted

" right, greetings can go on for hours. Now the actual reason I sufficed you here. This particular case has been up by from other aurors as their inability to actually being able to sort it and who better than you two. Cutting to the chase, you know I don't like to waste time. You two are going to work on this case together-"

" with draco, no way-"

" with harry, no way-"

They both glared at each other, narrowing their eyes.

" now now, don't kill each other right here. I know how much you two hate each other but this case is important for DMLE. The truth is you both have strengths which if put together can be put to greater use. Draco is great at analysing situations, detecting potions and previously casted magic and you harry, dear you're fast, you're smooth talker, your wand less magic, and your instincts. All of your traits can so easily solve this case and I want your heads in for that" robard looked at both of them expectedly.

" come on, give me an answer. It's your last case harry, it's all chase and fun " robard insisted

" you're leaving DMLE ?" Draco turned to harry. Harry nodded without Daring to look at him.

" finally understood you don't stand a chance here-"

" as you please Malfoy. I've caught more people than you ever have " harry rolled his eyes

" see this is why I chose you. Your determination-"

" will you stop with the ass licking robard. I'll do it but I must insist at places I'd like to work alone " harry sighed

" same for me. I like to have my space " draco replied.

" well it's settled then. You're in the case for Gary oakman " robard clapped his hands lightly, passing them the files he had fetched before hand. Picking up the files harry and draco almost left the room when robard stopped them.

" oh and you're going to be pretend boyfriends. Do your best, good luck " robard grinned and shut the door on their faces.

" what-"

" what -"

They both looked at each other with morbid shock.

__________________________

Harry pinched his nose tiredly as they went through the case together " I hate this case "

" tell me about it , this man didn't even have had that much money, no heir to pass onto, no wife or anything yet he's murdered " draco sighed as he leaned back into his chair.

" the bigger part is, no culprits, no victims "

" we do have a witness though, the house maid. Rosy I suppose " draco skimmed over her details.

Harry looked at the watch knowing he had stayed in his office for far longer than he normally did " anyways, I'm going to head home. We have to be there tomorrow so the packing. I suggest you do that too "

Draco looks at harry, then at the clock in the wall " in a few " and harry nodded before walking out.

The next morning they met in front of the ministry

" I want you two at the best behavior and I mean it " robard insisted

" I'll try my best to be on the best behavior with my fake boyfriend james " harry rolled his eyes as he checked his coat pockets for everything.

" can I still do the case individually?" Draco rolled his eyes

" draco, trust me, I have thought this through and you would do best at the disposal of your resources " robard sighed as he shook hands with both of them " off you go now. Don't forget to revise your history "

And with that harry and draco sat inside the car.

" I'm so excited " draco sarcastically scowled

" it would be a pleasure to work with you " harry narrowed his eyes at Draco equally sarcastically.

As obvious, they didn't talk through the journey, knowing that if conversed they would want to rip each other heads off. So they Only talked hurriedly when they reached the manor.

" you're james , I'm Derek. We've been together for 2 years, right ?" Harry reassured

" much to my displeasure " draco rolled his eyes as he took down his bags from the car

" best behavior my ass " harry sneered under his breath as he took out his own bags and waited for draco to join him towards the door.

" huh, I'm sure you could never afford such manor " draco said as he dragged his bags towards harry.

" funnily enough draco, I am the owner of a manor since I was 17. Jokes on you " harry grinned sarcastically as he walked forwards towards the gate.

" oh and by the way, I'm far more rich than you are considering I donate a lot of money to orphanages and such. Good deeds. But what would you know about it " harry smiled sharply. It fueled draco how Harry was insulting him with a smile, but man he wasn't lying.

" shall we put this banters aside and finally get to business ?" Harry asked at last. Draco nodded and suddenly the Manor's door opened and they met, Rosy, the housemaid.

" oh my darlings, you are finally here. We've been waiting for you for an hour. Heavy traffic huh ?" She smiled

" it was a little bit of traffic. You see my beautiful boyfriend, he got up a bit late. Sorry about the inconvenience " harry replied as he pulled draco towards him and intertwined their fingers.

" I'm really sorry, that's just me " draco smiled at the lady.

" no matter, no matter. You can leave the bags, the bell boys will take these. Shall we walk inside then ?" She asked with a warm smile

" of course. Shall we james ?" Harry asked draco as he swiftly pulled him more closer to vanish any suspicions.

" of course Darling " draco swore he threw up a little In his mouth.

And they walked towards the main door with harry appreciating the gardens and the vines and talking about the architecture of the windows and doors from the 1960s.

" we'll let you freshen up then. This would be your room. And since you're a couple we thought you wouldn't need two separate rooms, right ?" Rosy asked expectedly

" oh- no no of course not. We share the same room and trust me Ms. Rosy If you had given us separate rooms, I would've been in his room all the time " harry chuckled.

" well then it's no inconvenience. Your bags are already up here. The lunch is at 2, and then we'll give you the house tour. Oh and yes, that area is out of bounds " Rosy cheekily smiled and walked away.

Harry kept smiling until they had reached the room and closed the door behind him and draco immediately jerked his hands off harry..

" wow, I love my boyfriend " Harry sarcastically said.

" what was the hand holding for ?" Draco sneered

" uh- draco, couple's normally do that and if you want to be done with the case as soon as possible, you too have to do couple things even if you hate it. It's important that we raise no suspicions at all. One suspicion and we're dead, alright " harry explained as he took off his shoes and lined it up up on the rack.

Draco hated to admit but harry was right " I think it'd be better if we didn't use our actual names too then and- muffalito- use protection charms all the time "

Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco impressively " guess robard wasn't all wrong about you then "

Draco rolled his eyes at harry and disposed off his extra clothes onto the chair.

" I'll take the shower first " draco announced and went into the bathroom.

Harry didn't had time to react but couldn't even if he wanted to, knowing draco was still a huge pain in the ass.

_________________________

" how are you going to transfigure ?" Draco asked harry as he got ready for the actual investigation

" polyjuice potion " harry replied not even looking at Draco sitting over the study going through the reports.

" you do know it's effect only lasts 3 hours ?" Draco asked

" believe me d- james- I have taken polyjuice potion much more than it would be recommended to for a child" harry huffs as he put his auror coat in the suitcase and transfiguring it into a smaller bag.

" right, of course, the saviour had to do a lot to save us from the chambers of secret's " draco rolled his eyes and turned back to his reports.

" here take this coin. If you need me, just write on it.. not that we'd be far away anyways" harry said as he tossed the coin at Draco.

" how does it work ?" He asked

" just- I have another set of it. If you write something on it, I'll know it too. I used this back in DA meetings at school " harry double checked his pockets walking around in the room looking for his wand.

" clever " draco impressively frowned " here, your wand "

" thanks. And remember, don't raise suspicions" harry told Draco.

Rolling his eyes draco agreed and harry finally left the manor after greeting Rosy, getting ready to get back here again after transformation.

Harry returned half an hour later with his small team Including Ron and getting on with the investigation.

" Rosy, what's this all about ?" He heard someone ask as harry was standing just before the crime scene caution sign talking about the evidences found.

" oh, it's nothing. It was master's old bedroom. Mr. Gary. He passed away a couple weeks ago. These people think it's a murder and just barge in to investigate " Rosy sighed

" well that's too bad. My condolences Rosy. We hadn't known about it " draco sympathetically patted her back softly. Smiling to himself, harry got on with the investigation once again.

At night when harry had finally come back with reports and evidence he was met with a just out of shower draco.

" the water's still warm if you want to" draco told him as he softly patted towel over his head.

Harry nodded, dumping his reports and jackets over the chair and getting in the bathroom, smelling like Lavender and cinnamon.

It only took him 15 minutes in shower when he got out forgetting he didn't had his clothes.

" hey ma- james, can you pass me my clothes on the chair ?" Harry poked his head out of the bathroom.

He could've sworn he heard draco swear under his breath insulting harry.

" I can't find it, just come and take it yourself" draco called out.

Shrugging harry wrapped the towel around his lower body and got out of the bathroom, into the room to find his clothes.

" I left them h-"

" oh- I'm so sorry" Rosy had suddenly entered the room, turning her head in shame

" it's alright rosy. We- we just you know got out of the shower " harry gave her a little firm smile as he covered up his body with another towel.

" I- I'm really sorry. I will leave you two to it. Just bought some tea" she said without looking at them

" it's alright, leave them there, we'll call you if we need something " draco gave her a smile as he stepped closer to harry, putting his hand over Harry's shoulder in a physical gesture.

She nodded and embarrassingly left the room.

" just put on a damn shirt now, will you " draco rolled his eyes as he immediately created space between them.

" oh- I did not know that. I was planning on staying naked for the rest of the evening " harry rolled his eyes as he tried searching for his shirt until he saw draco.

" you're wearing my shirt "

" wha- oh. I didn't realise " draco looked down at his own blue shirt " no wonder it smells like shit"

Harry rolled his eyes " keep wearing it, I'll get myself another one " and he picked out another maroon shirt from the bag and wore it right there in the room.

" ahem- anyways, you got anything over the case ?" Draco asked turning around, giving harry his privacy.

" not a great deal. We would still have to go through every inch of that room and let me tell you, that rooms huge " harry huffed as he finally put on his pants and retrieved the files.

" here, these are the pictures I took today" harry displayed it over the table draco was sat on, ruffling his hair to dry them.

" wow- that's one- ha- stop dripping water over me "

" oh right- sorry" and Harry picked the towel again, drying his hair.

By the night, they decided to finally make an appearance downstairs for dinner.

" oh, I thought you'd had liked it in your room " rosy smiled

"we just thought it'd be nice to have dinner downstairs" harry smiled as he walked along with draco

" right, on the table then " she said and they made themselves comfortable over the dinner table.

" it's better than your manor " harry whispered to draco once they had settled in their Chairs. Draco narrowed his eyes at harry, giving him a scowl.

" here you go dears " rosy said as she placed plates one after the another.

" enjoy-"

" why don't you stay too. We'd like to get to know you, don't you think Derek ?" Draco asked smiling gently

" I think that would be brilliant " harry raised an eyebrow at Draco, impressed by his subtle approach.

With much hesitation rosy joined them, but not eating, just sitting further on a chair despite the insisted offer to join the table.

" pardon me mister's, I haven't been able to ask how you two met?" Rosy asked in Between

" oh- how we met- it's an interesting story actually-" draco stuttered

" we hated each other in school. But then we realised we only hated each other because we thought they had life easier. Infact we always liked each other and were too afraid to say it. So we put it into hate, until one day, I saw him alone in the school bathroom, crying and I consoled him, then I suppose we became friends and started dating after school " harry covered up for draco. Draco nodded along, amused but agreed to the story.

" that is so intriguing. I wish I could have a love like yours " Rosy grinned hopefully at them

" you know what, I think you'd get the love you deserve. And who knows might be very soon you meet the love of your life, like I have" draco smiled at rosy, drinking away his wine.

" I love you too james. I'm so glad I've met you " harry squeezed draco's hand across the table, making sure he raised no suspicions..

When they were finally done, harry insisted on helping through the kitchen, draco tagging along too when rosy spoke up

" you two make a very nice couple. I bet you don't fight a lot "

" we don-"

" oh we do, we do a lot. Who doesn't fight after all but we make up. We'd rather be with each other than anyone else. Right james ?" Harry smiled at draco, his cheeks hurting with smiling so much

" of course " draco smiled back at him as he intertwined their fingers and softly kissed Harry's knuckles. It was unfortunate that harry Blushed when he shouldn't had but with that craving physical touch, he couldn't resist.

" awh, look at you two "rosy happily sighed as he placed her hand over her chest as if touched by their relationship " oh look a mistletoe " she pointed

" a what ?" Draco's eyes suddenly widened, so did Harry's.

" there's a mistletoe " rosy pointed above their head

Harry forcefully chuckled "you don't believe in that thing, do you now rosy?"

" what's it with belief or not. It's a mistletoe. Always kiss under the mistletoe.. I mean it wouldn't matter much but make this lady happy " rosy happily said

Draco's opened his mouth to say something but unable to form any words he shut it close

" i- if that's what you want.. we're not such an open couple if you must know. Not into the public affection but for you rosy " harry gulped smiling pulling draco closer

" no suspicions " harry whispered very quietly to draco before pressing his lips against draco, tenderly kissing his soft lips, just for a few Seconds before breaking it off.

" is that how you'd normally kiss ?" Rosy asked

" what- no of course not rosy. We- we just you know save them for the bedroom, if you know what I mean " draco chuckled blushing.

Rosy's expression immediately changed " oh right, of course I understand "

" we should head to the room actually. It's getting late. We wouldn't want you staying up so late " harry said as he held draco's hands and started dragging him along with him.

Nodding, they finally left the kitchen and without so much of a suspicion made it to the room.

" you're sleeping on the couch for kissing me tonight " draco rolled his eyes as he dumped himself onto the bed.

" whatever " harry rolled his eyes and picked up his essentials and dumped onto the couch.

__________________________

" is everything fine with you two, Derek ?" Rosy asked as harry fetched the breakfast from her

" why do you ask ?" Harry frowned

" oh nothing- you just- I saw the couch with the blankets and everything and thought I- never mind, your personal life. I shouldn't intrude-"

" not at all rosy. Not at all. We just had a small Argument last night over something and, well it turned a bit ugly so I slept on the couch but I assure you, everything is fine " harry assured her taking two cups of coffee with him and heading back to the room.

" we've got a situation-" harry cut off when he saw draco wearing nothing but pants, getting ready for work.

Gulping harry broke out of it and casted a muffalito and gave draco the cup of coffee

" what happened ?" Draco asked as he pulled over a shirt.

" I think, it's a presumption, rosy knew I slept on the couch last night. She asked me about it and I don't want to raise any suspicions so let's not do the couch thing-"

" I've had enough with your no suspicions potter. We are not raising any suspicions. The only suspicion would be if it seemed as if our relationship was too perfect alright. Have some boundaries. I let it slide last night but you're never fucking kissing me again. That's the end of it. I don't give a shit if there was a mistletoe or anything, you better not do that again" draco snapped

" I can't believe you. You'd actually believe I'd enjoy kissing you, for fun or something. Please. Don't flatter yourself. I don't care if the case matters to you enough or not but this case is my last and I want to make the best of it. I don't want anything going wrong, even the slightest bit of suspicion that we're not a couple, anyone would figure out and we'd be dead before you know it. So suck it up because If you're working with me, you have to work with me " Harry snapped, pulling off his coat , taking his bag and slamming out of the manor.

Draco shut his eyes for a moment, sighing.

" everything alright dear ?" Suddenly someone asked.

Auror instincts immediately made him get up and reach for his wand when he realised it was Only rosy

" I thought i heard yelling " she said

" right- " Draco frowned, until he remembered clearly every single word from harry just before " we had a small Argument. We'd be fine.. if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone "

Rosy hurriedly nodded and left the room. It was not much later, draco too left the manor to come back again with harry for investigation.

" I think I know where to start. Talk with me tonight, yeah ?" Draco had told harry between work. Harry frowned but immediately nodded, waiting for the evening to arrive.

___________________________

Part 2

To be continued. Requests accepted ( even for part 2, despite that it'll be out anyways )

I had immense fun writing this. Also Tumblr cut me on word limit,soo.. you'll have to wait for the next part. Happy reading.

Serious notice- I have missed a prompt in between, which will be labelled 43 and willl to be out as soon as possible.

Day 42- little things | Day 45- there's no without you

Draco: * swatting Harry's hand's away *

Draco: what are you trying to do ?

Harry: trying to be romantic ?? Putting hand in your back pocket, haven't you seen in the movies?

Draco: oh, put it back then *protrudes his ass*

Harry : nah, the moments gone

Draco: what, no just hold it?

Harry: come on, no..

Draco : okay just put slightly inside ?

Harry: no

Draco : HARRY WOULD YOU JUST GRAB MY FUCKING ASS!!

Meanwhile Someone who Only heard " okay just put it slightly inside " : people these days.. eh.. I'd like that

List the Drarry tropes that make your heart and stomach go- 😩💗😭🦋🦋🦋😳🥰😍

I think I enjoy anything as long it's a got a good beginning that gets me hooked but here's a few that I like

1. ENEMIES to " I might care about you a little " to " I thought you were different " to " prove me wrong " to LOVERS, TROPE

2. A domestic drarry trope, with friends to lovers. I read this work by @slytherco one or two month's ago and I made a post about it too, it's fairly domestic with fluff and it's my favorite one.

3. The secret relationship drarry. If anyone's ever read it was all just a game by writeme_227, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

4. the " I don't love you but I'm jealous to see you with anyone else " kinda trope when Infact they love each other. So jealousy drarry trope with smut, maybe.

5. Lastly I love any trope with slightly literary language, something that I can't explain, but might have references like " anatomically saying.. " or " according to Greek mythology.." . I don't think it's a trope but this sort makes me jump.

I ask you the same.. tell me what makes you 🦋🦋🦋🥺🥺😭😢🥰😍😩🦋

Hermione and Draco talks about muggle Physics and it's application: *nodding*

Harry : * pretends to understand everything *

( really old draft. Compensation for inability to post Today's prompt/requests )

So this so damn sweet 😩😩💜🦋

Hi Bee! Let's say Draco discovered the USA and decided he loves all about it, specially cowboy hats, old country songs, and the worst wannabe "wild west" accent :D

YES okay i had so much fun with this one >:) hope you enjoy! you can read on ao3 here (also the belt buckle is based on one i saw in real life with my own eyes so take from that what you will)

“Howdy.”

Harry startles so badly he falls right off the sofa, sprawling across the plush rug of the Eighth Year common room. Above him, Draco huffs with laughter, then sheepishly covers his grin with a pale hand.

“Merlin, you’re like a fucking cat. You have to stop doing…” Harry trails off, finally getting a good look at Draco. “Uh. What are you wearing?”

“Do you like it?” Draco punctuates the question with a little twirl, and Harry nearly laughs when he remembers how surprised he was to learn Draco is gay. Anyone less oblivious than Harry could look at Draco breathe and know he’s gay.

“I’m… honestly, I don’t think I understand enough of what’s going on to decide if I like it or not?” Harry says, then immediately regrets it when the bright expression on Draco’s face dims. It wasn’t a truthful answer, anyways, because the fact of the matter is that Draco looks unfairly and unquestionably fit. Finally scrambling to his feet, Harry stands in front of Draco and looks the other boy up and down.

Draco looks like a cowboy. There’s no other way to spin it.

His shoulder-length hair is tucked behind his ears and mostly covered by a black felt cowboy hat with no ornamentation, a surprisingly modest choice considering the absolutely blinding circle of silver metal that is Draco’s belt buckle. He’s wearing dark jeans tucked into black cowboy boots with a significant heel, and tucked into his jeans is a deep red and grey flannel shirt that looks like–

“Is that my shirt?” Harry asks, and Draco goes bright red.

“I didn’t have any like it.”

“When did you go into my– no, you know what, I don’t even want to know.” Harry gives Draco another once-over, then freezes. “Draco.”

“Yes?” Draco asks, looking like he’s about to bolt.

“Does your belt buckle say bodacious?”

Draco’s face scrunches up, like he’s considering blatantly lying, and that’s when Harry cracks.

“You– you,” Harry wheezes out with laughter, resting his hands on Draco’s shoulders as he doubles over. “Draco, you’re the best– I can’t– oh my god–”

“I just really liked those Western films we watched in Muggle Studies, alright?” Draco mutters defensively, but his face is also twisting into a reluctant smile. “And I didn’t mean for the belt buckle to be quite like that when I transfigured the sickle.”

“Oh god,” Harry says, straightening up and wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “You’re the most ridiculous person I know.”

Draco smiles wider at the fondness in Harry’s voice. “Darn tootin’,” he says in the worst accent Harry has ever heard, and Harry spirals back into fits of laughter, collapsing down onto the sofa. Draco follows, pressing his jean-clad thigh against Harry’s, seemingly delighted by Harry’s mirth.

“It can’t be that funny,” he says, peering at Harry with a raised eyebrow. Harry takes a few deep breaths, trying to pull himself together.

“Bodacious,” he states very seriously, emphasizing the word with his hands, and this time both of them crack up, Draco’s rare and deep belly laugh tangling up with Harry’s breathless wheezing.

When their laughter finally trails off, they’re sprawled against the back of the sofa, pressed together from shoulder to hip. Harry tilts his head back against the cushion and closes his eyes, marveling in the force that is Draco Malfoy.

When they returned to Hogwarts for the informally dubbed Eighth Year, Harry and Draco had skirted around each other, unsure where they stood if not diametrically opposed. But Draco shoved his way through clumsy but sincere apologies to anyone who would listen, and Harry watched with reluctantly sharp interest as Draco threw himself into Muggle Studies and devoured any book he could find that opposed the belief systems he grew up learning. So Harry had given Draco a chance, sitting down next to him on the sofa in the common room one night to ask a question about Potions, and he hasn’t once regretted the friendship that easily blossomed between them. Draco is funny and passionate and silly, something Harry never could have prepared for.

The way Harry’s heart races when Draco looks his way is also something he couldn’t have prepared for, but he tries not to think about that too much.

“Does it really look ridiculous?” Draco asks softly, and under his deliberate levity there’s a current of insecurity. Yet another thing Harry has learned about Draco: he’s trying so hard to finally be himself, but eighteen years of shame don’t just go away with a snap of elegant fingers.

“‘Course not,” Harry says, opening his eyes to look over at Draco. “Maybe a bit different than what people expect, but that doesn't matter, and I like your hat. Though that belt buckle is ridiculous,” Harry adds with a snort.

“I concede to that,” Draco says with a wry smile, plucking the hat off his head and placing it crookedly over Harry’s curls. “Hm. I think you’d look better with a cream-colored hat, with your hair color and skin tone. It would pop more.”

“Are we going to be cowboys together, then?” Harry asks, and Draco flushes red for some reason, darting his eyes away from Harry’s face. Harry settles further into the sofa, getting comfortable. “Will you tell me about the Western films?”

“You were there in class too.”

“I know. But I also know you’ve probably done enough research to know stuff that’s way more interesting than Professor Gillipsie’s lecture. And I bet you’re busting at the seams to talk to someone about it,” Harry teases, poking Draco between the ribs until he makes a discontent sound and whacks at Harry’s hand half-heartedly.

“Stop, stop, fine.” Draco goes quiet for a moment, biting on his bottom lip. “You really want to know?” The quiet uncertainty of his voice asks his real question: are you sure you want to listen to me ramble?

“Yeah,” Harry says, and leans back as Draco tells him about the politics and downfalls of mid 1900’s Hollywood, the well-known Western actors, the racism and sexism seeped into the genre that did little to dilute its popularity. Eventually Draco veers into a rant accompanied by wild hand gestures about the complete inaccuracy of most Western films to the reality of cowboy life and his eyes go bright as he describes harsh winters, open skies, rodeos and cattle drives and solitude. There’s a cadence to Draco’s voice that spills easy warmth into Harry’s chest, so he tilts his head towards Draco’s shoulder without thinking. Stumbling over his words, Draco’s hands momentarily freeze in the air before he continues talking. The hat still perched on Harry’s head gets bumped even further askew by Draco’s jawline.

“Also, a lot of cowboys were gay,” Draco is saying, and Harry startles, sitting back to look at him. Raising his eyebrows, Draco stares right back. “What? It makes sense.”

Are we going to be cowboys together, then?

“Men who were employed as cowboys were frequently shunned by society for a variety of reasons,” Draco continues. “And it was all men, out in the middle of nowhere, so…” He shrugs, and the tips of his ears turn a delightful shade of pink.

“Draco,” Harry starts, then pauses, unsure of where he’s going with this.

“Yes?”

“I’m bi?”

Grey eyes terrifically wide, Draco freezes. “Is that– are you– is that a question?”

“No, I know I’m bi,” Harry states with more conviction. Frantically, he tries to remember where he was going with this. “I just meant– I’m… we could’ve been. Uh. Cowboys.”

“Harry, what?” Draco sounds desperate with confusion, his gaze darting wildly between Harry’s eyes.

“We could be cowboys together,” Harry says in a rush, silently willing Draco, endlessly bright Draco, to understand, but Draco’s eyebrows rise even higher in confusion.

“What?” Draco exclaims, but it comes out more like “whmph” because Harry’s mouth is in the way.

The kiss is graceless, full of weird angles and Draco’s shocked breath and Harry’s tongue catching Draco’s delicate cupid’s bow, and it’s fantastic. As Harry pulls away, Draco immediately places two fingers over his own lips as though to trap the kiss there, and it’s so endearing Harry immediately kisses him again, momentarily ending up with Draco’s fingertips in his mouth. This time, Draco kisses back so enthusiastically that he flings his arms around Harry’s neck and knocks the cowboy hat right off of Harry’s head. Tangled together, they tumble down across the couch, Draco radiating warmth beneath Harry’s hands. In a brief moment of clarity Harry thanks his lucky stars that it’s a Sunday afternoon and no one else is in the common room, because he doesn’t know if he can physically stop himself from kissing Draco silly.

“Harry,” Draco breathes out, breaking their kiss but remaining only a breath away. His eyes glint a bright silver that blurs in Harry’s vision and everything feels tinged with giddiness. “All I needed to finally woo you was to put on a cowboy hat?”

“Woo me?” Harry laughs out, shifting back so he can see Draco better. “Have you… been trying to do that?”

“Yes!” Draco exclaims, suddenly so frustrated that Harry grins in bewilderment. “Merlin, you are oblivious. Oblivious! We literally spend all of our free time together. I make sure you eat breakfast! We go out for picnics! I tell you about the things I’m interested in! I– I trust you,” Draco says, suddenly sounding much less sure of himself.

“Draco,” Harry says in wonder. “You didn’t even know I was bi.”

“I’m devastatingly hopeful,” Draco mutters, turning his face to the side. Harry takes the opportunity to press a chaste kiss to the smooth arc of pale cheekbone, and Draco startles slightly.

“We could be cowboys together?”

“You’re ridiculous. That doesn’t even make sense,” Draco gripes, but a smile is fighting its way onto his face.

“It does, because it pertains to your interests,” Harry states, not bothering to hide his own grin. “You’re stunning, by the way,” he adds, then yelps when Draco hits his shoulder hard. “What the fuck?”

“You can’t just say that!” Draco exclaims, affronted. “You– you– I need warning.”

“For... compliments?”

“Yes!”

Harry tilts his head down into Draco’s shoulder and laughs. “I like you.”

“Well I like you,” Draco retorts as though it’s an insult, then flushes deep red in realization. “I– I’m. Oh dear.”

Tilting his body away from Draco’s, Harry searches along the floor until he finds the discarded cowboy hat. He perches it back on his head and looks back down at Draco, heart immediately twisting with happiness at the way Draco’s eyes are nearly shut from how widely he’s smiling. Clearing his throat, Harry looks down at Draco seriously.

“Well, pardner, I reckon this town just might be big enough for the two of us,” he says in his best approximation of a Texan accent, though judging by Draco’s gleefully horrified expression he widely misses the mark. “Ya know, once we get those doggies to pasture maybe we can go out back behind the shed and–”

“Stop, stop,” Draco manages to wheeze out through laughter. “This is painful. This is hurting me. Emotionally. Psychologically. Physically, even.”

“Well,” Harry drawls, not dropping the terrible accent. ”You best find a way to shut me up-mph!” Harry’s words are cut off as Draco grabs the brim of the cowboy hat and pulls down until their lips meet, and Harry doesn’t get a chance to speak for quite a while, though he finds he doesn’t mind in the slightest.

~

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