Chapter Text
Because of the war, everyone was to repeat the school year. And frankly, I am grateful for that. It almost gives a sense of normalcy. Keyword almost. I can feel the glares I get from the other students; I can hear the hushed rumors whenever I enter a room. It is uncomfortable, to say the least. But at least I still have Pansy, Blaise, and quidditch. The only things that are providing me a sense of comfort.
Today, I woke up with excitement. Today, I feel as if I'm on top of the world. Because today is a Thursday, and we normally practice quidditch on Thursdays. The only problem is when I looked up who we will be practicing with, all of the excitement and joy I had turned into dread. When I read "Slytherin and Gryffindor," I could only think to myself "why me" as I imagined Potter glaring at me.
Since the year started, I've been avoiding Potter like the plague. I'm only giving snide comments when we have to interact, just like it was back then… I just don't seek him out anymore. Not that I bloody have to anymore now that I see him every day given that he is my potion's "partner" if you can even call it that. It's mostly me doing all the work, not that I'm complaining; it's probably a good thing Potter isn't anywhere near the cauldron.
I calmed myself down as I entered the quidditch field, deep breaths in, and deep breaths out. Thankfully, I come to practice early, so I most likely won't see-
Oh goddammit.
I come out of the shadows only to see a messy mop of black hair, red robes, and, oh merlin, that tanned skin. I immediately think about turning right, but it seems that he noticed me before I could even think of my other options.
He turned around with a bored expression and rolled those damn deep emerald eyes at me. "Malfoy," he grumbled at me.
"Potter," I replied sharply back.
At the beginning of this school year, believe it or not, he tried to befriend me. I'm not sure why, but it was unexpected, and I had no idea how to respond to this new dynamic. So, like the prick I am, I decided to be an ass. Needless to say, things were back to how they were supposed to be. A, not so healthy, rivalry.
Whatever. I start stretching, getting ready for practice, and ignoring the tense atmosphere. "I can already tell this is going to be fun," I sarcastically say to myself.
~
By the time practice was over, the sun was setting, and I felt revolting. But I still wanted to be on my broom. There's just something about it that just clears my mind. The cool wind blew through my body, the feeling of overwhelming freedom. I suppose I don't need this anymore, the feeling of freedom, now that I finally have it. Now that he who must not be named is finally gone. But, even with his death, I'm still suffering because of him. My family is still suffering because of him.
By the time I clear my head, the sun is gone, and I'm in desperate need of a bath. As I landed, I was taken aback. Why the hell was Potter still here? Well, whatever if he wants to get in trouble for being out past curfew, that's his problem.
I decided to treat myself to the prefect's bathroom, just by myself. Just when I found myself comfortable, the door creaked, and the sound of bare feet made its way to me. Reluctantly, I open my eyes only to be greeted by a Harry Potter in nothing but a robe!
Oh, for merlin's sake
And it seems that Harry realized at the same time as me because he just stood there with an expression of disbelief on his face. I could tell he was debating if he should come in or not. And I could feel my brain tearing itself apart, trying to decide if I should invite him or tell him to fuck off.
As I composed myself, I gave him a cocky expression, "Well, are you going to continue to gawk at my beauty, or are you coming in?" I said as I rested my head on my hand.
Harry fumbled with his words, obviously caught off guard, "We- well I… " Potter then stopped again in thought.
God, his embarrassed flush is adorable. But I'm getting annoyed with the indecisiveness. "You know, if you're too cowardly to get into the bath, I won't tell. I promise, " I emphasized.
I smirked to myself as his blush only grew deeper in color. "Don't make it weird, Malfoy," Potter muttered as he started getting closer to the bath. And to my horror, Potter started to get undressed. I want to look away; I try to look away. But I just can't help but look at him. The way his muscular arms open up his robes makes my heart stop. The way that inch by inch more tanned skin shows its way through makes me almost lightheaded. But all good things must come to an end.
"Well, who's gawking now?" Potter said with an infuriating smirk.
My face felt hot. I could only feel shame
as I looked away. "Certainly not me," I replied sharply, trying to maintain my lost composure.
As I stubbornly avoided looking in the general direction of Potter, I could hear him getting in until the water finally settled.
"You can look now, Malfoy," Merlin, you can just hear his damn irresistible smirk. It's so frustrating, and yet I feel myself getting hotter.
As I looked over, there he was. his arms spread out to the edges of the bath, giving me that damn infuriating smirk. God, I want to hex that smug smirk right off him.
"Well, I didn't think I needed your opinion, Potter," I rolled my eyes, eventually setting them somewhere where I wouldn't stare at something embarrassing.
We sat there for an awkward couple of painstakingly long minutes. God, who would've thought that trying to talk with your crush of 7? Years whilst fully naked would be hard?
Out of pure curiosity, I looked over at Potter, who was looking at the ceiling. Goddammit, that neck- oh for merlin's sake Draco.
"Why is it," I looked up from where I was staring at his neck to Harry's head. "Why is it so hard for you to look at me now?"
I was surprised; I wasn't sure what to say next. As I inhaled, Potter continued.
"Lately, it feels like you've been avoiding me unless we were forced together," Harry tore his gaze from the ceiling, finally making eye contact with Draco. "What happened?" Potter asked with this sincere look in his eyes.
A part of me wanted to say the truth, but a bigger part of me wish I had just told him to fuck off the moment I locked eyes with him in the bath. The air lingered with a sense of seriousness. The type of serious I wasn't necessarily comfortable opening up to him about. As I was about to slither my way out of this conversation with half-truths and flat-out lies, I found myself unable to do it. When I met Potter's eyes, my mouth just started moving by itself.
"Ever since the war ended, you've just been different, I guess… like lost? And well-"
I interrupted myself before I could say anything more embarrassing. God, I'm a terrible Malfoy, and I can feel my blush come back. Merlin, this is humiliating. I looked toward Potter and noticed the distance between us has decreased significantly, and he has this look of anticipation for what I'll say next. It's flattering but, at the same time, nerve-wracking.
"And?" He prompted, becoming increasingly curious and annoyingly close. Too close.
I stammered incoherent ramblings as I tried to slowly inch myself away from Potter. As I've said, it's hard to talk to your crush, especially if you're both naked and- Merlin. he's just getting closer and closer, and it's getting increasingly harder to breathe.
So, I did what I do best. Run away. As I tried to subtly go around him so I could make my great escape, I tried to quickly stand up, and just when I was about to set foot on the marble flooring, Potter quickly grabbed my wrist, damn seeker, making me turn to meet him. The only problem is, with the speed at which he turned me, I ended up falling. That is on top of him in the most embarrassing and compromising position.
He managed to pull me on top of him, lips ghosting each other, chests practically touching, and a leg between mine, rubbing me.
"Ahh," I moaned, head already feeling lightheaded from the stimulation and g o d the embarrassment.
I try quickly to get up and away from Potter when he pulls me back down with him again. Now we're sitting up, still way too close and still very naked. We locked eyes and he had this look of concern, "Are you ok Malfoy? Did I hurt you?" He's joking, right? There's no way he's this dense idiotic to not notice it, especially now. Or is he playing with me? Is he deliberately pretending he doesn't notice to later humiliate me?
Either way, I tear away my gaze from his gorgeous emerald eyes. I have to put as much distance as possible. The only problem is he won't let go of my wrist.
"Mm fine, so let go" I mumbled annoyingly, trying not to look at the way his muscular arms look when they're glistening from the bath water.
He was quiet for a moment, grip unrelenting. "Malfoy, look at me," I can't, I refuse. I know if I look at that statuesque face and figure, I'll completely lose my already slipping cover. "Malfoy," a warm, rough hand meets my cheek, trying to move my head to face Potter. I can't help but be guided to it. My mind is already foggy.
I met Potter's gaze and immediately my face, my body, everything felt like it was on fire, especially where our skin touched. His eyes widened and his mouth agape, in an expression one could only describe as a shock. It quickly changed to that damned cocky smirk. His hand on my cheek then started to caress my face, "you're blushing," he stated.
By instinct, I try to shoot down the idea immediately. I am Malfoy, Malfoys don't blush, "Why in Merlin's beard would I be blushing?" I scoffed. Though it didn't even sound convincing to my ears. I am only a man, I have my weaknesses, and one of my weaknesses happens to be the man in front of me. The bloody boy who lived. God, it was a mistake inviting him in.
"I don't know why. How about you enlighten me?" I was speechless, utterly confused. Was Potter flirting with me? No, no no no he's making fun of me! I'm sure of it.
"Your joke has gone on long enough Potter, now let-" I was interrupted. The unexpected truly did happen. There I was practically sitting on the golden boy's lap, kissing him! I couldn't help but lean into the warmth. Merlin, his lips are soft. Before I know it I'm kissing him back. It was like a black hole, I couldn't help but be sucked in.
Then the realization hit me. This damned kiss is just some stupid prank. I quickly pulled away, anger and despair filling me. In the heat of the moment, I slapped him hard. Take that stupid Potter! The look of utter surprise from Potter was satisfactory as I stormed off from the prefect's bathroom, leaving Potter stunned.
As I sprinted away I couldn't help but touch my lips… they still felt hot, and they still tingled… I can still feel his rough and warm touch on my cheek. Merlin, Draco get a grip!