I live for the headcanon that somebody (I’ll leave you to decide who) cursed all of Harry’s classmates so they’re in love with him for the day
And then he bumps into Draco and he thinks oh god this is going to be so weird
And Draco just acts like Draco, smirking and sneering “Potter”
Harry is confused and tells a recovering (and embarrassed) Hermionie about it the next day
And Hermionie just stares at Harry, and then gets up and leaves.
Okay. I need to read this right fucking now.
Harry didn’t know who or why someone had done it. It was a cruel trick and he wasn’t sure what someone was trying to get at. To admit he liked attention maybe? He didn’t if that’s the trick someone was playing at. He had almost refused to go out, but Christmas exams were coming up and he couldn’t afford to miss anything, though it didn’t matter, because no one was listening to any of the lessons the teachers were trying to teach.
Professor McGonagall practically had to tear him out of the crowd to get him to her office. “I don’t know who did this to you Potter, but I assure you if we figure it out, they will be punished.” And with that, she hurried him off to his next class, though he was reluctant to go.
His mind was boggled. Someone had cursed all of Harry’s classmates to be in love with him for the day and while some shied away from him (like Hermione) others (like Ron) would offer to hold his books while he walked to class and Merlin knows he was piled up to his neck in love letters. He couldn’t think of someone who would do this to him. This was silly Fourth Year stuff, not something an Eighth Year would do, besides they had just finished the rebuilding of the school, was someone just so bored out of their mind that they decided to fuck with him a bit more than he already had been?
As he walked down the empty corridors to his next class with McGonagall’s note in hand, he turned the corner only to see Malfoy strutting down the hallway. Even after Draco’s family had been totally ruined after the war, he still held his head high and sometimes Harry would stop and stare at this. He had to admit, secretly he admired that. He admired that after everything Malfoy had gone and long since been through, he still walked about the castle as if he owned the place. As if nothing had ever happened, something Harry so desperately wish he could do.
He put his head down and his face burns. He hopes to Merlin that Draco doesn’t notice it’s him. While (obviously) not watching where he’s going he brushes against Malfoy’s shoulder, oh Merlin this is going to be so weird. He thinks to himself.
What happens next has Harry grappling for the books in his hands. Malfoy smirks, sneering at him, “Potter.”
Harry turns a bright shade of red and opens his mouth like a fish out of water.
“Watch where you’re going next time, will you? And close your mouth, raised in a barn were we Potter?” Malfoy rolls his eyes and walks along, turning the corner and dispersing from sight.
Harry was in utter disbelief. How was Malfoy unaffected by all of this? Was he the one that cast the curse? But… if Harry remembers correctly that’s not how these types of curses work. Usually everyone is affected, right? Isn’t that what Hermione was ranting about one night? But surely Draco had better things to do than fuck with Potter, right? They had stayed out of each others way since Eighth Year began, aside from the small banter they both had out when bumped into each other. Why now was he trying to start anything?
Baffled and completely done with the day (even though it was no more than twelve) he decided to skip the rest of his classes and head back to his dormitory. This was too much.
The next day everything was back to normal and everyone was trying to avoid Harry, embarrassed of their actions the day before. Harry knew it was none of their faults of course, but he supposed he would be a bit sheepish as well if someone had made him love someone he didn’t want to, a friend no less.
Though during lunch, he was set out on a mission to find the brightest witch of her age. She wasn’t at lunch, no not this time of year. Not when Christmas Exams are so close. He went straight to where he knew she’d be. The library.
She sat in the back far corner, her nose buried in a book about Ancient Runes. Harry decided it looked to be very boring, but Hermione probably would disagree. The light from the high windows above shone down on her making her younger than she actually was and Harry was in a set of awe. He sometimes wished he could be as a determined learner as she was. Never faulting, Hermione was always determined and loved a good challenge. He was sure she would love what he was about to bring her.
A pile of books that was clustered at her side shook a little as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.
“Hey what-” she looked up and turned a deep red, obviously remembering the day before. “H-Harry! I, um, didn’t expect you’d be joining me this evening.”
“Please don’t be embarressed ‘Mione, nothing that happened yesterday, happened on your own actions, I know that.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, but it’s just… weird.”
“Touche.” He replied and nodded, but then shook his head. “Anyway, that’s not why I needed to see you. I have something I need help with.”
This seemed to peak her interest. Hermione, while also loving a good challenge, loved helping her friends as well. She set the book down gently and set it to the side. “What do you need?”
“I know you don’t wanna talk about it, but… yesterday something out of the ordinary happened. Besides the whole, everyone in love with me part.”
“Oh?” She quirked an eyebrow. “What could be stranger?”
“Before I tell you, I must ask, do you know who would play a joke on me like this?” He leaned forward a bit, as if they were sharing a secret.
She went beat red. Harry then knew that she knew the culprit behind it all.
“She did it out of pure fun Harry, I didn’t know she would actually go along with it, honest!” She exclaimed.
“Who?” He simply asked.
“Ginny. She joked about it the other day, but I thought it was just that, a joke.”
“Why would she do that? Was it because-”
Hermione cut him off. “No, she’s not upset about the whole you breaking it off thing. She just thought it would be funny to watch you stumble over everyone because she knows how much you hate the attention, but you refuse to be actually rude to anyone but Malfoy. She thought maybe this would help you in a way.”
“In a way of what? Dodging people and cutting classes? Yeah, what a lovely way.” Harry snorted and leaned back a bit.
“In a way of you telling unwanted people to back off. You have a tendency to let some people walk over you Harry,” Hermione said gently and Harry nodded a bit in agreement, but the curse was taking it a step further and he reckoned Hermione already knew that. He shook is head.
“Anyway, speaking of Malfoy, he’s the reason I’m here.” He bit his bottom lip and looked around to make sure no one was listening or watching.
Hermione looked surprised. “Oh? What did he do yesterday?”
This time it was Harry’s turn to go beat red. “That’s the thing ‘Mione. He acted the same. As if the curse didn’t even affect him.”
Hermione’s look of surprised turned into a look of confusion. “Explain.”
And so Harry did, telling Hermione all about their encounter yesterday, explaining that’s when he decided to hit the dormitories and lock himself in until today.
Hermione’s look of confusion then faded away as it was replaced with a look of clarity. “I see. Harry, do you mind putting these books away for me? I must go.” And with that she got up and scurried off.
What the actual hell was going on. Harry shook his head as he gathered up the books. He didn’t know and probably wouldn’t ever.
That night at dinner, Hermione came up to him. “Harry I must speak with you, it is about the matter you filled me in on today.”
Harry stood up, as did Ron. Hermione eyed Ron wearily. “I don’t know how you will take the news Harry, but I know exactly how Ron will, it’s best if he stays behind.”
Ron shot her a look of hurt and she frowned sympathetically. “Sorry love.”
“Ron can come.” Harry sighed. Best not to keep him out of the loop.
Hermione gave him a look, but then shook her head. “I suppose.” She then shot her head towards Draco who was looking at them with interest, more specifically Harry which only increased Hermione’s conclusions.
Harry looked towards where Hermione’s head was turned and he saw Draco looking dead at him. Though when they locked eyes, Malfoy simply sneered and looked down.
Hermione grabbed Ron and Harry’s wrists and dragged them out of the Great Hall and went straight to an empty classroom. She was not sure how she was going to put this or even how he would take it. She closed the door behind them and looked at Harry.
“Harry I must stress to you that this is the only logical explanation I have come up with in the books I have been reading about it all.” Hermione explained.
“What’s going on?” Ron asked, confused.
“You’ll know soon Ronald,” she said softly. “As will Harry.”
“Well?” Harry asked, almost as confused as Ron. “What did you find out?”
“Harry I don’t know how to say this, but…” She closed her eyes and sighed. The only way to say it was to come right out with it. “The reason the curse didn’t work on him Harry is because he’s in love with you.”
Harry’s face went from baffled, to horror, to complete realization in a matter of seconds. If you blinked, you would have missed it. Ron was still very confused.
“Whose in love with you?” Ron asked.
Hermione gave Ron one of her genuine sad smiles. She knew the news was not going to settle with him well.
“He-” Harry whispered and then looked up in Hermione’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“The looks he gave you from across the Great Hall only confirms my theory’s Harry.” Hermione said softly.
“Whose looks?” Ron asked once more.
“Draco,” he stated quietly. “Malfoy… Draco Malfoy is in love with me.”
At that Ron barked out a laugh. “Malfoy? Good one guys, you can quit the joke now, it was funny.”
“It’s not a joke Ronald,” Hermione said. “When Draco bumped into Harry yesterday while we were all head over heels for him, Malfoy didn’t flinch. The only explanation I can come up with, is that Draco is in love with him.”
“Well there’s got to be another reason!” Ron argued. “I mean, that’s ludicrous Hermione!”
“Unless Draco was the one who cast the spell, which he didn’t or he is immune, which he isn’t, or Ginny just left him out, which she didn’t, then that’s the only logical explanation for it all.” Hermione glared at Ron. “And is it so ludicrous? I mean honestly, think about it. Draco has always sort of seeked out Harry. Though it be through what we all thought was hatred, maybe that’s Draco’s way of coping with his feelings, which it shouldn’t be, but think about how he probably thought his parents would feel. Gays and lesbians are not quite as accepted here in the Wizarding community as in the muggle community.” She looked at Harry. “Plus he might not even realize he’s in love with you. There’s a fine line between love and hate Harry, maybe he thinks he hates you.”
Harry so desperately wished Hermione was wrong about this, but there were very few instances where she was and this didn’t seem like one of them. She was right about it all and she had done the research. He knew she wouldn’t lie to him, not about something like this anyway. Draco was in love with him? Did he know? Why was he? Why did he treat him badly if he was and he knew he was? Questions swarmed Harry’s mind and he felt like he was going to be sick.
“I-I’ve got to go,” Harry said and then turn on his heels breaking out into a run. He didn’t know where he was going, but he would go wherever his feet took him he supposed. This was a lot of information and he didn’t know what he was going to do with it.
The next few days Harry spent it in his room or the library when he was not in class, because he simply couldn’t get Draco off his mind. They had potions and transfiguration together as well as Defense Against the Dark Arts, so he had to see the lad. There was no avoiding it unless he wanted to fail his Christmas exams, which were only a week away, mind you.
Harry often caught himself staring at the blonde. He noticed a lot about Malfoy he never did before. Like how he was always on top of his work, quite like Hermione was. How he would bit his bottom lip if he was confused or didn’t seem to know the answer to something. He noticed how Malfoy always dressed to impress and never let a wrinkle in his robe, how he always wore his hair flat, never quiffed, which Harry secretly admitted to himself that he would love to see. Malfoy was also quite toned. He was tall and lanky yeah, but he had gotten a bit of muscle on his upper arms which made Harry want to know what else had gotten toned. The things Harry probably noticed the most was how he was quite reserved after the war, not hanging with friends, or really having any for that matter and how his eyes were an icy blue. The kind of icy blue that made you stop in the middle of traffic and get hit by a knight bus because you were so transfixed on them. Harry thought that’s what he liked most about Malfoy.
Harry shook his head and sighed, looking back down at his book on Dragons which were going to be on the Care of Magical Creatures exam along with Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were interesting creatures, there was no doubt about that. He understood why Charley Weasley was so in love with them and why Hagrid had wanted one so badly.
His table shook and he was about to yell at who he assumed was Ginny to appologize to him for the millionth time, even though he refused it each time. she wanted him to be a hard ass? Fine, he will be. She brought it upon herself.
To say he was surprised when he looked up to see Draco Malfoy sitting across from him was an understatement. “Malfoy?”
Draco looked up with innocent eyes and Harry almost melted. “Yes Potter?”
“I-um-” Harry’s mouth turned to cotton as he realized he couldn’t speak.
“I was trying to be nice since you seemed so lonely and pathetic. You’ve been cowering in here for days, thought you might want the company.” Draco rolled his eyes which snapped Harry out of his trance.
“I am not pathetic and I am not cowering.” Though the last part he was slightly lying about. He wasn’t cowering… just avoiding.
“I disagree, you’ve looked sad and confused for days. Honestly Potter, it’s getting quite annoying.” Draco rested his chin on his palm as if he were bored.
“Well I’ll have you know that I am perfectly fine without any company,” he frowned.
“Yeah I know, I was too. I’m sorry you ruined that for me by being so pathetic.”
Harry glared. “I’ll have you know Malfoy that I refuse to believe I am a pathetic cowered.”
“Oh?” Draco lifted his head and quirked an eyebrow smirking. “Enlighten me then, what are you doing in here?”
“Studying,” Harry crossed his arms defensively. No matter how good Malfoy might have looked with that smirk plastered across his face, he still somehow managed to make Harry’s blood boil.
Malfoy snorted. “There’s no point in you doing that, you’re going to pass.”
Harry raised both eyebrows. “Oh I am?”
Malfoy seemed to realize what he said and his cheeks slowly tinged with pink. “I mean you know, because you’re the great Harry Potter and all.”
This time it was Harry’s turn to smirk. He had an upper advantage that Malfoy didn’t know about. He wanted to use it. “And how Malfoy, did you know that I’ve been hold up in here for days?”
Malfoy’s cheeks turned from pink to red. “Well- I mean you weren’t out and about so obviously-” he spluttered.
“And why do you care if I’ve been sad?” Harry then got up and walked to Malfoy’s side of the table.
This time, Malfoy’s mouth felt like cotton.
Harry sat beside Malfoy now, closer than ever. He didn’t know where he’d gotten the courage from, he supposed Gordric Gryffindor himself.
Harry leaned in and whispered, “Cat got your tongue Draco?”
Draco shivered and bit his bottom lip. Harry decided that it drove him crazy and inwardly growled.
“Fuck it,” Draco whispered and smashed his lips against Harry’s.
Harry hadn’t expected that, but as soon as Draco’s tongue licked Harry’s bottom lip, he decided that he was very glad Draco had. Harry opened his mouth and kissed him back with so much force that he almost knocked Draco out of his seat. In a battle for dominance Harry soon won and straddled Draco’s waist, pulling him closer.
They soon pulled back for breath as Harry leaned his forehead against Malfoy. “That was-”
“So much better than I originally imagined,” Draco said and Harry laughed. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and Harry decided he enjoyed being enveloped in him. After a minute, Draco spoke again. “You and me? Hogsmeade this weekend?”
Harry looked at him, “on one condition.”
Draco looked curious. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, remind me to thank Ginny Weasley.”
Hope you like it!
@bixgirl1 @a-nerds-nocturary
