summary : Between teasing, sarcastic remarks, and endless attempts to get under each other's skin, Y/N and Blaise Zabini slowly realise that all along, they were just searching for each other's attention.
warnings : Enemies to lovers / frenemies dynamic ; Slow burn romanc ; Slytherin x Slytherin; Jealousy and misunderstandings ; Sarcastic banter ; Possessive tendencies ;Flirty interactions ; Fanon portrayal of Blaise Zabini and other characters ; Minor canon divergence
a\n : I'm so tired rn but thought I'd post this i know it feels a little bit rushed forgive me 😭 anyway I felt like there's not enough fics for Blaise also there's not much on canon i write him as I interpreted so bear with me .
The Quidditch pitch was roaring with Slytherin banners, the whole stadium buzzing with excitement. Slytherin vs. Gryffindor—the most awaited and heated rivalry of Hogwarts.
The sky was clear, almost thrilling, as the footsteps of the warriors—aka the Quidditch players—echoed across the pitch, ready for the game. You could clearly make out Harry walking over with his charming smile and broomstick in hand, while Wood stood beside him, simmering with laser-sharp focus.
But you couldn't care less.
You were too busy bouncing on your feet, smiling like always in your Slytherin green cheer uniform, standing between Pansy and Daphne, shouting at the top of your lungs for your fellow Slytherins.
You could see Draco barking orders, Mattheo Riddle wearing his signature smirk while standing beside Theodore Nott. But Blaise was standing aloof as always, simply rolling his shoulders. You swear the boy was still as a statue.
It's not like you hate him.
But his aloofness frustrated the hell out of you. He was the only one who never responded to your teasing, and somehow that only made you even more determined to break him.
Blaise Zabini had never understood people like you the people who filled every silence they entered.
People who smiled at strangers, laughed too loudly, and somehow made the entire room feel warmer without even trying.
You was everything he wasn't.
Where you was a burst of colour, he was a carefully painted portrait hanging untouched on a wall.
Where you spoke without fear of being misunderstood, he measured every word before allowing it to leave his mouth.
You belonged everywhere.
He belonged nowhere atleast that's what he believed in.
And somehow, you had decided that irritating him was a personal mission.
He should have found it unbearable.
He did find it unbearable.
Mostly.
But there was something strangely fascinating about the way you never seemed discouraged. Everyone else eventually learned that Blaise Zabini was not someone who gave reactions easily.
Everyone else stopped trying.
Not you you never stopped.
You treated his silence like a challenge.
His indifference like a puzzle.
His lack of expression like an invitation.
And then there was Mattheo.
Of course there was Mattheo.
Mattheo Riddle had never met a room he couldn't charm or a person he couldn't make laugh. He was reckless where Blaise was careful, loud where Blaise was quiet, and somehow he always managed to pull your attention without even trying.
A joke here a smirk there or a ridiculous comment that was all it took and there you wass laughing.
The same laugh that you gave so freely.
The same smile that appeared whenever you were happy.
Blaise hated that he noticed.
He hated that he knew the exact difference between your polite smile and your real one.
He hated that Mattheo seemed to collect those real ones effortlessly.
"You're staring again."
Theodore's voice interrupted his thoughts standing near the pitch observing Blaise closely as he looked at you from here to strands laughing like sun itself.
"I'm not staring at anyone"
Theo glanced toward you, who were currently laughing while looking at Mattheo had who said something down there to draco.
"You are staring at her mate admit it "
Blaise looked away.
"She's loud."
"That wasn't the question."
"She's irritating."
"Still not the question."
Blaise remained silent.
Because the truth was far more inconvenient.
You weren't irritating because you were cheerful.
You were irritating because you had somehow made yourself impossible to ignore.
And worse...
You seemed to have no problem ignoring him when someone else made you laugh.
Especially Mattheo.
Far above, Madam Hooch's whistle echoed across the pitch, signalling the start of the game. Excited cheers erupted throughout the stadium, and you smiled widely, reciting your perfectly crafted cheering routine alongside Daphne and Pansy for your boys.
A deafening roar rolled through the stadium as emerald and scarlet blurred against the brilliant blue sky.
Quaffle in hand, Blaise as Slytherin Chaser dived low before swerving sharply past a George wealsey Griffindor's defender, drawing thunderous cheers from the green-clad stands.
A Bludger came hurtling across the pitch, only to be smashed away at the last second by a Mattheo as Beater, the crack of the bat echoing through the arena.
High above, both Seekers circled restlessly, eyes scanning every glimmer of gold while below them the match descended into beautiful chaos.
Boots skimmed the wind, robes snapped like banners, and every pass, feint, and near miss had the crowd rising to their feet.
The scoreboard shifted with every successful goal, but neither House surrendered an inch. It wasn't just a Quidditch match anymore—it was pride, rivalry, and years of fierce competition colliding in the skies above Hogwarts.
Finally, the whole stadium held its breath as Mattheo dodged a Bludger while Harry got distracted for just a split second.
"Draco caught the Snitch!"
The stadium erupted.
A deafening roar echoed through the stands as green and silver banners waved wildly in the air.
Slytherin had won.
You could clearly see the flicker of pride on everyone's faces, and you were practically jumping with joy.
Pansy was about to fall off the stands.
"Merlin! We won!!
You and Daphne giggled, squeezing her tightly while bubbling with happiness. But you knew your boys were happier about beating Gryffindor than winning the match itself.
Merlin.
They were going to be unbearable for the rest of the night.
Not that you minded.
As the three of you hurried down the stands to congratulate the boys, you were practically glowing under the warm afternoon sun.
You watched Pansy drag Draco toward the locker room—definitely for a snog. Well... details for later.
Daphne disappeared with Theo, probably off for one of their endless "important discussions" or whatever they liked to call them.
You were just about to walk over to Blaise when Mattheo caught your wrist and pulled you toward him with a chuckle.
It wasn't anything new.
You and Mattheo constantly bickered. Between his shameless flirting and your teasing nature, the two of you got along surprisingly well.
"So... you got the win already, Riddle?"
He smirked proudly.
"Well, I had the lady luck on my side. Must've been your influence, Princess."
You giggled, swatting his arm before slipping out of his hold with a shake of your head.
"Where are you going, Princess? I haven't even started yet."
You didn't bother turning around.
"Going to hell, Riddle. You're welcome to join."
As you reached Blaise, you noticed his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, veins standing out beneath his skin.
Merlin.
He was infuriating...
...and unfairly handsome.
But his jaw was clenched so tightly it looked painful.
They had won.
So why did he look so pissed?
You smiled anyway—bright, charming, and just a little infuriating.
"Who pissed in your pumpkin juice, Zabini?"
He huffed, looking away, his nostrils flaring.
"You. Who else?"
You blinked.
He...he actually reacted.
For the first time, you didn't get indifference or silence.
You weren't quite sure what to make of it.
"Merlin's beard... you do have reactions, Zabini. I was beginning to think they died years ago."
You burst into laughter.
Blaise didn't.
Instead, he looked at you as if you were the most annoying person he'd ever met.
All he wanted was to shut your smart mouth up.
The seriousness in his expression made your smile slowly fade.
"Blaise... are you okay?"
You asked quietly.
Without a word, he wrapped a firm hand around your wrist—not enough to hurt, just enough that you couldn't pull away—and led you into an abandoned corridor.
"You think you've got it all figured out, huh?"
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
"You think you're funny, Y/N?"
For once...you couldn't think of a witty comeback.
"Blaise... I—I didn't mean to—"
"Didn't mean to what, Y/N?" he snapped. "Didn't mean to get under my skin? Didn't mean to annoy the hell out of me?"
He exhaled sharply, trying to rein in the frustration practically radiating off him.
"You really think Riddle gives a shit about you?"
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
And judging by the way his own expression faltered...he hadn't meant to say them at all.
You both stayed silent for a while.
"It's not like that, Blaise."
He looked into your eyes as if searching for something.
"Then what's it like, Y/N? I swear, you drive me nuts."
You closed your eyes at the intensity in his voice and opened one eye to peek at him.
"Like, I admit I enjoy getting reactions out of you, but I didn't think you'd hate me this much. I'm sorry."
He let out a breath and groaned in frustration.
"Merlin, L/N, I didn't take you as thick."
You crossed your arms.
"What the hell do you mean I'm thick?"
He laughed bitterly, looking away.
"You are the most irritating, stubborn, reckless, and stupid witch I've ever met, but somehow you managed to get my attention."
He held your hand and placed it on his heart.
"You know it beats like a traitor at your loud laugh, which honestly is so annoying. It gives me a headache and a heartache at the same time.
You were dumbfounded. Never in a thousand years had you expected a confession to come out of the mouth of Blaise Zabini himself.
Just as you recovered from your shock, you looked at Blaise. His dark skin was practically radiating a golden glow despite how fiercely he was speaking, and it struck you in that moment that all the teasing and trying to get a reaction out of him was never just that.
It was for his attention.
You liked him.
"Say something now, you stubborn witch."
You practically jumped on him, and he caught you, kissing you properly while holding you as your legs locked around his waist.
You giggled between kisses.
"So you admit you can't resist my charm?"
He rolled his eyes and smirked before stealing another kiss.
"More like your stupidity."
And as the day passed, one thing was sure: no matter how infuriating you were, Blaise adored you—even if he denied it until his grave.
𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 : i would absolutely appreciate feedback. i love reading your thoughts and your view of my my work 🤍
Hi! I was wondering if you'd already given recs for Hogwarts romance drarry fics? If you haven't could you please guide me to some? I don't have a particular preference for the type of fic I'd just like their relationship to be one of the main points. Thank you!!
Hi anon! I have many rec lists for 8th year fics but I don’t think I’ve done a specific list for Hogwarts romance. Happy to share a few recs!
Nice Things by aideomai (M, 22k)
The first thing that happened was Theodore Nott came back from France.
Strange Bathfellows by @bixgirl1 (E, 27k)
It started with a bath. Or a potions accident. Or maybe it started before that, but who can tell anymore.
On Our Way by dynamic (E, 30k)
Draco is trying to spend the summer keeping his head down, but a repair project and a certain snowy owl have other plans for him.
Eager for the Sky by @oknowkiss (M, 35k)
It was announced, just as the Triwizard Tournament had been, at the start of term feast. A year-long, international Quidditch varsity match — the inaugural Wizarding Academy Cup.
Inside Your Mind by @lazywonderlvnd (E, 36k)
Goyle's taken it upon himself to act as Malfoy's personal, one-man guard and Harry can't help but feel like it's only making the bullying worse.
Lumos by birdsofshore (E, 41k)
Harry never expected to spend eighth year listening to Draco Malfoy wanking.
Like Lightning at Your Fingertips by potterwatch (T, 43k)
The problem with living with another insomniac is, eventually, they find out you’re one, too. When Harry and Draco return for their eighth year, they think they’ll see very little of each other. Then McGonagall assigns them to room together. And the castle starts breaking. And there’s that thing with Potter’s magic.
The July Tree by @oknowkiss (E, 51k)
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail… nor well-meaning friends, nor questionable communication skills, nor seven years of hating each other’s guts can keep Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy from falling in love.
The Promise of Summer by Omi_Ohmy (M, 66k)
How was Harry supposed to know that coming back for eighth year would be so confusing? Everything is the same, and yet not the same. And nowhere is this more obvious than with Draco Malfoy. Harry finds himself once more watching and following Malfoy, trying to work him out.
Right Hand Red by @lqtraintracks (E, 73k)
Harry felt Malfoy's breath on his lips as they came together over the bottle, hands firmly planted on the floor as though they each needed their familiar soil, refusing to cross into enemy territory. Except that Malfoy no longer felt like his enemy. Malfoy felt inevitable.
Inertia by @cavendishbutterfly (E, 83k)
It’s three months after the war. Harry has already mucked up all his plans. Draco is no longer the prince of Slytherin house. And they sure as hell didn’t both mean to go back to Hogwarts at the same time. Cue snarking, long conversations…and unexpected snogging.
Reparo by amalin (E, 85k)
Voldemort's final defeat does not mean Harry Potter's troubles are over; far from it. In the aftermath of war, he returns to a Hogwarts that is fractured and divided, but this is no break that can be fixed with a spell. New owls, fading scars, surprising alliances—and along the way, the hardest task of all, to live with it.
Helix by Saras_Girl (E, 92k)
Seven months after the end of the war, Harry is feeling lost. Fortunately, he is about to be offered an unexpected and sparkling chance to find himself again.
At Your Service by Faith Wood (E, 95k)
Hogwarts students are in danger; Harry is determined to save them all. There's only one thing he knows for certain: Draco Malfoy is somehow involved.
Far From The Tree by aideomai (E, 112k)
The arrival of Harry Potter’s children—snapped back in time, the children themselves guessed, twenty or so years—was the most interesting thing to happen at Hogwarts for years.
Written on the Heart by who_la_hoop (E, 114k)
Unnerved by the attention he’s attracting from everyone – the Slytherins are the least of it, to be fair – and struggling with a raft of changes to Hogwarts itself, Harry wishes he could be happy that one constant remains: Draco Malfoy really fucking hates him.
The Changing Lights by @lazywonderlvnd (E, 142k)
Harry returns for an eighth year following the end of the war and realises that although he's put his own animosity towards Malfoy aside, no one else seems to have done the same. When a hex leaves his oldest rival in the body of a female and ridicule doubles, Harry discovers that his hero complex is a difficult thing to fight.
Things Worth Knowing by Femme and noeon (E, 164k)
After the Battle, Harry thinks he's left Hogwarts for good, but Minerva insists that all students return for an Eighth Year if they wish to sit for NEWTs in the spring, and Harry needs those NEWTs to go into the Aurors. Draco's just grateful not to be in Azkaban. Or the Manor.
Mental by sara_holmes (M, 186k)
Harry has had quite enough of sharing his mind with someone else, thankyouverymuch. A miscast Legilimecy spell says otherwise.
Twist of Fate by Oakstone730 (T, 300k)
Draco asks Harry to help him beat the Imperius curse during 4th year. The lessons turn into more than either expected. A story of redemption and forgiveness.
Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Miss Malfoy (Draco Malfoy’s sister, born 2004), Draco Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy, (Left to right)~~Cesaria Malfoy(born 2015), Cepheus Malfoy (born 2013), Cassiopeia Malfoy( born 2010), Scorpius Malfoy.
Sirius Black laughed hard, watching his bestfriend James' face turn a shade of blue. It was something he had eaten.
"I think you should get Lily" Remus said, thoughfully.
"Ok, just a sec" said Sirius, jumping up from the couch and running up to Lily's dorm room."Please stay blue, Prongs ! Evans HAS to see this !"
James shot him an ugly look.
Sirius burst into Lily's room saying, "Evans, you gotta see this-"
He froze to the spot. Lily's roommate Y/N Y/L/N was in there, dressing. His eyes fell on her body, her soft curves, her smooth olive skin, and long wavy brown hair that fell to her waist. Since his was quite a loud entry, Y/N turned almost immediately, covering herself with her shirt, and screaming.
"Black ! GET OUT !" she shrieked, making him stumble back, and close the door in a hurry. He stood there, actually noticing this girl for the first time. He knew Y/N as Lily's roommate, but they never spoke.
Y/N was a half-blood, her father being a wizard and her mother a muggle. She was quite an introvert, keeping herself to her books and few close friends, mostly the reason why she wasnt noticed much.
At least till now.
* * *
Y/N sat on her bed, her burning red face in her hands.
Oh God, it just CANT have happened ! she thought. And that too Sirius Black! The way he stared. The look of shock on his face. Did he really see much ?
* * *
Remus bounded up the stairs, hearing the commotion, and saw Sirius standing in front of Lily's room, his mouth hanging open.
"What just happened?" he asked, shaking his friend.
"I-" Sirius began, but was interrupted by the sounds of James and Lily's quarelling.
"Come on !" Remus said, and two darted downstairs, to the common room.
They were soon engrossed in their conversation, eventhough Sirius found his eyes wandering towards the girls' dorms, every now and then. He saw the door open and close, making his heart race for some reason. Surely, Y/N wasnt the first girl he had seen that way, but there was something about her. His heart was pounding in a strange heavy manner, watching the stairs - for her.
Y/N came down the stairs, her face a shade of pink, and her hair flying behind her.
Lily looked at her roommate only to see her sulking.
"Hey, you ok ?" Lily asked.
Sirius pulled in a breath, causing Remus to give him a suspicious look.
"Why dont you teach your friend some manners, Evans" snapped Y/N, eyeing Sirius, before stalking out of the common room.
"What was that about ?" Lily asked, looking at the four boys.
All eyes fell on Sirius, since he was the only one who had gone upto her room.
"What did you do ?!?" Lily growled, getting up from the couch. "Sirius !"
"I didnt mean to,ok !" Sirius said defensively. "How was I supposed to know that she was -"
"She was what ?" "Well, she was changing clothes or something when I kinda ran into your room...I kinda saw...her..." Sirius stuttered.
"SIRIUS !" Lily said through gritted teeth. Remus and James burst out laughing, followed by Peter.
"Oh come on guys!" Lily said, sinking back into the couch. "Sirius, you have to apologize to her"
"But-" began Sirius. "No buts ! I am not the only one living there ! You just cant go into a girl's room that way !"
A smirk spread on Sirius' face.
"Ok. I will apologize" he said."Only 'coz I like what I saw"
"You pervert" said Lily, flinging a book at him.
* * *
Y/N was on her way back from dinner with Alice, her other roommate, when she was Sirius coming her way. The other Marauders were at a safe distance from them, but still watching.
Sirius approached her cautiously.
"Y/N" he said, stopping her.
She looked at him, folding her arms against her chest. Thats when his eyes fell on her nose. She had her nose pierced, with a tiny stone-studded nosepin.
"Hello ?" Y/N was waving her hand in front of Sirius's face, and he looked back at her, blushing.
"What is it ?"
"I...um...Im sorry" he said, unable to keep his eyes from wandering again.
This time it lingered on her brown eyes.
Her eyes caught his grey ones, and after a moment, she said " Its alright. Next time, you knock" Y/N and Alice walked off, Sirius turning to watch her walk away.
* * *
"Have you seen that thing on her nose ?" he said out loud that night, after the four were in bed.
"What thing ?" Remus asked.
"She has her nose pierced" said Sirius.
"Whats happened to you, Padfoot ?" James asked, squinting at his friend through the darkness.
"Nothing" Sirius replied.
"Oh right" said Remus. "Didnt you see him staring at her all evening, Prongs?"
