The Dragon | Draco Malfoy x Reader
loving-daisy masterlist
summary: a little best friends to lovers au with a hint of soulmates au featuring Draco Malfoy and his best mate's little sister, Y/N Nott.
words: 11.2k
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Draco Malfoy apparated into Y/N Nott’s flat without warning, as he always did.
There he found her, sitting cross-legged on the couch, a plate of pasta in her hands, fork twirling lazily through the noodles. She barely spared him a glance.
“You could knock,” she said, taking a bite.
“And miss the chance to catch you in the middle of stuffing your face?” Draco smirked, sauntering over. “What are you eating?”
Y/N shot him a warning look. “My lunch. Get your own.”
Draco, naturally, ignored her. He plopped down beside her, far too close, and before she could react, he grabbed her fork and got a forkful of pasta from her plate and popped it into his mouth.
Y/N gasped in outrage. “Malfoy!”
“This is good,” he mused, chewing. “Did you make it, or did you bribe Theo to?”
Y/N scowled. “I ordered it, you absolute menace.”
Draco stole another bite.
She smacked his arm. “Draco!”
He only grinned, completely unbothered. “You always taste-test my drinks when we’re out. Consider this payback.”
“You let me do that!”
“Exactly. Which means you should let me do this.” He reached for another bite, and Y/N yanked the plate away, scrambling off the couch.
“Touch my food again, Malfoy, and I will hex you.”
Draco just leaned back, smug. “You wouldn’t dare. You like me too much.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes.
Then, very slowly, she stuffed the biggest forkful of pasta into her mouth, chewing pointedly as she stared him down.
Draco’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re so mean.”
Y/N smirked. “Right back at you.”
Draco huffed, watching her with a mix of amusement and betrayal as she deliberately took another exaggerated bite.
“You know,” he drawled, stretching his legs out on her coffee table, “I could just order my own, but it wouldn’t taste as good as stolen food.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Then starve, thief.”
But Draco was nothing if not persistent. With the swiftness of a Seeker, he lunged forward, trying to grab the plate. Y/N, already anticipating his move, twisted away, barely dodging him.
“Draco!” she shrieked, laughing as she held the plate high above her head.
He grinned, eyes alight with mischief. “You forget, love, I’m taller than you.”
Before she could escape, Draco grabbed her wrist, yanking it down just enough to snatch another bite. He let out a triumphant hum as he chewed, savoring his victory.
“You absolute menace!” Y/N shoved at him, but Draco only grinned wider, chewing obnoxiously.
“Mm,” he said, swallowing. “Tastes even better when you fight back.”
She groaned dramatically. “I swear, Malfoy, if you don’t stop—”
“You’ll what?” He tilted his head, smirking. “Hex me? Kick me out? Please, Nott, we both know you love my company.”
Y/N huffed, crossing her arms. “I tolerate your company.”
Draco leaned in, eyes twinkling. “Right, and you ‘tolerate’ me stealing your food?”
She glared at him for a moment before dramatically shoving the last bite of pasta into her mouth, chewing slowly, tauntingly.
Draco sighed. “You’re cruel, you know that?”
Y/N smirked, swallowing the last bite. “Only to you, Malfoy.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.”
Y/N wiped her hands on a napkin, then looked at him expectantly. “Since you’ve officially ruined my lunch, you’re buying me dinner.”
Draco smirked. “Deal. But I’m stealing half of it.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t protest. Because, if she was being honest, she didn’t really mind.
Y/N narrowed her eyes at Draco, still chewing the last bite of her pasta.
“What are you doing here, anyway?” she asked, voice slightly muffled.
Draco stretched out on her couch like he owned the place, arms draped over the backrest.
“What, I need a reason to visit my best friend?”
“Yes,” she said flatly. “Because every time you visit, you steal my food, take up all my space, and somehow make yourself at home without even asking.”
Draco smirked. “So, just being my usual charming self, then?”
Y/N snorted. “Charming isn’t the word I’d use.”
Draco ignored her. “Actually, I was bored. Theo’s busy, Blaise is Merlin knows where, and Pansy’s on some shopping spree. That left you.”
Y/N raised a brow. “So I was your last choice?”
Draco placed a dramatic hand over his heart. “Never. You were my best choice.”
She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. “Right. And you conveniently showed up at lunchtime?”
Draco shrugged. “Pure coincidence, I assure you.”
“Liar.”
He smirked but didn’t deny it. Instead, he reached over, plucked her fork from the now-empty plate, and twirled it between his fingers. “Since I’m already here, what are we doing today?”
Y/N crossed her arms. “We? Malfoy, I had plans.”
Draco gasped, mock-offended. “Without me?”
“Yes, actually. A nice, peaceful afternoon. Alone.”
Draco tsked. “Sounds boring. Good thing I’m here to fix that.”
Y/N groaned, flopping back against the couch. Draco simply smirked, completely unbothered. “Come on, Nott. Let’s go do something fun.”
Y/N sighed, already knowing she was going to give in. “Fine.”
Draco smirked. “I knew you couldn't resist the Malfoy charm.”
She smacked his arm, but he only laughed.
A few minutes later, Y/N stood in front of her vanity, rummaging through her makeup bag as Draco lounged on her bed, watching her with an amused expression.
“You know,” he drawled, propping himself up on one elbow, “I never understand why you go through all this effort when you already look good.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, uncapping her lipstick. “Flattery won’t make me forget that you stole my food, Malfoy.”
Draco smirked, completely unrepentant. “It was worth a shot.”
She turned back to the mirror and started applying her lipstick, her movements precise. Draco watched, fascinated, as her lips took on a richer shade. He never really paid attention to things like this, but there was something oddly mesmerizing about the way she did it.
“Do you always do this when you go out?” he asked, tilting his head.
Y/N hummed. “Most of the time.”
She grabbed her eyeliner next, swiping a thin line over her lids. “Why? You planning on picking up a few tips?”
Draco chuckled. “Maybe. I could pull off a good eyeliner look, don’t you think?”
She snorted. “I think you’d cry halfway through applying it.”
Draco scoffed. “I do not cry.”
“Mm-hmm,” Y/N muttered, unconvinced, as she reached for her mascara.
Draco watched as she carefully brushed the wand through her lashes.
“You take forever,” he complained, though he didn’t actually mind.
“If you’re impatient, you can leave,” Y/N quipped, not even sparing him a glance.
Draco scoffed. “And miss this? Not a chance.”
Y/N shook her head, biting back a smile as she finished up. She leaned in, checking her reflection one last time before turning to face him. “Done.”
Draco sat up, scanning her face. “Hmm.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “What?”
He smirked. “Missed a spot.”
Before she could react, Draco leaned forward, swiping his thumb over the corner of her lip but whether to fix her lipstick or just to mess with her, she wasn’t sure.
Y/N stilled, eyes narrowing. “Malfoy.”
Draco only grinned, wiping his thumb on her napkin. “Relax, love. Just helping.”
She huffed, grabbing her purse. “You’re insufferable.”
“Maybe. But you keep me around.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. “Come on, thief. You owe me dinner.”
Draco smirked, falling into step beside her. “Lead the way, love.”
—-----------------
Y/N strolled through the boutique, casually running her fingers over the fabric of a silk dress while Draco followed behind, hands in his pockets.
“Are you actually going to buy something, or are we just here to waste time?” he asked, smirking.
Y/N shot him a look. “I don’t know, Malfoy. I would’ve had time to shop earlier if someone hadn’t barged into my flat and stolen my lunch.”
Draco grinned. “And yet, here we are, having the time of our lives.”
Y/N rolled her eyes before picking up a pair of heels, examining them. She checked the price tag then immediately put them back.
Draco, of course, noticed. “What?”
“They’re nice, but I don’t need them.”
Draco didn’t even hesitate—he plucked the shoes off the shelf and walked straight to the counter.
Y/N’s eyes widened. “Draco, what are you doing?”
“Buying them.”
“Absolutely not.”
Draco turned to her, exasperated. “Oh, come on, Nott. Just let me get them for you.”
She crossed her arms. “I can buy my own things, Malfoy.”
“Obviously,” he said, waving the shoes at the cashier. “But why would you when I can do it for you?”
Y/N groaned, trying to snatch them back. “You are not paying for my stuff—”
Draco easily dodged her, handing over his card. “Too late.”
She stared at him, incredulous. “You are the worst.”
Draco smirked. “No, I'm not. You love me.”
Y/N huffed, grabbing the bag from him when the cashier handed it over. “I’m not letting you pay for anything else.”
Draco gave her an innocent look. “Of course not, love.”
She narrowed her eyes but let it go—until ten minutes later, when he paid for a dress she had barely considered buying.
“Draco!”
He only smirked. “Oops.”
Y/N groaned, but he wasn’t done. Every time she so much as glanced at something for more than two seconds, Draco was already paying for it. Accessories, perfume, even a ridiculous little keychain she picked up absentmindedly.
“Malfoy, I swear—”
Draco draped an arm around her shoulders, smug. “Too bad, love. You should’ve stopped me earlier.”
Y/N glared at him, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her.
Draco Malfoy was impossible.
Ridiculous.
Overbearing.
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to really mind.
Y/N swung her shopping bags over her shoulder and glanced at Draco, who was still grinning smugly from paying for everything. “If you’re so eager to throw money around, Malfoy, you can buy me a new couch.”
Draco raised an eyebrow. “A new couch? What happened to the old one?”
“It’s old,” Y/N said simply. “And I don’t like it anymore.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “Of course. Merlin forbid you live with something you don’t like.”
“Exactly,” Y/N said, already walking toward a nearby furniture store. “Come on, you’re helping me pick one.”
Draco groaned but followed anyway. “This is the most boring thing you’ve ever dragged me into.”
Inside the store, Y/N made a beeline for the couches, testing out different ones while Draco trailed behind, looking unimpressed. She flopped onto a plush emerald green one and patted the spot beside her.
“This one’s nice.”
Draco sat down reluctantly. “Not bad.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You could at least pretend to care.”
“I do care,” Draco said. “I care about how long this is going to take.”
Y/N ignored him and stood up, moving to another couch. “This one feels softer.”
Draco leaned back, stretching his arms across the cushions. “I don’t see the difference.”
She huffed. “That’s because you have the attention span of a goldfish.”
Draco smirked. “At least I still have the patience to deal with you.”
Y/N rolled her eyes and kept testing couches, but every time she sat down, Draco followed, getting comfortable as if he lived there.
When she finally found one she liked, black leather, sleek but cozy, Draco sighed dramatically.
“Finally. I thought we’d die here.”
Y/N ignored him and turned to the salesperson. “I’ll take this one.”
Draco, of course, stepped in before she could pull out her wallet. “She won’t be paying for it.”
Y/N groaned. “Malfoy—”
He held up a hand. “No arguments. Consider it a gift.”
After finalizing the purchase—entirely against Y/N’s will, because Draco refused to let her pay—the store promised to have the couch delivered to her flat by the evening.
As they stepped out onto the street, Y/N sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know why I even bother arguing with you.”
Draco smirked, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “You don’t. You just like pretending you have a choice.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t shake him off. “You’re an insufferable, overgrown ferret.”
“And you love me for it,” he quipped.
“Debatable,” Y/N muttered, adjusting her shopping bags.
Draco noticed and effortlessly took half of them from her hands.
Y/N blinked. “I didn’t ask you to carry those.”
Draco shrugged. “I know. I’m just naturally chivalrous.”
She snorted. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Malfoy.”
As they walked through Diagon Alley, Draco glanced at her. “So, what now?”
Y/N thought for a moment. “Dinner. Since you owe me, remember?”
Draco smirked. “Right. But I’m still stealing half of your food.”
She groaned. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet—”
“—I keep you around,” she finished, rolling her eyes but grinning despite herself.
Draco chuckled, nudging her playfully as they headed toward their usual restaurant. It was a cozy little restaurant tucked into a quieter corner of Diagon Alley. Immediately, the hostess greeted them with familiarity and led them to their usual booth by the window.
As soon as they sat down, Y/N stretched her legs out, sighing in content.
“Shopping is exhausting.”
Draco smirked, casually draping an arm over the back of the booth.
“Exhausting? I don’t think it is when you insist on dragging me into it.”
“You’re the one who kept paying for everything,” Y/N shot back, picking up the menu.
Draco shrugged. “It’s my way of showing affection.”
Y/N snorted. “So you just throw money at your problems?”
He smirked. “It’s worked so far.”
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.
When the waiter arrived, Y/N immediately rattled off her order, making sure to get extra sides because she knew Draco would inevitably steal some. When Draco ordered for himself, he glanced at her with a knowing smirk. “Extra sides? How thoughtful of you.”
Y/N shot him a glare. “I learn from experience.”
Draco chuckled, leaning back as the waiter left. “So, what time will this new couch of yours arrive?”
“8:00 pm,” Y/N said. “And no, you don’t have to come over and inspect it.”
Draco raised a brow. “Who said anything about inspecting? I was planning on testing it out.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes. “You’re not sleeping on my couch, Malfoy.”
He smirked. “We’ll see.”
Before she could argue, their food arrived. Y/N dug in immediately, but, as expected, Draco shamelessly stole a bite from her plate.
She swatted at his hand. “Unbelievable.”
Draco only grinned, completely unbothered.
—-----------------
Dinner passed in their usual rhythm—bickering, stolen bites of food, and Draco smirking at Y/N’s frustration. By the time they finished eating, Y/N leaned back in her seat, fully satisfied.
“That,” she said, pointing at her empty plate, “was exactly what I needed.”
Draco smirked, sipping his drink. “You mean, what we needed. Since, you know, I had half of it.”
Y/N huffed. “I don’t know why I ever think I’ll get to eat in peace with you around.”
Draco shrugged, completely unrepentant. “You love the company.”
“That’s likely,” she muttered, though the amusement in her eyes gave her away.
When the bill arrived, Draco reached for it without hesitation.
Y/N groaned.
“No point arguing, love.” He handed the waiter his card before she could even attempt to grab it. “I paid for everything else today, might as well keep the streak going.”
Y/N crossed her arms. “This is getting ridiculous.”
Draco leaned forward, smirking. “You keep saying that, and yet, I don’t see you walking away.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her.
He was ridiculous, but he was also Draco—her Draco. Infuriating, insufferable, and somehow always there, spoiling her whether she wanted him to or not.
Once they left the restaurant, Y/N stretched, sighing. “Alright, now I really just want to go home and sit on my new couch.”
Draco smirked. “Perfect, I’ll come with.”
Y/N shot him a look. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Yes, because there is absolutely no reason for you to come over.”
Draco gave her an exaggerated gasp. “What if the couch is ugly? You’ll need moral support.”
She groaned. “It’s not ugly.”
“Let’s go find out,” Draco said, already walking toward the nearest apparition point.
Y/N sighed, but she didn’t stop him. Because, at the end of the day, Draco Malfoy always found a way into her plans whether it was regarding her flat, her food, or her life.
And maybe… she didn’t mind so much after all.
They apparated straight to Y/N’s flat, landing with a soft pop in her living room. The moment they arrived, Y/N let out a satisfied sigh because there it was, her brand-new black leather couch, sitting perfectly in place where the old one used to be.
Draco hummed in approval. “Not bad.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “See? I have taste.”
Draco smirked. “Questionable, considering you keep me around.”
She rolled her eyes and stepped forward, running a hand over the smooth leather before flopping onto the cushions.
She let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, this is perfect.”
Draco chuckled before moving toward the couch and sitting beside her. He stretched out, propping his feet on the coffee table. “Not bad at all. Might be my new favorite place to nap.”
Y/N turned her head to glare at him. “No. You have your own flat for that.”
Draco smirked. “But yours is much cozier.”
Y/N huffed but didn’t bother pushing him off. Instead, she leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment. “It is a nice couch.”
Draco hummed in agreement, relaxing beside her. For a while, they sat in comfortable silence.
Then, without warning, Draco stretched out even more, laying his head on her lap.
Y/N’s eyes snapped open. “Draco—”
“Testing the comfort,” he said casually, eyes closed, completely at ease.
Y/N narrowed her eyes. “Testing the comfort on my lap?”
He smirked. “I need a pillow, and you’re conveniently here.”
Y/N groaned, tempted to shove him off, but after a long day of shopping, eating, and dealing with Draco’s ridiculousness, she was too tired to fight.
Instead, she sighed and muttered, “Unbelievable.”
Draco peeked up at her. “And yet—”
“I keep you around,” she finished with a small smile, lightly flicking his forehead.
Draco chuckled, closing his eyes again, and Y/N let herself relax.
Maybe he was insufferable. Maybe he did steal her food and invite himself into her home. But if she were being honest with herself… she didn’t actually mind.
Y/N absentmindedly ran her fingers through Draco’s platinum-blond hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. She didn’t even realize she was doing it at first. Her hand just started moving on its own as she relaxed into the couch.
Draco let out a soft hum of approval, his eyes still closed. “If you keep doing that, I might actually fall asleep.”
Y/N scoffed, but her fingers didn’t stop. “You invited yourself over, stole my couch, and now you’re planning to nap on me?”
Draco smirked, his voice lower, lazier. “Can you blame me? You’re comfortable.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but her touch remained gentle, smoothing through his hair. “Unbelievable.”
“And yet…” Draco murmured, tilting his head slightly, leaning into her touch.
She sighed dramatically, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, yeah. I keep you around.”
For once, Draco didn’t respond with some smug remark. He just let out another contented hum, his breathing steadying.
Y/N glanced down at him—his sharp features relaxed, his usual arrogance softened. There was something almost peaceful about him like this, stretched across her lap without a care in the world.
And for reasons she didn’t want to think too hard about, she let him stay.
As Draco drifted off, the steady warmth of Y/N’s hand in his hair, his mind slipped into a dream—one that felt so vivid, so real, he almost believed it.
He was in a flat. Their flat. He didn’t recognize the place, but it felt familiar, like he belonged there. The living room was bathed in golden light, the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air.
Y/N sat across from him, curled up on the very same couch he had just bought her, a book in her lap. She looked comfortable, at home.
Draco watched as she absentmindedly reached for her mug, only to find it empty. Without a word, he stood, taking it from her hands and walking to the kitchen, filling it the way he somehow knew she liked—just a little bit of sugar, no milk.
When he handed it back, Y/N gave him a lazy smile, her fingers brushing against his as she took the cup. “Thanks, Malfoy.”
There was something different in the way she said his name. Something softer. Warmer.
Draco smirked, sitting back beside her, his arm draping over the couch. “Anything for you, love.”
And the most surprising part? He meant it.
The dream shifted. It was nighttime now, and they were still in the flat, but this time, Y/N was next to him, curled against his side as they lay on the couch. Draco could hear the rain tapping softly against the windows, but all he could focus on was the steady rise and fall of her breath, the way she fit so perfectly against him.
He felt himself lean in, brushing his lips against her temple.
“Draco,” she murmured sleepily, her voice barely above a whisper.
His name had never sounded so right.
But just as he was about to respond, the dream dissolved.
Draco’s eyes fluttered open, the weight of the dream lingering in his chest like something half-remembered, something important.
The first thing he saw was Y/N, still stroking his hair, still looking down at him with that same amused fondness.
For a split second, he thought he was still dreaming.
But no—this was real. The couch, her touch, the warmth of her presence.
Draco swallowed, unsure of what to say.
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You okay? You twitched in your sleep.”
Draco blinked, quickly masking whatever emotion had been in his expression with his usual smirk.
“Just dreaming of a world where you actually let me have my own plate of food.”
Y/N snorted, rolling her eyes. “Sounds unrealistic.”
Draco chuckled, shaking off the lingering haze of his dream. But as he looked at her again, watching the way she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair…
Something deep inside him whispered that maybe, just maybe, the dream wasn’t as unrealistic as he thought.
—-----------------
Y/N continued running her fingers through Draco’s hair, lost in thought. The flat was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city outside. She glanced at the clock. It was late. Too late for him to apparate back to his own place when he was already half-asleep.
Without really thinking about it, she murmured, “You should just stay the night.”
Draco’s eyes flickered open, his smirk immediate. “Oh? Inviting me into your bed, Nott? How scandalous.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, shoving his shoulder lightly. “On the couch, idiot.”
Draco hummed, as if considering it. “Hmm. I did personally approve this couch. It would only be right for me to test it properly.”
Y/N huffed. “So dramatic.”
“Only for you.” His voice was teasing, but there was something softer underneath it.
Y/N didn’t respond right away. She just watched him, the way his sharp features softened in the dim lighting of her flat.
Draco tilted his head slightly. “You sure you don’t mind?”
“If I minded, I wouldn’t have asked,” she muttered.
His smirk widened, but there was something almost pleased in his expression. “Alright then. I’ll stay.”
Y/N exhaled, shifting so he could sit up. “Blankets are in the closet. Don’t touch my stuff.”
Draco stretched lazily before standing. “No promises.”
Y/N shot him a glare, but she was already walking toward her bedroom, suppressing a small smile.
“Goodnight, Malfoy.”
Draco smirked. “Sweet dreams, Nott.”
And as Y/N shut her door, Draco stared at the empty couch, the warmth of her lingering in the air.
He hadn’t planned on staying. But for some reason, now that he was here…
He didn’t really want to leave.
—-----------------
A few minutes later, Draco padded quietly through Y/N’s flat, heading toward her bedroom to grab a blanket from her closet. He had stayed over at her place enough times to know his way around, though she would probably hex him if she caught him snooping.
He pushed open the door, stepping inside without much thought. The room smelled like her. It was something warm and faintly sweet, a scent he knew all too well. He made his way to the closet, about to pull it open when the bathroom door swung open.
Y/N stepped out, steam curling from behind her, hair damp, skin flushed from the heat of her shower.
And she was wearing nothing but a towel.
Draco froze.
Y/N froze.
For a split second, neither of them moved. The towel clung to her in a way that left very little to the imagination, and Draco’s brain short-circuited completely.
Y/N’s eyes widened in realization, then—
“Draco!” she shrieked, scrambling back into the bathroom.
“Merlin’s bloody—” Draco whipped around so fast he nearly tripped over himself. “What the hell, Y/N? A warning would’ve been nice!”
“A warning?!” Her voice was muffled behind the door now. “Why are you even in my room?!”
“I was getting a blanket like you told me to!” Draco ran a hand down his face, trying to erase the image now permanently burned into his brain.
“How was I supposed to know you’d be—” He gestured wildly at the door, even though she couldn’t see him. “—half-dressed and dripping?”
The bathroom door cracked open just enough for her to glare at him. “Dripping?”
Draco smirked before he could stop himself. “Well, I mean, you were.”
Y/N groaned, disappearing back inside. Draco chuckled, finally grabbing the blanket and making a quick escape. But as he settled onto the couch, throwing the blanket over himself, he realized something.
That image with Y/N standing there, flushed and damp, eyes wide with surprise was definitely going to haunt him for a while.
Draco lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, blanket pulled over him but to be honest, there was no chance he was going to fall asleep anytime soon. His mind kept replaying the image of Y/N in that towel, damp hair clinging to her skin, the way her eyes had gone wide with shock.
Bloody hell.
He groaned, rolling onto his side, burying his face into the pillow.
This is fine.
Totally fine.
Just forget about it.
Except he couldn’t.
A few minutes later, he heard her bedroom door creak open. His body tensed instinctively, but he forced himself to stay still, pretending to be half-asleep.
Y/N padded toward the kitchen, her movements quiet. Probably getting water or a snack. Draco kept his eyes shut, determined to not make things any weirder than they already were.
“Are you awake?”
Draco cracked one eye open, finding her standing near the couch, arms crossed. She was now in an oversized Slytherin Quidditch sweater and a pair of shorts, hair still damp from her shower.
He smirked sleepily. “Depends. If I say no, will you leave me alone?”
She rolled her eyes. “Doubtful.”
Draco sighed dramatically. “Then yes, unfortunately, I’m awake.”
Y/N hesitated for a second before shifting her weight. “Look… about earlier.”
Draco grinned, propping himself up on his elbow. “Oh, this should be good.”
She shot him a glare. “I’m serious, Malfoy. If you tell anyone—”
“What, that you were practically naked in front of me?” He tilted his head. “That you practically flaunted yourself at me?”
Y/N gaped. “I did not!”
Draco chuckled. “Mmm. Maybe not intentionally.”
“Draco,” she warned.
He held up his hands in surrender, still grinning. “Relax, Nott. Your reputation is safe with me. You have nice skin anyways.”
She studied him for a moment, then sighed. “Good.”
Draco watched as she hesitated again, shifting slightly, as if debating whether to say something else.
Then, finally— “…I can’t sleep.”
Draco raised an eyebrow. “You woke me up just to tell me that?”
“I didn’t wake you up,” she argued. “You were already awake.”
Draco smirked but sat up anyway, stretching. “Alright, princess. What do you want me to do? Sing you a lullaby?”
Y/N snorted. “No way in hell. I’d rather suffer.”
He smirked, then patted the couch beside him. “Come on, then.”
She frowned. “What?”
“You can’t sleep. I’m awake. Might as well keep me company.”
Y/N hesitated, eyeing him suspiciously. “You’re not going to make this weird, are you?”
Draco placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. “Me? Weird? I’m hurt, truly.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but after a moment, she sighed and moved to sit beside him.
And just like that, they sat together in the dim glow of the flat, the air between them filled with quiet conversation and something neither of them was quite ready to name.
Y/N pulled the blanket over her lap, settling into the couch beside Draco. The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.
Draco shifted slightly, resting his arm along the back of the couch, fingers absentmindedly toying with the edge of the blanket.
“So,” he drawled, glancing at her, “what’s keeping you up?”
Y/N exhaled, running a hand through her still-damp hair. “Dunno. Just one of those nights, I guess.”
Draco nodded, understanding. Y/N glanced at him, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
“Or maybe I’m still recovering from the absolute trauma of you barging into my room unannounced.”
Draco groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “Are we really still on this?”
“Yes, we are,” Y/N said, leaning into the couch. “Because you saw something you shouldn’t have, and I have to live with the knowledge that you will never let me forget it.”
Draco smirked, tilting his head. “To be fair, I’ve seen worse.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Worse?”
“Blaise, fourth year,” he said, shuddering. “Walked into the dorm after practice, and there he was, completely starkers, admiring himself in the mirror.”
Y/N burst out laughing. “You’re lying.”
“Swear on my broomstick,” Draco said, grinning.
“He even struck a pose. Said something about ‘appreciating one’s own beauty.’”
Y/N shook her head, still laughing. “Merlin, I’ll never be able to look at him the same way again.”
Draco smirked, watching her, enjoying the way her laughter softened the edges of the night.
He nudged her foot lightly with his own. “See? Talking to me does help.”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “I never said it didn’t.”
Draco studied her for a moment, then, more seriously, he asked, “Want me to stay up with you?”
Y/N hesitated. Looked at him. Then, slowly, she nodded.
So they stayed like that, side by side, wrapped in a shared blanket, talking about everything and nothing until the weight of exhaustion finally settled in.
At some point, Y/N’s head dropped against Draco’s shoulder, her breath evening out as she fell asleep.
Draco stilled, his body instinctively tense. But then, after a moment, he let himself relax, leaning back into the couch.
His arm curled slightly around her, and with a small smirk, he muttered, “Guess I’m staying, then.”
And for some reason, he didn’t mind at all.
“Do you wanna know a secret?” Y/N asks.
Draco raised a brow. “What?”
“I have a tattoo on my back above my buttocks.”
Draco, who had been lazily resting his head against the couch, immediately perked up at her words. His gaze flickered to her, curiosity sparking in his stormy grey eyes.
“You what?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Y/N smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. “You heard me.”
Draco shifted so he could properly face her, his interest piqued. “You have a tattoo? On your back?” His eyes gleamed mischievously.
“Above your arse?”
Y/N rolled her eyes.
“Above the buttocks, Malfoy. Let’s keep it classy.”
Draco let out a short laugh. “Since when do you have a tattoo?”
“Since sixth year,” she admitted, her smirk growing. ”Pansy knows. She saw it.”
Draco stared at her, utterly intrigued. “And you just—what? Didn’t even bother telling me?”
“Obviously,” Y/N said, shrugging.
Draco let out a disbelieving chuckle, shaking his head. “Alright, I have to ask—what is it?”
Y/N’s smirk deepened, eyes glinting. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Draco narrowed his eyes on her. “You can’t just drop that information and not tell me what it is.”
“I can, actually,” she said smugly, stretching out against the couch.
Draco scoffed. “You’re insufferable.”
“Likewise, Malfoy,” Y/N shot back, grinning.
Draco huffed but didn’t deny it. Instead, he leaned in slightly, dropping his voice.
“I will find out, you know.”
“Oh?” Y/N raised an eyebrow. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
Draco smirked, his voice dripping with amusement. “I have my ways.”
Y/N just laughed, shaking her head. “Good luck with that, Malfoy.”.
Draco leaned back, arms crossed, watching Y/N with a smirk that said he was already plotting.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not a chance,” he replied smoothly. “You should’ve known better than to tell me something like that.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. “Alright, Sherlock, how exactly do you plan on finding out?”
Draco tilted his head, pretending to think. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just ask Pansy.”
Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly masked it with a nonchalant expression.
“She won’t tell you.”
Draco smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
Y/N huffed, pulling the blanket tighter around her. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re avoiding the question,” he countered. “Which means it’s something interesting.”
Y/N groaned and flopped back against the couch dramatically. “Merlin, I regret saying anything.”
Draco chuckled, watching her. He was having way too much fun with this.
After a few moments of silence, she peeked at him from under the blanket.
“If I tell you what it is, will you shut up about it?”
Draco smirked, leaning in slightly. “I make no promises.”
She let out an exasperated sigh, then, after a moment of hesitation, muttered, “It’s a dragon.”
Draco stared at her, completely still for a second, before his smirk slowly stretched across his face.
“A dragon?” he repeated, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Are you serious?”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Yes, Malfoy. A dragon.”
He let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over his chest. “Merlin, you’re obsessed with me.”
Y/N groaned, already regretting telling him. “Oh, shut up.”
“No, no, let’s talk about this,” Draco said, leaning closer, utterly delighted. “You got a dragon tattooed on your body—above your arse, no less—and you expect me to believe this isn’t about me?”
“It’s not about you!” she insisted, though her ears were turning pink. “I just like dragons. They’re cool.”
Draco scoffed, smirking. “Sure you do.”
He tapped his chin, pretending to think. “Although, if I had to guess, I’d say it’s a tribute. A little dedication, perhaps? I knew you adored me, but this—this is next level.”
Y/N grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. “You’re so annoying!”
Draco just laughed, catching the pillow before it could hit him again. “I can’t believe you’ve been walking around all these years with me permanently inked on your skin.”
“It’s not you, Malfoy!”
“Mm-hmm.” He was grinning ear to ear now, clearly having the time of his life. “Does it have blond hair? A sharp jawline? A tragic backstory?”
Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I hate you.”
Draco nudged her foot with his. “Admit it.”
She peeked at him through her fingers. “Admit what?”
“That a small, tiny part of you thought of me when you got it.”
Y/N huffed, crossing her arms. “You weren’t the inspiration, Draco.”
Draco smirked. “So you have thought about me in that way, then?”
Y/N blinked before realizing her mistake. “That’s not what I meant!”
Draco just leaned back, looking incredibly smug. “Too late. You already said it.”
Y/N groaned again, shoving him. “You’re impossible.”
Draco chuckled, enjoying himself far too much. “And you, my dear, are mine.”
“In your dreams.”
Draco simply smirked.
“Oh, trust me, Nott. I will be dreaming about this.”
Y/N groaned, throwing her head back against the couch. “I swear, if you bring this up one more time—”
Draco stretched out beside her, arms behind his head, looking insufferably pleased. “Oh, I’m definitely bringing this up again.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes at him. “You wish that tattoo was about you.”
Draco turned his head, smirking. “I don’t have to wish, love. You practically confirmed it.”
“I did not,” she huffed, crossing her arms.
Draco chuckled, tilting his head. “Alright then, if it’s not about me, then why a dragon?”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Because dragons are powerful. Majestic. Fierce.”
Draco nodded slowly, his smirk deepening. “Right. And remind me—who else do you know that’s powerful, majestic, and fierce?”
Y/N groaned. “I hate you.”
Draco just laughed. “I’m just saying! I am Draco. My name does mean ‘dragon’ in Latin.”
“Oh, Merlin, shut up!”
“I bet it even looks like me. A little dramatic. Probably breathtaking.”
Y/N let out a frustrated noise, pushing herself up from the couch. “I’m going to bed. I refuse to entertain your delusions any longer.”
Draco followed her, still smirking. “You know, if you ever do want to dedicate something to me, I’d suggest something more obvious. Maybe my name in cursive across your wrist—”
Y/N turned and shoved him backward. “Get out of my room, Malfoy!”
Draco held up his hands, laughing as he backed away. “Fine, fine! I’ll behave.”
He leaned against her doorframe, watching her with that same mischievous glint in his eyes. “But just so you know, I am honored. Even if you won’t admit it.”
Y/N exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. “You are impossible.”
Draco winked. “And yet, you let me stay.”
She rolled her eyes and slammed the door in his face.
From the other side, Draco chuckled to himself.
She definitely got that tattoo because of me.
—-----------------
The next morning, Draco pushed open the door without thinking, a smug grin on his face. “Oi, get up, lazy—”
He froze mid-sentence.
Y/N stood in front of her mirror, her back fully exposed as she pulled a shirt over her head. And there it was.
The tattoo.
A sleek, intricately detailed dragon curled elegantly along her lower back, just above the waistband of her shorts. The black ink shimmered slightly under the morning light, its wings extending in a subtle arc, its serpentine body coiled with effortless grace.
Draco’s mouth went dry.
Y/N gasped, whipping around. “Draco!”
He barely heard her. His eyes were locked on the tattoo, his smirk slowly returning.
“Well, well, well,” he drawled, crossing his arms. “Would you look at that?”
Y/N yanked her shirt down and glared. “Get out!”
Draco ignored her, stepping further into the room, his smirk widening. “You knew I wanted to see it, and yet, here you are—practically showing off first thing in the morning.”
He tsked. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you wanted me to see it.”
Y/N groaned, grabbing the nearest thing—a pillow—and chucking it at his head. “I swear to Merlin, Malfoy, I will hex you!”
Draco dodged it effortlessly, still grinning. “Oh, come on, don’t be shy now.”
He leaned against the doorframe, tilting his head. “I was right, wasn’t I? That dragon is a tribute to me.”
Y/N scoffed, cheeks burning. “Get over yourself.”
Draco pretended to think. “You know, I’m feeling very honored right now. I should return the favor. Maybe I should get ‘Y/N’ tattooed somewhere on my body. Any placement suggestions?”
Y/N let out a strangled groan, shoving him toward the door. “Go eat your bloody breakfast, Malfoy!”
He let her push him, still laughing as he stumbled into the hallway. “Fine, fine! But you’re never living this down.”
Before she could slam the door, he peeked his head back in.
“For the record, I love it.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
“Out, Malfoy.”
Draco chuckled and finally let her shut the door, grinning to himself as he walked back to the kitchen. Best morning ever.
Y/N took a deep breath, pressing her hands against the door as she listened to Draco’s footsteps retreating.
Merlin, he’s insufferable.
She turned back to the mirror, slightly lifting her shirt, glancing over her shoulder at the tattoo.
She had always loved it—always thought it was elegant, powerful.
But now?
Now it felt like his smirking face was permanently attached to it.
Shaking her head, she quickly finished getting dressed before heading to the kitchen.
Draco was already sitting at the table, smug as ever, sipping his tea. “Took you long enough.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, plopping into the chair across from him. “I was debating whether or not to hex you before breakfast.”
Draco smirked, setting his cup down. “A very predictable debate.” He nodded toward the plate in front of her. “Eat up. I slaved away in the kitchen for you.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow, eyeing the food. “You made toast and eggs, Malfoy. Let’s not get dramatic.”
Draco feigned offense. “Toast and eggs require skill. Perfectly golden toast, eggs cooked just right. Do you know how much effort that takes?”
She snorted, cutting into her eggs. “Thank you for your service.”
Draco leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching her with amusement. “So… let’s talk about that tattoo.”
Y/N groaned. “Oh my—Draco, let it go.”
“Never,” he said immediately. “It’s too good. My favorite discovery ever.”
Y/N shook her head, stuffing a bite of toast in her mouth.
Draco leaned forward, smirking. “Alright, serious question. When you got it, did you think of me? Even for one second?”
Y/N chewed slowly, keeping her face neutral. “No.”
Draco squinted at her, analyzing every inch of her expression. Then, suddenly, his smirk deepened.
“Liar.”
Y/N choked on her toast. “I—I am not!”
Draco’s grin was pure amusement. “Oh, you so did.” He tilted his head.
“Was it while they were sketching the design? Or maybe when the needle first hit your skin? Or was it after—when you looked at it and thought, ‘Bloody hell, this reminds me of a certain arrogant blond git I know’?”
Y/N picked up a piece of toast and threw it at his face.
Draco caught it effortlessly, popping it into his mouth with a smirk. “You’re just proving my point.”
Y/N groaned, dropping her head onto the table. Draco just chuckled, sipping his tea. “
—-----------------
A few days later, Draco found himself with a different Nott. Theodore Nott, his best friend and his best friend’s older brother.
Draco froze mid-sip of his drink, his eyes locked on the ink just peeking out from Theo’s rolled-up sleeve.
It was a sleek black cat, stretched out lazily along the curve of his forearm.
Draco set his drink down. “What’s with the cat?”
Theo glanced down at his tattoo, smirking. “Family tradition. The Notts all get a symbol of their soulmate inked on them.”
Draco raised an eyebrow. “Soulmate?”
Theo nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “Yeah. It appears on its own when we come of age. No one knows exactly how or why, but it’s been in my family for centuries. Some say it’s magic woven into our bloodline.”
He smirked slightly. “Even my sister has one.”
Draco’s brain short-circuited.
Even my sister has one.
Y/N.
Y/N has one.
His heart picked up speed, his mind racing through every conversation, every teasing remark, every glance he’d stolen at her back.
Draco suddenly felt like the world had shifted beneath him.
That tattoo on her lower back. The dragon.
Draco sat up straighter, keeping his voice casual. “And what’s Y/N’s?”
Theo shrugged, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Draco’s head.
“Dunno. She won’t tell me.”
Draco barely heard him.
His hands clenched around his glass as a realization hit him so hard he almost choked.
Y/N’s tattoo—
The dragon.
Bloody hell. It was him.
Draco barely kept his composure as he leaned back in his seat, gripping his drink a little too tightly. Y/N’s soulmate tattoo is a dragon.
It wasn’t just some random choice. It wasn’t just because dragons were majestic and powerful.
It was him.
His heart was practically slamming against his ribs. He replayed every moment from that morning like the way she’d gone stiff when he walked in, the way she’d refused to talk about the meaning behind it, the way she’d freaked out when he teased her about it.
It all made sense now.
She had known. And she never told him.
“Draco?”
He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as Theo gave him a weird look.
“You alright, mate?” Theo asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look like you just saw the Dark Lord resurrect again.”
Draco forced a smirk, trying to steady his voice. “Yeah. Just processing the fact that you have a soulmate tattoo and never mentioned it before.”
Theo snorted. “You never asked.” He took another sip of his drink. “Why? Thinking of getting one yourself?”
Draco rolled his eyes, masking the absolute chaos inside him. “Yeah, because I’d definitely trust some ancient magic to brand me with someone’s name.”
Theo chuckled. “It doesn’t give names, idiot. Just symbols.” He stretched his arms behind his head.
“It’s all about fate or whatever. Some people try to fight it, but…” He smirked. “Doesn’t change the fact that it’s real.”
Draco exhaled slowly, his mind still spinning.
Y/N’s tattoo was a dragon.
Was it possible that she didn’t know what it meant? Maybe she thought it was just a coincidence?
No. She had to know.
Which meant she’d been hiding it from him all this time.
Draco leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, smirk firmly in place. “And you’re telling me Y/N never mentioned what hers was?”
Theo shook his head. “Nope. And believe me, I’ve tried to get it out of her.” He scoffed. “She’s stubborn as hell.”
Draco chuckled, even as his mind reeled. Yeah, she is.
But now that he knew?
Oh, she was never going to hear the end of it.
Draco leaned back, crossing his arms, trying to appear nonchalant even though his mind was still reeling from the whole soulmate tattoo revelation.
“So,” he drawled, lifting a brow, “who’s the lucky person, then? Who’s your soulmate?”
Theo smirked, glancing at his tattoo before shrugging. “Dunno.”
Draco frowned. “What do you mean, dunno?”
Theo took a sip of his drink, completely unfazed. “Exactly that. Haven’t figured it out yet.”
Draco narrowed his eyes. “You have a bloody black cat permanently inked on your arm, and you’re telling me you don’t know who it represents?”
Theo rolled his eyes. “It’s not like the universe hands us a bloody manual, Malfoy. We have to figure it out ourselves.” He smirked. “Some people get lucky and know straight away. Others? It takes time.”
Draco studied him carefully. “And you’ve got no suspicions?”
Theo hesitated for half a second.
Draco caught it instantly. His smirk widened. “Oh, you do.”
Theo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with a small grin. “Doesn’t matter. If it’s meant to happen, it will.”
Draco hummed, intrigued. He’d definitely be prying into that later.
But right now?
Right now, he had another soulmate mystery to deal with.
And a certain Y/N Nott to confront.
“I’m visiting your sister.” Draco declares.
Theo raised a brow, setting his drink down. “You’re visiting my sister?”
Draco smirked, swirling his drink lazily. “Yeah. Why?”
Theo leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Didn’t realize you two were that close.”
Draco scoffed. “Oh, please. I’ve practically been part of your family since Hogwarts.”
Theo tilted his head. “Sure. But you’ve never randomly mentioned visiting her before.” His smirk turned knowing.
“Something I should know?”
Draco kept his face carefully neutral, but internally, his mind was still stuck on the dragon tattoo.
He shrugged. “She just dragged me furniture shopping the other day.”
Theo chuckled. “So you’re saying my sister made you—Draco Malfoy—walk around a bloody furniture store?”
Draco rolled his eyes. “She insisted. You know how she is when she wants something.”
Theo smirked. “I do.”
He studied Draco for a long moment before humming. “Alright. But if you start acting weird around her, I’ll know something’s up.”
Draco huffed. “Please. I’m always charming.”
Theo laughed. “That is not what I meant.”
Draco just smirked and finished his drink.
—-----------------
Later that evening, Draco stood outside Y/N’s flat, hands in his pockets, his mind still spinning with everything he’d learned.
A soulmate tattoo. A bloody dragon.
He exhaled, schooling his expression into one of casual ease before knocking on the door.
A few seconds later, Y/N swung it open, hair damp from a shower, dressed in an oversized black shirt and shorts. She blinked at him. “What are you doing here?”
Draco smirked.
“What, no hello? No ‘Draco, you look devastatingly handsome today’?”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “If you’re here to be insufferable, I’d like to remind you that I own a wand.”
He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Relax, love. I just came to check on my favorite Nott.”
Y/N snorted. “I heard you just saw Theo earlier.”
Draco’s smirk widened. “Exactly.”
He strolled into her living room, eyes flicking around before settling on her. “Speaking of your dear brother, he told me something very interesting today.”
Y/N crossed her arms, raising a brow. “And what exactly did Theo say?”
Draco leaned against the back of her couch, watching her closely. “That the Notts have a little tradition.”
Y/N’s expression didn’t change, but he swore he saw the slight stiffening of her shoulders.
Draco tilted his head. “Something about a soulmate tattoo?”
Silence.
Then—
Y/N huffed, turning toward the kitchen. “I’m making tea. If you’re planning on being annoying, at least make yourself useful and grab the sugar.”
Draco’s smirk deepened. Oh, she’s avoiding it.
Which meant she knew.
He followed her, leaning against the counter as she busied herself with the kettle.
“Funny thing, though. Theo showed me his. A black cat.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Said you had one, too.”
Y/N kept her back to him, reaching for two mugs. “And?”
Draco pushed off the counter, closing the distance between them, lowering his voice just slightly. “And I’m dying to know what yours is.”
Y/N turned, mug in hand, expression unreadable.
“Why?”
Draco held her gaze, his smirk never fading. “Because I think I already know.”
She raised a brow. “Do you?”
Draco took another step forward, eyes flicking to her back—the very spot where he knew it was inked onto her skin.
“Tell me, love…” He met her eyes again, voice dropping to a whisper.
“Why do you have a dragon tattooed on you?”
Y/N went still. And for a moment, the only sound in the kitchen was the faint bubbling of the kettle.
She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned back to the counter.
“Oh, please, Malfoy.” She reached for the tea leaves, her voice perfectly nonchalant. “Not everything is about you.”
Draco smirked, but he could see the way she was gripping the spoon just a little too tightly.
He leaned against the counter beside her, watching her closely. “Is that so?”
Y/N kept her focus on pouring the tea. “Yes.”
Draco hummed. “So you’re saying the ancient magic that brands Notts with their soulmate’s symbol just happened to give you a dragon?”
Y/N lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Maybe I got lucky. Dragons are cool.”
Draco chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re so full of it.”
Y/N turned, handing him a mug, eyes meeting his with an easy smirk. “And obsessing over it.”
Draco took the tea, eyes narrowing. “I knew you were hiding something.”
Y/N took a sip of her own tea, looking completely unbothered. “You know, it’s funny. Your ego is so massive, you actually think the universe revolved my entire soulmate mark around you.”
Draco smirked. “Oh, I don’t think—” He set his mug down and stepped right into her space, lowering his voice— “I know.”
Y/N’s breath hitched. His smirk widened.
“Alright, then. If you’re so certain it’s about you, prove it.”
Draco raised a brow. “Oh?”
Y/N’s smirk turned teasing. “What, Malfoy? Afraid you’ll be wrong?”
Draco loved a challenge.
He leaned in, voice a low drawl. “Careful, love. You dare me to figure this out, and I will.”
Y/N met his gaze, unwavering. “Good luck with that.”
Draco chuckled, taking his tea and stepping back.
Y/N sipped her tea, forcing herself to remain composed. He doesn’t know.
Draco might be clever but there was no way he could figure this out on his own. Not unless she let him.
Because the truth was simple: If Draco was her soulmate, all he had to do was touch the tattoo. If he did, it would glow golden.
But there was no way she was going to tell him that.
She smirked over the rim of her cup, watching as Draco sat back on her couch, legs stretched out, still watching her with that insufferable, knowing smirk.
“You’re staring, Malfoy,” she drawled, setting her mug down.
Draco tilted his head, looking utterly unbothered. “I’m thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.”
He chuckled, eyes gleaming. “You’re hiding something.”
Y/N feigned innocence, widening her eyes slightly. “Me? Never.”
Draco scoffed. “Right.”
She rolled her eyes and moved toward her bookshelf, pretending to search for something, keeping her back to him. She could feel his gaze trailing along her spine—like he was trying to see through the fabric, to confirm what he already suspected.
He was getting too close to the truth.
And the last thing she needed was for him to accidentally brush his fingers over her tattoo and prove everything right.
Because what then?
What if it glowed?
What if Draco realized?
She couldn’t risk that.
So she turned back around with a smirk, crossing her arms. “Give it up, Malfoy. You’ll never figure it out.”
Draco only grinned. “Watch me, love.”
Y/N huffed, rolling her eyes as she flopped onto the couch beside him. He was still looking at her, eyes sharp with amusement and determination.
So she smirked, tilting her head. “Alright then, Malfoy. What if it is about you?”
Draco blinked, caught off guard for the first time. “What?”
Y/N shrugged, keeping her expression teasing. “What if I do have a dragon because of you?” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “What would you do about it?”
For a second, Draco hesitated. And that was interesting.
Because she expected him to gloat, to smirk and tease her mercilessly. But instead, he just stared at her, expression unreadable.
Then, in the next moment, he recovered, his usual cocky grin slipping back into place.
“Well,” he drawled, “I’d say you have excellent taste.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but her heart was hammering in her chest. She had to keep playing this game carefully. She couldn’t let him win.
Because if he touched that tattoo, even accidentally, it would all be over.
—-----------------
Draco was obsessed.
After leaving Y/N’s flat, he went straight to the Malfoy Manor library, ignoring the house-elves and his father’s questioning gaze as he stormed through the halls.
There had to be something here.
The Notts were an old family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, just like the Malfoys. And if their soulmate mark was truly tied to ancient magic, then there had to be records of it somewhere.
Draco ran his fingers over the spines of the books, muttering under his breath as he scanned the shelves. Bloodline Magic. The Bonds of Old. Sacred Family Traditions…
He grabbed the last one, flipping through the pages until he found the section on the Notts.
His eyes skimmed over the words, his breath catching as he read:
“It is said that the Nott family carries an ancient enchantment, marking each descendant with the symbol of their destined one. Unlike other soulmate bonds, the mark remains dormant until the soulmate themselves makes contact. Only when the true match touches the symbol will it glow, confirming their fate.”
Draco froze. His mind raced, heart pounding.
He snapped the book shut, running a hand through his hair.
The tattoo. A dragon.
Draco’s stomach twisted.
He had assumed it was about him, had teased her about it, but now—now he needed to know.
Because if Y/N had never let anyone touch it…Then there was only one way to find out.
Draco shut the book, jaw set.
Draco wasted no time. As soon as he slammed the book shut, he strode out of the library, his mind racing.
He needed to see Y/N. Now.
The fact that she had lied wasn’t what bothered him the most. It was the why.
His thoughts were a mess by the time he reached Y/N’s flat. He knocked—more like pounded—on the door, and when she answered, brows raised, he barely let her get a word in.
“I know about your soulmate mark.”
Y/N blinked. “Hello to you too, Malfoy.”
Draco pushed past her, stepping inside. “I did my research. I know how the Nott bond works.”
He tilted his head, eyes locked on hers. “The mark doesn’t just sit there, does it? The second the right person touches it, it glows.”
Y/N’s jaw tensed.
Draco took another step. “So let’s try it.”
Y/N stilled.
Draco’s heart was pounding, but he kept his expression smooth. “Unless,” he added, voice softer, “you’re scared.”
Y/N swallowed, something unreadable flickering across her face. Draco could feel the tension between them now, thick and suffocating.
And then, after a long beat of silence, Y/N merely smirked. “Alright, Malfoy.”
She turned around, lifting the back of her shirt just enough to expose the dragon tattoo.
Draco’s breath caught.
This was it.
He reached out, his fingertips hovering just above her skin.
One touch. That was all it would take.
“Draco.”
His name. Soft. Almost hesitant.
He swallowed. “Yeah?”
Y/N turned her head slightly, eyes meeting his over her shoulder.
“What if it does glow?” she whispered.
Draco’s pulse pounded in his ears.
He didn’t have an answer.
So instead—he let his fingers brush against the inked skin.
And in the next second, the dragon glowed.
The world stopped.
Draco barely had time to register the warmth beneath his fingertips before the dragon shimmered to life, glowing with a golden light that pulsed softly against Y/N’s skin.
His breath caught in his throat.
They both stared as the glow flickered, confirming what Draco had suspected but hadn’t dared to believe.
He was her soulmate.
Y/N yanked away from his touch, stumbling forward as she quickly yanked her shirt back down.
“No,” she muttered, shaking her head. “No, no, no—”
Draco barely heard her over the sound of his own heartbeat.
He was hers.
She was his.
And she had known. Of course she had known.
Y/N turned to face him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes wide and panicked.
“This…this doesn’t mean anything.”
Draco blinked, still caught between shock. “Are you serious?”
“It’s just some old magic, Malfoy. It doesn’t dictate our lives. It doesn’t control us.”
Draco’s jaw clenched. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Silence.
That was all the confirmation he needed.
“You knew.” His voice was quieter now, but no less intense. “You knew it was me.”
Y/N swallowed.
“I—I thought it might be. But I wasn’t—” She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. “I wasn’t going to risk it.”
Draco took a step closer, searching her face. “Risk what?”
She hesitated.
“Losing you.” She whispered.
Draco stilled.
Y/N clenched her jaw, looking away. “If it turned out to be someone else—if it wasn’t you—” She shook her head. “I didn’t want things to change.”
Draco exhaled slowly. “Y/N…”
She turned back to him, eyes burning.
“It doesn’t have to change, okay? We can just forget it. Pretend it never happened.”
Draco stared at her.
Forget it?
Forget that she was his?
That they were meant to be?
Something fierce burned in his chest, something he had no intention of pushing down.
Because now that he knew? There was no way he was letting her pretend this didn’t matter.
Draco moved before he even realized what he was doing.
One second, Y/N was standing there, stubborn and defiant, trying to push this all away and the next, she was in his arms.
He pulled her in tight, his grip firm, unrelenting. Y/N tensed at first, her body stiff against his but then, slowly, she melted.
Draco felt her arms wrap around him, hesitant at first, then tighter, as if she was afraid he’d slip away.
“Idiot,” he muttered into her hair.
Y/N huffed a quiet laugh.
“Excuse me?”
Draco didn’t let go.
“You really thought I’d let this change anything?”
She was quiet.
Draco pulled back just enough to look at her. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said firmly. “And neither are you.”
Y/N bit her lip, eyes flickering between his. “Draco…”
“No,” he interrupted. “You don’t get to push me away. Not after this.” He shook his head, exhaling.
“You’re my best friend, Y/N. You always have been. This just…” He swallowed. “This just proves what I already knew.”
Y/N blinked up at him. “And what’s that?”
Draco gave a small smirk, but his voice was softer now. “That I was always meant to be yours.”
Something in her expression cracked then, and before she could argue, before she could say something stupid like this doesn’t change anything—
Draco pulled her back in.
And this time, she didn’t hesitate to hold on.
They stood there for what felt like forever.
Y/N’s face was pressed against Draco’s chest, her arms wrapped around him tightly.
Draco wasn’t letting go either. He refused to.
“I don’t know what to do with this,” Y/N admitted quietly against his shirt.
Draco exhaled, pressing his chin lightly on the top of her head. “Then don’t do anything.”
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with furrowed brows. “What?”
“You’re overthinking it, Nott. As usual.”
“I am not—”
“You are,” he interrupted, smirking. “You’re already thinking of reasons why this is a problem, why we shouldn’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Well… yeah.”
Draco shook his head, tightening his hold just slightly. “Then stop.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, just stop, huh? Wow, why didn’t I think of that?”
Draco snorted. “You’re so annoying”
“Where’d you think I got it from?”
He smirked. “Me but you love it.”
Y/N opened her mouth, probably to argue, but then paused.
And then, to Draco’s surprise, she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
Draco raised a brow. “What?”
Y/N glanced away, exhaling. “It’s just… it’s you.”
Draco frowned. “Obviously.”
“No, I mean…” She bit her lip, then met his gaze again. “I spent so long being scared of this. Of finding out. And now that I know…”
Draco waited, watching her carefully.
Y/N gave him a small, almost shy smile.
“I’m not scared anymore.”
Something tight settled in Draco’s chest at that.
He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good.”
Y/N shook her head. “You’re so smug about this.”
“Of course I am.” Draco smirked. “I was right.”
Y/N groaned, shoving him back. “I take it back. I am scared. Imagine being stuck with you for the rest of my life.”
Draco caught her wrist before she could move away, tugging her back to him. His voice was softer now.
“You will be, though.”
Y/N met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.
Draco tilted his head, smirking. “Stuck with me, I mean.”
Y/N scoffed. “Merlin help me.”
Draco just grinned. “Too late. You’re mine now.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. But she didn’t let go.
Suddenly, she asked “What if you find another girl?”
Draco blinked. Then he frowned. “What?”
Y/N bit her lip, looking away. “I mean… just because we have the soulmate mark, doesn’t mean you have to love me. What if—what if you meet someone else? Someone who isn’t me?”
Draco stared at her. Was she serious?
He let out a slow, exasperated sigh. “Y/N.”
She still wouldn’t look at him.
Draco reached out, gently tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. His voice was quieter now. “Do you really think that’s possible?”
Y/N hesitated. “I—I don’t know.”
Draco scoffed. “Of course you don’t. Because you’re an idiot.”
Y/N scowled. “Draco Lucius Malfoy—”
“I already love you, Nott,” Draco cut in, shaking his head.
“I’ve always loved you. Why do you think this is such a big deal to me?”
Y/N didn’t say anything.
Draco sighed again, softer this time. “You’re my best friend, yeah? The person I trust most in this entire bloody world.”
His fingers absentmindedly traced the inside of her wrist. “I don’t need a soulmate mark to tell me that. I knew before I ever saw it.”
Y/N’s lips parted slightly, her breath hitching.
Draco smirked. “And for the record, there is no other girl. There won’t be another girl. Because there’s only you.”
Y/N swallowed hard, her hands clenching slightly at his shirt. “Oh.”
Draco chuckled.
“Oh,” he mocked, raising a brow.
“That’s all you have to say?”
Y/N exhaled sharply, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, they were softer, warmer.
Then, without another word, she leaned up and kissed him.
It was quick, hesitant—like she wasn’t sure she was allowed.
But Draco wasn’t having that.
Before she could pull away, he cupped her face and kissed her back, properly, deepening it, telling her everything she needed to know without a single word.
When they finally parted, Y/N was breathless, eyes wide.
“You’re mine, Y/N. You always have been.”
Y/N let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Merlin, I can’t believe it had to glow for us to finally admit this.”
Draco grinned. “To be fair, you were very stubborn about it.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Shut up and kiss me again, Malfoy.”
Draco didn’t need to be told twice.
End.
