Drarry Oneshots (𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆)

Under My Skin

Top!Harry

Bottom!Draco

Author: PollyWeasley ( on ao3)

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It was September of 1999. Harry had his eighteenth birthday not long ago, but for whatever reason, he felt like he was eleven again, crossing the borders of Hogwarts for the first time after the War. He had gained weight after May of 1998, and he was taller and his muscles were showing. He was finally giving up his skinny and bony self to a more substantial build.

He still felt awkward, though. His hair was longer, almost shoulder-length, and he had it wrapped in a messy curly bun. His glasses were new, square and black-trimmed, and he was wearing new Hogwarts robes because his old ones were too small for his body now. He felt a bit less weird than when he was seventeen, but the awkwardness never really went away.

Hogwarts had been reformed in the past year, and all the students from the years 1997/1998 had called back to start their schooling properly. They would've lost a year from their school curriculum, but every student and their parents had agreed that those years didn't excel in the learning part. They were at Hogwarts to start again, with a proper, thorough education and no Death Eaters around.

Not all students came back, though. Some parents felt safer transferring their kids to other schools around the world, and others acquired permission from the Ministry to homeschool them.

They were finally all seated in their usual seats, and about 12 new students were going to be sorted this year. All the tables were a bit empty and a little bit grim. The Slytherin table was the one which was the emptiest between all four, and Harry felt the irrational urge to go and sit there, just so it looked less empty. He searched for known faces and found Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle. There was no sign of Malfoy, and maybe it was for the best, at least for now. Harry had spoken in his favour at the trials, telling them how Draco and Narcissa Malfoy had saved his life while he, Hermione and Ron were looking for the Horcrux. Luna also vouched for Draco, her speech soft but emotional.

Mrs Malfoy hugged them both after the trials. She cried when she mumbled 'I'm deeply sorry' while holding Harry's face. It was the face of a woman who was finally free.

Malfoy hugged Luna as well, and she whispered things in his ear. Things Harry didn't hear, and still was a bit curious about it. Malfoy looked even skinnier, paler, his eyes lacking life. He didn't look up to Harry, he didn't manage even to talk to him. Malfoy whispered in Luna's ear, and Luna looked back to Harry.

"He says he's grateful that you saved his life so many times. He doesn't feel worthy of talking to you." She made a face at that, and Harry shook his head.

"No, Malfoy, it's okay. You can talk to me, it's fine!" Harry tried to say, but Malfoy refused to look at him even after they were given their penalties: Community work in a muggle orphanage for a year, for Malfoy. And for Mrs Malfoy, community work in a muggle hospital for a year as well.

They accepted their punishment without a flinch and left. He knew Andromeda was taking care of them since their riches had been seized by the Ministry and Lucius Malfoy was sent indefinitely to Azkaban. However, every time Harry went to Andromeda's to visit baby Teddy, they were absent, although traces of their life were around the house. Draco's new potions books, Narcissa's knitting kit.

Harry came back to the present when the first Gryffindor student was sorted, and the people around him cheered. He started clapping before he knew what was going on, stretching his neck so he could see the small kid coming to the table. It was the smallest eleven-year-old girl Harry had ever seen. She had brown, fine hair and soft brown eyes, and she was shy when she sat at the table.