Drarry AI Oneshots

Fake It 'Til You Feel It

Draco Malfoy was not a fan of the holiday season. Not because of the festivities or decorations, but because of one person: Narcissa Malfoy.

"Darling," his mother had said, wearing that familiar, expectant smile that always made Draco's stomach twist. "You really must bring someone respectable to the Winter Gala this year. Someone... suitable."

Draco knew exactly what that meant: no excuses, no solo appearances, and most definitely no casual dates. It had to be someone the Malfoy name wouldn't wilt beside. And unfortunately, Draco's romantic prospects were... nonexistent.

That was how he found himself sitting at Harry Potter's desk in the Auror office, explaining his ridiculous plan to the one person mad enough to agree to it.

"So," Draco said, tapping his fingers nervously on the desk, "I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend."

Harry blinked, clearly taken aback. "What?"

"It's for the Winter Gala," Draco continued, avoiding Harry's gaze. "My mother's expecting me to show up with someone, and you-well, you're respectable enough."

Harry let out a soft laugh, leaning back in his chair. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Malfoy."

Draco scowled. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Potter."

Harry grinned, an infuriating twinkle in his green eyes. "Alright, I'll do it. But on one condition."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "What condition?"

"I get to choose our couple name." Harry's grin widened. "What do you think about 'Drarry'?"

Draco groaned. "Merlin help me."

The day of the Winter Gala arrived far too quickly for Draco's liking. As he adjusted his cufflinks and smoothed down the front of his tailored black robes, he could already hear the bustle of guests downstairs at Malfoy Manor.

"You ready?" Harry asked, stepping into the room, looking far too comfortable in his sleek dark-green dress robes. The color made his eyes even brighter, and Draco had to swallow hard before answering.

"Let's get this over with," Draco muttered, pretending he wasn't thinking about how devastatingly good Harry looked.

They descended the staircase together, arms brushing slightly, and Draco couldn't help but notice the warmth that radiated from Harry's presence. For the sake of appearances, he told himself.

The crowd turned toward them as they entered the ballroom, a murmur of whispers rippling through the guests. Draco felt Harry squeeze his arm lightly, a silent reassurance that made Draco's pulse stutter.

Narcissa Malfoy approached them almost immediately, her eyes sweeping over Harry with an approving glint.

"Mr. Potter," she greeted with a gracious nod. "It's lovely to see you again. Draco has mentioned you... often."

Harry shot Draco a sly look. "Has he now?"

Draco coughed, trying to ignore the heat rising in his cheeks. "Yes, well, Mother, you said you wanted someone respectable."

Harry gave a dazzling smile. "I aim to please."

Narcissa's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and for the first time in ages, Draco felt like he might actually survive this evening unscathed.

The night progressed surprisingly smoothly. Draco found that Harry was a natural at charming his way through conversations, effortlessly navigating the snobbish crowd while keeping his arm casually draped around Draco's waist.

Every time someone asked how they got together, Harry would smile and invent a different ridiculous story.

"We were paired together for an Auror mission," Harry would say, gazing fondly at Draco, "and, well, the rest is history."

Or: "Draco kept bringing me coffee every morning. It was only a matter of time."

Draco's laughter came more easily than he expected, the fake relationship starting to feel... less fake.

And that was dangerous.

Later that night, Draco excused himself from the crowd to catch his breath. He leaned against a column in the courtyard, the crisp night air cooling his flushed face.

"You okay?" Harry's voice came from behind him, soft and familiar.

Draco turned, his heart doing an uncomfortable flip at the sight of Harry standing there, hands in his pockets, looking at Draco like he actually cared. Like this wasn't just a performance for Narcissa's benefit.

"I'm fine," Draco muttered, though the words felt hollow.

Harry stepped closer, the space between them shrinking until Draco could feel the warmth of him again. "You know," Harry said quietly, "we're actually pretty good at this whole fake dating thing."

Draco huffed a laugh, though it sounded more like a sigh. "Too good."

Harry tilted his head, studying Draco with that annoyingly perceptive gaze. "What if..." he began, his voice hesitant, "it didn't have to be fake?"

Draco's breath caught in his throat. "What are you saying, Potter?"

Harry gave him a lopsided grin, the kind that always made Draco's stomach do strange things. "I'm saying maybe I've been faking a little less than I let on."

Draco stared at him, stunned. "You-?"

"I like you, Draco," Harry admitted, his voice soft but certain. "I have for a while. This whole fake-dating thing just gave me an excuse to finally be close to you."

Draco's heart raced, every part of him screaming that this was too good to be true. But when Harry took another step forward, close enough that their breaths mingled in the cool night air, Draco couldn't bring himself to pull away.

"And," Harry added with a playful glint in his eye, "I think you like me too."

Draco rolled his eyes, though the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. "You're insufferable."

"And yet," Harry murmured, leaning in slowly, "here you are."

Before Draco could come up with a witty retort, Harry kissed him-soft and slow, as if they had all the time in the world.

And for once, Draco didn't feel the need to argue. Because maybe, just maybe, this wasn't fake after all.