Drarry AI Oneshots

A Misunderstood Invitation

Harry Potter had done it. He'd asked Draco Malfoy to hang out.

It was supposed to be simple. After months of their tentative friendship growing during their eighth year at Hogwarts, Harry had thought it might be nice to spend some time together outside of the usual classroom and library settings. The idea had come to him during dinner in the Great Hall, when he'd noticed how Draco seemed a little more relaxed lately-less guarded, more approachable.

So, Harry had casually asked, "Hey, Malfoy, you want to hang out in Hogsmeade this weekend? Grab a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks?"

Draco had blinked in surprise but nodded after a moment, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Alright, Potter. Why not?"

It had felt like a win to Harry. He didn't think much of it-just a casual outing, no pressure. They'd been getting along, after all. But what Harry didn't realize was that to Draco, this simple invitation had a very different meaning.

Draco Malfoy was a planner. He wasn't one to leave things to chance, and when Harry Potter-Harry bloody Potter-had asked him to Hogsmeade for butterbeer, Draco had immediately interpreted it as something more than just a "hang out." After all, why else would Harry single him out for an afternoon together in Hogsmeade? Sure, they'd been getting along better this year, but asking someone to meet up outside of school was a big deal, wasn't it?

To Draco, it was obvious. Harry was asking him on a date.

Once he'd come to this conclusion, Draco had spent the rest of the week mentally preparing. He couldn't believe it had come to this, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Harry had been spending more time with him lately-partnering up for class, talking to him outside of lessons, offering small smiles across the common areas.

There had been moments-moments where Draco had thought maybe Harry was looking at him differently, maybe lingering a little longer when their eyes met. Draco hadn't been sure what to make of it at first, but this? This invitation to Hogsmeade was the confirmation he needed. Harry liked him.

And now, Draco had to prepare for what was surely a date.

By the time Saturday rolled around, Draco was a mixture of excitement and nerves. He had carefully selected his outfit-a crisp, tailored coat with silver detailing, paired with a green scarf that matched his eyes. Not too over-the-top, but just enough to make it clear that he was putting in effort. He wanted Harry to notice, after all.

As he approached the Hogsmeade gates, Draco couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. He had spent the last few days imagining how this "date" would go-how he might subtly flirt with Harry, how Harry might finally confess that he'd been harboring feelings for him all along. It was a far-fetched fantasy, maybe, but Draco couldn't deny that the idea thrilled him.

When he spotted Harry waiting by the gates, Draco's heart skipped a beat. Harry was dressed casually, in a warm-looking jacket and his Gryffindor scarf, but there was something about his easy smile that made Draco's chest tighten.

"Hey, Malfoy!" Harry greeted, his voice warm as he waved Draco over. "Ready for butterbeer?"

Draco smiled, doing his best to keep his cool. "Of course. You're looking... well, Potter."

Harry chuckled, clearly not reading into Draco's compliment the way Draco had hoped. "You too. Shall we?"

They made their way to The Three Broomsticks, and Draco found himself analyzing everything Harry said and did. Was Harry walking closer to him than usual? Did that smile mean something more? Every glance, every word felt loaded with possibility.