Drarry AI Oneshots

The One Thing Draco Can't Do

Draco Malfoy was many things-smart, confident, and infuriatingly composed. No matter the situation, he always managed to keep his cool, exuding that particular brand of pureblood arrogance that made everyone around him take notice. In their eighth year at Hogwarts, he had fully embraced his role as someone who could talk his way into or out of almost anything. Teachers respected him, fellow students admired him, and he never seemed to struggle with words.

Except when it came to Harry Potter.

For some reason, every single time Draco tried to ask Harry out, his usually smooth charm fell apart. And the more times he tried, the worse it seemed to get.

It all started after the Yule Ball announcement.

Draco had overheard Harry talking with Ron and Hermione about the upcoming dance in the Great Hall. Harry had mentioned, rather casually, that he didn't have anyone in mind to go with. And something in Draco's chest had tightened at the thought.

Now's your chance, Draco had told himself. Just ask him.

He had waited until Harry was leaving the hall, then caught up with him in the corridor. It had been the perfect opportunity-no one else around, just the two of them, casually walking together. Draco's heart had pounded in his chest, but he had kept his usual calm demeanor.

"So, Potter," Draco had begun, his voice light, "I heard you're still without a date for the Yule Ball."

Harry had glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, guess I am."

Draco had smiled, his confidence growing. This was it. He could do this.

"Well," Draco had said smoothly, "I was thinking that maybe you and I could-"

But then, out of nowhere, his voice had faltered. His mind had gone blank. All the carefully rehearsed lines, all the suave confidence he had planned to use-it had evaporated like mist in the sun.

"-uh, could, you know, go... together?"

Harry had blinked, clearly confused. "Go together?"

Draco had cursed himself inwardly, trying to salvage the situation. "As, um... friends," he had mumbled, his usual confidence completely gone. "You know, if you don't have anyone else."

Harry had shrugged, not thinking much of it. "Sure, Malfoy. I guess we could meet up there."

Draco had forced a smile, feeling like he had just botched the easiest chance in the world.

It didn't stop there.

Every time Draco tried to ask Harry out after that, something always went wrong. His usual composure seemed to abandon him whenever he was around Harry, leaving him fumbling for words like a nervous first-year.

Like the time in the library, for instance.

Draco had spotted Harry sitting at one of the tables, quietly reading a book. It had been the perfect moment. Draco had strolled up, confident as ever, ready to charm Harry into a date. But the moment he had opened his mouth to speak, everything had fallen apart.

"Hey, Potter," Draco had said, trying to sound casual. "I was wondering if you wanted to-"

Harry had looked up, his green eyes meeting Draco's, and suddenly Draco's brain had short-circuited.

"-um... do some... flying? I mean, on brooms? Together?"

Harry had stared at him for a second, clearly puzzled. "You want to go flying? With me?"

Draco had nodded, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. "Yes. Flying. It's, uh, a date. I mean-not a date! I mean, unless you want it to be?"

Harry had laughed, clearly amused. "Sure, Malfoy. We can go flying."

Draco had walked away that day feeling both triumphant and completely humiliated.

It happened again and again.

Every time Draco tried to gather his courage and ask Harry out, his usual charm deserted him. There was the time in Potions when he had tried to invite Harry for a drink at The Three Broomsticks, only to stammer out something about "getting butterbeer... sometime... if you're not busy... but no pressure."

And the time in the common room when Draco had planned to make a smooth comment about how good Harry looked that day, only to end up complimenting Harry's "neat shoes."

No matter what he did, Draco simply couldn't get the words out. It was infuriating. He was Draco Malfoy-he didn't fumble with words, and he certainly didn't get flustered around anyone. Except, apparently, when it came to Harry Potter.

One day, Draco decided he'd had enough. He couldn't keep making a fool of himself. He had to be direct, suave, and completely clear about his intentions.

He caught Harry in the courtyard between classes, his heart pounding but his mind determined. This was it. No stammering, no awkward comments. Just... ask him.

Harry glanced up as Draco approached, raising an eyebrow. "Malfoy?"

Draco took a deep breath, gathering all his confidence. "Potter," he said, his voice steady. "I need to ask you something."

Harry nodded, looking curious. "Go ahead."

Draco swallowed hard. "I've been trying to ask you this for weeks now, and I've... well, I've been less than successful."

Harry frowned slightly, clearly confused, but he waited for Draco to continue.

"So," Draco said, his voice growing quieter, "I was wondering if you'd... like to go to Hogsmeade with me. Not as friends this time. But, you know, as... a date."

There. He had said it. Finally.

Harry blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wait-what?"

Draco felt his face flush with embarrassment, but there was no turning back now. "I'm asking you out, Potter," Draco said, his voice a little sharper than he intended. "As in, romantically."

Harry stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable, and Draco's heart sank. He had blown it, hadn't he? He had been so awkward, so ridiculous, and now Harry was going to reject him.

But then, to Draco's astonishment, Harry smiled.

"You've been trying to ask me out?" Harry asked, his voice full of amusement.

Draco huffed, crossing his arms. "Yes, obviously. Did you think I just really wanted to fly brooms and talk about your shoes?"

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Honestly, I had no idea."

Draco stared at him, his heart still pounding. "So... what do you say?"

Harry's smile softened, and he took a small step closer to Draco, his green eyes bright with something that made Draco's pulse quicken.

"I say yes," Harry said quietly. "I'd love to go to Hogsmeade with you. As a date."

Draco's heart soared, and for once, he was at a complete loss for words. He had spent weeks fumbling through awkward attempts to ask Harry out, and now that it had finally happened, he didn't know what to say.

But for once, it didn't matter.

Harry grinned at Draco's stunned silence and nudged him playfully. "Come on, Malfoy. Aren't you supposed to be the suave one?"

Draco blinked, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I am," he said, his voice regaining some of its usual confidence. "Just not when it comes to you."

Harry's grin widened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice teasing. "Well, you've got plenty of time to work on that."

Draco's heart pounded in his chest, and for the first time in weeks, he didn't feel awkward or flustered. He just felt... happy.

Maybe being smooth wasn't the most important thing after all.

The End... or perhaps, just the beginning.