Drarry AI Oneshots

The Date That Wasn't (Part 2)

Harry stared at Draco, his expression a mix of disbelief and hurt. He crossed his arms, taking a small step back as if trying to create more distance between them.

"You wanted it to be real?" Harry repeated, his voice quiet, incredulous. "After lying to me about it from the beginning?"

Draco felt his chest tighten, the weight of his mistake pressing down on him. He wanted to fix this, to make Harry understand that things had changed, but the guilt was gnawing at him. "I know I messed up," Draco said, his voice soft, almost pleading. "I should've been honest from the start. But the truth is... after we spent time together, after the date—I didn't want it to end. I didn't want it to be a joke anymore."

Harry's eyes searched Draco's, still filled with doubt and hurt. "How am I supposed to believe that?"

Draco took a deep breath, his heart racing. "Because it's the truth. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I couldn't leave things like this. I care about you, Harry. And I didn't realize how much until it was too late."

Harry's face softened, but the hurt remained. He looked away, shaking his head. "You don't get it, Malfoy. I actually thought... I thought maybe for once someone liked me for me, not for who I am, not for what I've done. But it was just some stupid joke to you and your friends."

Draco flinched at Harry's words, feeling the sting of his own actions. "It wasn't like that. Not after—" He sighed, struggling to find the right words. "It stopped being a joke to me, Harry. I know it doesn't change what I did, but I didn't expect to... I didn't expect to actually like you."

Harry's expression shifted, the doubt in his eyes mingling with something else—something softer, but still guarded. He stayed silent for a long moment, staring down at his feet as if trying to process everything.

Finally, Harry let out a sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. "I don't know, Draco. I don't know what to think anymore."

Draco's heart clenched at the sound of Harry's voice, at the uncertainty in it. "I don't blame you if you hate me right now," Draco said quietly. "But I wanted you to know the truth. That it wasn't all fake. Not for me."

Harry looked up at him, his green eyes still full of uncertainty, but the hurt was starting to fade just a little. "You really mean that?"

Draco nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Yeah. I do."

The silence between them was heavy, but no longer filled with the same anger and pain as before. Harry seemed to be weighing something in his mind, his eyes flicking between Draco and the floor.

"I... need time," Harry finally said, his voice soft but steady. "I need time to figure this out."

Draco's heart sank, but he nodded, knowing it was the most he could hope for right now. "I understand."

Harry turned, taking a few steps back toward the common room entrance, but before he left, he glanced over his shoulder at Draco. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to talk."

Draco nodded again, his throat tight. "Take all the time you need."

And with that, Harry disappeared into the Gryffindor common room, leaving Draco standing alone in the corridor, the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him. He had hoped that by telling Harry the truth, he could somehow make things right. But now, all he could do was wait—and hope that, in time, Harry would find it in his heart to forgive him.

The next few days were agony for Draco. Every time he saw Harry in the halls or during meals, his chest tightened with guilt and anxiety. Harry wasn't avoiding him, exactly, but there was a clear distance between them—one that Draco didn't dare try to cross without Harry's permission.

Pansy and Blaise had noticed Draco's change in demeanor, and while Pansy initially made lighthearted comments about how their prank had gone awry, even she eventually stopped when she realized how genuinely upset Draco was.

"You really like him, don't you?" Pansy asked one evening as they sat together in the common room.

Draco didn't bother trying to deny it. "Yeah," he said quietly, staring into the fire. "I do."

Pansy sighed, her usual teasing smirk replaced with something more thoughtful. "I didn't think it would get this serious. You know, between you and Potter."

"Neither did I," Draco muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I should have never gone along with it."

Pansy patted his shoulder awkwardly. "For what it's worth, I think he'll come around. He liked you before all this, didn't he?"

Draco shook his head. "I don't know. I hope so."

It wasn't until a week later that Harry finally approached Draco again.

They were both walking toward the library when Harry appeared next to him, his steps quiet but purposeful. Draco's heart immediately started racing, but he kept his expression neutral, not wanting to pressure Harry into talking before he was ready.

"Hey," Harry said softly, glancing over at Draco.

"Hey," Draco replied, his voice just as quiet.

For a few moments, they walked in silence, the tension between them thick but not as heavy as it had been before. Draco could feel Harry weighing his words carefully, and he gave him the space to do so.

Finally, Harry stopped walking, turning to face Draco. "I've been thinking about what you said."

Draco nodded, his chest tightening. "And?"

Harry took a deep breath, his eyes softening as they met Draco's. "I was really hurt, Draco. I felt... humiliated. But... I believe you. About not wanting it to be a joke."

Draco's heart pounded in his chest, relief flooding him. "Thank you. I'm so sorry, Harry. I never wanted to hurt you."

Harry nodded slowly. "I know."

There was a long pause before Harry continued. "I don't know if I'm ready to jump back into things. I still need some time to process everything. But... maybe we could start over. You know, as friends. And see where things go."

Draco's breath caught, hope blooming in his chest. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Harry smiled, a small but genuine smile, and Draco felt something inside him loosen—the guilt, the fear, the anxiety. It wasn't all gone, but it was starting to fade.

"Let's just take it one step at a time," Harry said softly.

Draco nodded, his heart full. "One step at a time."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Draco felt like maybe—just maybe—things were going to be okay.

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