another drarry one-shot

Chapter Twenty-Three (and Other Distractions)

Draco was trying to read.

Specifically, he was trying to focus on Advanced Magical Theory, Vol. VII, which was painfully dull and unnecessarily verbose—but he had a paper due Monday and only half a page written.

He had just managed to get through a paragraph on Arithmantic resonance when—

"Hey, Draco?"

He didn't even look up. "No, Potter."

Harry hovered in the doorway of the shared common room, hair messier than usual, one sock half-off like he'd forgotten how walking worked. "I didn't ask anything yet."

"You don't have to. The answer is still no."

Harry shuffled forward and flopped onto the couch beside him, elbow knocking into Draco's notebook. "Okay, but—hypothetically—do you think gillyweed would work in a bathtub?"

Draco blinked. "Are you trying to drown?"

"It's for science."

"It's for stupidity."

Harry grinned, unfazed. "You're cute when you're mean."

Draco froze.

Harry didn't notice. He'd already moved on, now playing with the frayed edge of Draco's sleeve like he had every right.

"Potter," Draco said slowly, voice tight, "I'm trying to study."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Totally. One more thing though."

Draco shut the book with a snap. "If this is about exploding cauldrons again—"

"It's not. It's about... us."

Draco blinked. "Us?"

"You and me."

"We're not an us."

"Well," Harry said, scratching the back of his neck, "that's kind of what I was hoping to change."

Draco stared. "Are you—?"

"Confessing? Yes. Badly? Also yes."

There was a long silence. Draco's heart was thudding annoyingly loud in his chest.

Harry added, "I've been bothering you all day so you'd maybe notice I'm in love with you."

"You've been bothering me all year," Draco muttered.

"I have feelings, Draco!"

"You have no boundaries."

"I like you!"

Draco narrowed his eyes. "You chose now—when I'm wearing my worst jumper, my hair is a disaster, and I'm trying to write about magical oscillation—to declare your undying affection?"

"You always look good when you're annoyed," Harry said with a soft smile. "Like your whole face is trying not to blush."

Draco did blush, which only proved Harry's point.

"...Merlin," Draco muttered, dropping his forehead onto the back of his book. "You're unbearable."

"Maybe," Harry said, nudging his arm gently, "but you're still not kicking me out."

Draco peeked out from behind the book.

And then, very quietly, he said, "Fine."

Harry blinked. "Fine what?"

Draco closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine, Potter. You can take me to Hogsmeade next weekend. And maybe kiss me. If you stop interrupting me for five bloody minutes."

Harry was already beaming.

"You're the worst," Draco added, not quite meeting his eyes.

"I know," Harry said. "But I'm your worst now."

Draco groaned into his sleeve. "Kill me."

Harry leaned in, whispering against his temple, "Later. After the date." 

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