Chapter Text
"Potter, get lost," Draco urged. "I can handle this."
Lucius scoffed. "Handle me? That's not a nice way to talk to your father."
"Like he has any respect for you." Harry muttered under his breath.
As Lucius lunged towards Harry, Draco grabbed him by the arm. "Stop it!" He shouted, his voice desperate, as if trying one last time to prevent the inevitable.
"I think not." Lucius sneered, easily shrugging off his son's grip. He advanced over to Harry.
Without thinking, Draco cast his wand and aimed a Stupefy towards his father. The spell shot out, but Lucius was faster. He retaliated with a Blue Fire charm, a ring of searing flames erupting around him. The two spells collided with a crack, and Draco’s jet of light ricocheted off the flames, slamming into the stone wall behind. Draco hesitated. It was all the opening Lucius needed. With the swift flick of his wand, a vibrant pink light shot out at Draco. Draco staggered forward, balance lost as he crashed into the wall.
Harry sprinted toward Draco, his heart racing, and narrowly missed a Stupefy. He froze, waiting for a break in the onslaught, eyes locked on Lucius.
Lucius chuckled darkly. "Always keep an eye on your opponent."
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"I'm not sure. Should we see?" Another Stupefy was launched towards Harry, who deflected it with an Expelliarmus.
They exchanged spell after spell, each deflection bringing them no closer to an advantage. Neither was able to land a decisive blow.
"Do you even love your son?" Harry yelled, just barely blocking another curse with a Protego.
"Of course I do!"
"Then why are you hurting him?!" For a split second, Lucius paused, eye twitching as he launched a mighty Everte Statum. It hit Harry before he could react, and was violently flung backwards onto the ground. He winced as he tried to sit up.
"I'm keeping him safe."
"You just sent him flying across the room!" Harry shot back, struggling to sit upright.
"Look again," Lucius tched, lowering his wand and discreetly waving it towards Draco. "I thought you wore spectacles for a reason." They both looked towards Draco, who- although still unconscious- was surrounded by a faint, almost invisible shield that kept him from touching the wall.
"A pillow?" Lucius crossed his arms and glared at him. "But he's still unconscious right now!"
"Ever heard of a sleeping spell?"
"That still doesn't make up for what you did to him," Harry argued, voice rising.
"How would you know? As far as I know, you only got to know him two weeks ago. I would never hurt him."
"He's traumatised!" Lucius directed a warning shot that narrowly missed Harry’s shoulder.
"Enough chit-chat," he said, bringing his wand up again, fully prepared. "I still need to get rid of you."
"How is this keeping him safe?"
"I do everything for good reason."
"Well, homophobia isn't exactly a 'good reason'," Harry retorted. Before he could react further, a pulsing yellow rope lashed out and wrapped around his body.
"Don't ever call me that!"
Hogwarts, 1968
Lucius pushed the rubber duck away from his face with a flick of his hand. "But just look at it! It's so cute!" Arthur Weasley rambled excitedly, shoving another duck towards him.
Lucius wasn’t listening. His attention was fixed toward a a small group across the hallway; a Hufflepuff with his Slytherin friend. He focused on the Slytherin; the boy had striking jet-black hair that looked meticulously combed back, though a few strands rebelliously stuck out at odd angles. He was talking animatedly to his friend, gesturing wildly with his hands, clearly engrossed in whatever conversation they were having.
Lucius felt a warmth creep across his face as he stared at the boy who was completely unaware of his gaze.
"Hey! Were you even listening to my amazing speech about these rubber duckies?" Arthur pouted, clearly offended, and pulled out yet another duck from his pocket, waving it in front of Lucius's face.
"I was, I was."
---
Malfoy Manor, 1969
Lucius stood across from his father in the grand drawing room, his voice trembling with defiance. "But I don't love her! I’d be better off with a man, Father!"
What followed was a blur of rage and pain. Lucius could only recall fleeting moments—the sharp sting of his father’s slap across his cheek, the venomous words that echoed in his mind: ‘How wrong it is to be gay; it’ll taint the family line.’ And then, the overwhelming sense of isolation, his heart pounding as he desperately tried to block out the taunts, the slurs, the relentless attacks that followed.
---
Lucius winced at the harsh memories, his jaw tightening. His voice was low but threatening. "Something happened to Draco a while back. And I refuse to let it happen again!"
---
1989
Draco sat outside, absentmindedly picking the grass as he waited for his friend. When a messy-haired boy came running towards him, Draco’s face immediately lit up. Without hesitation, he hugged him and the two of them began speaking frantically over each other, excitedly recounting what they'd done during their brief time apart.
"This happened every day. They would meet up and play, chasing each other around the park or pretending to be a hero saving the world. Some days, it was a calm affair, where they would quietly talk about anything that came to mind while watching the clouds form unique shapes."
Narcissa brushed away some strands of hair covering Lucius's face and kissed him on his cheek. "They're so cute!"
"They really are."
"Or, that's what we thought. We found out that boy would often insult him, and even go as far as hurt him. Draco was still young, so he didn't know what love is and what isn't."
"You're just so childish!” The boy snapped at Draco. “Come on, we're basically adults, can't you pick a better game?"
"But I still want to play this!" Draco protested, his voice full of disappointment. The other boy's face twisted in anger, and with a sudden shove, Draco was sent sprawling to the ground. He quickly scrambled to his feet, offering a weak smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"I guess that's my fault. When we found out, we instantly cut off all contact with the boy."
Lucius’ voice was cold and harsh as he shouted, "Leave. Now!" The boy looked at Lucius and Draco, his eyes filled with confusion and something darker, and left with no goodbye.
"Wait! Come back! Please!" Draco shouted as his mother tried to console him, who was still bewildered, unaware of the real reason his friend had left so suddenly.
"Draco was upset, and he refused to talk to us for weeks."
Draco looked at his mother and father as he fidgeted with the jumper the boy had given to him. His only memory of his friend.
"Come on Draco darling," Narcissa said gently, crouching down to Draco's level. "Wouldn't it be better if we got you out of that and you had a nice bath? You've been wearing that thing for weeks." Her voice was tender but laced with concern for her son. Draco closed his eyes and turned away.
"Draco..." Lucius began, his voice breaking slightly. He hesitated, unsure of how to approach his son, but before he could find the words, Draco walked off.
"What have we done, Lucius?" Narcissa trembled, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. Lucius hugged her tight.
"Out of solutions, I cast the Oblivio spell on him."
Lucius stepped into Draco's playroom, his expression heavy with the weight of what he was about to do. The air seemed to still, thick with unspoken tension. Draco, oblivious to his father's turmoil, brightened and dashed toward him, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Dad, Dad! Are you here to play?" Draco shouted, his voice filled with uncontainable excitement.
Lucius forced a smile, but it faltered as he spoke. "I'm sorry son," Lucius whispered, the words as brittle as glass. Draco’s smile wavered, replaced by a look of confusion that deepened into shock. The wand in Lucius’s hand trembled as he muttered the Oblivio incantation. A faint glow encased Draco, and his eyes fluttered shut. Then, Draco blinked them open again, his face free of the storm of emotions that had just played across it. He beamed as if nothing had happened, and tugged his father to the box of toys.
"He lost all memory of the relationship he had with that boy."
"That bastard!" Harry burst out. He stepped closer, locking eyes with Lucius. "But I'm not like that boy."
Lucius sighed, the sound weary and worn. "I know you're not." He murmured. With a flick of his wand, the spell around Harry dissolved and the boy dropped to the floor with a muted thud. Lucius’s gaze followed him, his expression unreadable.
"Then why are you doing this?" Harry exclaimed as he rose.
Lucius’s eyes darted away. "I lied to Draco for half his life," he admitted, his voice weak. "If he ever learned the truth—he’d never forgive me."
Harry hesitated, choosing his words with care. "I think he would appreciate the truth if you told him it now."
Lucius’s head snapped up, his expression hardening in an instant. "Look Potter," he started. "You're a… good kid, and I don't want to hurt you. So tell Draco you don't like him, and we'll be done!"
Harry straightened, unflinching. "I won't."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, tense and fragile as glass. Then, without warning, Lucius raised his wand. His lips curled, his voice a whisper of regret. "Stupefy."
Harry ignored the throbbing ache in his skull and pushed himself upright. His vision swam for a moment, but he forced it to steady, just in time to see Lucius take two purposeful strides toward Draco. With surprising gentleness, Lucius knelt, scooped his unconscious son into his arms, and rose, his expression unreadable.
Harry lay back down, biting his tongue to distract himself from the pain radiating through his body. The sound of soft, unfamiliar footsteps reached his ears—deliberate, almost lazy, as they ascended the tower. Turning his head, Harry noticed the boy for the first time. He appeared close to Harry’s age, dressed in a tank top and a green jacket that looked like it had seen better days. His mousy brown hair was unruly, sticking up in odd directions, and his green eyes—darker than Harry's own—gleamed with a sharpness that bordered on cocky. The boy surveyed the room, his lips quirking into a faint smirk before he spoke.
"I think you still owe me an apology, Mr Malfoy."
Lucius, now standing stiffly, lowered Draco to the ground with deliberate care. His gaze shifted to the boy, cold and cutting. "Why are you here?"
The boy paused, clearly enjoying the situation. "Well, I believe I deserve a thank you!"
"What makes you think I would say thank you to the person who traumatised my son?"
The boy bristled but held his ground. "I didn't traumatise Draco-"
"Go home, Noah."
Noah? What a shit name.
The boy—Noah—didn’t budge. Instead, he squared his shoulders and raised his voice. "I came here to see Draco."
Lucius’ lips curled in disdain. "Well, you've seen him. Goodbye now! I only talk to people who are worth my time."
Wow, I'm worth his time!
Noah’s voice turned sharp. "I want Draco back.”
"He was never yours to begin with,” Lusius said icily.
Noah ignored the jab, spinning on his heel to point directly at Harry. "So, you’re Draco’s new boyfriend then?"
"Uhh..." Harry stumbled, his head still foggy from the Stupefy.
"He's not," Lucius clarified. "But if he were, it would be a massive upgrade from you."
Harry glanced between them, trying to make sense of the exchange. "Who are you?"
"That bastard we were talking about." Lucius supplied, the words laced with venom.
"So, you're him? I'm going to kill you."
“Yeah.” Noah tilted his head, flashing a lopsided grin. "Now, you killing me would be a cool way to die, but I'll pass."
Harry’s fists clenched, but before he could respond, Lucius cut in. "What do you want?"
Noah leaned against the wall, his smirk widening. "Remember that picture from an anonymous person?"
"The one with Draco and I kissing?"
"That’s the one. Now, Lucius, you said you would repay a favour to that person."
Lucius stiffened, the realization hitting him like a curse. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "It was you?"
Noah’s grin widened, like a cat toying with a cornered mouse. “Bingo!”
“You stalked us?” Harry cut in.
“Eh, I'd say I was stalking Draco.”His dark green eyes flicked to Harry, looking him over dismissively. “You're not really my type.”
Harry grit his teeth, forcing himself to stay quiet as Lucius turned to Noah, his voice edged with irritation. “Don’t tell me your favor is to-”
“Have your blessing to marry Draco!”
“What? Marry?” Lucius and Harry exclaimed in unison, their voices overlapping.
“Yep.” Noah crossed his arms, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“Absolutely not.” Lucius’s face twisted in incredulity. “Noah, where are your parents?”
Noah’s grin lessened. “You can't find them.” After seeing Lucius' confusion, he added, “I've tried for six years. They're just… gone.”
Lucius’ gaze hardened. “Is that why you hurt Draco?”
For the first time, Noah didn’t have a quip ready. He held Lucius’s gaze, unflinching, his silence saying more than words could.
“You should've told us.” Lucius lightly reprimanded. “We would've helped-”
“Would you though?” Noah snapped, his voice suddenly sharp. He scoffed bitterly. “Or would you leave like everyone else?”
A weak voice shattered the stillness. “W-what’s going on?” All three of them turned, their attention snapping to Draco as he stirred, propping himself up against the wall. “Who… who are-”
“Draco.” Noah’s tone softened instantly, a smile spreading across his face. I missed you.”
Draco squinted. “Why are you so familiar?”
Lucius stiffened, the faint panic in his expression betraying his usual composure. Before he could intervene, Noah leaned forward, answering Draco’s question with a smile far too confident for the situation. “I'm the handsome boy that used to hang out with you six years ago.”
Draco frowned, his head tilting slightly as he tried to place the memory. “No… not familiar.”
Harry shot Lucius an encouraging look.
“This is the kid that used to cry when he saw cheese.”
“Noah?!” Draco blurted, his voice pitching higher than he intended.
“Still hate cheese,” Noah said with a shudder, looking visibly nauseated at the very thought.
“Wait. Why am I only remembering this now?”
Noah tilted his head and pointed towards Lucius. “How about you ask your father over there?”
Draco quickly turned to Lucius. “Father?”
Lucius sighed heavily. “Six years ago, I used an Oblivio spell on you to make you forget Noah.” He ignored Draco's sputtering protests. “Although apparently my charms still need practice since you still remember him.”
Draco stared at him, his voice dropping into something quieter, more fragile. “Why would you do that?”
Lucius hesitated, his mask of composure cracking. “It was for your own good. He was hurting you.”
“I understand that!” Draco replied, his voice trembling with suppressed frustration. “But why didn't you tell me afterwards?”
Lucius shifted uncomfortably but didn’t look away. “You would just go back to Noah.”
“No I wouldn't.”
“Ouch.” Noah placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be wounded. “Way to bruise my ego, Draco.”
“I was only trying to help!” “I was only trying to help,” Lucius insisted, his tone edging toward defensiveness.
“Well,” Draco said bitterly, his voice rising, “thanks for lying to me for half my life.”
“Draco…” Lucius said, only a mere whisper as he acknowledged what his son thought of him.
Draco continued on. “Now you, Noah. Why are you here?”
Noah blushed lightly. “For you.”
“Excuse me?” Harry cut in. “Draco has made it clear that he doesn't like you.”
“No he hasn't.”
Harry turned to Draco. “Well? Do you like him?”
“Uh, no. I-I don't thin-”
Harry crossed his arms. “There. Now he has.”
“You forced that out of him!”
“No I didn't-”
“Enough!” Draco yelled, surprising the other two boys enough to quieten them. Draco cleared his throat. “Noah. I don't like you. I like another person.” Draco blushed. “So leave.”
“I'm not leaving this place without you.” In a flash, Noah grabbed his wand and shot a spell at Draco. Before it hit him, Harry managed to deflect it away with his own spell.
Noah glared at Harry, who only grinned at his annoyance. With a sharp inhale, Noah raised his wand again and fired off multiple spells towards Harry. Each one was effortlessly redirected, crackling into harmless sparks against the walls.
“Stop it!” Draco started to run towards them but was grabbed. “Father-”
Lucius said sharply, his arms crossed as though the fight was a minor inconvenience. He made no move to intervene, his gaze fixed on the ongoing duel. Draco scowled, trying to shake off Lucius's grip, but his attention was ripped back to the clash just as Noah cast a vicious Stupefy. The spell struck Harry square in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Potter!" Draco jerked his arm free, rushing to Harry’s side. He dropped to his knees next to the unconscious boy, his heart pounding as he noticed the thin trickle of blood running from Harry's temple. “Potter…”
Harry groaned and opened his eyes. “What?” His voice was hoarse as he tried to move, wincing when his head turned toward Draco.
“Oh thank Merlin-”
“Behind you!” Harry yelled, now more conscious than he was a few seconds prior. Draco turned just as Noah shot a spell his way, but before the spell could hit, Lucius stepped forward, wand raised as he fired a Protego. The Expelliarmus bounced harmlessly off the shimmering barrier, crackling into the air before fizzling out. Lucius's lips curled into a frown as he flicked his wand again. "Stupefy!" Noah barely had time to react before the spell slammed into him, hurling him backward, knocking him out.
"Draco! Are you hurt?" Lucius’s usual detached demeanor cracked as he hurried over, delicately holding Draco by the shoulders to look him over.
"I’m fine!" Draco snapped, glancing nervously back at Harry. "Father, get help!"
Lucius hesitated for only a moment, then straightened, his expression hardening as he pivoted toward the trapdoor. "Right." His footsteps echoed against the stone floor as he disappeared down the tower, his silver hair trailing behind him.
“Draco, I'm fine. Just a bit of bleeding.”
“YOUR HEAD IS CRACKED OPEN!”
Harry grinned through the pain. “I'm a crackhead.”
Draco groaned, dragging his hand through his hair. “You're literally dying. Am I the only one finding this weird?”
“Seriously. I'm fine.” Harry said softly. He pushed himself up, wincing but managing to sit upright. His green eyes locked on Draco’s. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Draco’s lips parted like he wanted to argue, but instead, he looked away with a heavy sigh.
“Fine. But since when am I Draco to you?” The playful banter evaporated, leaving a sudden silence between them.
Harry's voice was low, almost a whisper. “Since we kissed.”
Draco stiffened, the words cutting through the tension like a spell. He forced a bitter and hollow laugh. "Yeah, well… a lot’s happened since then.”
Harry glanced over to the unconscious boy. “What are you going to do with Noah?”
“Talk to him civilly and not try to kill each other.” Draco said with a sigh.
“But I do want to kill him! He hurt you.”
Draco shook his head. “He probably has a good reason-”
“Nothing justifies hurting another person unless he was protecting you.” Harry interrupted firmly.
Draco’s voice softened, his eyes lowering. "But I also hurt you," he whispered.
Harry smiled faintly, reaching out to run his fingers through the ends of Draco's hair. "You've changed. I mean... here we are, talking right now."
"And with your head cracked open," Draco muttered, glancing toward the trapdoor Lucius had disappeared through. His voice rose with irritation. "And what is taking my father so bloody long to get back?!"
Harry chuckled, trying to deflect. "Are you going to forgive him?"
Draco’s expression darkened, his voice quieter now. "He should’ve told me sooner."
"You should talk to him," Harry said gently.
"I will," Draco said with a decisive nod, leaning forward on his knees. Then, more softly, "But he isn’t my priority right now." His cheeks turned pink as he added, "You are." Harry blinked in surprise as Draco leaned in and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to his lips. Harry returned it, a warmth blooming between them.
Draco was the first to break the moment, groaning in annoyance.. “I just realised how cheesy that line was.”
“Very cheesy,” Harry agreed, still dazed.
Before Draco could respond, the trapdoor creaked open, and Lucius returned.
"Alright, I’m back," Lucius announced. "All I could find was—"
"Snape?" Draco blurted, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Snape stood in the doorway, looking thoroughly unimpressed, his arms folded as he glanced between the two boys. "You owe me for this, Lucius," he said icily.
Draco’s eyes narrowed, and he shot Snape a glare. "Just help Potter!"
Snape crossed his arms, his expression sour as ever. “I deserve a drink,” he muttered to Lucius as they lingered outside the Hospital Wing.
“I'll buy you a drink later,” Lucius replied, though his tone suggested he wasn't looking forward to it.
The sound of hurried footsteps broke their conversation. Draco and Harry came running down the hallway, slightly out of breath. "We found Harry’s glasses," Draco said, holding them up like a trophy and giving them back to Harry before glancing at the adults. "How’s Noah?"
“He regained some consciousness,” Shape said flatly. “But he can't move because someone shot a paralysing spell at him.”
Lucius raised an eyebrow at the pointed look Snape sent his way. "I merely repelled his spell," Lucius clarified.
Snape’s teeth clenched, and for a moment, it looked like the two men might start a fight.
Draco quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. "How about I go and talk to Noah?"
Harry frowned, stepping forward. “I'll come with you.”
Draco shook his head. “I think this would be better if it was just the two of us.”
“But what if he hurts you?”
Snape and Lucius both stifled a laugh, their expressions caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. Draco rolled his eyes. "Harry, he’s paralysed. He can't do anything."
“Don’t tell me Potter's jealous.” Lucius said incredulously.
"I’m not!" Harry shot back, though the flush creeping up his cheeks said otherwise.
Snape’s drawling voice cut through the banter. "Mr. Potter, I believe you still have some obligations to attend to."
Harry blinked. “I do?”
"Informing your friends of your whereabouts would be a good start," Snape said dryly.
"Oh… right."
Draco gave Harry a reassuring look. "Just come back afterward, okay?"
Harry hesitated but finally nodded. "Alright then." He turned on his heel and started toward Gryffindor Tower, glancing back once before disappearing around the corner.
The sound of his retreating footsteps had barely faded when Snape spoke again. "His mother wasn’t this clingy," he muttered, voice laced with disdain. "I’d wager he gets that from his father."
Lucius rolled his eyes, clearly done with the conversation. "Alright, let’s get that drink," he said briskly, grabbing Snape’s wrist and dragging him down the hall. Whatever sharp comment Snape had been preparing was cut off, though his scowl remained firmly in place. Lucius, for his part, seemed determined not to let him continue badmouthing the Potters.
Draco watched Lucius and Snape disappear down the hall before turning and stepping into the Hospital Wing. The air was still, heavy with the faint scent of antiseptic. His eyes immediately fell on Noah, lying on the nearest bed, his face pale but alert.
“Noah-”
"I’m so sorry!" Noah blurted out, cutting him off.
Draco blinked, startled by the outburst. "Okay," he said slowly, not quite sure how to respond. "What did you and Snape talk about? And... what happened to the jerk Noah I used to know?"
Noah gave a weak, humorless laugh, looking down at his hands. "It’s not really about Snape." He hesitated, shifting uncomfortably before continuing. "I realized how stupid I’ve been. I’ve spent years blaming you for things that weren’t your fault. And I know saying sorry six years later doesn’t fix any of it, but... I am sorry. For everything."
Draco stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he said, "It’s okay, Noah. I forgive you."
Noah’s eyes widened in disbelief. "After everything?" he whispered, his voice almost breaking.
"Yes," Draco said firmly. "After everything."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Noah’s breathing hitched slightly, his gaze dropping as he struggled to process Draco’s words. Draco, meanwhile, stood still, watching him with a calm but steady intensity.
"Thank you," Noah finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“But,” Draco began, his voice light yet firm. “I'm still going to date Harry.”
Noah smiled, his face softening. “I figured that out. He likes you- I can tell by the way he looks at you.”
Draco ignored the growing heat creeping up his neck. "So what, you’re a love expert now?" he retorted, though his voice lacked bite.
Noah grinned. “I don't know what I'm going to do next so that wouldn't be a bad idea.”
Draco smirked, but changed the subject. “I heard Snape agreed to help you find your parents.”
Noah nodded, his grin fading into something more serious. “He's going to try. I'm allowed to stay at his place for the time being.”
"Wow," Draco said, raising an eyebrow. "That’s… uncharacteristically generous of him."
"He seems nice," Noah said simply, then added with a sly grin, "Though I think there’s a little favoritism at play here."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Snape? Playing favorites? Shocking."
Noah chuckled before waving Draco away in mock annoyance. “Anyway, you should get going now. You're ruining my recovery.”
“Am I that annoying?” Draco asked, feigning offense.
“I need to sleep, because you know…” he gestured to his body.
Draco snorted but took a step back. “Alright then.”
Noah shifted forward, trying to ease himself down onto the bed. However, his legs didn’t cooperate.
“Need some help?”
“I'm not a kid.” His face shifted through a range of emotions—determination, frustration, and finally, a reluctant flush of embarrassment. "Can you… help me lay down?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Draco sniggered, stepping back to the bed. "Not a kid, huh?"
"Don’t push it," Noah snapped, though his red ears betrayed him.
Still grinning, Draco grabbed Noah’s legs and shifted him gently down the bed, ignoring the boy’s loud, half-hearted protests. "There. All set. Do you need a kiss on the head too?" He joked.
Noah flopped onto the pillow with a groan, his voice muffled. "Tell Potter I’ll beat his arse later."
Draco laughed as he turned to leave. "Goodnight, Noah."
When Draco closed the door to the Hospital Wing, he froze. Lucius was waiting for him just outside, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Draco,” Lucius said, his voice unusually soft.
Draco stiffened. “Yes father?”
Lucius hesitated, the faintest flicker of discomfort crossing his face. Then, bluntly, he said, "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have used that spell on you."
Draco blinked, startled by the admission. "No. You should’ve," he said after a moment. Lucius raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the response. Draco looked into his father's eyes, his voice steadier. “Or else who knows how long I would've stayed mad.” Lucius’s expression softened, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Draco continued, his words picking up pace as though he needed to get them out. "But I still wish you’d told me sooner. So I wouldn’t have said those things about you. So I could’ve just... been with Harry."
“There's a chance now.”
Draco's eyes widened. “You're letting me-”
“It's the least I can do,” Lucius interrupted. “He's a nice enough boy-” Lucius groaned in mild discomfort as Draco slammed into him, wrapping his arms around his neck.
“Thank you,” Draco mumbled from his father's neck. For a moment, Lucius froze, caught off guard by the sudden gesture. Then, slowly, he let his arms come up to return the hug. It was hesitant at first, but as Draco clung tighter, Lucius allowed himself to hold his son properly, a genuine smile breaking through his usually composed expression.
When the hug broke, Lucius rested his hands on Draco’s shoulders, his voice low but gentle. "Now go. He’s waiting for you."
Draco nodded, his face flushed, and quickly turned down the corridor, where Harry was waiting at the end of the hallway, his smile lighting up the dim space.
“Is everything resolved then?” Harry asked, cautious but hopeful.
“Yes,” Draco replied with a small nod. “But let's not talk about that right now.”
“Right.” Harry shifted his weight as he fiddled absentmindedly with his glasses. “So what are you going to do now?”
Draco tilted his head, putting a hand under his chin in mock thoughtfulness. "Hmm. I think I’ll start by getting into a relationship with a four-eyed dork."
Harry froze, his fingers still on the bridge of his glasses. "Is that… a compliment?"
“Yep,” Draco smirked.
Harry's face flushed as he cleared his throat. “So… will you be my boyfriend?”
Draco raised an eyebrow, feigning exasperation. “We've kissed three times, and you're calling me your boyfriend just now ?”
Harry rolled his eyes and gave Draco a playful shove on the arm. "Well, I’m asking now, aren’t I?"
Draco chuckled, leaning closer. "Yes, Potter, I’ll be your boyfriend," he said with a grin.
Harry couldn't help but smile back. “Let's make that four kisses,” he murmured, stepping closer.
Draco didn’t wait for Harry to close the distance. Instead, he leaned in and kissed him, sealing the moment with a soft, lingering press of his lips. When they pulled apart, Harry was grinning like an idiot, and Draco, for once, didn’t mind.