#23 days of harry

[xx-thedarklord-xx]

Please Want Me

The public gushes over their darling relationship, and Harry wants to as well, only it's not real. What they have is fake, and fleeting. It never lasts longer than a night on the dance floor as they pretend to be in love. Except for Harry it's not pretend. It is real. He just wishes that Draco wanted him too.

Some Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Getting Together, Yule Ball, Ministry Yule Ball, Harry Hates Reporters, Gets Sassy

Ao3

Gifted to @brainrot-has-overtaken-me for their lovely prompt and being sooo sweet

[ducky1783]

Day 23 of the HPRecFest part 1

A soulmate fic

@hprecfest

[aprocessionofthoughts]

Exchange Students

ectoberhaunt2023 day 23- magic fandom- Harry Potter crossover TW- none summary- Harry, Hermione, and Ron visit the strangest wizarding school in America

ao3 masterlist

Harry wasn’t sure why they had agreed to this. Sure, it had sounded fun and interesting, but now they were in America and were going to be going to what had to be one of the strangest magic schools in the world. 

Most people would probably consider it normal. And sure, from a  muggle standpoint it was. But that’s what made it so strange for a wizarding school.

It looked like a normal high school. There was even functioning electricity! Harry wondered how they had managed that since magic and tech didn’t work well together.

At the front door they were met by an older woman who Harry assumed was the headmaster.

“Hello, I’m Principle Ishiyama. Welcome to Casper High.”

“Thank you for having us.” Hermoine replied.

“Yeah, thanks.” Ron said.

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your home rooms.” They followed her into the building, and yup, htis definitely just looked like a regular high school. “I know this must be very different than Hogwarts, but since Amity is already a magic heavy town it didn’t really make sense to send the kids to a boarding school.”

“Is it true that squibs go to this school too?” asked Hermione. 

The principal tensed but replied with a smile. “Yes, we welcome all kinds of pupils here. Though I have to ask that you refrain from using that offensive term. All Amity Parkers know about magic and we consider it important to teach them the principles. However, since Casper High caters to a more diverse student group, we also teach all the regular classes. Classes rotate between muggle and magical with students placed into the ones that will help cultivate their talents yet at the same time give them a taste of everything. It’s important to have a well rounded education. Now, about your schedules. We’ve done our best to match you up with classes that you were already taking though I’m afraid you’ll also be required to take some muggle classes as well. However, there was one class for which you’ll have to choose a replacement.”

“Which one, miss?”

“Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

“You don’t teach Defense Against the Dark Arts!” Hermione said scandalized.

“We teach similar classes but nothing quite the same. So, I have a few different options you can choose from. First there's a class on blood magic.”

“Isn’t that illegal?” Harry asked.

“Not in the states.”

“But–”

The principal sighed. “It’s only if you’re using someone else’s unwillingly given blood. But if that makes you uncomfortable you can take Spiritual Connections.”

“What’s that?” Ron asked.

“Its a study on temporarily imbuing an object with part of your spirit.”

Harry’s cringed, his mind jumping to horcruxes.

“And if neither of those sound appealing, you can also take beginners Necromancy.”

“Ummm…”

The principal sighed again. “I suppose you can take a History of Dark Arts Through the Ages. Though that one isn’t hands on.”

“We’ll do that.” Harry said.

------------

Thankfully today had been a muggle studies day so all their classes were pretty normal. Well, except for Ron who had never taken a math class beyond basic arithmetics.

They were sitting at lunch when three students approached them.

“Hello, I’m Danny and these are Sam and Tucker. We were curious about how things worked at, where is it you attend? Hogwash?”

“Hogwarts.”

The boy, Tucker, snorted. “Sorry, that's just such a silly name.”

“And Casper is any better?” asked Hermione.

“True.” Danny answered.

“Is it true you don’t have any technology?” Tucker asked.

“Tech doesn’t work with magic.” Hermione answered.

Tuckers furrows browed. “Yes it does. My phone works fine. You just have to imbue the object with some of your spirit.”

“But that sounds terrible. Isn’t that like giving up part of your soul?” Harry asked.

“No? It's just like sharing your magic. It's what I study, magic and tech.”

“What about you?” Hermione asked, turning toward Sam.

“Magical biology and runeology. I focus on plants and their properties as well as rune blood magic.”

“But–” Ron started but Harry elbowed him. 

“Look, it's very simple.” Sam took a piece of chalk out of her pocket and drew a circle with a rune inside it on the table. Then she reached into her pocket again, took out a needle and pricked her finger before placing it on the run. It glowed briefly before a flower sprouted up.

“See.”

“But you’re still using blood.”

Sam opened her mouth but Danny interrupted. “Sam, you can’t blame them. That’s just what they’ve been taught.”

She sighed. “I suppose. Their education is controlled by an old white man who wears a bathrobe.”

“But Dumbledore's incredible! He defeated Grindelwald.”

“Maybe, but he refuses to meet with our magical president because he says that Americans are backwards and that we must adhere to his rules before he’ll speak with us. I mean, isn’t your school still illuminated by candlelight? He won’t even let you use electricity.”

“Sam, that's probably enough.” Danny said.

They were all silent for a moment before Harry turned to Danny, “So, what do you study?”

“Necromancy.”

“What!” Hermione squeaked.

“Yeah, I’m naturally inclined since its what my parents studied, and then I was in an accident and I became even closer to the spiritual world. I can temporarily call up ghosts and interact with the ones already present. You've got ghosts at Hogwarts, right?”

“Yes.”

“Oh! I can also separate from my own spirit, like this.”

Danny closed his eyes and a moment later a ghost appeared next to him. He looked like Danny except with white hair and green eyes. Both Danny’s grinned at him.

“I’m not sure how I really feel about all this.” Hermione said.

Danny shrugged. “Welcome to Amity Park.”

[gucciforasushirestaurant]

🎄⛄Kinkmas 2023 Daily Poll ⛄🎄

here is the masterlist to kinkmas so far! let me know what you think and feel free to send in a request for a blurb! it can be themed or not, but i will be doing blurb nights for a few hours on days that aren't due for a big fic.

anway i know we aren't due for a poll for a day or two but there is a method to my madness!

So as always below are some educational links to kinks if your unsure about what to vote for!

- Forced Orgasm/Overstimulation

- Toys

- Threesome; (if this one wins, I’m going to need an extra day or two of voting for who the third will be 😉)

- Food Play; (won’t be anything too messy i swear)

- Role Play

[chaoticfandomthings]

This is what marauders tiktok is freaking out about today🥺

[sweeethinny]

Hinny Fest - Day 23

Kiss Cam - day twenty three

not my favorite, but in my 'single (not more single) mum' AU that i really love it!!!!

@hinnyfest

Harry had taken Ginny to the baseball game, and that was a scary thing.

James had managed to help him buy tickets, this was the most important game of the season, and even that wasn't making Harry as nervous as the possibility of kissing the girl he liked for the first time that night.

He took advantage of the fact that his mother was traveling to a college conference with her students, since that way he avoided that embarrassing moment of her seeing him get ready for a date. Okay, James was there, but he had taken on a very silent role all day, and when he offered the two a ride — he was going to the game too, but he promised he would be sitting across the stadium and would only go because he had already bought the tickets—didn't make any double meaning jokes or anything like that.

Harry continued to shake his leg, watching as Ginny drank more of the soda they had bought. ''This game is going to kill us with anxiety,'' She said, looking at him with a big smile. ''Barney needs to make his best move of a lifetime right now.''

He nodded, even though he wasn't even looking at the field. ''Yea.''

The game break began, and as he tried to look for things to talk about with Ginny, Harry stared absently at the big screen, pressing his sweaty hands to his knees.

To his dismay, a big ''kiss cam!'' appeared, and soon, the camera was being pointed at several couples who were kissing, laughing, holding up signs saying that they were not couples but friends... Holy shit!

'Oh, I love it!' Ginny said, and all Harry could think was that at any moment he was going to freak out. It was a lot of pressure on one man, it was totally unfair! When he looked from her to the screen, he saw himself in high resolution, listening to the screams and whistles coming from the audience. He looked at Ginny, feeling his cheeks burn; would them have their first kiss in front of a camera and for thousands of people to see?!

Well, Ginny thought so, because she immediately grabbed his face and pressed her lips to his, as if this was the cue she'd been waiting for all along.

If he was embarrassed by his mother and stepfather to see him getting ready for a date, Harry thought he now had much bigger problems, like being seen making out with the girl he liked.

[dhrmonth]

Day 23 - Voldemort Wins AU

[hprecfest]

DAY 23 RECS FROM DREAMWIDTH & ELSEWHERE

Red Strings (6,018 words) by emeraldlove

Harry Potter/Severus Snape ||

Their magic is vibrantly red and brilliant. She just not sure what to make of Harry Potter and Professor Snape being soulmates and what it means for the wizarding world. Outsider POV.

Soulmate Flowers (4,467 words) by Lilian

Harry Potter/Severus Snape ||

Whenever your soulmate touches you, flowers bloom on your skin. Snarry.

Finders Keepers (7,325 words) by Lilian

Harry Potter/Severus Snape ||

Soulmate AU from tumblr @the-rotten-prince: Imagine whenever you lose something, your soulmate winds up finding it. Severus Snape doesn't find a single thing until he's twenty. By that time, he has given up and ignores a young boy, when he arrives at Hogwarts.

[digthewriter]

Prompt V—Knitted Stockings on the Mantel for slythindor100 and "silent" for newyearcntdown 2022.

Back from another mission (AO3)

It was Christmas Eve; Draco thought he was gonna be alone for the evening. Harry was gone for yet another mission, damn the Ministry and the DMLE, and even though he had plans with his family for Christmas morning and invited to Christmas dinner at the Burrow, there was something sad about spending the evening alone by the fire.

But it wasn't long until Harry showed up. "I just left," he'd said. "I missed you."

Draco grabbed Harry, in his ridiculous Santa outfit, and began to undress him. They fell on the sofa; soon his evening took a great turn.

[andithiel]

Flufftober day 23 - POV Outsider

Finally, my last submission for @flufftober ! Only a month late! I had a lot of fun with this, I've really missed writing Scorbus. Thank you to @crazybutgood for the amazing beta and sensitivity reading. This got a bit longer, a little over 1k, so I put it under a cut. Featuring "didn't know they were dating" Scorbus and exasperated Lily Luna and James Sirius.

“So, what do you think?” Albus looks uncharacteristically radiant; Even if he’s got his hands deep into his pockets in his usual introverted way, there’s a light flush on the tops of his cheeks. Lily gives him a warm smile.

“It’s really nice, Al. It’s just how I’d imagine your and Scorpius’ flat to be.”

Albus’ shoulders sag a fraction, and the way he sinks deeper into his worn chintz armchair makes James realise he was really nervous about their opinion. He can’t really say anything more, he’s not that into home decoration, but he adds, “I bet Scorpius was in charge of organising,” just to have something to say.

“Yeah,” Albus sighs wistfully, his eyes going soft. “We’d probably never be finished if he hadn’t.”

“Oh, Teddy sends his love, by the way. He’s really sorry he couldn’t make it,” James says, and Albus gives a tiny nod of acknowledgement.

“Well, at least that makes me feel less like a fifth wheel since I’m the only one who’s not a part of a couple,” Lily says with a laugh, and James pokes her in the ribs out of habit.

“What do you mean?” Albus says, making both James and Lily pause in their tickle fight to stare at him. At least Lily looks as shocked as James feels.

“I mean…” Lily starts tentatively after a few seconds. “James and Teddy. And you and Scorp.”

“What?” Albus snorts. “Scorpius and I aren’t together.” 

He chuckles to himself, as if the mere idea of the two of them being a couple would be ridiculous. Lily turns to James, her eyes wide. 

“But… you’re living together,” James says stupidly. It’s frankly the only thing he can think of because he feels as if someone just told him that the sky is green.

“Yeah. Because we’re flatmates.” Albus gives him that look, the one like he can’t believe James could be this thick and still have enough brain power to breathe.

“You have one bedroom,” Lily tries, but Albus just rolls his eyes at her.

“So we can have the spare room as a potions lab!”

“This one bedroom only has one bed!” James says, thinking that this must finally shut his brother up and make him see reason.

“We always end up in the same bed, anyway. Might as well save the money and the space.”

James turns to Lily, who looks just as desperately confused as he feels. Albus and Scorpius have been together since the dawn of time, they’re one of the few things James knows he can always count on: the sun sets in the west; we’re all going to die some day; Albus and Scorpius love each other, always have and always will. He hasn’t been wrong all this time, has he?

Neither he nor Lily have any time to think of any new arguments before Scorpius enters the room, carrying a tray with tea and scones.

“Sorry it took me so long,” he says and sets the tray down on the table. “What are you guys talking about?” He plops down across Albus’ lap, slings one arm around Albus’ neck and tucks his other hand inside Albus’ flannel shirt.

“Lily and James think we’re together.”

Scorpius jerks up with an incredulous laugh. “What?! That’s ridiculous!” He keeps giggling while he snuggles in closer to Albus, burying his face in the crook of his neck.

“You are literally cuddling right now!” James starts to feel as if he’s reached the end of his wit. What the fuck is going on? “There is a perfectly nice looking, empty, armchair right beside you, and Scorpius decided to sit on your lap to cuddle!”

“Yeah, but we always do!” Albus says as if James really is unbelievably daft. “We always have!”

“Honestly, these two,” Albus says to Scorpius, while Scorpius giggles in response and melts impossible closer to him. 

James turns to Lily again, but she keeps looking at her brother and his supposedly-not-boyfriend, a dangerous glint in her eyes. James knows that glint, over the years he’s learned to fear it, and he’s extremely happy it’s not aimed at him right now.

“Well, boys,” she says in a dangerously sweet voice that makes both Albus and Scorpius stop whatever the hell it is they’re doing and turn their attention to her.

Albus clears his throat awkwardly. “Um, what?”

“Well, if the two of you really aren’t together, I have a friend who’s really interested in Scorpius, and has been for some time now. But, since I’ve always assumed the two of you are together, my answer has always been that he’s taken. But if that’s not the case…”

Albus and Scorpius both freeze; Scorpius' hand is still on Albus’ chest, but it’s perfectly still.

“I’m… I’m not really into girls,” Scorpius mumbles weakly, and James realises this was exactly what Lily was anticipating. She leans forward, a wolfish grin on her face.

“I never said it was a girl.”

Before either Albus or Scorpius manage to activate their one shared brain cell to answer her, James decides to help out. “Yeah, we could find you a date as well, Albus! Teddy has loads of friends. We could make it a triple date!”

“Hey! Don’t leave me out of this, it was my idea to begin with!” Lily swats his arm. “I want to be there when these two idiots realise they don’t want to be with anyone other than each other.”

Albus and Scorpius remain frozen, cuddled together in their armchair, mouths agape and eyes wide. James can practically see their minds working overdrive.

Scorpius is the one to speak first. “But… we’ve shared a bed forever. We’ve never… I’ve never wanted to—”

“Me, neither,” Albus says, his eyes staring blankly before him.

“We haven’t even kissed. I mean, we kiss each other good night, but—”

“That’s been enough. For me, at least.”

“Yeah, me too. But… the thought of someone else being this close to you…” Scorpius trails off, shaking himself as if to try and wake up from a bad dream.

“You know, it could be that the two of you are just really close friends, and that we’ve all misinterpreted your relationship all this time,” Lily starts tentatively, making Albus and Scorpius snap out of their collective trance. “But maybe you should do some research on asexuality, because I have a feeling that could be something that fits you.”

Albus and Scorpius don't answer; they both still look a little shell-shocked.

“Come on, James. I think we need to leave them to process this on their own.”

“Um, thanks for the tour, Al. Scorpius. I’ll, uh… See you!” James says awkwardly, hurrying after his sister and leaving his brother and his maybe-not-now-but-probably-soon boyfriend in their armchair, their hands tightly clasped together and their cheeks flushed.

[ducky1783]

Day 23 of the HPRecFest Part 2

A soulmate fic

@hprecfest

[rockingrobin69]

Mystically, universally true

The tent is warm, air thick with incense and sage. Rain continues to pound the thin canopy, a sinister omen, when the two fall in, almost by accident. It’s no such thing, of course. She smiles to herself, opens her arms wide.

“What’s—oh, sorry, we didn’t…”

The shorter one continues to mumble. They’re both soaking wet, dripping on her carpet. Looking at each other, flushed-cheeked and short of breath. Yes, yes; she knew, of course. The knight and the fool—no, the prince and the star. She was right.

“Please, have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable.”

The leaner one tilts his head, eyebrow cocked. “Sybill, I presume?”

“What brings you in, my children?”

“Not children,” the short one grunts. It’s a matter of importance, she senses. Interesting. Extending an arm towards the chairs, she clicks her tongue.

“Forgive old Sybill, she cannot see so well.” A little inside joke, none the matter. The men, then, come further inside, slide into the seats, into their frowns. “Tell me. What do you wish to know?”

The taller one scoffs so loud she nearly jumps. “What do we wish to know,” he repeats. “What we wish. To know.”

“Indeed, my child. You’ve come to seek old Sybill’s help.”

“We came to seek shelter from the rain,” he says through gritted teeth, and the other man takes his hand, gives him a little look. She catches it, fondness in the corners of his mouth, in the soft curve. It works. The man sighs, but falls silent.

“A storm is coming,” Sybill says. It’s matter-of-fact, although she does feel sympathetic.

“Better bring an umbrella next time.”

Rude, but not unnecessary. It makes the other one laugh.

“Would you like to look into my crystal ball, dears? See what lies beyond the shadows of your past, beneath the promises of tomorrow?”

“Do you think she rehearses it?” the short one whispers. “Look, I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we really don’t have long. There’s another tent we need to exami—I mean, er, we really only came to see the merman.”

“The merman,” she huffs. “Of course. Everybody wants to see the magical merman.”

“If that is indeed what he is,” the tall one tips his head agreeably. “Magic. We really are eager to learn. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, now, would you? Anything in your crystal ball?”

She gives him a look. “I’m sure you’re aware, dear, that fortune telling is very real magic.”

He turns to the other man. “Of course. Well, then, in that case.”

They both get up. “Sorry,” the nicer one says, and he seems it. “Maybe some other time. If the circus returns to town next year.”

“Be safe, my darlings,” she warns as they gather themselves to leave. Of course, she knows she won’t be here next season. Going to Cornwall with her cousin, she’ll be. Sybill waves, graciously forgiving: as they open the tent flap, she hears it. Thunder rumbling.

The storm. Of course, she was right.

(Day 23 of @flufftober​! Find all previous ficlets here, or on AO3)      

[hoffelstar]

Angstober 2023 - Day 23

Prompt: Crimes Of Passion - (92 words) Character: Barty Crouch Jr. - Harry Potter Ship(s): Barty Crouch Jr./Unspecified Male Character Tags: Alternate Universe, Implied Sexual Content (Pre-Microfic), Morning After, Self-Deprecating Barty Crouch Jr., Abandonment Issues Warnings: None

Television / So Far So Good (Underwater Version) - Rex Orange County

Fuck.

Why did he always give in to his stupid desires? They ruined everything .

He turned his head to look at the empty bedside next to him, the note on the pillow saying he had an emergency – a fucking lie. All just pretences to get away from Barty. Because they always left. Everyone left as soon as they got too close.

As if it was a crime to love him. 

Maybe it was – seeing as he couldn’t even love himself. Obviously, there was nothing to love about him, nothing to stay for. 

[acatastrophicnight]

Okay, but just imagining that Draco Malfoy had a daughter instead of a son and it’s such an entertaining concept for me.

You can’t tell me that the level of ‘no one talk to me or my son ever again’ wouldn’t be turned up to the MAX.

Boo’ed for being sorted into slytherin? Forget about it.

Made fun of for having white-as-snow hair? Not a chance.

Berated for her Malfoy name? Think again.

Laughed at for being a loner? Over someone’s dead body alright!

And you know why? Literally anyone who so much as sneezed in her direction would have Draco Lucius Malfoy to deal with.

And I bet the poor girl wouldn’t wish her father’s wrath on anyone becuase she’s seen it (never towards her because she’s the embodiment of light and perfection, obviously) and it’s truly terrifying to witness.

Little baby Draco was all ‘wait ‘till my father hears about this’ but you just know little baby girl Malfoy would be like ‘no one let my father hear about this’ 🤦🏻‍♀️

She just knows he’d be marching into the headmaster’s office, demanding to know why some blithering little bastard hasn’t been thrown into the great lake with rocks tied to his feet for pulling on his precious little angel’s perfect peroxide pigtails.

[torracchoi]

Day 23

[coffeedrgn87]

December 23rd Drarry Drabble: "Champagne"

Read Parts 1 through 7 here.

Tags: Potential Dubious Consent (Kissing), Ministry Function, Harry is fed up with his mistletoe friend, Draco is snarky (as promised), Ron is a good friend, shit hits the fan, being a public figure sucks

Harry did not want to attend this year’s Ministry Christmas Charity Function (but the ‘charity’ aspect grudgingly made him surrender his free time). The fact that it was a masquerade ball did not improve the situation. As for whoever had decided that winter foliage was an appropriate theme? Harry wanted nothing more than to send a stinging hex up their posterior.

At this point (and despite Malfoy’s repeated efforts), his shrubby companion was no longer a secret. Even with Kingsley’s intervention, the Prophet had run a front-page article about it. On one hand, the tabloids had stopped reporting on the Cormac-incident, but on the other hand, they were now running polls on who had cursed him and why. In addition, speculations about his secret admirer were rampant. It was unbearable. Harry wanted to be anyone but the Head of the Auror Department.

The only thing that took the edge off was the complimentary champagne—the Ministry had clearly splurged (for the first time ever!) this year—and Ron casually acting as his personal bodyguard. There was something strangely fascinating about watching Ron protect him from unwanted attention. He deployed all manner of mischief to deter people from asking for a minute of his time. Harry struggled to keep a straight face throughout it all but appreciated Ron’s efforts more than anything.

Granted, Hermione was less than pleased about Ron acting as his right-hand man. It meant that she got little attention from her husband, but after a bit of pretend-sulking, she found a quiet nook with a comfortable armchair (Harry suspected she’d transfigured something or other and at once loved her all the more for her devil-may-care attitude). Once seated, she produced a heavy tome from her pouch, and that was that. It dissuaded anyone from coming near her. Harry couldn’t help but wish to be her for the evening.

Instead of switching bodies with his best mate’s wife, Harry devoted his full attention to the free-flowing champagne. He briefly caught up with Neville, avoided Gin and her snarky Slytherin companion like the pest, and laughed at one of Seamus’ outrageous stories.

As the evening progressed, Harry became increasingly inebriated, so much so that Ron dragged him out onto the charmed terrace for some fresh air. Harry tried pointing out they were underground, but Ron’s grasp was iron-clad. No sooner had they escaped the ballroom, Malfoy appeared at Harry’s side. Waving his arms in slow motion, Harry greeted him with a slurred voice.

“Hullo, Malfoy.”

Malfoy offered him a sardonic smile.

“Fancy meeting you here, Potter.”

Harry rolled his eyes and downed the last of his champagne.

“This one thinks I’ve had too much to drink. Calls himself my best mate, too. No fun, that bastard. Nothing but a giant party pooper.”

Ron boxed his biceps. Stumbling backwards, Harry fell against the railing and adopted a relaxed posture. He slowly tilted his head and glared at Ron.

“Ow, brute.”

“If you need a break, I’ll watch him for a bit,” Malfoy offered.

Harry frowned.

“Oi, I don’t need a babysitter.”

Ron scoffed.

“Apparently, you do.”

Blinking rapidly, Harry tried to focus on Ron, but his vision remained fuzzy around the edges. After two attempts, he gave up entirely, slid down the railing and sat on the floor.

“Whatever,” he grumbled, waving his hand dismissively.

Ron disappeared, and Harry found himself alone with Malfoy, who, despite wearing a bespoke three-piece suit, took a seat next to him and stretched his legs out.

“Do you always do everything you’re told?” he asked.

Frowning, Harry turned his head and looked at Malfoy.

“What do you mean?”

Malfoy shrugged.

“Well, Potter, you tell me. Yet another function, yet another appearance. You know you have the right to refuse being exploited like that.”

Harry rolled his eyes.

“Says the bloke who doesn’t know what it’s like to be Harry Potter.”

“I imagine there are moments when the perks outweigh the drawbacks.”

Harry snorted.

“Yeah, when they leave me to do my job instead of parading me in front of the old money to secure their donations for the year. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good cause as much as the next person, but this year bloody sucks.”

“Surely one pathetic little shrub doesn’t have the power to ruin the great Head Auror Potter’s entire year?”

Turning his head, Harry looked at Malfoy, taking in his wide grin and the ways his eyes glittered. The silvery sparkle complimented his cool grey eyes, and the longer Harry looked at Malfoy, the more confident he was that Malfoy’s eyes had tiny flecks of the most gorgeous blue in them.

“Are you mocking me, Malfoy?”

Malfoy chuckled. His lopsided grin made Harry’s stomach flip, and he pulled his knees to his chest. Wrapping one arm around his legs, he willed one of the servers to come over to them. He was in luck, and when the server asked what he wanted, he ordered two glasses of Firewhiskey, double, neat. The server nodded and walked off. With the order placed, Harry looked back at Malfoy and lifted his brow.

“Well?” he asked. “Are you?”

Malfoy shrugged.

“You tell me, Potter. Didn’t you ask me to be snarky?”

Harry scoffed.

“And this is the best you can do?”

Malfoy huffed a laugh.

“Oh, I can do much worse than that, Potter. I am just trying to be respectful.”

“Being snarky and respectful at the same time doesn’t work.”

“On the contrary, Potter. One can be a snarky git and respectful at the same time.”

Harry laughed.

“That so?”

Malfoy nodded.

The server reappeared with their drinks, and Harry stared deep into the amber liquid. He tried his hardest not to think of the mistletoe that still bobbed over his head, but it was almost impossible to ignore its presence, especially with Malfoy sitting right next to him. Harry could practically feel the heat that radiated off Malfoy’s body and found it very concerning that he liked the sensation, but it was easy to blame it on the mistletoe. Actually, as long as he didn’t think about the logic of it all, it was easy to blame just about anything on the mistletoe.

Harry huffed into his drink, brought the heavy tumbler glass to his lips and took a small sip. When the potent drink burned down his throat, he shifted, so he didn’t have to crane his neck so much to look at Malfoy.

“Malfoy, as an expert in investigative magic, please enlighten me why this blasted shrub won’t let me kiss somebody and disappear. Isn’t that how mistletoes are supposed to work?”

Malfoy lifted a curious brow. His wry grin twisted Harry’s insides. It was a strangely pleasurable feeling.

“Who says it doesn’t?” he asked.

Harry rolled his eyes.

“Because a whole bunch of people have tried to kiss me, and that blasted thing is still there.”

“And therein lies the problem, Potter. People have tried kissing you. Have you tried kissing anyone?”

Harry gave Malfoy a pointed look.

“Are you having a fucking laugh, Malfoy? How’s that any different?”

“Well, Potter, this may surprise you, but there’s actually a huge difference between being kissed and doing the kissing.”

“Potayto, Potahto.”

Malfoy shrugged.

“You’re entitled to your opinion, just as I’m entitled to disagree.”

“I disagree with you disagreeing.”

Malfoy huffed a laugh.

“Hilarious, Potter.”

Harry took another sip from his drink. This time it was a much larger one. It nearly scorched his insides, and inhaling deeply, Harry let the alcohol rush to his head.

“Prove it, Malfoy,” he said with a slur.

Malfoy looked at him with an incredulous expression.

“I beg your pardon?”

Harry shrugged.

“You heard me,” he said.

Without thinking, he moved to straddle Malfoy’s thighs.

“Well? Prove there’s a difference.”

“Potter. Inappropriate.”

Harry arched a brow.

“Really?”

Malfoy nodded.

Harry rolled his eyes. He downed the rest of his drink, set his tumbler aside and grabbed Malfoy’s face. He dove in and kissed him. Malfoy flailed his arms and grumbled something incomprehensible, but Harry paid no heed. He kept his eyes tightly shut and pressed his lips against Malfoy’s. They were soft to the touch, smooth and tasted sweet. Harry hummed. Malfoy still flailed his arms though not quite as vigorously. A moment later, his hands came to rest on Harry’s wrists.

Before Harry could work out whether Malfoy was trying to break free or surrender to the kiss, a bright flash went off. Even with his eyes closed, Harry felt blinded, yet it still only took him a second to realise what had happened. The hairs on his nape and arms started to lift, and he dropped his clammy arms, letting go of Malfoy’s face. Part of him wanted to pull away and run, but it was like the flash had come with a full-body bind. Groaning against Malfoy’s lips, Harry dropped his head onto Malfoy’s shoulder. His shoulders felt tight, and beats of sweat appeared on his forehead. 

“Fuck.”

“Easy there, tiger, you only just subjected me to the most terrible kiss of my entire life.”

Jerking back, Harry stared at Malfoy.

“Aren’t you—?” His words failed him.

Malfoy wore the cockiest grin Harry had ever seen.

“Look up, Potter.”

Harry dithered for a moment, then forced himself to flick his gaze up. He fully expected to find that blasted mistletoe bobbing over his head, but to his complete shock, it was gone. Stammering incomprehensible gibberish, Harry tried to articulate himself with his hands. Malfoy laughed. His eyes were way too bright, and he licked his lips. Harry found his eyes drawn to the movement, and as he watched Malfoy’s pink tongue hydrate his lips, he remembered all the strange sensations he’d felt ever since Kingsley ordered him to work with Malfoy to sort out his mistletoe problem.

Horrified, Harry scrambled to his feet, stumbled, nearly fell backwards, and then let out a whimper. He waved his hands in a way that made no sense (judging by Malfoy’s curious and confused look, if that’s what it was) and fought to contain the weakness in his legs with a racing heartbeat. They buckled dangerously, and when Malfoy got to his feet and steadied him, Harry didn’t know whether to be grateful or run away screaming.

He quickly looked over his shoulder and discovered a throng of photographers hovering not too far away. Looking back at Malfoy, he tried to convey his desire to flee or hide — anything to get out of the Ministry. Malfoy looked far too amused. Drawing his brows together, Harry glared at him.

“Get me the fuck out of here,” he snarled.

Malfoy gave him a curt nod, and a second later, he wound his arm around Harry’s and pulled him away. Harry vaguely registered Malfoy casting a Patronus. A silver dragon whelp flew out of the tip of his wand, spread his wings and flew away. Harry didn’t know where it was going and didn’t care enough to ask. All he wanted was to get away. Preferably also from Malfoy, but since that wasn’t an option, he resigned himself to allowing Malfoy to drag him away.