thesleepiesthufflepuff

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

@drarrymicrofic 's prompt --- expect ; wc : 50

As we know, a pure-blood must wed at the ripe age of four-and-twenty. Our late-bloomer, Draco Malfoy, finds a formidable suitor in the desirable Harry Potter, but are they truly as happy as we expect? Dig deeper, dear reader, and see the ruse for what it is.

See Page 3.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

it's bingo time!! thank you again @drarrymicrofic for supplying my bingo card and for the prompt! prompt: expect bingo card prompts completed: 1000 words, fake dating word count: 1000

“Mate,” Ron said as he sat down opposite Harry, sliding him over his pint of goblin ale. Harry raised his eyebrow at his tone - it could mean nothing good.

“What, Ron?” 

“You’ll never guess the rumour I heard going around; apparently you and Malfoy are dating.”

“What!” Harry spluttered, nearly spilling his drink. “Who said that?”

“Pansy Parkinson. She said it’s all meant to be a secret affair, that’s why you’ve never mentioned it.”

“But who told Parkinson? She wouldn’t make up a story about Malfoy…”

“Well, that’s the thing,” Ron leaned in, “Malfoy is the one saying it! At some fancy party he was at.”

“... That can’t be right,” Harry muttered, a frown on his face. Ron just shrugged, sipping his ale.

*

“I heard that it’s not in the papers yet, because the Malfoy publicist has already threatened to sue if they leak anything.” Harry heard Lavender Brown whisper to her colleague in the Ministry canteen. She obviously hadn’t spotted Harry sitting at the table behind them. “Draco is very protective of Harry’s privacy; and Harry must be worried about the danger Draco could be in with his line of work.”

“It’s so romantic, isn’t it?” the other girl sighed while Harry rolled his eyes. Bloody Malfoy and his stories. Harry really should turn around and tell them it was all bullshit. But… instead he forced down his lunch. 

*

Harry doesn’t let Draco off with his storytelling, naturally. If there is one thing he is good at, it’s stalking Malfoy, and so it doesn’t take Harry too long to find out that they are apparently meant to be hosting a garden party at Malfoy Manor the following Saturday. He puts on his formal robes and apparates to the gates; the house elf there lets him in without a word.

Draco was standing in the middle of the garden, by the ridiculously large fountain. His robes were midnight blue with silver accents, cut perfectly to fit his body. His voice seemed to carry throughout the garden, smooth like honey but so bloody posh. 

“-it is such a shame, of course, and Harry is sad to have missed this.” Draco said with a soft sigh, taking a delicate sip of his champagne. Harry couldn’t see it, but he could only imagine that long neck bobbing with the swallow. The elderly witch he was talking to (who reeked of old pureblood money) nodded in understanding, taking in every lie with bated breath. “He sends his apologies; he’s just incredibly busy with the Aurors. I’m so proud of him, his dedication is so inspiring, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would,” Harry said, as he snuck an arm around Draco’s waist. Draco yelped at his voice and jumped at his touch, spilling the champagne. It ran down his hand and dripped from his wrist, but he didn’t seem to notice. He spun around, grey eyes wide and a look of panic on his pointy face. Harry just grinned back, enjoying the very un-Malfoy display in front of him.

“H-Harry!” Draco squeaked, reaching up with his free hand to grab Harry’s robes in a tight grip. “What in Merlin’s name are you doing here, uh, darling?”

“Weren’t you expecting me?” Harry asked, pulling Draco closer. “After all, we did organise this little soiree together.”

“But… but what about your shift, that you said you couldn’t change?” Draco challenged back as the shock wore off. 

“Draco,” Harry reached out with his free hand to caress his cheek, his grin getting wider. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Draco certainly caught the double meaning, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Aw, isn’t that just lovely,” the elderly witch cooed, raising her glass to them. “To young love, I say!”

Before Harry could open his mouth, Draco plastered a practised smile on his face. “Please, excuse us while I get Harry and I a drink,” Draco said, pulling Harry by his robes to get him to follow. He ignored the flutes of champagne floating around him and pulled him behind what Harry thought was a shed, but he realised this must have been where the peacocks used to sleep. 

“What the hell, Potter?” Draco spat, finally letting go of his robes. Harry smoothed them down with a raised eyebrow. 

“Oh, it’s back to Potter now, is it?” Harry asked. “Just ‘Harry’ when you are in front of your peers?”

“Yes!” Draco responded, throwing his arms out. “How did you even hear about this? I was so careful…”

“I’m an Auror, remember? You’re apparently very proud of me for doing that job.” Harry snorted, crossing his arms. “I did my research. But why, Malfoy? Why me?”

“Because you’re single, gay and the bloody Chosen One!” Draco answered, his cheeks red. “These people won’t accept me without you.”

“And you need that, do you? Their acceptance?” Harry asked, his tone one of disbelief. 

“I need to change what the name Malfoy means, and those people out there? They are the ones that can make that happen. I only get back into high society if I am partnered with the highest member of society.”

They fell into silence, with Draco biting his lip and trying to not look disappointed that he had been caught.

“... Do you have anything other than champagne? Can’t stand the stuff.” Harry finally said, shuffling slightly. Draco blinked at him, confused, before he caught on. Harry was staying. 

“Whatever you like,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “we’ll serve it.”

“Goblin ale?”

“Horrid taste,” Draco said automatically, but he forced himself to smile. “Thank you… Harry.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Harry said truthfully, reaching out to take hold of Draco’s hand; it didn’t feel as weird as it should. “Pretending to date me will only end in disaster for you.” 

“A risk I’m willing to take, obviously.” Draco responded, carefully squeezing his hand back. “Shall we?”

“Yeah, sure… let’s go woo the worst people in wizard society.” Harry muttered, but smiled. This would absolutely end in disaster.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

"Sorry, I don't, er, believe in soulmates."

"Potter, I never said a thing about—"

"Yes you did! You literally just—"

"I never said we were soulmates, you mouth-breathing halfwit! I said you were my…"

"…Yes?"

"Fuck off."

"No, tell me. What am I?"

"You're a prick, that's what you are."

"Come on, Malfoy."

"You're—ugh! You're my mate."

"Right. And that's different to a soulmate how, exactly?"

"Oh! Well, actually, soulmates are a muggle concept, with origins in folklore and mythology; Plato and Aristophanes—"

"Hermione, I think we should just, uh… leave them to this. Bye, mate. Catch ya, Ferret."

"Get fucked, Weasel."

"…You're so nice to my friends."

"Well, what do you expect? If you want me to be nice, get better friends."

"I know you secretly like them now."

"Unverifiable."

"And you like me."

"Patently untrue. You're the greatest pain in my arse."

"No, I'm your mate."

"There's no need to sound so fucking smug. Gods above, I should have known you'd be completely insufferable about this—"

"Anyway. If we're talking about a literal pain in a literal arse, I think you'll find you're the one who—"

"Yes, well, that's what got us into this whole fucking mess, isn't it? I made the colossal mistake of sticking my dick in the Chosen hole, and look what it got me: a fucking Veela inheritance. Cheers, Potter."

"You're welcome. Now, can we get back to fucking about it?"

"Fine. But only if you let me mark you."

"Let you—what?!"

Expect @drarrymicrofic {250 words + dialogue only, soulmates, veela and humour}

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

"Expect"

Written for @drarrymicrofic weekly prompt "Expect" | 265 words | Summer bingo squares: dialogue-only, mpreg, omegaverse, Azkaban, pureblood culture, rated G

"I don't know what more you want from me, mother." "To do your duty, as all Pureblood heirs must." "And haven't I done just that? Landed the perfect Alpha and gotten him to impregnate me—" "If you think the Potter boy—" "Lucius, please. Let me handle this. Draco, your father and I are grateful. Your union with Harry Potter will do wonders for regaining our rightful place in society, regardless of our personal opinions on his suitability as your mate." "And I suppose it doesn't even matter to you that he makes me happy?" "Happiness is a luxury not every Omega can expect. That you've found it despite the odds, well, as your mother of course that matters." "How could he possibly make you happy? That half-blood knows nothing of our ways." "Unbelievable! You'd both still be in Azkaban if it weren't for Harry. As you both enjoy your own luxuries, I hope you remember it's his mercy that allows you to have even a semblance of the life you think you're owed." "Draco, darling—" "I can't stay and listen to him, mother. I won't. I'm leaving." "Back to that muggle flat, no fit place for my son—" "Lucius, stop it, please. Draco, don't go. Bopsi has made a splendid lunch, and I wanted to show you the orchids that bloomed this morning." "I can't. If you want to be a part of your grandchild's life, I suggest you find a way to let go of this outdated bigotry. We're not raising him like this. When you're ready to change, you know where to find me."

Thanks for the speedy, encouraging alpha @smugrobotics

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

50 words for @drarrymicrofic prompt expect [fulfilling a bounty of my summer bingo card squares! (time loop, angst, unhappy ending, 50 words, Harry POV, present tense, no dialogue)]

Harry's jittery, waiting. Expectant.

Draco's at his side, joking about mission debrief, when there's a sudden storm of spells.

Acrid. Deadly.

Harry's shield comes too late.

Again.

Draco falls, curse-marked.

Unresponsive.

The day is a mirror, an echo endlessly repeating, and Harry's trapped behind the glass, like a butterfly, pinned.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

50 words for the @drarrymicrofic prompt: expect. Thank you @lemonlimelea for the beta! This fulfills the Micro Summer Bingo squares of 50 words and coworkers 🪄

“I expected better, boys,” McGonagall says, shooting them a withering look. “One week’s detention for you both.”

“But, Headmistress,“ Harry starts, as he and Malfoy dry their sopping hair, “we’re professors.”

“I’m well aware, Potter. However, skinny dipping in the lake?” She clicks her tongue. “Report back here tomorrow evening.”

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

Homecoming

A Microfic for the @drarrymicrofic weekly challenge (and Summer Bingo!) Prompt: Expect

You never expected to feel his touch again. You’d given up hope and had already given your loyalty to another. The first brush of his fingers was a cool breeze on a hot day. When he cast his first spell, and his magic coursed through you, it felt like home.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

Potter’s Pastries

Welp Rating 4.1 (75 reviews)

Open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Sat

Recent reviews:

Elliot D. Mould-on-the-Wold, Oxon. ★★★★☆ 1 day ago Went in expecting excellent service based on prev reviews. Admittedly the lemon drizzle cake was divine, but the proprietor was so distracted by some rakishly dressed toff entering the shop that he poured my iced cinnamon latte into the tip jar. 4/5 stars

Eugenia V. Little Hangleton, Yorks. ★☆☆☆☆ 1 day ago ‘Back in 5 mins’ the sign said. Waited FORTY-FIVE (45) minutes !!!!! and when EVENTUALLY Mr Potter opened up (apron on backwards), a very dishevelled blond man with whipped cream all down his front dashed out, almost knocking me over.  On entering, it was clear they were NOT ready for customers -  chairs knocked over, a broken plate on the floor and pastry crumbs ALL OVER the counter.  If I could leave zero stars I would! 😡 DREADFUL!! AVOID!!

Luna L. Ottery St Catchpole, Devon ★★★★★ (1 photo) 3 hours ago Utterly delicious. Can recommend the cream horns, which look exactly like they belong to Snorkacks! Not only that, Harry gave them to me for free, apparently the whole batch got squashed yesterday ✨🤸💖💃✨

See all 75 reviews

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A belated birthday gift for @peachydreamxx inspired by your recent lemon drizzle cake pic 🍰 and all your bakery and barista exploits. Happy birthday lovely!!! Written for @drarrymicrofic prompt 'expect', and filling the Micro Summer Bingo squares of 'no dialogue', 'outsider POV' and 'rated T'. (~200 words)

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

Drarry Microfic: Steal & Expect

“Draco, hand it over,” Auror Potter said to his nuisance of a husband who’d snuck contraband from his office yet again.

“Not in a million years!” Expert Potions Advisor Malfoy quipped, pettily holding the bottle up and out of Harry's reach.

“You stole it, you can't keep it!”

“Borrowed,” Draco tutted, "I'm not planning to keep it, darling, don't worry your cute, messy head.”

“Cu—flattery won't get you out of it this time!”

“I'm going to analyse and reverse-potioneer this sample and—Give that back you little shit!”

Harry had wand- and wordlessly Acciod the bottle into his hand and was bolting out of Draco's workshop and up the stairs.

“You don't even know if this works!” Harry shouted, Draco hot on his tracks as he used the banister to dash down the hallway.

“And I won't find out unless—Potter, no! No!”

“Yes,” Harry said, chin up, wiping the creamy pink liquid off his lips.

“You just downed an entire bottle of an experimental fertility potion.”

“What did you expect? The sample was meant to be destroyed, anyway.” Harry unceremoniously dropped the empty bottle onto the plush carpet in front of their bed. “Now breed me, you thieving sack of recessive traits.”

— written for the @drarrymicrofic prompts ‘steal’ and ‘expect’, since I missed writing one last week

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

expect (50 words)

Harry's upright in bed, clutching his wand before the massive silver dragon finishes its first word. "TAKE THAT POTTER. NO-ONE NEEDS YOUR HELP. EASIEST SPELL OF MY LIFE. How do I send it. Go. Fly. Be away. Leviosa. Oh for— ANYHOW, MINE'S CLEARLY BIGGER THAN YOURS, MEANING YOU CAN SUCK—"

prompt from @drarrymicrofic | my Drarry microfic collection on Ao3

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

50 words for @drarrymicrofic prompt Expect

Pansy leaves first, Neville follows soon after.

Ron and Hermione stay for another round, then say their goodbyes too.

Outside, Harry lights a cigarette. The smoke curls up into the night.

Draco lingers. Steps closer. “Do you plan on kissing me, or should I keep pretending I don’t mind waiting?”

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

Super specific tag game

Thank you @dragonbornphoenix for the tag! I loved reading your answers!

One piece of jewellery you can't go anywhere without: my wedding ring! I wear it all day every day (except when showering). For earrings, I usually have heart-shaped studs in, but I'll wear fun pairs of earrings my mom has made when going out/to work! She does really gorgeous beading

Most worn shoes: summer = flip flops season. Costco? Flip flops. Hanging out with friends? Flip flops. Going to the mall? Flip flops. Getting eye rolls from my wife because I regret my life choices after a day of walking and never learn? Also yes. I wear my white platform Converse the rest of the year!

New book/fic that has you in its grip: The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig. If you like horror, I highly recommend it! I read it in two days (very fast for me), and I've been thinking about it nonstop ever since. It's the perfect summer read!

One drink you can't go without: besides water (my beloved), I look forward to a large cup of Irish breakfast tea every morning!

Latest kitchen fail: I tried making a TikTok lemon garlic pasta dish, but the lemon ratio was off and it tasted like I was eating straight up lemon. Horrible experience, 10/10 would not recommend

A piece of media you've been wanting to watch for ages: Department Q! My wife and I started it when my mom was last visiting us, but we've since gotten side tracked by Love Island (unfortunately, I am a glutton for trash tv)

Latest character to enter brainrot mode: it's been months and I can't stop thinking about Haymitch Abernathy 😩

Tagging some new friends! No pressure, of course, and apologies if you've already been tagged! ❤️ @lemonlimelea @its-the-allure @vmcgmidlifecrisis @erin-orolin @sol-glissant

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

@drarrymicrofic - brief (part i)

Mature content below

Draco couldn’t look away from the bulge in Potter’s briefs. There was absolutely no way that thing was flaccid. As if on cue, it jiggled.

Draco inhaled, only to choke on saliva.

Oblivious, Potter turned to open his locker, his perfect, perky butt on full display.

Life was so unfair.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

Brief

Drabble for @drarrymicrofic. 100 words. AO3.

It was never going to be a long-term thing.

Two years. Two years of late nights being pressed into the sheets with loving words whispered into his ears. Two years of waking up to tender kisses and the smell of fresh, hot biscuits in the air. Two years of building a life, a home. Two years of building the forever kind of love.

How was it possible that something so brief had the ability to shatter his heart?

Draco slowly slid the ring off his finger, looked back at the place he called home, and walked out the door. Forever.

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

50 words for the @drarrymicrofic prompt: brief

The Room of Requirement flickers for a brief moment, growing and stretching until it’s something else entirely.

A quiet space full of books. Harry didn’t summon this.

Malfoy stands in the doorway, tears staining his cheeks as he loosens the Eighth Year tie around his neck. “Mind if I stay?”

[thesleepiesthufflepuff]

@drarrymicrofic prompt "Brief" | 231 words | Mature

Harry never expected to see the familiar head of white-blonde hair, shining like a beacon under the black lights of his favourite gay club. He never expected to see this much of him, full stop. It figures that even Malfoy's pants would be fancy, posh prat that he is. A tiny, barely-there pair—the black silk leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. Harry glances down at his own plain boxer briefs. He'd been looking forward to this men's underwear party for weeks, but hadn't given any thought to what he'd wear. Now, he wonders if he should have gone with something sexier —not that he owns anything like that. Mouth dry, Harry watches Malfoy dance for only another moment before he's pressing through the sea of writhing bodies. Their eyes meet, sending an electric shock right to Harry's gut. Malfoy's gaze travels the length of Harry's torso, stopping at his pants, a wicked grin curving his mouth. Then Harry's propelled forward by the jostling crowd, and suddenly he's in Malfoy's arms—splayed right up against all that sweat-sleek skin. Malfoy's hands slide to his arse, pulling Harry in as he rolls his hips—the slow grind perfect. Filthy. Mouth against his ear, Harry gasps, "Wanna get out of here?" Strong fingers tighten on his backside and then he's sucked into the telltale lurch of apparition—apparently, club full of muggles be damned.

Thanks for the beta @vil-b and @the-forbidden-forest