bad faith

Harry nodded, not sure if Quidditch was any safer a topic. Their Quidditch rivalry had, after all, been almost as fierce as the other one, even if it did seem a bit ridiculous now. He shrugged as the words hit him, unbothered by the fact. If he had wanted the job, he wouldn’t have been counting on Draco’s vote. “No, we didn’t. I reckon we probably don’t now either. But you can rest easy, you won’t wake up and find yourself living under my rule anytime soon.” The only thing they’d ever managed to agree upon was completely loathing for each other. “Hermione has more ideas than anyone I’ve ever met,” Harry was truly smiling now. “But - she actually wants to do some good in the world,” he echoed the old joke. “She’s far too busy to be Minister.” 

That seemed a pointed attack. Harry tried not to rise to it. “Yeah, well, you’ve known me a long time. I’d like to think not everyone can read me that well. Though Professor Snape certainly thought otherwise.” Still, contrary to what he’d expected, Draco wasn’t using Harry’s admission against him, but seemed to genuinely be engaging in conversation. “No, I suppose you’re right. He’ll be helping with the transition. It’s not the end of the world. I guess I just like the peace we’ve had these past years. I don’t want anything to change that.”  He wondered if Draco had found peace, too, if he liked this new world they were all living in. Not something he could really ask, though from the look on his face, he didn’t appreciate questions about his love life from Harry either. “Alright, sorry, I guess I was wrong there. Someone else, then?” He had not missed the dark look on Draco’s face, he supposed it was a touchy subject, for them. Another one. “About as well as you’d expect. It’s not a prison of the mind anymore - at least, not more than a Muggle prison would be. So the prisoners themselves are much more aware and … responsive.”  Which was a good thing, since torment by Dementors wasn’t something Harry would wish on anyone, but did cause the new human guards a lot of trouble. 

11. biggest lie?

TRUTH BE TOLD, DRACO doesn’t remember what he said, exactly. that entire day is just a blur, as is the case with many days before and during the war. perhaps it was i’m not sure. or maybe he said i can’t tell. either way, his parents and his aunt bellatrix were looking for an answer in the affirmative and draco couldn’t get the words yes, that’s him past his throat with the knowledge the war would be won if he did. so he lied. no, he didn’t recognize harry potter when the snatchers brought him into malfoy manor. he couldn’t be sure if it was him, and they didn’t want to call on the dark lord if they weren’t sure, did they? it was too big a risk. they needed to take time to figure it out. of course, lies are only as big as their impact, and the impact of that one was huge. 

28. do they have any distinctive features or marks?

10. greatest regret?

DRACO IS NOT THE type of person that regrets things. he overthinks even at his best of days and tends to know every angle of a situation before doing or saying anything at all. it’s not in his system to look back at something and think he could have done better or differently, because there’s just no use in doing so. people often see him as the death eater that redeemed himself, something that draco cannot stand because they couldn’t have it more backwards. he couldn’t care less about redeeming himself. he doesn’t regret what he did, not a thing. he did what he had to to survive and he stands by it. 

14. greatest fear(s)?

HE OFTENTIMES JOKES THAT his mother’s wrath is his greatest fear; narcissa malfoy is a force to be reckoned with, after all. but of course, that’s only an easy deflection. his greatest fear, or his boggart, is the dark lord. a man that made him do a number of things that he’d rather not relive, that put him through hell and back and back again. who used to be someone he looked up to became his biggest nightmare really soon and draco is happy to have lost the war with the knowledge that he is dead. 

27. do they have tattoos or piercings?

   Daphne could hear the amusement in Draco’s voice if not see it in his expression; by this point, they knew one another well enough that she didn’t need the visual. “You have my solemn promise that I will,” she said, amused in her turn. “So long as you do the same for me, alright? If I stay that late then I’m making a seriously poor life decision.” She wasn’t remotely interested in attaching herself to someone who would try to restrict her or think they could weigh in on what she did. Sleeping with someone didn’t mean they got to own her. But for when she felt something too much like lonely, Daphne already had somebody to see her through, and he was right there with her. It went both ways, and Draco was on the short list of people she really valued and trusted. “And you love my dulcet tones provided I’m not trying to sing in the shower at the top of my voice.” That was not a moment anyone apart from her poor roommate got to deal with, after all.

   When Daphne felt Draco shiver, she smoothed one of her hands over his back, skin warm against material. “You do hear me talk a disproportionate amount more than other people,” she pointed out with a grin that he couldn’t see. “You could be forgiven for getting tired of it sometimes.” Then pausing, she added, “But thank you, Draco, for educating the masses so well.” Though the words were spoken teasingly, there was a certain amount of affection behind it. Not everyone got them or how they worked, but honestly, it didn’t bother her. They got it and that was the main thing. It meant that right then, Daphne’s attention was reserved for Draco stating that he didn’t like running the store. “At least it’s temporary,” she said, voice sympathetic. “Any idea on when you’ll be able to step back again and go back to your potions?” The remark that Draco didn’t trust new people with the store wasn’t really a surprise; he didn’t trust people easily in general. “It won’t be a disaster because you’re too good at what you do for that, if you actually want to do it,” she said softly. “Just bear in mind that other people are paid very well to do things so you don’t have to. You can’t be everywhere at once and you shouldn’t have to be.” Leaning up, she dropped a kiss against his hair. “In the meantime, I ought to make sure I come and steal you for a break more often. When do you next have to be in?”

13. best accomplishment?

IN A WORLD WHERE accomplishments and achievements mean the world, draco has formerly been known as a person to do everything in order to please his parents; get good grades, join the quidditch team, stay in the good graces of his head of house, joining the inquisitorial squad. granted, most of those things also worked miracles for his status. yet, none of those things he actually remembered when asked about accomplishments.

it was in fact simple. his best accomplishment was surviving. it was managing to avoid the carrows, pretending to be one thing when he was another, doing as he was told even when he really, really couldn’t and wasn’t capable to. nothing mattered as much since. 

19. have they ever broken someones heart? has someone broken theirs?

1. go to karaoke song?

KARAOKE? NOT A CONCEPT that draco is familiar with. if told about it, he would probably crack up: the idea of muggles opting to sing songs badly and make an evening out of watching everyone do that is strange to him. when asked to sing, for some reason, however, he defaults to something from either the fifties or the sixties; something that everyone knows and can murmur along to, but in a different key. considerations would be the foundations’ “build me up buttercup” or anything elvis presley. 

15. what is their vice? (wrath, greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, envy)

17. did they graduate high school? if so did they attend college?

DRACO DID INDEED GRADUATE hogwarts. he had to redo his seventh year, as did everyone who was in his year and still wished to graduate. it was a discussion between his parents and him. draco had settled for azkaban, and suddenly, he was free to go. his parents seemed to think it was a good idea to send him back to school for another year. he, of course, protested: he didn’t want to go back to one of the places of his nightmares ( albeit he lived in another ) and he didn’t need his newts anyway, but his parents insisted so he went and opted to use it as yet another thing to hold over their heads. 

24. opinion on horror films?

HIS OPINION ON FILMS and his opinion on horror films don’t differ all that much: he doesn’t get them. what is the point of a film if you can read a book? the idea of a film is way too much muggle to him to ever be associated with. horror films, however, are another new brand of pointless in his opinion. he doesn’t see why anyone would voluntary watch something that’s scary. instead, they should open a book, or scarier, a newspaper. 

29. do they enjoy coffee or tea? hot or iced?

2. a song that describes them?

ONE SONG THAT COMES to mind is basket case by green day. released in 1994, the song describes draco in a way that he doesn’t usually, if at all, show others, but that he is completely aware of exists. it’s a side largely hidden behind occlumency barriers. 

15. what is their vice? (wrath, greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, envy)

FROM ALL OF THE seven vices, there are three that particularly apply to draco: wrath, pride and lust. draco can hold grudges for however long he wants to, which usually is very long. he’s not a forgive and forget kind of person; rather, he’s more of a resent and remember type. his pride often stands in his way, which is also a part of why he’s so stubborn. he’s convinced of himself and his own skills to such a degree that he finds it difficult to take advice from or listen to anybody else. the last one, lust, comes in many ways and some apply and some don’t. 

26. do they have a certain aesthetic or style?

random questions for character building (and fun)

drop a number corresponding to a question into the ask and the question will be answered!

go to karaoke song?

a song that describes them?

are they good at sports?

do they have a favorite movie?

three things in their fridge?

most three recently watched on netflix?

celebrity crush?

are they close to their family?

best thing in their life?

greatest regret?

biggest lie?

biggest flaw?

best accomplishment?

greatest fear(s)?

what is their vice? (wrath, greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, envy)

what would their hogwarts house be?

did they graduate high school? if so did they attend college?

when was their first real relationship? how’d it go?

have they ever broken someones heart? has someone broken theirs?

have they ever been married? are they married?

do they have children? have they before?

do they want children?

opinion on pets? cats or dogs?

opinion on horror films?

do they have allergies?

do they have a certain aesthetic or style?

do they have tattoos or piercings? 

do they have any distinctive features or marks?

do they enjoy coffee or tea? hot or iced?

are they religious or spiritual? 

are they a morning person or night person?

if they could have any superpower what would it be?

POTIONS HAD NEVER been Pansy’s strength, but it seemed to suit Draco. This probably meant dealing with unsavory clients from time to time. The Slytherin alumna knew she would never keep her temper long enough. ❛ This is why you were always the intelligent one between us. ❜ She chirped with a light chuckle. ❛ Hmm, I don’t know, Draco. Keep this up, and some of your customers might start requesting you personally when they come into the apothecary. ❜

She continued to tap her fingers against the counter and rose her brow when Draco offered the potion for free. ❛ That’s very generous of you. ❜ She smirked lightly, emphasizing the adjective before considering his next question. ❛ Well, if it were anyone else asking, I’d say not to concern yourself with why I need the potion. Fortunately, you’re the one asking me. ❜ Pansy hinted, considering she often preferred to keep details private. ❛ I have a dinner to attend tonight, and it will probably be very cold outside. Thick robes don’t exactly accentuate my best feminine features, so the potion will do the warming. ❜

draco pulled a face at pansy the moment she declared that he was the intelligent one. usually responsive enough to compliments, this one just didn’t make sense to him because she was dragging herself down simultaneously. “well, you underestimate yourself,” he commented. her and many others around her, he even reckoned. a pretty face usually wasn’t seen as clever. that was a stupid mistake to make. “guess what, though? i run this place. i don’t work on the ground. not usually, anyway. the only customer i would show up for when requested is you.” he ended the sentence with a wink in her direction, overall not particularly bothered by the charade. generous? it was a word used often when it came to the malfoys; generous donations, generous sums of money in gringotts, generous this and that. it had lost all sense of meaning to draco. “i’m asking as your friend, not as the person selling you potions,” he remarked. after all, if he was in a potions store and someone asked him what he needed pepper-up for, he would not have hesitated to tell them it was none of their business. the answer only brought up more questions, though. “have fun at the dinner?” he said, a clear asking note to the words. “doesn’t sound like fun if you need pepper-up for it.” if anyone told him to dress up, draco was usually petty enough to show up in a sweater and ripped jeans. he didn’t like being told what to do. but perhaps this was a plan pansy conducted on her own.

“Ah, that’s different,” Harry responded, nearly smiling. “If the Cannons call, I might take them up on it.” Though that wasn’t true, Harry could have tried for a career in Quidditch but had chosen not to. It wasn’t that he was happy as an Auror, exactly, just that he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. He eyed Malfoy curiously as he too declaimed any interest in being Minister. Maybe it wasn’t so strange. They’d both had a firsthand look, if from different sides, at how power really destroyed. “Takes a little more than fame to be a good leader, though, doesn’t it? I doubt you’d vote for me.” Few people except Ron and Hermione had seen as many of his mistakes, even bore the brunt of his mistakes, as much as Draco had. Though he supposed vice-versa was also true. He would never say so, but sometimes he remembered watching through Voldemort’s mind, as the dark wizard had forced Draco to torture Rowle, maybe other prisoners too. That was the real difference between them, when it came down to it. As far as he knew, Draco had only ever tortured people unwillingly. Harry had done it twice entirely of his own volition. 

Watching him with Teddy was odd, the gentle expression on his face was not one Harry was used to seeing. He nudged Teddy’s side as the little boy returned, silently glad not to be passed over. “If I was trying to avoid it, you’re not being very polite pointing it out, are you?” he half-laughed, drumming his fingers against the countertop, narrowly avoiding colouring crayons. Malfoy could really be as blunt as Ron at times, and wouldn’t they both love that comparison. “Didn’t know you wanted more than a placeholder answer, Malfoy, I’m dreading the day Kingsley leaves, if you must know. It’s going to make everything harder.” It was the barest of confidences but even making that made him feel off-guard, he’d rather needle Malfoy. All in good humour, of course. “You don’t have a lucky woman picked out then? Parkinson?” He certainly wasn’t going to be the only one having to keep this conversation going. “Well, it’s not building an empire, but the Azkaban reforms are still going strong. Kingsley’s legacy should remain intact.” For now. Harry had already had to make a visit to the prison due to unrest.  It was all going to get worse, he thought, dread sinking in. 

❝If you DO redecorate, you simply must make an event of it. I know the perfect caterer for simple canapés. Imagine it: pulling the curtains back to reveal new curtains. Copious amounts of dry gin. Pansy and I could write up the guest list.❞ It was all facetious, but a hint nonetheless. As much as Blaise’s silence suggested a want for solitude, he adored socializing, especially with those he considered friends. He grinned at Draco’s’ subtle exasperation; he was a darling, and Blaise made a note to cease his endless ridicule or else face dinners without the man. If only he wasn’t having so much fun. 

❝Six! My favourite hour. The hour that sounds the trumpets for evening to enter. Six o’clock is more than convenient. Meet me at Buon Sapore at precisely six-forty-five and look for the best table on offer. I shall be waiting.❞ He removed a business card and quill from his pocket, quickly writing the address. His manners arrived a moment after. ❝How does that sound ❞ 

“i can’t tell if you’re a snob or married to your work,” draco remarked, taking blaise in with slightly frowned eyebrows as though trying to figure it out. he was still this close to inviting blaise to tell daphne that they should be redecorating. he quite liked it when a woman’s wrath was unleashed on someone not him. “both, i think. hint taken, though. i’m not inviting you to my penthouse any more.” he flashed a sarcastic smile at the other before moving from behind the counter.  as draco went to fetch the product that blaise requested, he watched from the corner of his eye how the other got his business card. blaise truly was better at having too much money, if there was any such thing. he knew the new restaurant and the go-to bars. he knew the trends in pretty much everything. but blaise seemed to care about that type of thing, whereas draco mostly cared about getting by and having his fun. “buan sapore, six fourty-five. i’ll be there,” he agreed. “now, do you want to stock up on your moisturizing potion or is one enough for you?” 

It was Teddy who had made him laugh again, after the war. Harry supposed he would be in danger of coming to think of his godson as some kind of symbol, an abstract notion of hope rather than a boy if it wasn’t for moments like this. Teddy curled up by his side, drawing some bizarre four-legged four-eyed creature that he promptly asked Harry to label with his own name. “That’s me?” he asked Teddy skeptically, his smile seemingly fixed in place, simple contentment relaxing his limbs until he straightened up at the sound of another person entering. He was reaching for his wand when he realised who it was and though some long-held instinct still told him to be ready to defend, his better sense knew that wasn’t necessary. 

“Draco,” Harry said back in greeting, admittedly with a bit more of a pointed emphasis of his own use of Malfoy’s first name than was really mature. Andromeda would not be pleased, were she here. He tried to remember what mattered most, which was Teddy’s face lighting up at the sight of his cousin, bounding over to him on unsteady child legs. (Even if that did make him feel the slightest bit jealous). “Funny. Though if I remember correctly, you’re the one who favoured leadership positions, not me. Prefect, Inquisitorial Squad,” Harry tried to keep his voice light. He was mostly joking, though he assumed Draco probably had more information than Harry did about who really was putting themselves forward. Harry himself certainly would not be; what a nightmare that would be. “Not putting your hat in the ring?”

The attempts at civility between them were feeling slightly less unnatural, he supposed, though Harry wasn’t sure he could say he was good at it yet, especially not when Draco Malfoy asking after him still gave him a sense of deep disquiet.  “You don’t have to rush away. Teddy’s glad to see you,” he said, with an awkward shrug.  Really, he didn’t like to talk about himself to anyone.  “Things are the same as ever. How’s your mother?” He never asked about Lucius. 

   Daphne settled in place whilst Draco moved around the room, tracked his movements for a minute or two in the barely there light before settling back into bed. A faint shiver chased through her at the cool touch of the blankets and expensive cotton sheets, but that would fade off soon enough. “If it were memorable you would’ve been back at dawn, not back by now,” she pointed out, lips curling up. They could get physical connection with others any time they wanted, but this was more about comfort and not wanting anything but that. “Had an evening in since my favourite roommate was off entertaining himself, hopefully with someone hot,” she teased with a falsely put-upon sigh; they’d both taken their turns getting back late after one night stands, after all. “Gave me a chance to rest my voice, which I’m aware is shocking.” The words were dry and very much at her own expense. “Any plans for tomorrow?”

   Shutting her eyes, Daphne stretched a little, listening to the familiar sounds of clothing being shed and pulled on before she felt the other side of the bed dip a little when Draco climbed in. When he proceeded to declare her wonderful, blond hair in a spill across the pillow next to hers, she chuckled quietly. “Right back at you,” she remarked, arm moving to wrap loosely around his waist. “I feel like I got some good responses today and the number of listeners went up for today’s song mixes as well.” Daphne’s programme was a mix of discussion based on questions of interest that she came up with, and music. It was an odd combination, but the balance kept things fun and her listener figures agreed. “What, you don’t get enough of my voice here at home, so now you take it to work?” It was another gentle tease, punctuated by Daphne curling up closer to Draco. “How was the store today? Is it still weird being out front?”

BROWSING SHOPS DURING LUNCH quickly became a routine for Pansy Parkinson once she started at the Ministry. It gave her an opportunity to drop the carefully crafted brown-nosing façade she adorned around her co-workers. The excessive enthusiasm about her assistant position became rather tiring three to four hours into the shift. Consequently, she often hurried her way through the Leaky Cauldron’s passageway to Diagon Alley to garnered items before clocking back in. Fortunately, the cobblestoned alley was bearable now that most magical students had returned to their respective institutes for the school year.

It was by chance Pansy stepped into Malfoy Apothecary on that early afternoon. She expected to find one of Malfoy’s many helpers, though what she find was far more exciting.

❛ Well, well, well. Draco dabbles with potions and customer service. A man of many talents, aren’t you? ❜ Pansy hummed with a sweet smirk. ❛ I didn’t expect to find you, though I much rather barter with you than one of your clerks. ❜ She continued, approaching the counter and tapping her manicured fingers against it. ❛ Do you have any Pepperup Potion? ❜

it figured that all of three or four friends he had were going to come into the store at one of the few days of the year (and ever, really) that draco volunteered to run the store. he shouldn’t have to, but it was what it was. now it was pansy, who thankfully didn’t comment on his current occupation too much. meeting her gaze, he smiled slightly. “yes, yes, i am multi talented and very happy to learn,” he said, waving his hand as though to make it go away. “customer service. that word has a world of implications that could never apply to me.” he mock-shuddered at the very idea of it.  as pansy mentioned she’d rather deal with him than one of the clerks, draco decided that was that: they needed to rehire some people. he couldn’t do this for weeks. closing his journal and putting it down behind the counter, he considered her words. “you just need pepper-up? i could brew you that for free. no need to pay for it, really.“ that was not how bartering worked. thankfully he wasn’t kind enough to say that to any other customer ever, or the diagon alley store would never make a profit. “but yes, we have pepper-up. do i ask if you’re feeling under the weather or should we just ignore that part?“ 

In most cases, it vexed Blaise to have his snide remarks so easily discarded. With Draco, it was a comfort; he was a hard one to crack and, throughout the years, Blaise’s efforts had become less and less sincere. That didn’t create cause to stop, however. One must keep their friends on their toes in order to help them grow. 

❝ Oh? Might I suggest, during your next batch of penthouse experiments, you tip the cauldron onto those dreary curtains of yours; perhaps you’ll be lucky and they’ll set on fire. ❞ He stepped closer to the counter now, leather-clad fingers swiping the surface to inspect for dust largely out of habit, not snobbery. The Malfoys could be trusted with cleanliness, if not wars. 

❝ You have an excellent moisturising potion that I’d be lost – and rather scaly – without. I pray you have it on stock, or else I won’t be able to shake another hand this week. ❞ He smiled, charmed by the invite; Draco was an excellent dinner date and he’d been dying to try the new Italian on his street. ❝ What time do you close? ❞

Draco merely side-eyed Blaise for his remark about the dreary curtains. Blaise and him both knew there was no such thing. Draco knew of his many shortcomings and his inability to tell colours apart was one of them. It was why he labeled every ingredient and potion alike with great care. It was also why his mother, who had the best taste in decorating, picked out the curtains and everything else for the penthouse alongside Daphne. It was a thing of beauty for those that had an eye for it, Draco was sure.  “Don’t even get me started,” he told his friend. “One more word and Daphne may think it’s time to redecorate. While I am happy to fund that project, I don’t think we need new curtains just yet.“ It’d be redecorating for the sake of it. Not that Draco minded that, though. It would just be more handy to redecorate when he did inevitably make some stuff, curtains included, explode. Late night potion experiments were not always the grand idea he thought it to be. He shook his head a little at the sight of Blaise swiping the surface of the counter, but refrained from commenting. “Wouldn’t want you to stop being able to shake hands with your clients,” he commented instead as he moved away from the counter and into the store, intending to get Blaise the potion he requested, only to pause at the next question. “I don’t close, the store -” he started and sighed. “Six. We close at six. Is that convenient for you? Do you have a place in mind?”