harry knows he can be a bit of an idiot at times and he thinks he’s unworthy of draco because draco only deserves the best; the smartest, most clever guy out there who can talk to him about potions and not sound like an uneducated buffoon. he feels bad whenever draco teases him about it (“potter, even a first year could answer that question!”) and he feels ridiculous that he does
harry never told this to anyone though, especially not draco. he only asked hermione to help him with potions and to teach him a lot of trivia in the wizarding world (to impress draco but of course he left that bit out) and hermione’s really confused because they’re not even in hogwarts anymore and harry’s already an auror but she does it anyway even if harry doesn’t answer her questions as tow why he’s doing it
and draco starts to notice that harry’s always busy and off at ron and hermione’s place but he doesn’t want to pry or intrude because he’s afraid he might sound clingy and ron and hermione are harry’s best friends and he has the right to visit them anytime he wants to
but of course that doesn’t keep draco from feeling lonely
and one day draco comes home from his workshop near st mungo’s after a long day making five crates of potions for an apothecary in diagon alley and catches harry reading one of his potion books, looking extremely frustrated
draco asks what he’s doing and harry jumps up, surprised. harry tried to tell him it was nothing but draco was refusing to budge so he just sighed heavily before telling draco everything, staying resignedly silent after the admission as if he was sure draco would finally think of him as the Ultimate Idiot and leave him for some smart dude
“i’m sorry,” draco says and harry looks up, surprised, because draco rarely apologizes. “i didn’t realize it hurt you so much”
“no really it’s not your fault it’s just me being stupid,” harry tries but draco hugs him anyways and harry wraps his arms around draco’s waist and buries his nose on draco’s neck, feeling like an absolute moron
“you’re not stupid, harry,” draco tells him earnestly. “and i never cared if you were granger-smart. i don’t care if you’re not good at potions. i didn’t date you for your academic prowess and i certainly didn’t fall in love with you because of it, you idiot”
harry smiles, feeling all his insecurities vanish at draco’s words
“and besides, i like idiots”
harry chuckles and nuzzles draco’s neck with his nose. “yeah? what kind?”
draco bites back a smile and settles himself more comfortably within harry’s warmth