Puppy Dog Eyes
aka the fluffiest thing I've ever written
word count: 843
rating: G
Read on AO3!
Really, Harryâs first mistake had been letting Draco give him those big puppy dog eyes before heâd even had an ounce of coffee. If heâd at least been properly caffeinated, maybe he would have had the energy to tell his boyfriend no, to win an argument against Draco Malfoy for once in his life.Â
His second mistake had been going with him to the pet store.Â
A muggle one, of course. It was near their flat, with leashes and collars lining the walls, all overpriced and something the thing would outgrow in weeks, but Draco hardly paid the accessories any mind. There was one thing and one thing only that he was here for. He walked straight towards the large assortment of kennels, peering in and fawning over the small dogs, who quickly made their bids for his attention. The place was full of yipping and whining within seconds, but Harry could hardly hear it. All he could see was Dracoâs big eyes on him again, his fingers hooked in the metal grate of a kennel as a puppy pressed its nose against the latch.Â
âNo.â Harry tried for stern, but in reality it just came out as pleading. Heâd never been good at saying no to Draco, and when there was a dog looking at him like that? âYou told me we would just be looking, love.â He reminded, walking up beside the man and scratching at the pupâs chin as Draco huffed.Â
âBut look at her! Sheâs just so precious, arenât you, love? How can you possibly say no to that face? Absolutely irresistible, really.â He pouted as he tugged on the latch, as though hoping he could unlock it without the shopkeeper knowing, and run out with the dog before Harry knew what had happened.Â
Draco had always wanted a dog, heâd told Harry so one night after a bit too much wine, enough that they were the kind of drunk that makes you rambly and a bit sad, rather than happy and giggly.
âMy father never liked animals much. I begged and begged, and you know what I got for it? A fish. A bloody fish!â Draco had sloshed his wine glass around, red liquid spilling over the side and staining his fingers. His hair was mussed from the pillow heâd been using to ârest his eyesâ for the past ten minutes, and Harry wasnât sure heâd ever looked more beautiful.Â
âA fish is definitely no compromise from a dog.â Harry had agreed. The Dursleys had never let him have any pets either. Petunia had always said he was enough of a bother all on his own.Â
âI know! You know what he used to say? He used to say, âDraco,ââ He put on an accent, raising his nose high into the air until Harry was giggling, ââAnimals are hardly civilized, least of all dogs. Theyâve absolutely no manners, and theyâre filthy, do you really want something like that running around our home?ââ He rolled his eyes then, and Harry couldnât help the way he burst into laughter. It was a dog for godâs sake, did Lucius expect it to come with the highest of regard for manners?Â
Heâd laughed, that night. Drunk and willing to rag on Lucius Malfoy in any way possible, but in reality it had made Harryâs blood boil, and heâd been sure that he would get the man a dog, but⌠in their tiny London flat? They had a large shared yard, and Draco had said heâd take the thing for walks every day, but⌠Harry couldnât help but be skeptical. Heâd wanted to wait, until they had a home and all of that. Still, watching the man he loved looking at the dog with those big eyes, so excited and hopefulâŚÂ
Of course Harry bought him the dog. She was a tiny thing, fitting right in Dracoâs jacket along with him, her tiny head poking out as Harry paid for an overpriced green collar, a matching leash, and the dog herself. He could hear Draco mumbling affectionate words to the dog with every step, and as they left the store, Harry knew that heâd made the right decision.Â
Draco was in love. Far more so than heâd maybe ever been with anything. Harry had to admit anyway, the dog was absolutely charming. Draco had named her Cassiopeia Cygnus Malfoy-Potter, insisting that she needed a name just as grand as she was. Grand indeed, standing at a whole ten inches tall.Â
Harry just called her Cassie.Â
She was full of energy, willing to go on countless walks every day, and no matter how often Draco took her out, he came back looking ragged, while she looked like sheâd only just gotten started. Every single time, it made Harryâs heart melt.Â
And, as they sat in front of the fire, Cassie sleeping at their feet at the end of each night, Harry considered how lucky he was. A tiny dog and a not so tiny Draco had turned a cold London flat into a home.Â
