The Dragon | Draco Malfoy x Reader
loving-daisy masterlist
summary: a little best friends to lovers au with a hint of soulmates au featuring Draco Malfoy and his best mate's little sister, Y/N Nott.
words: 11.2k
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Draco Malfoy apparated into Y/N Nottâs flat without warning, as he always did.Â
There he found her, sitting cross-legged on the couch, a plate of pasta in her hands, fork twirling lazily through the noodles. She barely spared him a glance.
âYou could knock,â she said, taking a bite.
âAnd miss the chance to catch you in the middle of stuffing your face?â Draco smirked, sauntering over. âWhat are you eating?â
Y/N shot him a warning look. âMy lunch. Get your own.â
Draco, naturally, ignored her. He plopped down beside her, far too close, and before she could react, he grabbed her fork and got a forkful of pasta from her plate and popped it into his mouth.
Y/N gasped in outrage. âMalfoy!â
âThis is good,â he mused, chewing. âDid you make it, or did you bribe Theo to?â
Y/N scowled. âI ordered it, you absolute menace.â
Draco stole another bite.
She smacked his arm. âDraco!â
He only grinned, completely unbothered. âYou always taste-test my drinks when weâre out. Consider this payback.â
âYou let me do that!â
âExactly. Which means you should let me do this.â He reached for another bite, and Y/N yanked the plate away, scrambling off the couch.
âTouch my food again, Malfoy, and I will hex you.â
Draco just leaned back, smug. âYou wouldnât dare. You like me too much.â
Y/N narrowed her eyes.Â
Then, very slowly, she stuffed the biggest forkful of pasta into her mouth, chewing pointedly as she stared him down.
Dracoâs eyes widened slightly. âYouâre so mean.â
Y/N smirked. âRight back at you.â
Draco huffed, watching her with a mix of amusement and betrayal as she deliberately took another exaggerated bite.Â
âYou know,â he drawled, stretching his legs out on her coffee table, âI could just order my own, but it wouldnât taste as good as stolen food.â
Y/N rolled her eyes. âThen starve, thief.â
But Draco was nothing if not persistent. With the swiftness of a Seeker, he lunged forward, trying to grab the plate. Y/N, already anticipating his move, twisted away, barely dodging him.
âDraco!â she shrieked, laughing as she held the plate high above her head.
He grinned, eyes alight with mischief. âYou forget, love, Iâm taller than you.â
Before she could escape, Draco grabbed her wrist, yanking it down just enough to snatch another bite. He let out a triumphant hum as he chewed, savoring his victory.
âYou absolute menace!â Y/N shoved at him, but Draco only grinned wider, chewing obnoxiously.
âMm,â he said, swallowing. âTastes even better when you fight back.â
She groaned dramatically. âI swear, Malfoy, if you donât stopââ
âYouâll what?â He tilted his head, smirking. âHex me? Kick me out? Please, Nott, we both know you love my company.â
Y/N huffed, crossing her arms. âI tolerate your company.â
Draco leaned in, eyes twinkling. âRight, and you âtolerateâ me stealing your food?â
She glared at him for a moment before dramatically shoving the last bite of pasta into her mouth, chewing slowly, tauntingly.
Draco sighed. âYouâre cruel, you know that?â
Y/N smirked, swallowing the last bite. âOnly to you, Malfoy.â
He chuckled, shaking his head. âUnbelievable.â
Y/N wiped her hands on a napkin, then looked at him expectantly. âSince youâve officially ruined my lunch, youâre buying me dinner.â
Draco smirked. âDeal. But Iâm stealing half of it.â
She rolled her eyes but didnât protest. Because, if she was being honest, she didnât really mind.
Y/N narrowed her eyes at Draco, still chewing the last bite of her pasta.Â
âWhat are you doing here, anyway?â she asked, voice slightly muffled.
Draco stretched out on her couch like he owned the place, arms draped over the backrest.Â
âWhat, I need a reason to visit my best friend?â
âYes,â she said flatly. âBecause every time you visit, you steal my food, take up all my space, and somehow make yourself at home without even asking.â
Draco smirked. âSo, just being my usual charming self, then?â
Y/N snorted. âCharming isnât the word Iâd use.â
Draco ignored her. âActually, I was bored. Theoâs busy, Blaise is Merlin knows where, and Pansyâs on some shopping spree. That left you.â
Y/N raised a brow. âSo I was your last choice?â
Draco placed a dramatic hand over his heart. âNever. You were my best choice.â
She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. âRight. And you conveniently showed up at lunchtime?â
Draco shrugged. âPure coincidence, I assure you.â
âLiar.â
He smirked but didnât deny it. Instead, he reached over, plucked her fork from the now-empty plate, and twirled it between his fingers. âSince Iâm already here, what are we doing today?â
Y/N crossed her arms. âWe? Malfoy, I had plans.â
Draco gasped, mock-offended. âWithout me?â
âYes, actually. A nice, peaceful afternoon. Alone.â
Draco tsked. âSounds boring. Good thing Iâm here to fix that.â
Y/N groaned, flopping back against the couch. Draco simply smirked, completely unbothered. âCome on, Nott. Letâs go do something fun.â
Y/N sighed, already knowing she was going to give in. âFine.â
Draco smirked. âI knew you couldn't resist the Malfoy charm.â
She smacked his arm, but he only laughed.
A few minutes later, Y/N stood in front of her vanity, rummaging through her makeup bag as Draco lounged on her bed, watching her with an amused expression.
âYou know,â he drawled, propping himself up on one elbow, âI never understand why you go through all this effort when you already look good.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, uncapping her lipstick. âFlattery wonât make me forget that you stole my food, Malfoy.â
Draco smirked, completely unrepentant. âIt was worth a shot.â
She turned back to the mirror and started applying her lipstick, her movements precise. Draco watched, fascinated, as her lips took on a richer shade. He never really paid attention to things like this, but there was something oddly mesmerizing about the way she did it.
âDo you always do this when you go out?â he asked, tilting his head.
Y/N hummed. âMost of the time.âÂ
She grabbed her eyeliner next, swiping a thin line over her lids. âWhy? You planning on picking up a few tips?â
Draco chuckled. âMaybe. I could pull off a good eyeliner look, donât you think?â
She snorted. âI think youâd cry halfway through applying it.â
Draco scoffed. âI do not cry.â
âMm-hmm,â Y/N muttered, unconvinced, as she reached for her mascara.
Draco watched as she carefully brushed the wand through her lashes.Â
âYou take forever,â he complained, though he didnât actually mind.
âIf youâre impatient, you can leave,â Y/N quipped, not even sparing him a glance.
Draco scoffed. âAnd miss this? Not a chance.â
Y/N shook her head, biting back a smile as she finished up. She leaned in, checking her reflection one last time before turning to face him. âDone.â
Draco sat up, scanning her face. âHmm.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow. âWhat?â
He smirked. âMissed a spot.â
Before she could react, Draco leaned forward, swiping his thumb over the corner of her lip but whether to fix her lipstick or just to mess with her, she wasnât sure.
Y/N stilled, eyes narrowing. âMalfoy.â
Draco only grinned, wiping his thumb on her napkin. âRelax, love. Just helping.â
She huffed, grabbing her purse. âYouâre insufferable.â
âMaybe. But you keep me around.â
Y/N rolled her eyes but didnât argue. âCome on, thief. You owe me dinner.â
Draco smirked, falling into step beside her. âLead the way, love.â
â-----------------
Y/N strolled through the boutique, casually running her fingers over the fabric of a silk dress while Draco followed behind, hands in his pockets.
âAre you actually going to buy something, or are we just here to waste time?â he asked, smirking.
Y/N shot him a look. âI donât know, Malfoy. I wouldâve had time to shop earlier if someone hadnât barged into my flat and stolen my lunch.â
Draco grinned. âAnd yet, here we are, having the time of our lives.â
Y/N rolled her eyes before picking up a pair of heels, examining them. She checked the price tag then immediately put them back.
Draco, of course, noticed. âWhat?â
âTheyâre nice, but I donât need them.â
Draco didnât even hesitateâhe plucked the shoes off the shelf and walked straight to the counter.
Y/Nâs eyes widened. âDraco, what are you doing?â
âBuying them.â
âAbsolutely not.â
Draco turned to her, exasperated. âOh, come on, Nott. Just let me get them for you.â
She crossed her arms. âI can buy my own things, Malfoy.â
âObviously,â he said, waving the shoes at the cashier. âBut why would you when I can do it for you?â
Y/N groaned, trying to snatch them back. âYou are not paying for my stuffââ
Draco easily dodged her, handing over his card. âToo late.â
She stared at him, incredulous. âYou are the worst.â
Draco smirked. âNo, I'm not. You love me.â
Y/N huffed, grabbing the bag from him when the cashier handed it over. âIâm not letting you pay for anything else.â
Draco gave her an innocent look. âOf course not, love.â
She narrowed her eyes but let it goâuntil ten minutes later, when he paid for a dress she had barely considered buying.
âDraco!â
He only smirked. âOops.â
Y/N groaned, but he wasnât done. Every time she so much as glanced at something for more than two seconds, Draco was already paying for it. Accessories, perfume, even a ridiculous little keychain she picked up absentmindedly.
âMalfoy, I swearââ
Draco draped an arm around her shoulders, smug. âToo bad, love. You shouldâve stopped me earlier.â
Y/N glared at him, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her.Â
Draco Malfoy was impossible.Â
Ridiculous.Â
Overbearing.
And yet, she couldnât bring herself to really mind.
Y/N swung her shopping bags over her shoulder and glanced at Draco, who was still grinning smugly from paying for everything. âIf youâre so eager to throw money around, Malfoy, you can buy me a new couch.â
Draco raised an eyebrow. âA new couch? What happened to the old one?â
âItâs old,â Y/N said simply. âAnd I donât like it anymore.â
Draco rolled his eyes. âOf course. Merlin forbid you live with something you donât like.â
âExactly,â Y/N said, already walking toward a nearby furniture store. âCome on, youâre helping me pick one.â
Draco groaned but followed anyway. âThis is the most boring thing youâve ever dragged me into.â
Inside the store, Y/N made a beeline for the couches, testing out different ones while Draco trailed behind, looking unimpressed. She flopped onto a plush emerald green one and patted the spot beside her.
âThis oneâs nice.â
Draco sat down reluctantly. âNot bad.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow. âYou could at least pretend to care.â
âI do care,â Draco said. âI care about how long this is going to take.â
Y/N ignored him and stood up, moving to another couch. âThis one feels softer.â
Draco leaned back, stretching his arms across the cushions. âI donât see the difference.â
She huffed. âThatâs because you have the attention span of a goldfish.â
Draco smirked. âAt least I still have the patience to deal with you.â
Y/N rolled her eyes and kept testing couches, but every time she sat down, Draco followed, getting comfortable as if he lived there.
When she finally found one she liked, black leather, sleek but cozy, Draco sighed dramatically.Â
âFinally. I thought weâd die here.â
Y/N ignored him and turned to the salesperson. âIâll take this one.â
Draco, of course, stepped in before she could pull out her wallet. âShe wonât be paying for it.â
Y/N groaned. âMalfoyââ
He held up a hand. âNo arguments. Consider it a gift.â
After finalizing the purchaseâentirely against Y/Nâs will, because Draco refused to let her payâthe store promised to have the couch delivered to her flat by the evening.
As they stepped out onto the street, Y/N sighed, shaking her head. âI donât know why I even bother arguing with you.â
Draco smirked, slinging an arm around her shoulders. âYou donât. You just like pretending you have a choice.â
She rolled her eyes but didnât shake him off. âYouâre an insufferable, overgrown ferret.â
âAnd you love me for it,â he quipped.
âDebatable,â Y/N muttered, adjusting her shopping bags.
Draco noticed and effortlessly took half of them from her hands.
Y/N blinked. âI didnât ask you to carry those.â
Draco shrugged. âI know. Iâm just naturally chivalrous.â
She snorted. âSure. Keep telling yourself that, Malfoy.â
As they walked through Diagon Alley, Draco glanced at her. âSo, what now?â
Y/N thought for a moment. âDinner. Since you owe me, remember?â
Draco smirked. âRight. But Iâm still stealing half of your food.â
She groaned. âYouâre unbelievable.â
âAnd yetââ
ââI keep you around,â she finished, rolling her eyes but grinning despite herself.
Draco chuckled, nudging her playfully as they headed toward their usual restaurant. It was a cozy little restaurant tucked into a quieter corner of Diagon Alley. Immediately, the hostess greeted them with familiarity and led them to their usual booth by the window.
As soon as they sat down, Y/N stretched her legs out, sighing in content.Â
âShopping is exhausting.â
Draco smirked, casually draping an arm over the back of the booth.Â
âExhausting? I donât think it is when you insist on dragging me into it.â
âYouâre the one who kept paying for everything,â Y/N shot back, picking up the menu.
Draco shrugged. âItâs my way of showing affection.â
Y/N snorted. âSo you just throw money at your problems?â
He smirked. âItâs worked so far.â
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.
When the waiter arrived, Y/N immediately rattled off her order, making sure to get extra sides because she knew Draco would inevitably steal some. When Draco ordered for himself, he glanced at her with a knowing smirk. âExtra sides? How thoughtful of you.â
Y/N shot him a glare. âI learn from experience.â
Draco chuckled, leaning back as the waiter left. âSo, what time will this new couch of yours arrive?â
â8:00 pm,â Y/N said. âAnd no, you donât have to come over and inspect it.â
Draco raised a brow. âWho said anything about inspecting? I was planning on testing it out.â
Y/N narrowed her eyes. âYouâre not sleeping on my couch, Malfoy.â
He smirked. âWeâll see.â
Before she could argue, their food arrived. Y/N dug in immediately, but, as expected, Draco shamelessly stole a bite from her plate.
She swatted at his hand. âUnbelievable.â
Draco only grinned, completely unbothered.Â
â-----------------
Dinner passed in their usual rhythmâbickering, stolen bites of food, and Draco smirking at Y/Nâs frustration. By the time they finished eating, Y/N leaned back in her seat, fully satisfied.
âThat,â she said, pointing at her empty plate, âwas exactly what I needed.â
Draco smirked, sipping his drink. âYou mean, what we needed. Since, you know, I had half of it.â
Y/N huffed. âI donât know why I ever think Iâll get to eat in peace with you around.â
Draco shrugged, completely unrepentant. âYou love the company.â
âThatâs likely,â she muttered, though the amusement in her eyes gave her away.
When the bill arrived, Draco reached for it without hesitation.
Y/N groaned.Â
âNo point arguing, love.â He handed the waiter his card before she could even attempt to grab it. âI paid for everything else today, might as well keep the streak going.â
Y/N crossed her arms. âThis is getting ridiculous.â
Draco leaned forward, smirking. âYou keep saying that, and yet, I donât see you walking away.â
She narrowed her eyes at him, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her.Â
He was ridiculous, but he was also Dracoâher Draco. Infuriating, insufferable, and somehow always there, spoiling her whether she wanted him to or not.
Once they left the restaurant, Y/N stretched, sighing. âAlright, now I really just want to go home and sit on my new couch.â
Draco smirked. âPerfect, Iâll come with.â
Y/N shot him a look. âYouâre joking.â
âDo I look like Iâm joking?â
âYes, because there is absolutely no reason for you to come over.â
Draco gave her an exaggerated gasp. âWhat if the couch is ugly? Youâll need moral support.â
She groaned. âItâs not ugly.â
âLetâs go find out,â Draco said, already walking toward the nearest apparition point.
Y/N sighed, but she didnât stop him. Because, at the end of the day, Draco Malfoy always found a way into her plans whether it was regarding her flat, her food, or her life.
And maybe⌠she didnât mind so much after all.
They apparated straight to Y/Nâs flat, landing with a soft pop in her living room. The moment they arrived, Y/N let out a satisfied sigh because there it was, her brand-new black leather couch, sitting perfectly in place where the old one used to be.
Draco hummed in approval. âNot bad.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow. âSee? I have taste.â
Draco smirked. âQuestionable, considering you keep me around.â
She rolled her eyes and stepped forward, running a hand over the smooth leather before flopping onto the cushions.Â
She let out a dramatic sigh. âOh, this is perfect.â
Draco chuckled before moving toward the couch and sitting beside her. He stretched out, propping his feet on the coffee table. âNot bad at all. Might be my new favorite place to nap.â
Y/N turned her head to glare at him. âNo. You have your own flat for that.â
Draco smirked. âBut yours is much cozier.â
Y/N huffed but didnât bother pushing him off. Instead, she leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment. âIt is a nice couch.â
Draco hummed in agreement, relaxing beside her. For a while, they sat in comfortable silence.
Then, without warning, Draco stretched out even more, laying his head on her lap.
Y/Nâs eyes snapped open. âDracoââ
âTesting the comfort,â he said casually, eyes closed, completely at ease.
Y/N narrowed her eyes. âTesting the comfort on my lap?â
He smirked. âI need a pillow, and youâre conveniently here.â
Y/N groaned, tempted to shove him off, but after a long day of shopping, eating, and dealing with Dracoâs ridiculousness, she was too tired to fight.
Instead, she sighed and muttered, âUnbelievable.â
Draco peeked up at her. âAnd yetââ
âI keep you around,â she finished with a small smile, lightly flicking his forehead.
Draco chuckled, closing his eyes again, and Y/N let herself relax.
Maybe he was insufferable. Maybe he did steal her food and invite himself into her home. But if she were being honest with herself⌠she didnât actually mind.
Y/N absentmindedly ran her fingers through Dracoâs platinum-blond hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. She didnât even realize she was doing it at first. Her hand just started moving on its own as she relaxed into the couch.
Draco let out a soft hum of approval, his eyes still closed. âIf you keep doing that, I might actually fall asleep.â
Y/N scoffed, but her fingers didnât stop. âYou invited yourself over, stole my couch, and now youâre planning to nap on me?â
Draco smirked, his voice lower, lazier. âCan you blame me? Youâre comfortable.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, but her touch remained gentle, smoothing through his hair. âUnbelievable.â
âAnd yetâŚâ Draco murmured, tilting his head slightly, leaning into her touch.
She sighed dramatically, but a small smile tugged at her lips. âYeah, yeah. I keep you around.â
For once, Draco didnât respond with some smug remark. He just let out another contented hum, his breathing steadying.
Y/N glanced down at himâhis sharp features relaxed, his usual arrogance softened. There was something almost peaceful about him like this, stretched across her lap without a care in the world.
And for reasons she didnât want to think too hard about, she let him stay.
As Draco drifted off, the steady warmth of Y/Nâs hand in his hair, his mind slipped into a dreamâone that felt so vivid, so real, he almost believed it.
He was in a flat. Their flat. He didnât recognize the place, but it felt familiar, like he belonged there. The living room was bathed in golden light, the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air.
Y/N sat across from him, curled up on the very same couch he had just bought her, a book in her lap. She looked comfortable, at home.
Draco watched as she absentmindedly reached for her mug, only to find it empty. Without a word, he stood, taking it from her hands and walking to the kitchen, filling it the way he somehow knew she likedâjust a little bit of sugar, no milk.
When he handed it back, Y/N gave him a lazy smile, her fingers brushing against his as she took the cup. âThanks, Malfoy.â
There was something different in the way she said his name. Something softer. Warmer.
Draco smirked, sitting back beside her, his arm draping over the couch. âAnything for you, love.â
And the most surprising part? He meant it.
The dream shifted. It was nighttime now, and they were still in the flat, but this time, Y/N was next to him, curled against his side as they lay on the couch. Draco could hear the rain tapping softly against the windows, but all he could focus on was the steady rise and fall of her breath, the way she fit so perfectly against him.
He felt himself lean in, brushing his lips against her temple.
âDraco,â she murmured sleepily, her voice barely above a whisper.
His name had never sounded so right.
But just as he was about to respond, the dream dissolved.
Dracoâs eyes fluttered open, the weight of the dream lingering in his chest like something half-remembered, something important.
The first thing he saw was Y/N, still stroking his hair, still looking down at him with that same amused fondness.
For a split second, he thought he was still dreaming.
But noâthis was real. The couch, her touch, the warmth of her presence.
Draco swallowed, unsure of what to say.
Y/N raised an eyebrow. âYou okay? You twitched in your sleep.â
Draco blinked, quickly masking whatever emotion had been in his expression with his usual smirk.Â
âJust dreaming of a world where you actually let me have my own plate of food.â
Y/N snorted, rolling her eyes. âSounds unrealistic.â
Draco chuckled, shaking off the lingering haze of his dream. But as he looked at her again, watching the way she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hairâŚ
Something deep inside him whispered that maybe, just maybe, the dream wasnât as unrealistic as he thought.
â-----------------
Y/N continued running her fingers through Dracoâs hair, lost in thought. The flat was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city outside. She glanced at the clock. It was late. Too late for him to apparate back to his own place when he was already half-asleep.
Without really thinking about it, she murmured, âYou should just stay the night.â
Dracoâs eyes flickered open, his smirk immediate. âOh? Inviting me into your bed, Nott? How scandalous.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, shoving his shoulder lightly. âOn the couch, idiot.â
Draco hummed, as if considering it. âHmm. I did personally approve this couch. It would only be right for me to test it properly.â
Y/N huffed. âSo dramatic.â
âOnly for you.â His voice was teasing, but there was something softer underneath it.
Y/N didnât respond right away. She just watched him, the way his sharp features softened in the dim lighting of her flat.
Draco tilted his head slightly. âYou sure you donât mind?â
âIf I minded, I wouldnât have asked,â she muttered.
His smirk widened, but there was something almost pleased in his expression. âAlright then. Iâll stay.â
Y/N exhaled, shifting so he could sit up. âBlankets are in the closet. Donât touch my stuff.â
Draco stretched lazily before standing. âNo promises.â
Y/N shot him a glare, but she was already walking toward her bedroom, suppressing a small smile.
âGoodnight, Malfoy.â
Draco smirked. âSweet dreams, Nott.â
And as Y/N shut her door, Draco stared at the empty couch, the warmth of her lingering in the air.
He hadnât planned on staying. But for some reason, now that he was hereâŚ
He didnât really want to leave.
â-----------------
A few minutes later, Draco padded quietly through Y/Nâs flat, heading toward her bedroom to grab a blanket from her closet. He had stayed over at her place enough times to know his way around, though she would probably hex him if she caught him snooping.
He pushed open the door, stepping inside without much thought. The room smelled like her. It was something warm and faintly sweet, a scent he knew all too well. He made his way to the closet, about to pull it open when the bathroom door swung open.
Y/N stepped out, steam curling from behind her, hair damp, skin flushed from the heat of her shower.
And she was wearing nothing but a towel.
Draco froze.
Y/N froze.
For a split second, neither of them moved. The towel clung to her in a way that left very little to the imagination, and Dracoâs brain short-circuited completely.
Y/Nâs eyes widened in realization, thenâ
âDraco!â she shrieked, scrambling back into the bathroom.
âMerlinâs bloodyââ Draco whipped around so fast he nearly tripped over himself. âWhat the hell, Y/N? A warning wouldâve been nice!â
âA warning?!â Her voice was muffled behind the door now. âWhy are you even in my room?!â
âI was getting a blanket like you told me to!â Draco ran a hand down his face, trying to erase the image now permanently burned into his brain.Â
âHow was I supposed to know youâd beââ He gestured wildly at the door, even though she couldnât see him. ââhalf-dressed and dripping?â
The bathroom door cracked open just enough for her to glare at him. âDripping?â
Draco smirked before he could stop himself. âWell, I mean, you were.â
Y/N groaned, disappearing back inside. Draco chuckled, finally grabbing the blanket and making a quick escape. But as he settled onto the couch, throwing the blanket over himself, he realized something.
That image with Y/N standing there, flushed and damp, eyes wide with surprise was definitely going to haunt him for a while.
Draco lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, blanket pulled over him but to be honest, there was no chance he was going to fall asleep anytime soon. His mind kept replaying the image of Y/N in that towel, damp hair clinging to her skin, the way her eyes had gone wide with shock.
Bloody hell.
He groaned, rolling onto his side, burying his face into the pillow.Â
This is fine.Â
Totally fine.Â
Just forget about it.
Except he couldnât.
A few minutes later, he heard her bedroom door creak open. His body tensed instinctively, but he forced himself to stay still, pretending to be half-asleep.
Y/N padded toward the kitchen, her movements quiet. Probably getting water or a snack. Draco kept his eyes shut, determined to not make things any weirder than they already were.
âAre you awake?â
Draco cracked one eye open, finding her standing near the couch, arms crossed. She was now in an oversized Slytherin Quidditch sweater and a pair of shorts, hair still damp from her shower.
He smirked sleepily. âDepends. If I say no, will you leave me alone?â
She rolled her eyes. âDoubtful.â
Draco sighed dramatically. âThen yes, unfortunately, Iâm awake.â
Y/N hesitated for a second before shifting her weight. âLook⌠about earlier.â
Draco grinned, propping himself up on his elbow. âOh, this should be good.â
She shot him a glare. âIâm serious, Malfoy. If you tell anyoneââ
âWhat, that you were practically naked in front of me?â He tilted his head. âThat you practically flaunted yourself at me?â
Y/N gaped. âI did not!â
Draco chuckled. âMmm. Maybe not intentionally.â
âDraco,â she warned.
He held up his hands in surrender, still grinning. âRelax, Nott. Your reputation is safe with me. You have nice skin anyways.â
She studied him for a moment, then sighed. âGood.â
Draco watched as she hesitated again, shifting slightly, as if debating whether to say something else.
Then, finallyâ ââŚI canât sleep.â
Draco raised an eyebrow. âYou woke me up just to tell me that?â
âI didnât wake you up,â she argued. âYou were already awake.â
Draco smirked but sat up anyway, stretching. âAlright, princess. What do you want me to do? Sing you a lullaby?â
Y/N snorted. âNo way in hell. Iâd rather suffer.â
He smirked, then patted the couch beside him. âCome on, then.â
She frowned. âWhat?â
âYou canât sleep. Iâm awake. Might as well keep me company.â
Y/N hesitated, eyeing him suspiciously. âYouâre not going to make this weird, are you?â
Draco placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. âMe? Weird? Iâm hurt, truly.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, but after a moment, she sighed and moved to sit beside him.
And just like that, they sat together in the dim glow of the flat, the air between them filled with quiet conversation and something neither of them was quite ready to name.
Y/N pulled the blanket over her lap, settling into the couch beside Draco. The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.Â
Draco shifted slightly, resting his arm along the back of the couch, fingers absentmindedly toying with the edge of the blanket.Â
âSo,â he drawled, glancing at her, âwhatâs keeping you up?â
Y/N exhaled, running a hand through her still-damp hair. âDunno. Just one of those nights, I guess.â
Draco nodded, understanding. Y/N glanced at him, a small smirk tugging at her lips.Â
âOr maybe Iâm still recovering from the absolute trauma of you barging into my room unannounced.â
Draco groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. âAre we really still on this?â
âYes, we are,â Y/N said, leaning into the couch. âBecause you saw something you shouldnât have, and I have to live with the knowledge that you will never let me forget it.â
Draco smirked, tilting his head. âTo be fair, Iâve seen worse.â
She narrowed her eyes. âWorse?â
âBlaise, fourth year,â he said, shuddering. âWalked into the dorm after practice, and there he was, completely starkers, admiring himself in the mirror.â
Y/N burst out laughing. âYouâre lying.â
âSwear on my broomstick,â Draco said, grinning.Â
âHe even struck a pose. Said something about âappreciating oneâs own beauty.ââ
Y/N shook her head, still laughing. âMerlin, Iâll never be able to look at him the same way again.â
Draco smirked, watching her, enjoying the way her laughter softened the edges of the night.Â
He nudged her foot lightly with his own. âSee? Talking to me does help.â
She huffed, crossing her arms. âI never said it didnât.â
Draco studied her for a moment, then, more seriously, he asked, âWant me to stay up with you?â
Y/N hesitated. Looked at him. Then, slowly, she nodded.
So they stayed like that, side by side, wrapped in a shared blanket, talking about everything and nothing until the weight of exhaustion finally settled in.
At some point, Y/Nâs head dropped against Dracoâs shoulder, her breath evening out as she fell asleep.
Draco stilled, his body instinctively tense. But then, after a moment, he let himself relax, leaning back into the couch.
His arm curled slightly around her, and with a small smirk, he muttered, âGuess Iâm staying, then.â
And for some reason, he didnât mind at all.
âDo you wanna know a secret?â Y/N asks.Â
Draco raised a brow. âWhat?âÂ
âI have a tattoo on my back above my buttocks.âÂ
Draco, who had been lazily resting his head against the couch, immediately perked up at her words. His gaze flickered to her, curiosity sparking in his stormy grey eyes.
âYou what?â he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Y/N smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. âYou heard me.â
Draco shifted so he could properly face her, his interest piqued. âYou have a tattoo? On your back?â His eyes gleamed mischievously.Â
âAbove your arse?â
Y/N rolled her eyes.Â
âAbove the buttocks, Malfoy. Letâs keep it classy.â
Draco let out a short laugh. âSince when do you have a tattoo?â
âSince sixth year,â she admitted, her smirk growing. âPansy knows. She saw it.âÂ
Draco stared at her, utterly intrigued. âAnd you justâwhat? Didnât even bother telling me?â
âObviously,â Y/N said, shrugging.Â
Draco let out a disbelieving chuckle, shaking his head. âAlright, I have to askâwhat is it?â
Y/Nâs smirk deepened, eyes glinting. âWouldnât you like to know?â
Draco narrowed his eyes on her. âYou canât just drop that information and not tell me what it is.â
âI can, actually,â she said smugly, stretching out against the couch.
Draco scoffed. âYouâre insufferable.â
âLikewise, Malfoy,â Y/N shot back, grinning.
Draco huffed but didnât deny it. Instead, he leaned in slightly, dropping his voice.Â
âI will find out, you know.â
âOh?â Y/N raised an eyebrow. âAnd how do you plan on doing that?â
Draco smirked, his voice dripping with amusement. âI have my ways.â
Y/N just laughed, shaking her head. âGood luck with that, Malfoy.â.
Draco leaned back, arms crossed, watching Y/N with a smirk that said he was already plotting.
âYouâre not going to let this go, are you?â she asked, raising an eyebrow.
âNot a chance,â he replied smoothly. âYou shouldâve known better than to tell me something like that.â
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldnât help the small smile tugging at her lips. âAlright, Sherlock, how exactly do you plan on finding out?â
Draco tilted his head, pretending to think. âOh, I donât know. Maybe Iâll just ask Pansy.â
Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly masked it with a nonchalant expression.Â
âShe wonât tell you.â
Draco smirked. âWeâll see about that.â
Y/N huffed, pulling the blanket tighter around her. âYouâre ridiculous.â
âAnd youâre avoiding the question,â he countered. âWhich means itâs something interesting.â
Y/N groaned and flopped back against the couch dramatically. âMerlin, I regret saying anything.â
Draco chuckled, watching her. He was having way too much fun with this.
After a few moments of silence, she peeked at him from under the blanket.Â
âIf I tell you what it is, will you shut up about it?â
Draco smirked, leaning in slightly. âI make no promises.â
She let out an exasperated sigh, then, after a moment of hesitation, muttered, âItâs a dragon.â
Draco stared at her, completely still for a second, before his smirk slowly stretched across his face.
âA dragon?â he repeated, eyes gleaming with amusement. âAre you serious?â
Y/N rolled her eyes. âYes, Malfoy. A dragon.â
He let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over his chest. âMerlin, youâre obsessed with me.â
Y/N groaned, already regretting telling him. âOh, shut up.â
âNo, no, letâs talk about this,â Draco said, leaning closer, utterly delighted. âYou got a dragon tattooed on your bodyâabove your arse, no lessâand you expect me to believe this isnât about me?â
âItâs not about you!â she insisted, though her ears were turning pink. âI just like dragons. Theyâre cool.â
Draco scoffed, smirking. âSure you do.âÂ
He tapped his chin, pretending to think. âAlthough, if I had to guess, Iâd say itâs a tribute. A little dedication, perhaps? I knew you adored me, but thisâthis is next level.â
Y/N grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. âYouâre so annoying!â
Draco just laughed, catching the pillow before it could hit him again. âI canât believe youâve been walking around all these years with me permanently inked on your skin.â
âItâs not you, Malfoy!â
âMm-hmm.â He was grinning ear to ear now, clearly having the time of his life. âDoes it have blond hair? A sharp jawline? A tragic backstory?â
Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. âI hate you.â
Draco nudged her foot with his. âAdmit it.â
She peeked at him through her fingers. âAdmit what?â
âThat a small, tiny part of you thought of me when you got it.â
Y/N huffed, crossing her arms. âYou werenât the inspiration, Draco.â
Draco smirked. âSo you have thought about me in that way, then?â
Y/N blinked before realizing her mistake. âThatâs not what I meant!â
Draco just leaned back, looking incredibly smug. âToo late. You already said it.â
Y/N groaned again, shoving him. âYouâre impossible.â
Draco chuckled, enjoying himself far too much. âAnd you, my dear, are mine.â
âIn your dreams.â
Draco simply smirked.Â
âOh, trust me, Nott. I will be dreaming about this.â
Y/N groaned, throwing her head back against the couch. âI swear, if you bring this up one more timeââ
Draco stretched out beside her, arms behind his head, looking insufferably pleased. âOh, Iâm definitely bringing this up again.â
Y/N narrowed her eyes at him. âYou wish that tattoo was about you.â
Draco turned his head, smirking. âI donât have to wish, love. You practically confirmed it.â
âI did not,â she huffed, crossing her arms.
Draco chuckled, tilting his head. âAlright then, if itâs not about me, then why a dragon?â
Y/N rolled her eyes. âBecause dragons are powerful. Majestic. Fierce.â
Draco nodded slowly, his smirk deepening. âRight. And remind meâwho else do you know thatâs powerful, majestic, and fierce?â
Y/N groaned. âI hate you.â
Draco just laughed. âIâm just saying! I am Draco. My name does mean âdragonâ in Latin.â
âOh, Merlin, shut up!â
âI bet it even looks like me. A little dramatic. Probably breathtaking.â
Y/N let out a frustrated noise, pushing herself up from the couch. âIâm going to bed. I refuse to entertain your delusions any longer.â
Draco followed her, still smirking. âYou know, if you ever do want to dedicate something to me, Iâd suggest something more obvious. Maybe my name in cursive across your wristââ
Y/N turned and shoved him backward. âGet out of my room, Malfoy!â
Draco held up his hands, laughing as he backed away. âFine, fine! Iâll behave.âÂ
He leaned against her doorframe, watching her with that same mischievous glint in his eyes. âBut just so you know, I am honored. Even if you wonât admit it.â
Y/N exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. âYou are impossible.â
Draco winked. âAnd yet, you let me stay.â
She rolled her eyes and slammed the door in his face.
From the other side, Draco chuckled to himself.
She definitely got that tattoo because of me.
â-----------------
The next morning, Draco pushed open the door without thinking, a smug grin on his face. âOi, get up, lazyââ
He froze mid-sentence.
Y/N stood in front of her mirror, her back fully exposed as she pulled a shirt over her head. And there it was.
The tattoo.
A sleek, intricately detailed dragon curled elegantly along her lower back, just above the waistband of her shorts. The black ink shimmered slightly under the morning light, its wings extending in a subtle arc, its serpentine body coiled with effortless grace.
Dracoâs mouth went dry.
Y/N gasped, whipping around. âDraco!â
He barely heard her. His eyes were locked on the tattoo, his smirk slowly returning.Â
âWell, well, well,â he drawled, crossing his arms. âWould you look at that?â
Y/N yanked her shirt down and glared. âGet out!â
Draco ignored her, stepping further into the room, his smirk widening. âYou knew I wanted to see it, and yet, here you areâpractically showing off first thing in the morning.âÂ
He tsked. âIf I didnât know better, Iâd say you wanted me to see it.â
Y/N groaned, grabbing the nearest thingâa pillowâand chucking it at his head. âI swear to Merlin, Malfoy, I will hex you!â
Draco dodged it effortlessly, still grinning. âOh, come on, donât be shy now.âÂ
He leaned against the doorframe, tilting his head. âI was right, wasnât I? That dragon is a tribute to me.â
Y/N scoffed, cheeks burning. âGet over yourself.â
Draco pretended to think. âYou know, Iâm feeling very honored right now. I should return the favor. Maybe I should get âY/Nâ tattooed somewhere on my body. Any placement suggestions?â
Y/N let out a strangled groan, shoving him toward the door. âGo eat your bloody breakfast, Malfoy!â
He let her push him, still laughing as he stumbled into the hallway. âFine, fine! But youâre never living this down.â
Before she could slam the door, he peeked his head back in.Â
âFor the record, I love it.â
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldnât hide the small smile tugging at her lips.Â
âOut, Malfoy.â
Draco chuckled and finally let her shut the door, grinning to himself as he walked back to the kitchen. Best morning ever.
Y/N took a deep breath, pressing her hands against the door as she listened to Dracoâs footsteps retreating.Â
Merlin, heâs insufferable.Â
She turned back to the mirror, slightly lifting her shirt, glancing over her shoulder at the tattoo.Â
She had always loved itâalways thought it was elegant, powerful.Â
But now?Â
Now it felt like his smirking face was permanently attached to it.
Shaking her head, she quickly finished getting dressed before heading to the kitchen.
Draco was already sitting at the table, smug as ever, sipping his tea. âTook you long enough.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, plopping into the chair across from him. âI was debating whether or not to hex you before breakfast.â
Draco smirked, setting his cup down. âA very predictable debate.â He nodded toward the plate in front of her. âEat up. I slaved away in the kitchen for you.â
Y/N raised an eyebrow, eyeing the food. âYou made toast and eggs, Malfoy. Letâs not get dramatic.â
Draco feigned offense. âToast and eggs require skill. Perfectly golden toast, eggs cooked just right. Do you know how much effort that takes?â
She snorted, cutting into her eggs. âThank you for your service.â
Draco leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching her with amusement. âSo⌠letâs talk about that tattoo.â
Y/N groaned. âOh myâDraco, let it go.â
âNever,â he said immediately. âItâs too good. My favorite discovery ever.â
Y/N shook her head, stuffing a bite of toast in her mouth.
Draco leaned forward, smirking. âAlright, serious question. When you got it, did you think of me? Even for one second?â
Y/N chewed slowly, keeping her face neutral. âNo.â
Draco squinted at her, analyzing every inch of her expression. Then, suddenly, his smirk deepened.
âLiar.â
Y/N choked on her toast. âIâI am not!â
Dracoâs grin was pure amusement. âOh, you so did.â He tilted his head.Â
âWas it while they were sketching the design? Or maybe when the needle first hit your skin? Or was it afterâwhen you looked at it and thought, âBloody hell, this reminds me of a certain arrogant blond git I knowâ?â
Y/N picked up a piece of toast and threw it at his face.
Draco caught it effortlessly, popping it into his mouth with a smirk. âYouâre just proving my point.â
Y/N groaned, dropping her head onto the table. Draco just chuckled, sipping his tea. â
â-----------------
A few days later, Draco found himself with a different Nott. Theodore Nott, his best friend and his best friendâs older brother.Â
Draco froze mid-sip of his drink, his eyes locked on the ink just peeking out from Theoâs rolled-up sleeve.
It was a sleek black cat, stretched out lazily along the curve of his forearm.
Draco set his drink down. âWhatâs with the cat?â
Theo glanced down at his tattoo, smirking. âFamily tradition. The Notts all get a symbol of their soulmate inked on them.â
Draco raised an eyebrow. âSoulmate?â
Theo nodded, taking a sip of his drink. âYeah. It appears on its own when we come of age. No one knows exactly how or why, but itâs been in my family for centuries. Some say itâs magic woven into our bloodline.âÂ
He smirked slightly. âEven my sister has one.â
Dracoâs brain short-circuited.
Even my sister has one.
Y/N.
Y/N has one.
His heart picked up speed, his mind racing through every conversation, every teasing remark, every glance heâd stolen at her back.Â
Draco suddenly felt like the world had shifted beneath him.
That tattoo on her lower back. The dragon.
Draco sat up straighter, keeping his voice casual. âAnd whatâs Y/Nâs?â
Theo shrugged, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Dracoâs head.Â
âDunno. She wonât tell me.â
Draco barely heard him.
His hands clenched around his glass as a realization hit him so hard he almost choked.
Y/Nâs tattooâ
The dragon.
Bloody hell. It was him.
Draco barely kept his composure as he leaned back in his seat, gripping his drink a little too tightly. Y/Nâs soulmate tattoo is a dragon.
It wasnât just some random choice. It wasnât just because dragons were majestic and powerful.
It was him.
His heart was practically slamming against his ribs. He replayed every moment from that morning like the way sheâd gone stiff when he walked in, the way sheâd refused to talk about the meaning behind it, the way sheâd freaked out when he teased her about it.
It all made sense now.
She had known. And she never told him.
âDraco?â
He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as Theo gave him a weird look.
âYou alright, mate?â Theo asked, raising an eyebrow. âYou look like you just saw the Dark Lord resurrect again.â
Draco forced a smirk, trying to steady his voice. âYeah. Just processing the fact that you have a soulmate tattoo and never mentioned it before.â
Theo snorted. âYou never asked.â He took another sip of his drink. âWhy? Thinking of getting one yourself?â
Draco rolled his eyes, masking the absolute chaos inside him. âYeah, because Iâd definitely trust some ancient magic to brand me with someoneâs name.â
Theo chuckled. âIt doesnât give names, idiot. Just symbols.â He stretched his arms behind his head.Â
âItâs all about fate or whatever. Some people try to fight it, butâŚâ He smirked. âDoesnât change the fact that itâs real.â
Draco exhaled slowly, his mind still spinning.
Y/Nâs tattoo was a dragon.
Was it possible that she didnât know what it meant? Maybe she thought it was just a coincidence?
No. She had to know.
Which meant sheâd been hiding it from him all this time.
Draco leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, smirk firmly in place. âAnd youâre telling me Y/N never mentioned what hers was?â
Theo shook his head. âNope. And believe me, Iâve tried to get it out of her.â He scoffed. âSheâs stubborn as hell.â
Draco chuckled, even as his mind reeled. Yeah, she is.
But now that he knew?
Oh, she was never going to hear the end of it.
Draco leaned back, crossing his arms, trying to appear nonchalant even though his mind was still reeling from the whole soulmate tattoo revelation.Â
âSo,â he drawled, lifting a brow, âwhoâs the lucky person, then? Whoâs your soulmate?â
Theo smirked, glancing at his tattoo before shrugging. âDunno.â
Draco frowned. âWhat do you mean, dunno?â
Theo took a sip of his drink, completely unfazed. âExactly that. Havenât figured it out yet.â
Draco narrowed his eyes. âYou have a bloody black cat permanently inked on your arm, and youâre telling me you donât know who it represents?â
Theo rolled his eyes. âItâs not like the universe hands us a bloody manual, Malfoy. We have to figure it out ourselves.â He smirked. âSome people get lucky and know straight away. Others? It takes time.â
Draco studied him carefully. âAnd youâve got no suspicions?â
Theo hesitated for half a second.
Draco caught it instantly. His smirk widened. âOh, you do.â
Theo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with a small grin. âDoesnât matter. If itâs meant to happen, it will.â
Draco hummed, intrigued. Heâd definitely be prying into that later.
But right now?
Right now, he had another soulmate mystery to deal with.
And a certain Y/N Nott to confront.
âIâm visiting your sister.â Draco declares.Â
Theo raised a brow, setting his drink down. âYouâre visiting my sister?â
Draco smirked, swirling his drink lazily. âYeah. Why?â
Theo leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. âDidnât realize you two were that close.â
Draco scoffed. âOh, please. Iâve practically been part of your family since Hogwarts.â
Theo tilted his head. âSure. But youâve never randomly mentioned visiting her before.â His smirk turned knowing.Â
âSomething I should know?â
Draco kept his face carefully neutral, but internally, his mind was still stuck on the dragon tattoo.Â
He shrugged. âShe just dragged me furniture shopping the other day.â
Theo chuckled. âSo youâre saying my sister made youâDraco Malfoyâwalk around a bloody furniture store?â
Draco rolled his eyes. âShe insisted. You know how she is when she wants something.â
Theo smirked. âI do.âÂ
He studied Draco for a long moment before humming. âAlright. But if you start acting weird around her, Iâll know somethingâs up.â
Draco huffed. âPlease. Iâm always charming.â
Theo laughed. âThat is not what I meant.â
Draco just smirked and finished his drink.Â
â-----------------
Later that evening, Draco stood outside Y/Nâs flat, hands in his pockets, his mind still spinning with everything heâd learned.
A soulmate tattoo. A bloody dragon.
He exhaled, schooling his expression into one of casual ease before knocking on the door.
A few seconds later, Y/N swung it open, hair damp from a shower, dressed in an oversized black shirt and shorts. She blinked at him. âWhat are you doing here?â
Draco smirked.Â
âWhat, no hello? No âDraco, you look devastatingly handsome todayâ?â
Y/N rolled her eyes. âIf youâre here to be insufferable, Iâd like to remind you that I own a wand.â
He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, shoving his hands into his pockets. âRelax, love. I just came to check on my favorite Nott.â
Y/N snorted. âI heard you just saw Theo earlier.â
Dracoâs smirk widened. âExactly.âÂ
He strolled into her living room, eyes flicking around before settling on her. âSpeaking of your dear brother, he told me something very interesting today.â
Y/N crossed her arms, raising a brow. âAnd what exactly did Theo say?â
Draco leaned against the back of her couch, watching her closely. âThat the Notts have a little tradition.â
Y/Nâs expression didnât change, but he swore he saw the slight stiffening of her shoulders.
Draco tilted his head. âSomething about a soulmate tattoo?â
Silence.
Thenâ
Y/N huffed, turning toward the kitchen. âIâm making tea. If youâre planning on being annoying, at least make yourself useful and grab the sugar.â
Dracoâs smirk deepened. Oh, sheâs avoiding it.
Which meant she knew.
He followed her, leaning against the counter as she busied herself with the kettle.Â
âFunny thing, though. Theo showed me his. A black cat.â He paused, letting his words sink in. âSaid you had one, too.â
Y/N kept her back to him, reaching for two mugs. âAnd?â
Draco pushed off the counter, closing the distance between them, lowering his voice just slightly. âAnd Iâm dying to know what yours is.â
Y/N turned, mug in hand, expression unreadable.Â
âWhy?â
Draco held her gaze, his smirk never fading. âBecause I think I already know.â
She raised a brow. âDo you?â
Draco took another step forward, eyes flicking to her backâthe very spot where he knew it was inked onto her skin.Â
âTell me, loveâŚâ He met her eyes again, voice dropping to a whisper.
âWhy do you have a dragon tattooed on you?â
Y/N went still. And for a moment, the only sound in the kitchen was the faint bubbling of the kettle.
She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned back to the counter.Â
âOh, please, Malfoy.â She reached for the tea leaves, her voice perfectly nonchalant. âNot everything is about you.â
Draco smirked, but he could see the way she was gripping the spoon just a little too tightly.Â
He leaned against the counter beside her, watching her closely. âIs that so?â
Y/N kept her focus on pouring the tea. âYes.â
Draco hummed. âSo youâre saying the ancient magic that brands Notts with their soulmateâs symbol just happened to give you a dragon?â
Y/N lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. âMaybe I got lucky. Dragons are cool.â
Draco chuckled, shaking his head. âYouâre so full of it.â
Y/N turned, handing him a mug, eyes meeting his with an easy smirk. âAnd obsessing over it.â
Draco took the tea, eyes narrowing. âI knew you were hiding something.â
Y/N took a sip of her own tea, looking completely unbothered. âYou know, itâs funny. Your ego is so massive, you actually think the universe revolved my entire soulmate mark around you.â
Draco smirked. âOh, I donât thinkââ He set his mug down and stepped right into her space, lowering his voiceâ âI know.â
Y/Nâs breath hitched. His smirk widened.Â
âAlright, then. If youâre so certain itâs about you, prove it.â
Draco raised a brow. âOh?â
Y/Nâs smirk turned teasing. âWhat, Malfoy? Afraid youâll be wrong?â
Draco loved a challenge.
He leaned in, voice a low drawl. âCareful, love. You dare me to figure this out, and I will.â
Y/N met his gaze, unwavering. âGood luck with that.â
Draco chuckled, taking his tea and stepping back.Â
Y/N sipped her tea, forcing herself to remain composed. He doesnât know.
Draco might be clever but there was no way he could figure this out on his own. Not unless she let him.
Because the truth was simple: If Draco was her soulmate, all he had to do was touch the tattoo. If he did, it would glow golden.
But there was no way she was going to tell him that.
She smirked over the rim of her cup, watching as Draco sat back on her couch, legs stretched out, still watching her with that insufferable, knowing smirk.
âYouâre staring, Malfoy,â she drawled, setting her mug down.
Draco tilted his head, looking utterly unbothered. âIâm thinking.â
âThatâs dangerous.â
He chuckled, eyes gleaming. âYouâre hiding something.â
Y/N feigned innocence, widening her eyes slightly. âMe? Never.â
Draco scoffed. âRight.â
She rolled her eyes and moved toward her bookshelf, pretending to search for something, keeping her back to him. She could feel his gaze trailing along her spineâlike he was trying to see through the fabric, to confirm what he already suspected.
He was getting too close to the truth.
And the last thing she needed was for him to accidentally brush his fingers over her tattoo and prove everything right.
Because what then?
What if it glowed?
What if Draco realized?
She couldnât risk that.
So she turned back around with a smirk, crossing her arms. âGive it up, Malfoy. Youâll never figure it out.â
Draco only grinned. âWatch me, love.â
Y/N huffed, rolling her eyes as she flopped onto the couch beside him. He was still looking at her, eyes sharp with amusement and determination.
So she smirked, tilting her head. âAlright then, Malfoy. What if it is about you?â
Draco blinked, caught off guard for the first time. âWhat?â
Y/N shrugged, keeping her expression teasing. âWhat if I do have a dragon because of you?â She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. âWhat would you do about it?â
For a second, Draco hesitated. And that was interesting.
Because she expected him to gloat, to smirk and tease her mercilessly. But instead, he just stared at her, expression unreadable.
Then, in the next moment, he recovered, his usual cocky grin slipping back into place.
âWell,â he drawled, âIâd say you have excellent taste.â
Y/N rolled her eyes, but her heart was hammering in her chest. She had to keep playing this game carefully. She couldnât let him win.
Because if he touched that tattoo, even accidentally, it would all be over.
â-----------------
Draco was obsessed.
After leaving Y/Nâs flat, he went straight to the Malfoy Manor library, ignoring the house-elves and his fatherâs questioning gaze as he stormed through the halls.
There had to be something here.
The Notts were an old family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, just like the Malfoys. And if their soulmate mark was truly tied to ancient magic, then there had to be records of it somewhere.
Draco ran his fingers over the spines of the books, muttering under his breath as he scanned the shelves. Bloodline Magic. The Bonds of Old. Sacred Family TraditionsâŚ
He grabbed the last one, flipping through the pages until he found the section on the Notts.
His eyes skimmed over the words, his breath catching as he read:
âIt is said that the Nott family carries an ancient enchantment, marking each descendant with the symbol of their destined one. Unlike other soulmate bonds, the mark remains dormant until the soulmate themselves makes contact. Only when the true match touches the symbol will it glow, confirming their fate.â
Draco froze. His mind raced, heart pounding.
He snapped the book shut, running a hand through his hair.Â
The tattoo. A dragon.
Dracoâs stomach twisted.
He had assumed it was about him, had teased her about it, but nowânow he needed to know.
Because if Y/N had never let anyone touch itâŚThen there was only one way to find out.
Draco shut the book, jaw set.
Draco wasted no time. As soon as he slammed the book shut, he strode out of the library, his mind racing.
He needed to see Y/N. Now.
The fact that she had lied wasnât what bothered him the most. It was the why.
His thoughts were a mess by the time he reached Y/Nâs flat. He knockedâmore like poundedâon the door, and when she answered, brows raised, he barely let her get a word in.
âI know about your soulmate mark.â
Y/N blinked. âHello to you too, Malfoy.â
Draco pushed past her, stepping inside. âI did my research. I know how the Nott bond works.âÂ
He tilted his head, eyes locked on hers. âThe mark doesnât just sit there, does it? The second the right person touches it, it glows.â
Y/Nâs jaw tensed.
Draco took another step. âSo letâs try it.â
Y/N stilled.
Dracoâs heart was pounding, but he kept his expression smooth. âUnless,â he added, voice softer, âyouâre scared.â
Y/N swallowed, something unreadable flickering across her face. Draco could feel the tension between them now, thick and suffocating.
And then, after a long beat of silence, Y/N merely smirked. âAlright, Malfoy.â
She turned around, lifting the back of her shirt just enough to expose the dragon tattoo.
Dracoâs breath caught.
This was it.
He reached out, his fingertips hovering just above her skin.
One touch. That was all it would take.
âDraco.â
His name. Soft. Almost hesitant.
He swallowed. âYeah?â
Y/N turned her head slightly, eyes meeting his over her shoulder.
âWhat if it does glow?â she whispered.
Dracoâs pulse pounded in his ears.
He didnât have an answer.
So insteadâhe let his fingers brush against the inked skin.
And in the next second, the dragon glowed.
The world stopped.
Draco barely had time to register the warmth beneath his fingertips before the dragon shimmered to life, glowing with a golden light that pulsed softly against Y/Nâs skin.
His breath caught in his throat.
They both stared as the glow flickered, confirming what Draco had suspected but hadnât dared to believe.
He was her soulmate.
Y/N yanked away from his touch, stumbling forward as she quickly yanked her shirt back down.Â
âNo,â she muttered, shaking her head. âNo, no, noââ
Draco barely heard her over the sound of his own heartbeat.
He was hers.
She was his.
And she had known. Of course she had known.
Y/N turned to face him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes wide and panicked.Â
âThisâŚthis doesnât mean anything.â
Draco blinked, still caught between shock. âAre you serious?â
âItâs just some old magic, Malfoy. It doesnât dictate our lives. It doesnât control us.â
Dracoâs jaw clenched. âThen why didnât you tell me?â
Silence.
That was all the confirmation he needed.
âYou knew.â His voice was quieter now, but no less intense. âYou knew it was me.â
Y/N swallowed.Â
âIâI thought it might be. But I wasnâtââ She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. âI wasnât going to risk it.â
Draco took a step closer, searching her face. âRisk what?â
She hesitated.Â
âLosing you.â She whispered.Â
Draco stilled.
Y/N clenched her jaw, looking away. âIf it turned out to be someone elseâif it wasnât youââ She shook her head. âI didnât want things to change.â
Draco exhaled slowly. âY/NâŚâ
She turned back to him, eyes burning.Â
âIt doesnât have to change, okay? We can just forget it. Pretend it never happened.â
Draco stared at her.
Forget it?
Forget that she was his?
That they were meant to be?
Something fierce burned in his chest, something he had no intention of pushing down.
Because now that he knew? There was no way he was letting her pretend this didnât matter.
Draco moved before he even realized what he was doing.
One second, Y/N was standing there, stubborn and defiant, trying to push this all away and the next, she was in his arms.
He pulled her in tight, his grip firm, unrelenting. Y/N tensed at first, her body stiff against his but then, slowly, she melted.
Draco felt her arms wrap around him, hesitant at first, then tighter, as if she was afraid heâd slip away.
âIdiot,â he muttered into her hair.
Y/N huffed a quiet laugh.Â
âExcuse me?â
Draco didnât let go.Â
âYou really thought Iâd let this change anything?â
She was quiet.
Draco pulled back just enough to look at her. âIâm not going anywhere,â he said firmly. âAnd neither are you.â
Y/N bit her lip, eyes flickering between his. âDracoâŚâ
âNo,â he interrupted. âYou donât get to push me away. Not after this.â He shook his head, exhaling.Â
âYouâre my best friend, Y/N. You always have been. This justâŚâ He swallowed. âThis just proves what I already knew.â
Y/N blinked up at him. âAnd whatâs that?â
Draco gave a small smirk, but his voice was softer now. âThat I was always meant to be yours.â
Something in her expression cracked then, and before she could argue, before she could say something stupid like this doesnât change anythingâ
Draco pulled her back in.
And this time, she didnât hesitate to hold on.
They stood there for what felt like forever.
Y/Nâs face was pressed against Dracoâs chest, her arms wrapped around him tightly.
Draco wasnât letting go either. He refused to.
âI donât know what to do with this,â Y/N admitted quietly against his shirt.
Draco exhaled, pressing his chin lightly on the top of her head. âThen donât do anything.â
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with furrowed brows. âWhat?â
âYouâre overthinking it, Nott. As usual.â
âI am notââ
âYou are,â he interrupted, smirking. âYouâre already thinking of reasons why this is a problem, why we shouldnât make a big deal out of it.â
âWell⌠yeah.â
Draco shook his head, tightening his hold just slightly. âThen stop.â
She rolled her eyes. âOh, just stop, huh? Wow, why didnât I think of that?â
Draco snorted. âYouâre so annoyingâ
âWhereâd you think I got it from?â
He smirked. âMe but you love it.â
Y/N opened her mouth, probably to argue, but then paused.
And then, to Dracoâs surprise, she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
Draco raised a brow. âWhat?â
Y/N glanced away, exhaling. âItâs just⌠itâs you.â
Draco frowned. âObviously.â
âNo, I meanâŚâ She bit her lip, then met his gaze again. âI spent so long being scared of this. Of finding out. And now that I knowâŚâ
Draco waited, watching her carefully.
Y/N gave him a small, almost shy smile.
âIâm not scared anymore.â
Something tight settled in Dracoâs chest at that.
He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. âGood.â
Y/N shook her head. âYouâre so smug about this.â
âOf course I am.â Draco smirked. âI was right.â
Y/N groaned, shoving him back. âI take it back. I am scared. Imagine being stuck with you for the rest of my life.â
Draco caught her wrist before she could move away, tugging her back to him. His voice was softer now.
âYou will be, though.â
Y/N met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.
Draco tilted his head, smirking. âStuck with me, I mean.â
Y/N scoffed. âMerlin help me.â
Draco just grinned. âToo late. Youâre mine now.â
Y/N rolled her eyes. But she didnât let go.
Suddenly, she asked âWhat if you find another girl?âÂ
Draco blinked. Then he frowned. âWhat?â
Y/N bit her lip, looking away. âI mean⌠just because we have the soulmate mark, doesnât mean you have to love me. What ifâwhat if you meet someone else? Someone who isnât me?â
Draco stared at her. Was she serious?
He let out a slow, exasperated sigh. âY/N.â
She still wouldnât look at him.
Draco reached out, gently tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. His voice was quieter now. âDo you really think thatâs possible?â
Y/N hesitated. âIâI donât know.â
Draco scoffed. âOf course you donât. Because youâre an idiot.â
Y/N scowled. âDraco Lucius Malfoyââ
âI already love you, Nott,â Draco cut in, shaking his head.Â
âIâve always loved you. Why do you think this is such a big deal to me?â
Y/N didnât say anything.
Draco sighed again, softer this time. âYouâre my best friend, yeah? The person I trust most in this entire bloody world.âÂ
His fingers absentmindedly traced the inside of her wrist. âI donât need a soulmate mark to tell me that. I knew before I ever saw it.â
Y/Nâs lips parted slightly, her breath hitching.
Draco smirked. âAnd for the record, there is no other girl. There wonât be another girl. Because thereâs only you.â
Y/N swallowed hard, her hands clenching slightly at his shirt. âOh.â
Draco chuckled.Â
âOh,â he mocked, raising a brow.Â
âThatâs all you have to say?â
Y/N exhaled sharply, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, they were softer, warmer.
Then, without another word, she leaned up and kissed him.
It was quick, hesitantâlike she wasnât sure she was allowed.
But Draco wasnât having that.
Before she could pull away, he cupped her face and kissed her back, properly, deepening it, telling her everything she needed to know without a single word.
When they finally parted, Y/N was breathless, eyes wide.
âYouâre mine, Y/N. You always have been.â
Y/N let out a small laugh, shaking her head. âMerlin, I canât believe it had to glow for us to finally admit this.â
Draco grinned. âTo be fair, you were very stubborn about it.â
Y/N rolled her eyes. âShut up and kiss me again, Malfoy.â
Draco didnât need to be told twice.
End.


















