A typical scenario is when there are threats from outside the school, like Death Eaters. Draco, having insider knowledge of their plans, decides to protect Harry. He might lie to the Death Eaters about Harry's whereabouts or physically stand in their way to buy Harry time to escape.
Often, in the 'Draco protects Harry' fanfictions, a scenario could be during a dangerous potion - making experiment gone wrong. Draco, using his knowledge of potions, saves Harry from the harmful effects. Also, there might be a situation where they are exploring a hidden part of the castle together, and Draco shields Harry from a hidden magical trap.
One common scenario is in a dangerous magical situation. For example, in a battle at Hogwarts, Draco might step in to protect Harry from a dark wizard's spell. Another could be in the face of social threats within the school. Maybe some students are trying to bully Harry, and Draco, having a change of heart, defends him. It could also be that Draco protects Harry from a plot within the Slytherin house that aims to harm Harry due to his fame as 'The Boy Who Lived'.
One common theme is redemption. Draco is often seen as a character who needs to be redeemed, and Harry's protection plays a part in that. For example, Harry's actions can make Draco realize there's more to life than following the dark path.
Sometimes, in these fanfictions, the punishment is related to a competition. Say there's a magical tournament or a Quidditch - related event where Draco believes Harry has cheated or played unfairly. Draco, being the proud Slytherin he is, decides to punish Harry. It could involve making Harry do embarrassing tasks or even trying to get him banned from future competitions.
One common scenario is in school settings. When other students are bullying Harry or trying to harm him, Draco steps in to protect. Another could be during dangerous magical events. For instance, when a dark magic spell is about to hit Harry, Draco uses his own magic to shield Harry.
One common scenario could be that Harry is caught sneaking around the Slytherin common room or stealing potions ingredients from Snape's stores. So, Snape and Draco might make him do extra detention tasks like scrubbing the cauldrons for hours without magic. Another situation could be if Harry is suspected of cheating in a Potions exam. Draco might report it to Snape, and they could punish Harry by making him redo all his Potions experiments from the semester.
One common scenario is Draco protecting Harry from other Slytherins who might still hold grudges against Harry. Another is Draco standing up for Harry during dangerous situations in the wizarding world, like when there are threats from dark wizards. And sometimes it's about Draco protecting Harry from the emotional harm caused by the wizarding society's expectations.
One common scenario is when they are in a dangerous situation together, like facing a powerful dark wizard. Draco steps up and uses his skills and knowledge to keep Harry safe. For instance, in a fanfic where they are trapped in a haunted castle, Draco uses his Slytherin cunning to find an escape route for both of them, which makes Harry feel protected.
One popular 'harry protects draco fanfiction' is 'The Protector'. In this fic, Harry realizes Draco's not as bad as he seems and starts to protect him from the real threats in the wizarding world. It has some really great character development.
One possible scenario could be that Harry realizes he misjudged Draco all along. Maybe he discovers that Draco was acting out of fear or family pressure rather than pure malice. For example, Draco might have been forced to take on certain tasks by his Death Eater father, and Harry finally understands this and apologizes for always being so hostile towards him.
One interesting scenario could be in a Quidditch match gone wrong. Maybe Draco, in a fit of over - competitiveness, pins Harry against the side of the stadium during a mid - air scuffle. It could be a moment of intense rivalry and unexpected physical contact that changes their dynamic.
One interesting scenario could be when they duel in a magically altered landscape, like a floating arena. The unique setting adds an extra layer of excitement to their battle.