One reason could be the complex relationship they have in the original series. Fanfic authors often expand on that. Maybe Draco realizes Harry's importance in the fight against the real evil, like Voldemort, and so he becomes protective. It also adds an interesting dynamic to the story, making it more appealing to readers who love exploring different character relationships.
One great fanfiction with this theme is 'The Green-eyed Boy' on FanFiction.net. It shows Harry's protective side towards Draco in a really interesting way, especially during their dangerous adventures at Hogwarts. The author does a great job of building their relationship gradually.
The contrast between Draco and Harry is another reason. Harry is the hero, always in the spotlight, and Draco is from a different world. When Draco becomes protective, it's a sort of reversal. It creates a lot of potential for drama and romance. For example, in many fanfictions, Draco has to go against his family's values to protect Harry, which adds a whole new layer to the story.
Well, 'The Green-eyed Monster' is another one. Draco's protective nature towards Harry kicks in when there are threats from the Dark forces. It's a slow - burn romance where Draco's actions to keep Harry safe gradually turn into deeper feelings. The author does a great job of building the tension between them.
One good 'protective Draco Harry fanfic' is 'A Thin Line' which shows Draco being protective of Harry in a very unique way. It delves into their complex relationship and how Draco's protective nature unfolds.
One great fanfic with Draco being protective of Harry is 'All Our Secrets Laid Bare'. In this fic, Draco's protective nature towards Harry unfolds in a really interesting way within the context of their budding romance. It shows how Draco overcomes his initial prejudices and grows to care deeply for Harry, often putting himself in harm's way to keep Harry safe.
In many fanfics, it's about character development. Draco starts to see Harry in a new light, beyond the Gryffindor - Slytherin rivalry. He realizes Harry's vulnerability despite his hero status, which makes him want to protect him. It also adds an interesting dynamic to their romance.
Snape might be protective of Draco in fanfiction because in the original series, Snape has a certain loyalty to the Slytherin house. Draco is a young Slytherin, and Snape could see a bit of his own past self in Draco. Also, Snape was tasked with some difficult and dangerous missions by Voldemort. He might want to protect Draco from getting too deeply involved in Voldemort's dark plans to spare the boy from a similar fate as his own.
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.
I really like 'The Binding'. Draco's protectiveness over Harry in this fanfic is a result of a magical bond. The story delves deep into their emotions as they navigate this new relationship. It also has great world - building elements, making the wizarding world seem even more vivid. The way Draco shields Harry from various threats, both physical and emotional, is really heart - warming.