#drarry happy hour

[thedrarrylibrarian]

Happy Friday to all, but especially my fellow Tortured Poets!

Don't you love when the stars align to make something beautiful for you? That's what happened with my Happy Hour rec for this week.

Our Objective Remains Unchanged by @citrusses (46,147 words, rated E)

Harry Potter, returning member of the Oxford University Boat Club, has two goals for the spring of 2005: beat Cambridge, and beat Draco Malfoy. Perhaps not in that order.

I've been in a bit of a fic rut - and definitely not because of a lack of great fic options - but nothing was hitting right for me at this moment in time. Finally, in my marked for later list, I came back across Citrusses' fic, and was thrilled to finally read it. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time because I love Citrusses as a writer. It just so happened to be a perfect pick for the album drop I've been looking forward to as well with it's academic setting and Tortured Poet Draco.

For someone who doesn't enjoy any sports whatsoever, I've recently found that I adore sports fics. The competition and camaraderie provide a setting and tension that I really enjoy and this holds true with rowing as well. Citrusses' dialogue made me laugh out loud several times while reading and the building tension of Harry and Draco's relationship (for good and bad) kept me absorbed in this fic.

Most of all, I loved how Citrusses wrote college students. I so clearly remember being 19-22 and the uncertainty and anxiety that I constantly felt. It's hard to suddenly be expected to be an adult, but have so little experience at it. Citrusses wrote that feeling in a way that was realistic, but gave her characters grace when they made their mistakes.

Even if you are not a Tortured Poet, I think it'd be impossible not to enjoy Citrusses' fic. And if you are a Tortured Poet, once you've finally finished analyzing all the lyrics you should definitely come give this a read to keep those vibes going!

❤️ Lots of Love and Happy Friday! ❤️

PS - if you like this fic, be sure to leave a kudos or a comment!

[hephaestiions]

last stretch of the semester & i’ve been crying at various airports across the country while banging my laptop in despair & this notif made me do a lil happy giggle sequence in the middle of it all, thanku anon (WHO ARE YOU, come talk fic w me!!) & liv, feeling very kissed on the cheek by angels atm, delighted to be back 💙

@hephaestiions' day 7 recfest entry (and all the ones before) was lovely! it's been good to see her back & active in fandom, and it's exciting to have a new reccer to follow!

Couldn’t agree more, it’s been a treat to follow her incredible Rec Fest posts! Happy to see you back @hephaestiions 💜

[sitp-recs]

Hey! Happy October! Do you have any incredibly dark and long drarry recs that might fit the spirit of Halloween, if this makes sense?

Thank you for everything you do. May the spirits walk with you this month xx

Happy Spooky Season, anon 🎃👻 I love that theme and am always looking for more recs. You can also find scary goodies in old collections from @hphorrorfest | @hpdarkarts and @hd-cluefest. Hope you enjoy these, I’ve also included some brilliant shorts:

The Other Cottage by @corvuscrowned (T, 6k)

If Pansy wasn’t shagging Ginny Weasley, Draco would never have been dragged to Luna’s ridiculous Halloween party in the first place - meaning he wouldn't be sitting in the corner of the room with Harry Potter all night. But when a strange comet passes overhead, things start to get even weirder than usual.

Doppelganger by @writcraft (M, 7k)

It was just a silly dare, but one ill-advised trip into the Forbidden Forest changes Harry’s life forever.

Saltwater Stain by @the-starryknight (M, 9k)

Seven days stuck on a boat investigating a rogue ghost wouldn't be so bad if Harry didn't want Draco so much. Draco has his rules and Harry's content to follow them, but the air feels different away from the shore. Is it possible that the sea could offer Harry something impossible on land?

At This Hour by disapparater (E, 10k)

Although he wants more, a nice meal and a good fuck might be all Harry can expect from Draco. But when Harry finds himself trapped inside a nightmarish version of Malfoy Manor he might get more than he bargained for.

And So Death Took by ICMezzo (E, 25k)

Fairy tales may soothe small children into slumber, but some stories themselves refuse to sleep. The Tale of Three Brothers, retold.

In Our Blood by secretsalex (E, 38k)

Draco is an accomplished pure-blood curse breaker, and Harry is tasked with accompanying him on his latest job—cleaning up the Van Boer mansion, which has been under a devastating fertility curse for seven generations.

What Shall Not Be Unearthed by @iero0 (E, 49k)

At the northernmost point of Shetland, surrounded by pointed cliffs, towers the Ootsta Lighthouse on a small isle in the middle of the open sea. Little does Harry know that he's not the only new lighthouse keeper. Draco Malfoy is as obnoxious as he always was, with his posh tone of voice and his luxury yacht jumpers. Harry tries his best to avoid the git—who knows what he's up to anyway?

Yours is the Earth (Hold On, Hold On) by chickenlivesinpumpkin (E, 125k)

After a serious accident in the Forbidden Forest, Draco's personality begins to undergo subtle changes. At first, Harry credits this to a new enthusiasm for life. But as the days pass and Draco's behavior becomes more and more mysterious, Harry begins to suspect that something bigger--and darker--is at work.

Forgive Those Who Trespass by Lomonaaeren (E, 135k)

Harry Potter was convinced he had an ordinary, if inconvenient, life. Then Ron and Hermione vanished in the Department of Mysteries. And the only person who may know where they are is a mute Draco Malfoy.

Bonus: I’ll never not rec my all-time fave WIP:

In the Dark by @bixgirl1

In the aftermath of an apocalypse, Harry receives an order to find and bring Draco Malfoy nearly a thousand miles, to the tenuous safety of Hogwarts. But more than distance separates them from their goal. The world has fallen, and death is hungry.

[drarryspecificrecsdaily]

2024.08.14

Complete fics posted on AO3 this day

1. Better When Quiet by WeepingKettle [T, 1k] 💗

►"You know, Malfoy," he whispers, leaning towards my ear, "you'd make for a great poet if you were always this quiet."

2. The Calligrapher by starling011 [M, 1k]

►Harry hired someone to help him write a letter to Ginny.

3. Cassandraco by @jtimu [T, 5k]

►Harry Potter was going to die in six hours. As far as Draco was concerned, that wasn’t nearly soon enough.

4. i think you were drunk (you spelled wedding wrong) by @dragmewithyoutonirvana [T, 3k]

►Harry sends Draco a drunken letter inviting him to his wedding. It brings up some memories that he’d rather forget.

---

Fest/Exchange

1. Fake Happy by @a-sentimental-man [T, 10k] --- ART by @anzukero

►Harry's just broken up with Ginny⁠—if months ago could be considered "just"⁠—trying to get through his job while hating every minute of it. The only highlight of his job is Draco Malfoy. That is, until he wakes up on his 21st birthday with a small dragon tattoo on his wrist, the unmistakable mark of his soulmate. ★ Drarry Mini Bang | @drarry-mini-bang

[wolfpants]

📚 wolf's reading list | october favourites

<- prev rec lists here

It's been a while since I've been able to do one of these! And I'm still very much catching up with all of my reading, but for now, here's a list of fics I've read this month that I've absolutely adored. As ever, mix of pairings/warnings etc.

-

Alpha and Omega. And Omega. 🪢

E, Drarry/Theo, 6.1k | @citrusses

No one is shocked when Harry Potter presents as an Alpha. No one, that is, except for Harry Potter himself, who doesn't know what to do about any of it: not the weird instincts, or the horrifying anatomy, or the fact that he can't seem to stop fucking Draco Malfoy, and especially not whatever 'surprise' Draco has waiting in Harry's bedroom.

With a bang, the front door of Grimmauld swings open and Draco walks in, smelling exactly the same way he always does. Not like the scent of the heat that’s been oozing out of Harry’s bedroom and getting his dick hard for the past five minutes. “What the fuck?” Harry hisses. “You—you’re not upstairs.” “No,” Draco says, removing his calfskin gloves one finger at a time. He looks up at Harry and smiles like a fucking psychopath. “But your present is.”

-

The Banned Pasta 🍝

T, Drarry, 1k | @hoko-onchi-writes

“Draco keeps cooking for me. Weird, right?”

Harry sits down and slowly spoons himself a dish. He catches the look in Draco’s eyes. Yeah, he thinks. Alright. “I want to. C’mon. Fucking sit down with me. Don’t be a git.” Draco’s knuckles are white against the back of the chair where he stands. “Are you certain—” “I am.”

-

A Design for Life ⏳

E, Drarry, 77.9k | @maesterchill

Harry Potter doesn't want to become an Auror. And Draco Malfoy would quite like to stay alive and out of harm’s way. Neither have any desire whatsoever to time-travel into the future, especially not with each other. But fate? Well, she has other plans.

They lapse into silence for a bit, in the peacefulness of the field, staring up at the sky, at the light grey cloud that’s inches away from blocking the sun, at the seagulls wheeling overhead, their cries distant and melancholic. “This is nice,” Harry says, breaking the silence, “y’know, even though it’s you.” “That’s certainly the faintest praise I’ve heard in a while,” Malfoy responds dryly, a small smirk playing on his lips.

-

a fire they can't put out 🔥

E, Harry/Albus Severus, 4.5k | @the-invisibility-bloke for @hpcestfest 2024

Albus returns from three years abroad. Plenty of time to forget what happened. If only Harry could.

It should be awkward. By natural order of social dynamics, it should absolutely be awkward. But they haven’t been natural for awhile, have they? Harry levitates the duffel to the foot of the stairs and turns to face him and it’s not awkward. It’s terrifying.

-

It's the Moonlight, It is the Rain 🌧️

M, Drarry (background Drastoria and Hinny), 1.9k | snarkyscorp

It is always dark and raining when he arrives; it is always cold and uncomfortable when he goes.

Draco thinks back to the very first time, the first kiss. Heated mouths, parted lips, clumsy tongues, angry fingers welting bruises on upper arms and chins and throats just to grip as much as possible, to break and bend and fuck and unite and connect and breathe and feel. Then came marriage. Children. Responsibility. The sting of growing old, the realisation of mortality. Then came distance and frowns and the dread of having Harry at his door at all hours with that look on his face and his trousers too tight and all the ghosts nipping at his heels like restless hounds in the night.

-

Not a Word 💔

M, Harry/Scorpius, 1k | snarkyscorp

This is not how it should have gone. It should have been beautiful and Harry should be happy and Scorpius shouldn't feel so guilty, so tired, so young…

Scorpius has loved Harry since he was ten, has known it will be Harry since he found the spell in one of his grandfather's diaries, and yet he knows too that he cares more than he should, that he wants not only for Harry to be his but to know him inside-out. Tonight is not just about getting what he wants—it is about love, too.

-

Potente Fantasy 🧪

E, Harry/Albus, Drarry/Albus, 1.3k | snarkyscorp

There is nothing Harry wouldn't do to get Al out of trouble…

Harry is too absorbed in holding Albus close to realize he is being disarmed. Before he even senses the sizzle of magic, there is a shout of Expelliarmus! and his wand goes flying. With a stumble, Harry tries to rush after it, but another spell pins him to the wall. "Hello, Potter." The drawl would be enough of a give away, but the pointed, pale face that invades his line of sight is so jarring in its malice and familiarity. There is no one else who looks, smells, or breathes like Draco Malfoy.

-

Turn 🌶️

E, Teddy/Scorpius, Scorpius/James, Jeddy/Scorpius, 1.3k | snarkyscorp

Tonight, Scorpius is in charge. Whatever he says, whatever he wants, goes.

"I want you to fuck James," Scorpius says. He is not smiling, he doesn't blink, barely moves; Teddy isn't even sure he breathes. The room is quiet. Teddy swears the silence whispers all the dangerous implications of that statement. "James?" Teddy asks. "James Potter?" It's not quite a question, actually. Teddy hopes Scorpius doesn't hear the edge of arousal laced in his voice.

-

Yes, Daddy 🖇️

E, Harry/Scorpius, 2k | @emotionalsupporthufflefluff

Harry waved him off as if to say it didn’t matter. “I heard you had a thing for older men.”

Currently, Harry was keeping his eyes trained on the pitch, watching the players do warm-up formations. Looking over to where Teddy, James and Scorpius were chatting was out of the question. Scorpius had his back turned towards him, and now that he wasn’t in heavy Auror robes or Ministry robes, Harry could see he had filled out through training. Muscle had layered on his lithe form, and his muggle jeans did nothing but display it all. The blond stretched absent-mindedly, causing his jumper to ride up, giving Harry a full view of his perfectly sculpted— “He is your son’s age. What is wrong with you? Maybe I do need that app Jamie was talking about. Hey, look, there’s Ginny. Wave to the ex, Harry. Very good; quit ogling the Malfoy boy.”

-

That's a wrap! Yes, I definitely went on a bit of a snarkyscorp deep dive, no regrets 😂 I'm really craving some dirtyhotwrong atm, so any recs of that ilk totally welcome! Or any recs at all! 💖 My asks/DMs are always open.

[lupine-trees]

a cup of kindness yet

[ the boys hope for a happy new year. *✧･ﾟ:* ]

drarry | word count: ~1,068 | rating: t

( title from “auld lang syne” — wishing you all an easy end to 2024 & a very happy 2025 to come. ♡ )

_ _ _

The grand iron clock in the park strikes eleven, and Harry is so unbelievably late.

He’s laden with a peace offering, his grocery tote heavy on his shoulder— a loaf of the crusty bread he knows a certain someone is fond of, a top shelf Pinot noir, some sliced salami and aged pecorino, a couple cuts of the cheaper-but-tastier tiramisu. It’s paltry, a bit, but he needed a quick turnaround, couldn’t bear the thought of showing up late and empty-handed.

His footfalls echo heavily through the park as he makes his way from the shops to the nearest Apparition point.

Of course, as he rounds the corner, the dull thrum of magic that regularly emanates from the points is distinctly absent, and a crowd is building. He catches a trademark glimpse of Auror red, hears whispers hush through the huddled mass, fireworks and Firewhiskey and Muggle bystanders and Obliviate, and Harry absolutely does not have time for this.

He does a quick 180, thinking on his feet, but of course the next nearest jump-point in this part of London is another 30-minute walk the direction he just came from. He could try to track down a public Floo, but on high-volume holidays, the heavy-use networks could get a bit tetchy, and tetchy was not on the agenda.

“Christ on a broomstick,” he murmurs under his breath, turning to make his way to the underground. Muggle public transit rivaled Wizard in terms of (un)reliability, but the convenience under the circumstances made it the premier choice. Scanning his card and clipping quickly across the platform, Harry steps onto the next train just as the doors snick shut behind him.

The fluorescents are doing him no favors at this hour of night, the soft screeching sound of the hydraulics and the sway of each stop helping build the muzzy headache behind his eyes. He keeps upright, his mind fixed on his destination.

_ _ _

By the time he steps back into the street, aboveground, his patience has been spent. He breaks into a jog, heading for the narrow townhouse where his friends are undoubtedly waiting.

Sure, he’d cast off a quick Patronus at the end of his St. Mungo’s shift, but that had been nearly two hours ago now.

The pretty two-story brick rises before him, unshrouding itself of its wards, and he takes the briefest moment to catch his breath on the pavement before bounding up the steps.

He crosses the threshold, and the sound of the party within is a welcome one, warm and enveloping. It’s not so big as to be overwhelming, maintaining a sort of intimacy, but their nearest and dearest form a full house nonetheless.

Ron catches his eye from across the sitting room, and he gives a small shout and a smile before shaking his head and nodding towards the kitchen.

Harry crosses the foyer and slings his coat up in the hall haphazard, keeping his grocery bag at his side.

“You’re in such trouble,” Ginny sing-songs at him as Millicent tows her by the hand quickly around a corner.

“Piss off,” Harry offers, tossing a smile her way in spite of the nerves bubbling in his middle.

She blows him a kiss before disappearing after Millie.

In the kitchen, Luna is ladling a steaming purple drink into Hermione’s cup.

Hermione, bless her, tosses the drink back without fanfare before she glances down at her wristwatch and up again. She meets Harry’s eyes on a double-take, and something relieved settles in her brow, her shoulders un-stringing.

He crosses to her, giving a quick hug in greeting.

“Nice to see you’re still with us,” she says with a tired grin, a pat on his shoulder.

“Where—”

“He’s been in the pantry looking for a jar of olives for fifteen minutes.”

“Olives?” Harry asks.

She shoves him pantry-ward, exasperated. “Obviously there are no olives. Please let him know you’re here before he conjures some through a wall.”

Harry begins to pull open the pantry door before meeting resistance.

“Cho, I’ll be just another moment, I’m certain they’re—”

“I’m here,” Harry says, gentling through the spell on the door.

“Ah,” Draco says, bright eyes snapping up as he unfolds his legs and lifts himself from his seat on the floor. “Hello. I could’ve sworn—”

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Harry cuts in, carefully handing over the tote. “I come bearing gifts. No olives though.”

Draco makes a disgruntled noise, placing the bag on a shelf. “No olives,” he muses, sifting through the goods, gaze shifting down. “Honestly, Potter, tardiness is forgivable, but no olives?”

Harry smiles and steps toward him. “I’ll bring olives next time. I brought the cheap tiramisu.”

“Ah, yes,” Draco answers drily, hiding his grin behind the bottle of wine, which he’s lifted for inspection. “We’ll pop some tiramisu in the martinis.”

“Draco,” he hums, low, placing a tender hand at the base of his spine, leaning in to slot his chin over his shoulder. “I really— I meant to be here so much sooner.”

“Hm,” Draco responds, considering. “You said you’ll bring olives next time?”

Harry wraps his arms around him. “As many as you like.”

Draco turns to him, shifting in his embrace, arms looping easily over his shoulders. “You don’t even like olives.”

Harry shakes his head. “Can’t stand them.”

Draco can’t help smiling at him. “Uncultured.”

“I brought the good bread,” Harry offers. “And I took the train.”

“No wonder you’re late,” Draco mutters, prodding, smile wry.

“Let me make it up to you,” he says, fingers trailing.

Draco leans into his space further, gaze heated. “And how do you intend to do that?”

Outside, they can hear that the crowd has shifted, gathering around the Magi-telly in the living room, the countdown beginning.

Ten! Nine! Eight!

“I have some ideas,” he answers, holding Draco firmly, crowding him back against the shelves.

Seven! Six! Five! Four!

Before the clock strikes midnight, Harry is already kissing him soundly, Draco pressing flush to him with a satisfied hum, fingers tangling in curls, Harry’s hands a sure and steady pressure on his hips.

Three! Two! One!

The year rolls over, and they find themselves entangled at the crossover: past, future.

By the time the house guests have finished their shouts of Happy New Year!, Harry is well into making good on his promise— (which is a start to a very happy new year indeed).

[academicdisasterfic]

h/d microfic: will anyone ever love me? by sufjan stevens

part of my drarry x spotify wrapped venture: you can read yesterday's here.

This one wasn’t quite so bad as the last.

Draco sipped his glass of chardonnay - he preferred red, but they were eating seafood - and he nodded a lot.

At the end of the night, he got a hug and a peck on the cheek, and the distinct feeling that he’d just wasted two hours of this man’s life.

He waited a few days, and logged back onto the dating profile Pansy had helped him set up. He scrolled through his past conversations, long since fizzled out, and tamped down thoughts of his impending fortieth.

He logged out.

...

Greg and Pansy took him out for birthday drinks. 

‘It’ll find you when you’re least expecting it,’ Pansy said, chewing the straw on her mojito. ‘Look at Greg, no one ever expected he’d get married.’

Greg frowned at her. ‘Didn’t they?’

Draco hid a smile. ‘She’s joking.’

‘Hmph.’

‘Do you like this place?’ Pansy looked around. ‘Very gay, isn’t it?’

‘Very,’ Draco agreed, though not happily. He’d deeply misunderstood Pansy’s intentions for the night, and was in one of Luna’s handknit fish jumpers and corduroys. On the little stage to his left, three ripped men in leather chest straps and thongs spun round poles as Cher blasted from the speakers. ‘You couldn’t have warned me?’

Pansy didn’t dignify that with an answer. Greg, of course, was completely unfazed, head bobbing out of time with the beat.

‘I’m getting another drink,’ Draco said, and slunk towards the bar. The bartender was occupied pouring shots for a hen do, and Draco sat on one of the stools, feeling very old and very tired. 

‘Two Firewhiskies, thanks,’ came a voice next to him, snapping Draco out of his self-pity with its familiarity. 

‘Potter?’

‘Hello,’ Potter said cheerfully. ‘Happy birthday.’

‘How do you—’ Draco blinked. ‘What are you doing here?’

Potter was in a loose white shirt, creased and rolled up at the sleeves, his beard neatly trimmed, his jeans surprisingly well-fitted. Of course the wanker only got better with age.

‘Someone invited me for a date. You don’t look like you’re particularly…party-ready.’ He looked at Draco’s jumper. ‘Luna gave me one of those too.’

‘No, well.’ Draco laughed a little. ‘I was going to leave soon. Where’s your date, then?’

Potter looked pointedly at the door, where Draco’s horrible, treacherous friends were hurriedly leaving.

‘Oh,’ Draco muttered, mind going completely and utterly blank.

‘How about we go somewhere quieter?’ Potter suggested, and he rested a hand on Draco’s. ‘There’s a place nearby.’

Draco looked up at Harry; the laugh lines, the grey hairs, the gentle, amused expression. His chest fizzed up in a way it hadn’t since he was seventeen, and he smiled.

‘Okay.’

[iamnmbr3]

I'm pretty sure I followed you a long time ago when I was in Marvel fandom and I'm delighted I found you again!

I remember that you had great fic recommendations and seeing that you're in hp fandom too just makes me so happy! I just finished the books (I would have read them long ago, but they were banned at my home) and I'm knee deep in drarry now and I completely understand the hype for those two idiots.

Do you have lists for long (I'm talking+80k) fics I could start with? Preferably gay/lesbian parring 🙏 and thank you in advance

Oh wow what a lovely ask! Thank you so much and welcome back!

You can check out my fic rec tag here for a ton of good recs. Here are a few good ones to get you started - mostly drarry with some other excellent ship and gen fics thrown in as well for good measure.

Running on Air by eleventy7 (words: 74,880 | rating: T | Drarry)

Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.

Amulette d'amour by The_Carnivorous_Muffin, Vinelle  (words: 105,428 | rating: unrated | Tom Riddle/Alphard Black)

Tom is commissioned to repair a magical amulet.

Nero su bianco by zuzallove (words 40,507 | rating: E | Drarry)

September 1997. Hogwarts is under the regime of Voldemort and the Carrows. Finding himself alienated by both his friends and his supposed enemies, Draco puts quill to parchment, and writes letters. He addresses them to the only person he can think of, as Hogwarts rapidly falls into chaos and ruin: Harry Potter. He goes to great lengths to ensure the letters are never discovered, and he’s pretty certain he’s done a great job. Until the day of his trial.

Ouroboros by Metalomagnetic (Words: 258,416 | rating: E | Voldemort/Tom Riddle)

A strange man adopts Tom Riddle and it is not his father, as Tom desperately wants to believe. Stranded in the past, Voldemort once again comes to the conclusion he's the only one he truly needs.

At Your Service by Faith Wood (faithwood) (words: 95,752 | rating: E | Drarry)

Hogwarts students are in danger; Harry is determined to save them all. There's only one thing he knows for certain: Draco Malfoy is somehow involved.

you've got the antidote for me by Kandakicksass (words: 20,730 | rating: M | Drarry)

When Harry Potter unintentionally severs their soulbond before it can fully form, Draco Malfoy resigns himself to a slow death and decides not to burden Harry with a soulmate he's made it very clear he doesn't want. He's never been selfless before, but for Harry, he can try.

The customer is always right by Metalomagnetic (words: 7,200 | rating: unrated | gen)

In the summer of 1945, Caractacus Burke hires a new assistant to help with the shop. His son doesn't know what to make of Tom Riddle, the young charismatic man that doesn't seem to mind working hard for just a handful of coins.

Your Friend, James by TedwardRemus (words: 5,330 | rating: T | Lily/James)

It is the summer before their 7th year, and Lily and James spend the entire holiday writing letters to each other as their relationship slowly changes from friends to something more.

Tea and No Sympathy by who_la_hoop (words: 70,045 | rating: E | Drarry)

It's Potter's fault, of course, that Draco finds himself trapped in the same twenty-four-hour period, repeating itself over and over again. It's been nearly a year since the unpleasant business at Hogwarts, and Draco's getting on with his life quite nicely, thank you, until Harry sodding Potter steps in and ruins it all, just like always. At first, though, the time loop seems liberating. For the first time in his life, he can do anything, say anything, be anything, without consequence. But the more Draco repeats the day, the more he realises the uncomfortable truth: he's falling head over heels for the speccy git. And suddenly, the time loop feels like a trap. For how can he ever get Harry to love him back when time is, quite literally, against him?

of all my demon spirits by basketofnovas (slashmarks) (word: 1,730 | rating: T | Gen)

After the end of term, Ginny gets a new diary and struggles with the events of her first year.

War Paint by provocative_envy (word: 18,876 | rating: E | Tom Riddle/Hermione Granger)

It was small, slim, about the length of her hand; the leather cover was soft, the sewn-in binding was crisp, and the thick vellum pages were empty. 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' was printed in ancient, flaking gold leaf across the front. He had been a Slytherin, a prefect, and head boy in 1944. She had checked. [ ALTERNATIVELY - Hermione finds Tom Riddle's diary. ]

The Unwinding Golden Thread by The_Carnivorous_Muffin   (words: 50,260 | rating: T | Gen)

In his fifth year Tom Riddle discovers his destiny and meets the cold, alarming, and bizarre transfer student Harry Evans. But sometimes things unravel in ways we do not expect.

Denude by Faith Wood (faithwood) (words: 4,172 | rating: E | Drarry)

This is a HBP AU. It's set a few days after the Sectumsempra scene and takes the story in another direction, asking the question: "What if the Sectumsempra scene had a greater impact on Harry and Draco?" Harry and Draco are sixteen. In medias res beginning. Non-linear storytelling.

[yourlocalbadgerscales]

The Boy from the Piano Shop - A Drarry fanfiction by Soliblomst on Ao3 ❤️💔

‼️NO NO STOP. EVEN IF YOU DON’T SHIP DRARRY, EVEN IF YOU’RE TOTALLY DISGUSTED BY THE SHIP, HANG ON FOR A SECOND!‼️⚠️ This book is about so much more than Harry and Draco! Imagine them as other people or something. (If you’re not interested in reading it yourself, at least reblog because I KNOW that so many people would feel so much better after reading it and I’m not even exaggerating!!! 💋)

I started reading this fic yesterday and finished this morning less than an hour after midnight. Yes, I sacrificed hours of sleep for this fanfic. I read it in the dark under my quilt. It was so, so worth it. I am not joking when I tell you that this is the best fanfic I have ever read. I have only read fanfiction for about a year, and many heartbreaking and absolutely wonderful ones, but this one is 100% the best one yet. It’s even one of the best books I have ever read, to be honest, and books I have read for many many years now.

Everyone should read this. Even if you don’t like Drarry or even know much about Drarry, you should read it, even if you don’t know Harry Potter so well. That is because this fic has so much to teach us. The book is full of life wisdoms about loss, about grief, about moving on, about battling depression, suicidal thoughts and PTSD, about regret, about life in general and how to live in the moment and how to love… it’s some of the best pieces of advice and poetry I have ever read. It taught me many things that I WILL carry with me for as long as I remember it.

It is sad, it is angsty, but only because that’s how life can be and will always be at some point. Sad. Heartbreaking. Soul-crushing, even. But the relationship that is portrayed in the book is so healthy, and yeah, of course it raised my standards so much more. Fanfics, am I right?

It’s a wholesome relationship, it’s all about taking your time and feeling safe, it’s so cute and fluffy but also realistic and, as I said, angsty. Hurt, and comfort. A good ending, not in an unrealistic way like how happy endings are often portrayed in fiction. This book is different, I tell you. It gives you a wonderful glimpse of how real life can be. And that it will all be okay. We will all be okay.

It was such an entertaining read, too! The smut was written perfectly in my liking. And the amount of angst was perfect for the story. Not too little, not too much. It was… ugrhhhzhsh I’m still speechless since yesterday when I finished reading and fell asleep in shock and feeling the best I have felt in a while.

Read it. You won’t regret it. I promise you.

If I have to rate it, it is ♾️/10! And I can assure you, the highest I have ever given a fic before is 12/10. Everyone needs to read this. I was so close to crying happy tears while reading, and I have never cried during a fic yet, even though I’m a really emotional person. This one almost got me. And I was wrecked, and I was so happy about it. I swear, this book ACTUALLY changed me and my views on life. I will never look at Drarry the same way ever again. This book is officially Drarry canon for me. I can’t describe this fic in enough words… omg… all I want is for more people to read it! I don’t know what more I can do to convince you to read it, but please please do it!

‼️Remember to check the TW,s before reading!‼️ Muah 💋

P.S If you’re not interested in reading it, please reblog for the sake of making someone’s day and life a little bit brighter!

[dodgerkedavra]

yuletide gay

or: how did my drarries spend the holidays? my wife @its-the-allure tagged me so I'm going to do my BEST

Now I Know In Part: Harry can't see (again) because he got so worked up about whether his twin children would be disappointed. They sound so happy

Bike Dream: Ron and Draco will not see reason when it comes to holiday parties—their cafe/house in Hogsmeade is full well past capacity. Ron is dancing on the sitting room table wearing only a Santa hat and tight green pants, Draco keeps rating the dancing (100/10 every time) and Harry's face hurts from smiling so hard

A Line-storm Song: Everything is the same in the morning—they get up at the same time, eat the same breakfast, and fly on their brooms for an hour. No gifts until the afternoon. Draco looks away when Harry opens his, but sits close. They go to the Burrow when it's already dark and people are gentler

Sweet to Your Taste: Draco made icing by December moonlight, which is holiday-flavoured. Harry is stoned at FriendsChristmas and won't stop licking it off Draco's fingers. This will escalate

See Me and Live: The Manor is really the only place big enough to fit the madhouse of Draco and Harry's family and friends. Draco has no idea how the dance fever begins, and once it does, he can't hear a thing. Harry shouts something Draco has no hope of understanding, so he shouts it again. The third time is a charm--the music goes quiet just as Harry bellows Draco, I'm bloody pregnant again!

I don't know who to tag and am agnostic about myself and friendship LOL

[hsvh-hp]

2024 Wrapped!

I've seen these posts floating around the site, and they look so fun!

2024 was a big year for me, for fandom. I made so many new incredible friends on here and Discord, got more involved in events, and participated in a few fests. I also finished the longfic I'd started in September 2023, which I honestly still can't believe is finally going live in less than 48 hours.

My best estimate of how many words I wrote this year (I cut a long in editing, so this number will actually be higher) is somewhere around 370,000.

This post got extremely long, so I've put the majority of it under the cut. I don't write very often (on Tumblr, anyway) about my process, or consistently promote my work. So, hopefully y'all can forgive me for indulging this one time at the end of the year.

In order that I wrote them:

🎉 Spiral Dynamics (Draco/Harry; 21.1k words)

This one was for the Fellytone game on the Drarry Discord server! Based on this stunning art by @appleslightning, there's basically some Friends to Lovers hijinks with Draco and Harry, as Draco's probation officer retires 7 years into Draco's 10 year term, and Harry volunteers to take the spot 'as a favour' without having consulted Draco first. Drama Draco's dramatics ensue. The fic also inspired this by @maesterchill, and I am grinning and kicking my feet all over again looking at it. THESE TWO, I love them, your honour.

✨ The 'Two for the Triwizard' Trilogy (Draco/Harry; 3 fics totalling 9.3k words)

A Triwizard Tournament AU, but make it Drarry. This small series was also born on the Drarry Discord in a fun game of 'haha what if'.

In Fraternizing With the Enemy, Harry sees that Draco has come to the Yule Ball with a boy from Durmstrang (Volkov? Vikhrov?) and totally only chases his date off because said date is from a rival school. Harry and Draco end up dancing and chatting, and Harry ends his night feeling like a complete goner ensnared by Draco.

The Fourth Hostage skips to the Second Task, where Draco has replaced Ron as Harry's hostage at the bottom of the lake. Under weight afterward of Harry trying to figure out What's Going On between himself and Draco, Draco takes some initiative of his own to remind/inform Harry that he couldn't have been chosen as a hostage for the Task if he didn't agree to it. They get together. 🥹

Little Hangleton and Beyond is another skip. I wanted a happy ending not just for Draco and Harry, but Sirius and the Malfoys as well. I'll expand on this later when I reflect on my favourite themes and character propaganda, but the premise for this one is Lucius Malfoy changes the course of the graveyard scene following the Third Task. Draco's been writing home about his new boyfriend, and Lucius just...can't let anything happen to Harry, lol. So, Voldemort is immediately cast back into Undeath, Wormtail is so shocked that he's easily apprehended, Sirius' name is cleared, Harry goes to live with him, blah blah, Happily Ever After.

🎉 Full Indulgence (Tonks/Fleur/Bill; 14.7k words)

This was written for @hptransfest! The prompt was basically exploring Tonks' Metamorphmagus abilities during sex, and I'd had an idea rattling around for some Tonks/Fleur that I was very excited to finally have a chance to write. The premise was that in Half-Blood Prince, Tonks wasn't coming to the Burrow in the summer to get sympathy from Molly about her feelings for Remus. She was there to ogle Fleur, and then it turns out Fleur wants her, and Bill's cool with it, and Bill gets involved, etc. It was a great excuse to write 15k of very indulgent smut.

The thing I was most proud about in this fic was that (despite me using she/her pronouns in the paragraph above) I wrote 15k of 3rd person POV smut and didn't use one single personal pronoun for Tonks. It was a challenge, but so fun and validating for a character who identified as having no gender at all.

✨ Something About Malfoy (Draco/Harry; 3.2k words)

This fic spawned as a short and sweet AU from Draco Malfoy and the Descent of the Feathered Serpent (TL;DR, the longfic I'm just about to start posting, which is Order of the Phoenix from Draco's POV).

Some backstory: when I was rereading Spinners of Fate to start preparing for the sequel fic, I was hit with the realization about Draco that, my god, this kid is such an egg waiting to crack lmao. Folks who follow the Canon in Draconis Major series will see the Trans Draco Malfoy tag on 5th year's fic. I've read multiple metas here on tumblr about how Draco (among others) are 'fem-coded' in HP, and so it makes sense to me that Draco be some shade of genderqueer along with being gay lol. He's a mean girl, and a Mean Girl™. But also still a boy.

He ended up bigender in my head, keeping his name and pronouns while just sometimes Switching Things Up externally as he pleases. This ended up a big deal in Feathered Serpent, since Umbridge takes cue from Dumbledore's insistence that BCJ snuck into Hogwarts using Polyjuice Potion that magically changing a person's appearance ought to be banned (but of course, as it truly goes with her, the control is the real point).

ANYWAY, in this fic, I pretended for 3200 words that Voldemort never came back, therefore Umbridge never taught at Hogwarts, therefore Draco could come out as trans/bigender/genderqueer exactly when he felt like it, which coincided with the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match. Poor Harry, he was not prepared for that.

🎉 Twilight Eternal (Draco/Harry; 23.9k words)

This was written for @hd-tarot, and was another fic that I had an idea rattling around for, looking for an excuse to write lol. Those who've been following me for a long time and have the sharpest of memories might remember this post from a year ago. There was an ask game regarding names of WIPs, and @omgkatsudonplease asked me about this one. I finally got to write it!!!

It's also very interesting to me to reread that ask and see how differently the fic wound up. I hadn't conceived yet that Hermione was involved, or that she and Draco were Unspeakables. I also thought it would be a Getting Together fic with Draco and Harry, but ended up with them already established in a relationship. I'm very happy with it, even if it (comparatively) didn't get much love.

🎉 WARNING: May Contain Pollen (Draco/Harry; 2.9k words)

Honestly, this is basically a crackfic lol. It started as a joke: what if there was sex pollen, but either Draco or Harry turns out to be allergic to it? And uh, yeah! That's the plot!

🚧 Beyond the Scuttling Void (Harry & Sirius, eventual Draco/Harry; 54.6k words and ongoing)

A crossover fic, using the Veil in the Department of Mysteries as means for Sirius, Harry, and Draco to isekai into another world! Surely this has never been done before! (heavy /s lmao)

2024 has been a year of getting back to fandom roots for me. One of the things I wanted to unlearn was the 'I must complete my fics before I begin posting them' mentality. This fic, since the crossover material (Skyrim) is an open world RPG, basically translates to Harry, Draco, and Sirius being able to do whatever they want. Well, Sirius ended up the prophesied Hero from the game lol. But since Harry follows Sirius through the Veil after a ten year long timejump (canon-based space/time shenanigans in Elder Scrolls/Skryim lore) the Main Quest™ is already dealt with, and Sirius is just a happily-married hero with a house he built himself, tons of friends, and two sons who he took in as orphans. Harry has to reckon a lot with feeling like a bag of dicks for asking Sirius to help him get home once they're reunited.

It's been really fun writing this fic as Harry learns how to navigate a world where magic is different, and which is basically medieval Scandinavia with dragons, elves, vampires, a pantheon of trickster gods, and spiders the size of horses lol. The lore runs deep, and Harry keenly investigates it for means to reverse his having been dumped here through the Veil. As far as I've posted, Draco hasn't shown up yet. Harry doesn't even know he's there, and likewise: Draco has no idea Harry and Sirius are there. I know where Draco is, and look forward to the three of them rolling up together like the pointing Spiderman meme. What I can say about Draco at the current point of posting is that at least now....he is safe, haha. He had to grow up very quickly all of a sudden to have made that happen for himself. He's Seen Some Shit.

So what were the most common themes in my work this year?

Established Draco/Harry. As seen in: Little Hangleton and Beyond, Twilight Eternal, and WARNING: May Contain Pollen.

I feel that for me, shifting from more Getting Together fics to Established Draco/Harry fics is a natural progression as I write more Drarry fics. Mutual pining, Draco and Harry pursuing each other, and proving themselves to each other are fun, but so is skipping all of that and letting them focus on whatever's threatening their happiness in the fic lol. Or, like Little Hangleton and Beyond, just letting them have their happiness while the rest of the plot ties up.

2. Sirius & Harry, and Harry living with Sirius. As seen in: Little Hangleton and Beyond, Something About Malfoy, and Beyond the Scuttling Void.

I really, really wish that Sirius and Harry had gotten the godfather-godson happy ending they deserved in canon. This is one of the greatest tragedies of the Harry Potter series to me (does that mean I would've trusted JKR to write it any other way? Ummm no lol). So, where possible, I set them up in a post-Goblet of Fire AU to have a happy future to look forward to.

As for Beyond the Scuttling Void, let's just say it's my post-Order of the Phoenix coping mechanism. Sirius isn't dead! He's just gone to be a hero and kill the big bad dragon. He's married and everything! He's fine, guys. Don't worry about it.

3. Lucius being a good dad for Draco. As seen in: Spiral Dynamics, the Two for the Triwizard trilogy, Something About Malfoy, and Twilight Eternal.

OKAY, this is my self-confessed delusion, my fight against the tide, and my drowned out truth lol. I love Lucius Malfoy. I hate when he's abusive to Draco, and I've just gotten numb to the prospect of him being killed off, in Azkaban, or...whatever...in post-war Drarry fic. I love when Lucius remains a hurdle to Harry because Draco, uh, kind of really loves and admires his dad.

There was a tumblr post about power fantasies that really spoke to me. Essentially, for some people killing/beating up the bad guy is the power fantasy. For some, love changing them. For some, the bad guy getting to run wild to their full potential. For me, Lucius is #2. I love writing him as a good dad, or at least trying his best through the war years, and having to reckon/own up with his failures in the end if he wants to restore full trust from Draco. I love when he learns something about Draco and will rewrite his entire worldview to suit his beloved only child (Draco & Narcissa based morality, rather than pureblood supremacy morality - although these certainly overlap a lot of the time). And, honestly? I think I love it (and him) so much because he's so underappreciated in Drarry fandom and fic. I have to feed myself on this one, guys.

So...this was 2024 for me! And I didn't even wax lyrically about the 291,000 word behemoth that is Descent of the Feathered Serpent lol. It was a very busy year for me, and fandom (especially all the new friends/acquaintances I made) helped me through some trying RL stuff. If you've read this far, THANK YOU FOR MAKING 2024 GOOD AND FUN!! I will maybe see you in a few days when I start regularly posting again. ❤️

[thedrarrylibrarian]

We’re getting close to the end of summer, which means I’m frantically trying to read everything before it ends. My favorite summer reads are the kind that suck you in and you can’t put down - you have to race to the end to know what happens. I want summer reads to be immersive, something to get completely lost in for a while. If you’re anything like me, I can’t wait for you to check out this Happy Hour recommendation.

We Are Young (I’ll Carry You Home Tonight) by @femmequixotic (68,826 words, rated E)

Harry and Draco have been falling into bed on and off again since the last election five years ago, much to the amusement--and financial gain--of their circle of friends. But when Harry agrees to work with Draco to put Kingsley Shacklebolt into the Minister's office, they can't work side-by-side again every day and sleep together; that would be courting disaster. Wouldn't it?

Part political thriller, part romantic comedy, this fic kept me enthralled the whole time I read it. With @femmequixotic typical writing prowess and quippy dialogue, this story made me laugh out loud several times. The characters were so believable and likable that I rooted for them the entire time, and the ending was happy without being overly sappy.

I hope you give this oldie but goody a chance - I think you’ll fall in love with it like I did.

❤️ As always, if you find a fic you enjoy, please remember to leave the author a kudos or a comment! ❤️

Lots of Love and Happy Friday!

[xanthippe74]

Masterlist of my “12 Days of Fandom” recs, inspired by this post. As always, please check the tags and author's notes before reading. Enjoy!

🔸 Terminal Lucidity by @romaine2424 (Drarry, HD Career Fair, rated G, 3K) This bittersweet fic has Harry putting his abilities as Master of Death to good use by comforting those close to death themselves. We see him at work here, adeptly easing the way for someone dear to him with compassion and care. I found this story incredibly moving and a beautiful portrait of family ties in the face of an impending loss. Featuring older, established Drarry and the Black-Malfoy family.

🔹 Our Objective Remains Unchanged by @citrusses (Drarry, rated E, 46K) Gorgeously and vividly written, this university rowing AU drew me in right from the get-go, despite the fact that Muggle AUs are not my typical cuppa. The enemies-to-lovers tension is perfectly paced as Harry and Draco fight for the same spot on the Oxford team. Citrusses did a fantastic job translating their backgrounds and personalities (as well as those of other familiar characters from the books) into this world. Class divisions and the pressure of a highly-public sporting event stand in very effectively for Harry’s canon experiences. All in all, the story has the poignancy and drama of a lush coming of age film, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

🔸 The Pile by @b-vul (Drarry, not rated, about 1.5K) This hilarious ficlet was born out of littlewinnow’s tumblr post about Veela!Harry performing an intricate mating dance to impress Draco. Delightfully, it’s from Harry’s POV as he blindly “trusts his instincts” to guide him into increasingly bizarre actions. And the evolution of Draco’s reaction is pure comedy gold. I’ve come back to reread this one a couple of times, and it never fails to have me in stitches. (The tumblr thread also contains adorable art by regretfulcorrine!)

🔹 Shine on, You Crazy Diamond by @lagerloutfic (Drarry, HD Mpreg Fest, rated E, 42K) This is one of those fics that you can’t stop reading once you start (something I confirmed this morning when I went to skim through it for this rec and wound up spending a few happy hours devouring the entire thing again). It’s laugh-out-loud funny and deliciously smutty, with a full cast of delightful side characters and just the right amount of feelings. The story begins with the discovery of Draco’s surprise pregnancy, then switches to a long flashback of Harry’s gay awakening and his fast sexual/slow emotional burn relationship with Draco. The entire fic has a joyful feel—banter-filled pub nights, chaotic family dinners, audacious curse breaking—culminating in the baby’s arrival, which left me in happy tears and wishing for another 40K of this fabulous story. Featuring confident Harry, supportive friends & family, hot Charlie, and some shamelessly kinky Unspeakables.

🔸 Silhouettes by @sweet-s0rr0w (Draco/Ron/Harry, Dronarry Fest, rated E, 16K) Draco/Ron/Harry is not a ship I’d ventured into before I read this fic, but I’m so glad I did! Sweet’s writing always hits the right spot in my brain, and her alternating POVs and spot-on characterizations of all three boys are delightful. I especially loved Ron’s sexy self-assurance here. The unique magical theory around sentient houses is fascinating and ultimately poignant, once Draco gets to the root cause of the Burrow’s behavior. Sweet-sorrow surely lived up to her username with this one, weaving grief with humor and a heartwarming resolution.

🔹 Harry Potter Gets a Job (A 106-Page Comic) by dustmouth (Drarry, HD Career Fair, rated M) Dustmouth’s comics never miss, I swear! In this one, we find Harry overcoming his distrust of Draco with the help of the Weasleys, especially Ron (who is definitely up to something himself). All of my favorite Dustmouth elements are here: the expressive characters, Draco’s wild wardrobe choices, and punchy dialogue galore. Also featuring drunken shenanigans at the Burrow, adorable Teddy, and some first-class Slytherin-ing by Draco to win his man (and find Harry that job). What a treat!

🔸 the earth from a distance by spqr (Drarry, rated E, 15K) A whirlwind time-travel fic with breezy humor, bedsharing, and spqr’s unmatched smut with feelings… What more could you ask for in a fic? Oh, yeah: fantastic worldbuilding for Hogwarts in 1599, brilliantly clever Draco, and a dash of enemies to lovers. I can never get enough of this author!

🔹 A Year In The Life by @ladderofyears (Drarry, HD Career Fair, rated M, 19K) I swear, the author conjured a little bit of magic to write this story. It’s told entirely with 50-word microfics, one journal entry for each day of 2006 (an impressive feat, by itself!), and yet it reads just as smoothly as any traditional fic. Draco’s voice is perfect here, full of wit and subtle emotion, as his and Harry’s developing romance takes a sharp turn with an unexpected pregnancy.  Draco’s anticipation, worry, and joy are mixed with deftly-chosen details of his daily life, all captured with Emma’s trademark tenderness and warmth. This fic is a perfect comfort read for family feels and gentle romance.

🔸 try to fix you by @maesterchill (Harry/Ron/Hermione, HP Snooze Fest, rated M, 2K) A beautifully and tenderly written hurt/comfort fic set in the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts. Ron is the glue that holds the trio together here, caring for Harry and Hermione with gentle devotion. There’s no dialogue needed to tell this story, just Ron’s perceptive POV that captures the grief and love that compel him. I have a soft spot for this triad forming immediately after the war, as a way of holding onto each other and holding themselves together. Maester’s fic makes their transition from friends to lovers feel like the first step towards healing.

🔹 The Scent of Soft Rains by @dodgerkedavra (Drarry, HD Career Fair, rated E, 20K) When Harry is left housebound and isolated by a traumatic injury, magical prosthetist Draco gets called into help. But Harry’s struggles go far beyond the physical ones. This recovery fic combines magical and non-magical therapeutic treatments in a way I can’t remember reading before. The hurt/comfort is just as it should be—both heart-wrenching and soothing—but there are enough surprising revelations to keep the story from feeling predictable. Draco is wonderfully unflinching and patient, and the ending left me crying happy tears. With lovely, restrained prose and vivid magical imagery, this one’s an absolute stunner.

🔸 Connecting Lines, Connecting Crimes by @sleepstxtic (Drarry, H/D Career Fair, rated M, 15K) With its intriguing careers, fascinating magical theory, and well-researched worldbuilding, this story captured my attention immediately, and the mystery at the heart of it kept me engrossed. This was one of the more thought-provoking fics I’ve had the pleasure of reading, exploring the intersection of magic, the environment, and colonialism. Harry’s first-person POV is lovely, and it feels like we’re learning to love India and the people he meets along with him. The getting-back-together romance is gentle but satisfying, propelled by pent-up yearning that’s palpable. There’s so much to enjoy here, all in only 15K words!

🔹 Waking Up Slow by @sweet-s0rr0w and @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm (Drarry, H/D Wireless Fest, rated E, 22K) The first word that comes to mind while reading this fic is charming. First there’s the novel setting: a Christmas shop in the tourist destination of Cheddar Gorge, in the middle of a July heatwave. Next, there’s the shop itself, so imaginatively described and full to the brim with clever Muggle and magical details. Then there are the delightful OCs, Draco’s seemingly unhinged enthusiasm for all things Christmas (including ridiculous jumpers), and Harry’s complete disregard for professional behavior. But underneath the playful banter and humor, there’s also a layer of poignancy to tug at the heartstrings, especially when we find out the backstories behind Harry’s and Draco’s unlikely careers. And to top it all off, like the glowing star on the tree, are Joy’s exuberant, colorful illustrations. This is a Christmas-y fic I’d reread any time of the year.

Thanks to all these brilliant creators for sharing their work with us!

Happy New Year!

[sitp-recs]

Hello again! Thank you for your recommendations, I really liked several of them.

I wanted to tell you that I recently read Away Childish Things by Lettered and I loved it. This left me wondering, do you know of other drarrys who talk about the mistreatment Harry suffered under the Dursleys? I think it's very interesting to see the consequences of childhood abuse growing up and how someone (Draco in this case) can help heal that.

Hello friend! Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed the recs. Ahh yes, ACT is so uniquely cathartic - I still remember the awe I felt reading it for the first time, the emotional depth and character development are top notch. I can think of a few fics touching on Harry’s abusive childhood:

Timeshare by astolat (M, 14k)

“It’s not for long,” Hermione said. “By the time we get back to Hogwarts, the Unfettering Brew will be ready.”“Listen to you!” Ron said. “He’s got to get through a month with the Dursleys and a month at Malfoy Manor. With Draco Malfoy.”

Conquering the Dark by noeon (E, 24k)

Harry's a Healer specialising in the care of children, Draco Malfoy's an expert in neuromagic at St Mungo's. A difficult case forces them to work together and, in the process, unearths some of the trauma of the past, as well as the chance for healing in the present.

The Elusive Mate by 0idontknow0 (E, 26k)

Harry had done it (a) to save lives and (b) because the idea of him being Malfoy’s mate was clearly ridiculous, but now he had to tell Malfoy.

He Who Must Not Be Normal by lettered (E, 41k)

Potter has fame and fortune and posh clothes and all he wants is a simple life. Draco has a flat and a cat and a steady job and all he wants is a complicated life. Which makes you think this story has something exciting like body-swapping, but it doesn’t.

A Piercing Comfort by talithan (T, 44k)

When Harry Potter hits the lowest point of his life so far, it is not his friends who keep him honest. With Draco Malfoy's patience and guidance, Harry learns to stand on his own. The thing is, after the fact—he's no longer sure he wants to.

Tea and No Sympathy by who_la_hoop (E, 70k)

It's Potter's fault, of course, that Draco finds himself trapped in the same twenty-four-hour period, repeating itself over and over again. It's been nearly a year since the unpleasant business at Hogwarts, and Draco's getting on with his life quite nicely, thank you, until Harry sodding Potter steps in and ruins it all, just like always.

Harry Potter and the elusive day off by pleasebekidding (E, 71k)

Auror Potter needs a fucking break. He is wiped. He is exhausted. He probably didn't intend to put himself into a magical coma but these things happen. And who cares, really? He is comfortable in a house where he has hidden away all the shit he can't deal with.

The Ordeal of Being Known by @lou-isfake (M, 146k)

When Auror Potter is anonymously cursed with silence by being forced to hide his own voice inside his mind, there's unfortunately only one person in the country with the qualifications to fix it: Certified and Licensed Healer Legilimens, Draco Malfoy, specialist in Mind Curses and Afflictions.

[stationintern]

Drarry at Christmas! 🎄☃️

Thank you, @thehoneybeet + @lemonlimelea for tagging me! You know, I haven't really thought much about this before, but I can't wait to figure out how my variations of the boys spend Christmas! Lea's is here, and Honey's is here!

everybody knows to dance!

Luna and Ginny host an enormous Christmas, and Molly is a bit pissed that she's not hosting at the Burrow, until she accepts it and learns to relax as Luna takes the reins. Harry puts the finishing touches on a lawn chair he's made for them, before Draco drags him out of the shop. Lots of mulled wine, lots of cider. A healthy dose of alien-like dancing.

soft hands and glowing eyes

Fluffy spends the entire day trying to attack the Christmas tree. Harry threatens to withhold her presents while Draco makes excuses for her behavior, before making sure to sneak her a few extra treats.

author's note

Draco wakes up early to work on his manuscript without taking away from the day. It's an epilogue, of sorts, though he's not sure what it's about yet. They spend the day with their children- probing Luna about what she gets up to at university, and laughing until they're in tears when Scorpius gives Draco a bound copy of some very smutty fanfiction, involving the two main characters of his books. They feel a bit weird about it.

Better In The Dark (I'll Try Anything Once)

Draco and Hermione chat quietly in a corner about some recent developments in the WizTech world, her daughter asleep on his shoulder. Harry dozes on the couch with a glass of red he's been nursing for two hours at this point, content to watch them chatter on. The fire in the hearth bounces off of his hair, and when he catches Draco's eyes darting to him in a lust-filled panic, he's extraordinarily pleased.

Reverie

Scorpius finally returns home for school for a few weeks with a fun surprise for his fathers: a new girlfriend! Draco and Scorpius play piano side by side, while Harry talks shit about Jameson from work with Scorp's girl, who is genuinely very interested in the drama. All is right with the world.

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This was so fun! I'm so glad I got to revisit these stories and roll them around in my brain again. I can't wait to get back to writing. Happy New Year!

[wolfpants]

No pressure to do this, and you might already have been tagged, but I’ve loved reading other writers’ posts about what the various Drarries (and other couples *cough* like Wolfstar) from their fics are doing for the holidays. I was wondering if you had thought about this for any of the couples in your stories? Also, happy holidays and a happy new year! <3333

Oh, I love this, thank you anon - happy holidays to you and here's to a wonderful 2025🥂!

Here are a few off the top of my head. Let me know if you want me to chat about any of my other fics!

Raising Hell: Drarry aren’t a couple, per se, this particular Christmas, but they have worked on another case together. In fact, several have landed on Harry’s desk since the events in Glastonbury, and Draco’s been made more of a… permanent fixture around the office. More to come on that later. As for Christmas, Harry is just thanking his lucky stars for a bit of a break from work, from Malfoy (and Zacharias Smith), that is until Draco shows up at the annual Christmas lunch at Andromeda’s. Just the week before, their work Christmas party ended up in Draco’s flat (or, more specifically, his bed), so Harry is having a fun time (sarcastic, affectionate) navigating the line they’re toeing between professional and personal. Long Haul: After his job in New York, Draco went back to London. Harry’s been to visit a few times, and they’re still deciding what they are, and how they want to navigate what is rapidly turning into an LDR. I imagine that Harry has come back to the UK for Christmas, so will be seeing Draco, where they might decide to have The Talk, perhaps with a shared bottle of red in the Burrow after everyone else has gone to bed. Terrible People: Harry is in the middle of selling his flat in London and is moving in with Draco in Edinburgh, where they’re having their first Christmas Eve together at Justin and Ernie’s swanky Stockbridge townhouse (all other friends invited). Unfortunately, Draco has to work on Christmas Day (he never usually minds, but this year, he does); when he gets home that night, Harry (after spending a few hours at the Burrow) has a full Christmas spread waiting for him. They pull some crackers and have lazy sex in their newly shared bed.