hello! this has taken quite a while to put together, but for anyone interested -- here is a list of a bunch of wlw marauders fics i have read and enjoyed :) green for a happy ending, blue for an angsty one, pink for something bittersweet <3
(note - on some of the longer fics/wips i have not finished reading the entire thing/all of what's available yet - those ones are marked with a *)
oneshots/single ch fics
seasons in desire, by dykesiriusblack (@dykesiriusblack)
pairing: dorlene
rating: M
word count: 12k
description: muggle university au; friends to lovers; mutual pining; get-together fic. one of my absolute faves, laura's writing always makes me want to bite my own fingers off like baby carrots.
let the ghosts sleep tonight, by outlaw_baby
pairing: dorlene
rating: unrated
word count: 7k
description: another one of my absolute faves; canon-compliant wartime look at dorlene's relationship w lots of mutual pining and some of the most beautiful writing i've ever read
Hey Dorcas, by moonymoment (@blurryayse)
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 14k
description: friends to lovers, tracing dorcas + marlene's relationship at hogwarts over time. everything jude writes makes me want to rip my hair out and knit it into a blanket and curl up under that blanket and stare at the wall for three hours and this is no exception. happy ending
'81, posted anonymously
pairing: dorlene (kinda)
rating: T
word count: 4.6k
description: AU where marlene survived the first war with voldemort; a story about dealing with grief after the death of dorcas and so many other loved ones.
marlene mckinnon is not a coward, by AllThisAndLoveTooWillRuinUs (@wishingitwerewolfstar)
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 6k
description: follows marlene coming to terms with her sexuality during the first war w/ voldemort, coming out, and confessing her feelings to dorcas.
sweet as rot, by vaindumbass
pairing: dorlene
rating: M
word count: 7.3k
description: au where marlene + dorcas are the ones to kill peter instead of sirius; they get thrown in azkaban. very much a toxic relationship, hurt/no comfort. gut-wrenchingly poetic writing
As The Light Disperses, by blanketed_in_stars (@blanketed-in-stars)
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 4k
description: canon-compliant; follows dorcas + marlene's relationship during the first war up
Oxygen, by Stupidsimp100 (@stupidsimp100)
pairing: marylily
rating: T
word count: 3.7k
description: canon-compliant; unrequited love. james + lily announce their engagement during the first war with voldemort. mary + lily have a conversation about it.
Painting Marlene, by You_must_tell_them_stories
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 3.5k
description: dorcas is an artist; a look at dorcas + marlene's relationship through her art
hackery, by orphan_account
pairing: dorlily (dorcas/lily)
rating: T
word count: 1.8k
description: dorcas + lily get caught in an ambush during the war. honestly reads like a very long and beautiful poem i love it SO much and i am so sad that the work was orphaned bc i want to find whoever wrote it and give them a passionate kiss on the lips
Soft, Strong, Disposable, by doshu (@vdoshu)
pairing: narcissa black/mrs. zabini
rating: T
word count: 1.4k
description: a series of letters tracing the relationship between lavilla zabini and narcissa black
All the truths untold, by SeaDragons
pairing: dorlene
rating: M
word count: 11.3k
description: follows marlene + dorcas in their time with the Order during the first war; marlene thinks dorcas is the spy and is determined to catch her out
By the Book, by Squidgilator (@squidgilator)
pairing: dorlene
rating: G
word count: 6.5k
description: the Hogwarts library is intent on getting Marlene to read a weird old book, for some reason. Dorcas gets involved, shenanigans ensue. super cute and sweet
room 41 (kiss me goodybe every time you leave), by fivecenturiesverse (@fivecenturiesverse)
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 1.6k
description: marlene and dorcas steal away to hotel rooms in the middle of the war
Wildflower About You, by jennandblitz
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 1.7k
description: modern + muggle au; marlene runs a cafe with sirius + remus, and she's been trying to work up the nerve to ask out her flower supplier
Perennial Tears, by violet_storms
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 1.3k
description: a short + beautifully written story about narcissa + lily's relationship. canon-compliant
Sugar Burn, by Remedial
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: G
word count: 1.4k
description: lily catches narcissa's eye at a bar
set me down in your warm arms, by NoStringsOnMe (@martelldoran)
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 2.6k
description: lily and narcissa accidentally get themselves snowed into a cabin
Better By Far You Should Forget by violet_storms
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 1.1k
description: achingly beautiful little oneshot of narcissa reflecting on lily's birthday
it can't be hard to find a present right?? (wrong) by dduucckk (@inthewild-flowers)
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 1.9k
description: modern + muggle au; dorcas and marlene are both trying to find last minute xmas presents for each other
if you can't love me honey go on just pretend by basketofnovas (@slashmarks)
pairing: bellatrix black/amelia bones
rating: T
word count: 3k
description: bellatrix decides to flirt with amelia bones for fun; it turns into something more
just hold out for tomorrow, by the_crownless_queen
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 1k
description: marlene + dorcas; a conversation during the war
How It Feels When We Fall, by veeagainst (@veeagainsttheday)
pairing: lilylene (marlene/lily)
rating: unrated
word count: 1.7k
description: traces marlene + lily's relationship during the war
will the muses sing our names?, by the_crownless_queen
pairing: dorlene
rating: unrated
word count: 2.2k
description: au where voldemort wins the first war, and the survivors have to find ways to keep on living
this is how it feels (when you fight back), by saiditallbefore (@saiditallbefore)
pairing: lily/alice
rating: T
word count: 3.2k
description: au where james + frank die, but lily + alice live. they end up going into hiding together, which leads them to grow closer + eventually makes plans to seek revenge...
laughing 'til our ribs get tough (but that will never be enough), by sapphfics
pairing: lilylene (lily/marlene)
rating: G
word count: 1.2k
description: a look at lily + marlene's relationship through the years, with an ending that gutted me
Darling, Tell Me Your Name, by shessocold (@hp-shessocold)
pairing: lilylene (lily/marlene)
rating: unrated
word count: 1.3k
description: marlene plays quidditch; lily definitely doesn't have a crush...
Devil's Snare, by elicitillicit
pairing: alice/narcissa
rating: M
word count: 1.4k
description: canon-compliant; friends-to-lovers; traces alice + narcissa's relationship throughout the years
Risking It All, by JackNSallyGal
pairing: marylene
rating: G
word count: 2k
description: during the first war, marlene and mary follow sirius on a mission to rescue lily
i hope you make it to the day you're 28 years old, posted anonymously
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: G
word count: 3k
description: lily + narcissa meet at the start of a zombie apocalypse (!!!!)
darling, don't leave me waiting (one night, i will be your star), by aheartcalledhome
pairing: narcissa/marlene
rating: T
word count: 1.7k
description: after it's all over, narcissa reflects on her relationship with marlene
auburn and ivory, by herrlucifer
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 3.3k
description: sad + sweet oneshot following lily + narcissa's relationship during their hogwarts years
The Captain's Girl, by JackNSallyGal
pairing: mary/emma vanity
rating: T
word count: 4.7k
description: after mary is attacked by mulciber, the slytherin quidditch captain becomes unusually protective of her
green looks good on you, by humanveil (@humanveil)
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 5k
description: a prank war between hogwarts houses leads to an unexpected relationship between lily and narcissa
bend towards the sun, by lastwingedthing
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: T
word count: 5.3k
description: narcissa + lily find themselves spending a day together after ending up in the same apothecary for the same reason
Between Prospects, by MiraMira
pairing: rita skeeter/mrs. zabini
rating: M
word count: 6.3k
description: canon-compliant fic tracing the relationship of rita skeeter + thea zabini - listen i would never in a million years expect to enjoy this ship but this story is so good i love it
Blindness and Stars, by featherxquill
pairing: rita skeeter/amelia bones
rating: E (this one is...very sexually explicit lmao so be prepared for that if u decide to read)
word count: 11.3k
description: canon-compliant; follows the developing relationship between rita skeeter + amelia bones as they both deal with politics in the aftermath of the first wizarding war
i would kill for some company (temporarily), by lesbianregulusblack (@lesbiansiriusblack)
pairing: pandalily (pandora/lily)
rating: M
word count: 4.7k
description: pandora is a vampire, lily is a human; three guesses what happens next! (this one is very violent + graphic, even though it has a happy ending it is definitely not for the faint of heart. please read tags + expect gore if u decide to read!)
multi-ch fics
how the flowers rise and open, by gaywitches* (@daphnedumaurigay)
pairing: narlily; lilycissa (lily/narcissa)
rating: M
word count: 40k
description: "Despite the sneaking around and the urgency that serve as constant reminders that this is forbidden, clandestine, there’s no denying the quiet domesticity that creeps in at the edges. That somehow plunges straight through Lily’s chest and grabs her heart with both fists making her want, and want, and want, refusing to let go no matter how hard she tries to dig it out.
But, hey, things could be worse. At least she’s not in love with her.
Things are totally under control, and not at all likely to blow up in her face at any moment."
Lily is a smitten idiot, Narcissa is a complicated mess, and things are about as shambolic and sweet as trying to eat a sticky toffee pudding with no hands.
No Strings Attached, by allthedeadgays*
pairing: dorlene; side wolfstar, jegulus, marylily
rating: G
word count: 53k
description: Marlene, Sirius, James, and Regulus have been waiting for the opportunity to compete at the Battle of the Bands for a long, long time; and they are quite sure that this will be an easy win. Until, that is, they find out that a certain band has also signed up— one that they have known and despised for months. Eager to emerge victorious, their fellow classmates Remus, Dorcas, Mary, and Peter are willing to do whatever it takes, but beware, unexpected feelings may arise…
wips
Your Laugh Like Flowers, by andromedas31
pairing: dorlene; side wolfstar, jegulus, rosekiller
rating: unrated
word count: 14k
description: Marlene and Dorcas are on opposing teams of the most suspense-filled war for the Quidditch Cup Hogwarts has ever seen. James Potter spreads the word about the teachers' supposed underground betting ring, and more importantly, how Dumbledore bet in favour of Gryffindor's win. Naturally, inter-house chaos ensues. Naturally, in spite of it all, Marlene and Dorcas manage to fall in love.
Invisible String, by a1phab3ts0up*
pairing: dorlene; side marylily, wolfstar, jegulus
rating: M
word count: 38.6k
description: And isn't it just so pretty to think. All along there was some Invisible String, tying Dorcas to Marlene.
pirate AU of the misadventures between two captains forced to work together while avoiding the occasional near death experience and desperately trying (and failing) to not fall in love along the way.
Mutually Assured Destruction, by Aiofhan
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 4.3k
description: Marlene finds herself stuck in an advanced Arithmancy class with Dorcas Meadowes and basically no one else; if she can't find a different class to take, she'll end up stuck sitting next to an uptight Slytherin all year. Oh, the horror.
to all the lions i've loved before, by shslflamingarrow (@shslflamingarrow)
pairing: lilylene (marlene/lily)
rating: T
word count: 16.2k
description: based on "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" - Lily Evans' love letters are her most secret prized possessions. She writes love letters when she has a crush so intense there's nothing else she can do. The four letters in total are Frank Longbottom the head boy from her first year, Remus Lupin her third year study buddy, Marlene McKinnon long-time best friend, and the newest one. James Potter. When her letters somehow get out, after James has settled ona new girlfriend, the only person she can turn to for help is Marlene and her own letter.
i'm a sucker for the wicked, by siriusisaswiftie*
pairing: dorlene; begins with pandora/dorcas, eventual side pandalily
rating: M
word count: 10k
description: Dorcas Meadowes is doing fine, thank you very much. She’s doing well in school, she’s finally found a group of friends that care about and support her, and to top it all off, she has an incredible girlfriend who she loves. Pandora is kind, caring, and everything Dorcas has ever looked for in a partner, and she refuses to let anything, or anyone, get in the way of her perfect relationship. Especially not Marlene McKinnon and her relentless flirting and ‘don’t care’ attitude.
A Darling, A Demon, A Lamb, by brightened
pairing: alice/lily, james/lily; past marlene/lily
rating: E
word count: 10.8k
description: this story follows lily during the first war; with ever-increasing discrimination against muggleborn wizards, her decision to marry james was more about survival than anything else. and besides, after the death of the woman she loved, what else was she meant to do? (heads up this one is incredibly dark!)
Alaska, by anotherbelladonna
pairing: dorlene
rating: T
word count: 2.3k
description: after marlene runs away, she finds herself living with a kind group of strangers and is immediately drawn to her new roommate
strange trails, by lovejoybug
pairing: dorlene (eventually)
rating: T
word count: 14.7k
description: Dorcas Meadowes wasn’t scared of anything – or at least that’s what she’d been telling people for as long as she could talk.
That wasn’t to say there wasn’t anything to be scared about; the Dark Lord was collecting everyone she knew like chocolate frog cards. Eventually she’d have to make her choice – and time was ticking.
in which Dorcas Meadowes, Slytherin’s self-proclaimed bitchiest witch of the generation, faces the trials and tribulations of a (quite literally) cursed love life, a tumultuous residency at the horror that was Nott Manor, and a rather aggressive desire to say to the hell with it all and take matters into her own hands
honey honey, by aeoneskova* (@aeoneskova)
pairing: past dorlene; marlene-centric fic
rating: M
word count: 156k
description: Marlene McKinnion is shunned from the Wizarding World after her insane claims of Sirius Black’s innocence.
Over the next decade, she has made a life for herself in the muggle world, working as a teacher in a Primary School in Surrey.
But when a boy with green eyes and a lightning bolt scar joins her class, she is thrown back into a world she has tried to leave behind, but will do what it takes to make sure he is safe.
canon-divergence au where marlene survives the war
+ bonus! fics abt pre-marauders era wlw
like a flower to the sun, by Krethes (@krethes)
pairing: minerva mcgonagall/poppy pomfrey
rating: M
word count: 2k
description: traces minerva's relationship with poppy over several years
Dark and Fearsome, by chantefable
pairing: walburga black/minerva mcgonagall
rating: G
word count: 3.3k
description: follows walburga + minervas relationship, from walburga's pov. written from first person pov which i personally normally don't vibe with, but the writing is so beautiful on this that i loved it anyway
Dark and Fearsome (The Constant Moon Remix), by The_Wavesinger
pairing: walburga black/minerva mcgonagall
rating: M
word count: 1k
description: a series of moments in walburga + minerva's relationship, caught on the brink of a war
what bitter thing is this?, by the_crownless_queen
pairing: rowena ravenclaw/helga hufflepuff
rating: T
word count: 1.2k
description: rowena can see the future, but nobody ever believes her
Her Fight & Fury, by jadepresley
pairing: minerva mcgonagall/augusta longbottom
rating: T
word count: 6k
description: academic rivals to lovers to exes; so well-written and somehow cute + fun while also being a little heartbreaking
Roots, by acidpop25
pairing: rowen ravenclaw/helga hufflepuff
rating: G
word count: 1.4k
description: short + sweet story about rowena + helga's relationship
description: irma pince is called into being as the librarian by the four founders of hogwarts. this story traces her life and service to the hogwarts library. so unexpectedly beautiful and one of the most unique fics i've ever read
With Love, The Pixies (WIP), by pumpkin_heist_lattes*
pairing: minerva mcgonagall/poppy pomfrey; side rolanda hooch/pomona sprout
rating: T
word count: 22k (ongoing WIP)
description: Minerva McGonagall is split down the middle. One half of her is the perfect student, the uptight girl who cares more about grades than feelings. The other half strains to run wild, playing pranks and laughing in the way only her closest friends get to see. Neither half has time for a silly crush on the Quidditch team healer.
Poppy Pomfrey only has one goal - make it through Hogwarts and learn enough to become the Healer her family needs. Friends are barely part of that plan, let alone falling for her judgy rival.
Before the Marauders, there were the Pixies. And Minerva, Rolanda, Poppy, and Pomona have their own share of heartache, laughter, mischief, and angst to get through first.
+ here's my own writing, bc why not :)
The Hand That Feeds, by rollercoasterwords (WIP)
pairing: dorlene; side wolfstar + jily
rating: M
word count: 182k (WIP)
description: Marlene McKinnon is a mess. She can’t sleep, she’s almost certainly going to fail all her NEWTs, and she’s 99% sure that if they don’t win the Quidditch Cup this year James Potter will throw himself headfirst off the Astronomy Tower. On top of all that, there’s a war on, yet their professors seem determined to pretend that the biggest problem any of them are facing is finding a Ministry internship. Marlene’s final year at Hogwarts has barely started, and she’s already pretty sure it couldn’t get any worse—that is, until she shows up for her first Potions class and hears the assignment.
Dorcas Meadowes is a stone-cold bitch. At least, that’s what everyone says. She doesn’t need well-meaning professors or overeager classmates or teammates or boyfriends or friends. She doesn’t need anything except to be left alone, the way she likes, until the day she finally leaves school. And she certainly doesn’t need Marlene McKinnon, with her sharp tongue and her snorting laugh and her stupid shiny hair, who seems intent on ruining everything that Dorcas has been working towards for the past two years.
canon-compliant fic that follows dorcas + marlene from 1977-1981
Alice, Look At Me by rollercoasterwords
pairing: alice/narcissa
rating: M
word count: 14.6k
description: canon-compliant fic following narcissa's life from 1955-1993; friends to lovers to a never-ending "what if"
Emmeline: Spring 1981 by rollercoasterwords
pairing: dorcas/emmeline
rating: M
word count: 5.2k
description: this a single-chapter oneshot from a series of oneshots written as companion pieces to atyd - sirius's pov; however, it can be read as a stand-alone, so i'm including it here :) a look at dorcas + emmeline's relationship during the first wizarding war
I was wondering if you know when the next DaSS chapter will be up? No pressure ofcoursee
Also a teeny tiny snippet would make my day 🥹
Hi dear!
I’ve been quite busy and tired and has gotten myself some sort of viral infection as a result. So I’m kind of dying a bit, but at least I don’t have to work! How are you? ❤️🩹
I took my sweet time to get back to you cause I didn’t have anything to give you when you initially asked me. But the next chapter should be out Friday (unlikely) or early next week (much more doable).
And here’s your snippet, inspired by @kaleekiwi and their post:
“You liar,” Regulus seethed as he watched James help himself to the remainder of his Monopoly money. “You fucking liar.”
James smiled at him overly sweetly. “I didn’t lie. I said I’m all about fun and watching a Black lose is always peak entertainment. You do that thing where you try not to hyperventilate and —oh, exactly how you’re doing it now— your cheeks turn all red like cherries. Adorable.”
The only thing Regulus was able to keep of his brother before their mother vanished all his things to Merlin knows where was his old leather jacket. The one he wore religiously to mess with Walburga. The one with the worn elbows and scratched hem. It made his brother feel close by, a more gentle reminder than the burned spot on the tapestry.
So when a few years later, Regulus steps into a cave, daring to defy the Dark Lord, it’s in his brother’s jacket. And when he is dragged to the bottom of that dark lake, it’s in the comfort of his brother’s embrace.
