My Favorite Fanfiction - May/June 2018 edition
Alright, ya’ll, I didn’t read a ton these past two months, mostly because I reread a piece I really enjoyed the first time I read it YEARS ago, but didn’t enjoy nearly as much this time through. Because I didn’t love it, I’m not going to share it with you, but know that it SIGNIFICANTLY slowed me down.
Reminder: Send me your recs!!! One of my FAVORITE stories this edition came from a rec in my messages :)
Reminder #2: These are in no particular order. I was going to try to do them in the order I read them, but I’m not that organized. Sorry, not sorry.
1. Unrequited Snowfall - kittenshift17. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated T. Story Summary: Draco Malfoy has a secret. An Infatuation. An Obsession. '"I have to admit Granger, I was less than pleased with some of the things you drew in this book of yours" he said, pulling his hand away before he could do something crazy like sliding it into her hair and tugging her close so he could snog those pouting lips of hers.' MY SUMMARY: This story is SO freaking gorgeous! I love the idea of H drawing in her journal and D responding to what he’s seen in a similar format. And that he is able to be selfless in doing so. And knowing what’s going on with both of them is nice - we aren’t told this story from only one point of view. Seriously, kittenshift17 can’t write a bad story!
2. Unrequited Snowstorm - kittenshift17. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated T. Sequel to Unrequited Snowfall. Story Summary: The trial of Draco Malfoy was the most controversial of the year. Most felt that he ought to be thrown into Azkaban for his crimes, the other half passionately believed it was wrong to lock up an eighteen year old boy for choices he'd been forced to make under duress. Hermione Granger was never expected the trial to take a turn like this. MY SUMMARY: This was an unexpected wrap-up of Unrequited Snowfall, but it felt right. kittenshift17 creates such breath-taking atmosphere in the first part of this story, and the conclusion is subtle and wonderful.
3. Wrapped in Red - kittenshift17. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated T. Story Summary: During a school wide Secret Santa, Hermione has the bad luck of picking Draco Malfoy, suspected Death Eater. When she tries to sneakily learn his secrets in order to get his gift, and Malfoy winds up trapped under some mistletoe, things get out of hand. Who said snogging a Death Eater wouldn't land her in a strangely addictive mess? A Christmassy Dramione tale. MY SUMMARY: This is such a sweet, fun, holiday story. Hogwarts is running a secret santa, and our dearly loved couple has to figure out what to get for their giftees. Can they help each other out? And what will happen when they wind up under magical mistletoe? Hermione’s secret santa ends up getting her a problematic gift; how will she handle it?
4. Stripped Bare - kittenshift17. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. TRIGGERS: dub/con, infedelity. Story Summary: Dragged to Malfoy Manor, Hermione is tortured for information on Harry's whereabouts. When the Cruciatus cruse proves useless, Bellatrix settles on a heinous course of action to loosen her tongue. Forced to come together under threat of death, Draco and Hermione are about to learn there is more to their relationship than hatred. MY SUMMARY: This story is SO good! I’m not normally a fan of dub/con, but I just enjoy kittenshift17′s writing so much, I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did! This is such an interesting take on what might have happened at Malfoy Manor during Hermione’s torture. I love the slow build between D and H in this story. And that the dub/con is on both sides (okay, I HATE that, but I like that one of them is not forcing the other). Anyway, if you like war AUs, (or, like me, if you just LOVE kittenshift17) give it a try!
5. High - motherofbulls. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Story Summary: He started out as an outlet for her. Somewhere along the way he became something more. But being the Brightest Witch of Her Age, she knows there's something lurking beneath the surface. MY SUMMARY: I was a little hesitant going into this story, as I'm not normally a fan of reading about people getting high. But I love MotherofBulls, so I decided to give it a try anyway. I'm glad I did! The story is ridiculous in the best way possible. Reading about the students being high was delightful! In the midst of a high, Draco stumbles upon the Gryffindors and finds out some information that makes him see Hermione in a new light. I like that MotherofBulls makes Hermione sexually confident; in general, I feel like stories include Draco having to drag Hermione into the world of sexual pleasure, but I like that Hermione can hold her own in this world. And I like that both Draco and Hermione talk dirty during sex. And I love the drama as the events of 6th year unfold (the broken Vanishing Cabinet, Ron saying her name after waking up in the infirmary from the poisoned mead, the War).
6. Barmy - motherofbulls. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Sequel to High. Story Summary: Narcissa wants to meet her, so Hermione and Draco go to Malfoy Manor for a simple, dignified dinner. But after Narcissa releases an uncharacteristic slip of the tongue, Hermione realizes that Draco has bigger plans for her beyond merely meeting his mother. MY SUMMARY: Hermione meets her boyfriend's mother. What happens when Hermione meets Narcissa and she keeps hinting about Hermione living in the Manor? Could Narcissa actually mean what Hermione thinks she means? And what will happen if Draco actually proposes? And did you know the Malfoys have a first edition of Hogwarts: A History? Which Hermione most excited about? This is a silly, fun story and a fun addition to the High series.
7. The Year Neville Broke Bad - motherofbulls. Couple - Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Sequel to High and Barmy. Story Summary: Neville Longbottom uses his skills in Herbology to reinvent himself as a bad ass; a new year, a new look, an all around new Neville. In an unfortunate turn of events after accidentally witnessing an intimate moment between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, Neville's new experiment turns on its face. Will he break bad or break down? MY SUMMARY: Neville Longbottom uses his skills in Herbology to reinvent himself as a bad ass. New year, new look--all around new Neville. In an unfortunate turn of events after accidentally witnessing an intimate moment between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, Neville's new experiment turns on its face. Will he break bad or break down? I love the friendship of sorts that develops between Draco and Neville and how they try to desperately to keep Hermione from finding out. What will happen when she does? And I love how how the house elves figure into the story, and how two such opposite people (Draco and Neville) are able to at least somewhat civilly run a drug cartel. And the fact that, somehow, motherofbulls makes this seem all plausible. This is a hilarious and fluffy and lovely end to the series!
8. How the Granger Won Christmas - motherofbulls. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Story Summary: When it comes to love, Hermione is a Grade-A Grinch. She sets standards most men simply cannot meet and gives them no quarter when they fail her. This holiday season, Harry and Ginny feel the need to intervene by setting her up with Draco Malfoy. MY SUMMARY: Hermione gets set up with Draco on a Christmas-time date. Such a cute story! I love a flirty!Draco and one who has clearly had his eye on our girl for a while, as he has detailed thoughts on what's wrong with her love life. And I love that instead of the two of them running off in the middle of a Ministry event, they meet up at Harry's son's birthday party. And I love the idea of the two of them enjoying whiskey (and a bit more) together. Such a fun bit of fluff!
9. Shut Up and Date Me - motherofbulls. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Sequel to How the Granger Won Christmas. Story Summary: Hermione's been gone for nearly two months since that fateful Christmas Eve night where she and Draco Malfoy discovered one another. And she's ready to come home. But will he be able to crack her prickly shell when he takes her out for Valentine's Day? MY SUMMARY: After a spicy, lovely Christmas date, Hermione goes out of town for 2 months. What happens when Draco and Hermione see each other again. I dearly love that Hermione can't stand Donald Trump (though he's not OFFICIALLY named). A little bit of texting goes a long way when you're an ocean from the person you love. I love, I love, I LOVE motherofbulls' characterization of Hermione (and Draco). I just want to hug this story and its fluffy goodness. They have a Velntine's Day date and it's awkward at first; how will they overcome it? The answer makes my heart become a pile of mushy goodness.
10. An Indefinite Amount of Forever - motherofbulls. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Sequel to Hot for Teacher. Story Summary: Draco and Hermione embark on the next adventure of their lives together. They swiftly find that falling in love might be simple, but relationships are tricky. Through their friendships, insecurities, and love for each other, they learn what it means to be someone's Forever. MY SUMMARY: This sequel to Hot for Teacher was just as lovely as the original. It made me laugh and cry (sentimentally and romantically). And I LOVE that Hermione was the one feeling hesitant about having children. I feel like I often see stories where Draco is the one with hesitations and Hermione is so sure he'll be a good dad, but I rarely see the opposite. I love how MotherofBulls handled it.
11. Broken Feathers - naarna. Couple = Dramione. WIP, last updated June 2018. Rated Explicit. Story Summary: It's been eight years since Draco last spoke with Hermione, and now she has disappeared. Will he put everything into finding her? MY SUMMARY: I love the way naarna handles this story. The pacing, the characters, the storyline. It’s all so wonderfully done! I can’t wait to see where naarna takes this story. I love the amount of emotion within this story, and the way the scenes of Hermione’s time while kidnapped was handled. Really, this story is just masterfully done!!
12. Strap It On - naarna. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated M. Story Summary: For Draco's birthday, Hermione is willing to try something new... MY SUMMARY: This is such a sexy, fun story. This story features bisexual!Draco, and I appreciate the way naarna incorporated that into this story. And I love Hermione’s willingness to try something new.
13. Happy Birthday to Me (Chocolate Cake and Wildflowers) - naarna. Couple = Dramione. Complete. Rated T. Story Summary: It's Hermione's 40th birthday, but everyone else is either on a vacation trip or buried in work, so she decides to celebrate it with a candlelight dinner just for herself. However, an unexpected visitor turns the evening into something worth remembering. MY SUMMARY: This was a fun, fluffy story! I love it when H and D are co-workers, and I am really growing to appreciate the beauty of older H and D. In this case, H is having her 40th birthday, and I love the idea of D and H sharing a second romance, later in life.
Have you read something lately that you’ve enjoyed? Let me know! I’d LOVE to hear from you!!
