Weekly Drarry Fic Recs

(or an archive of fic I really like) Melo • 18+ • Writing sideblog @meloflavor

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

from love, obviously by bizarrestars

Summary:

"I just mean, doing the right thing because it's right is better than doing it because…"

"What?" Draco challenges, amused. "Better to do it because it's right as opposed to doing it because it's not wrong? Please enlighten me on what the difference is."

"You're the difference," is Harry's answer.

(Or, Draco Malfoy comes up with a plan, drinks a lot of tea, and fails to fix a clock. Somewhere along the way, Harry Potter falls in love with him, which wasn't a part of the plan at all.)

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 52,875

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50932765/chapters/128673415

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Two to Shore by Lamplighter

Summary:

Harry and Draco meet in Madam Malkin’s and instantly take a liking to each other. Just kidding. They don’t, but Harry does get sorted into Slytherin, and they do become extremely good friends.

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 204,813

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20721302/chapters/49226936

Thoughts: This is an amazing story not just because of how it artfully rewrites canon but also how it creates such a tight tension between Harry and Draco. The slow burn is like a simmering strew that becomes richer as it unfolds.

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Then Comes a Mist and a Weeping Rain by Faith Wood (faithwood)

Summary:

It always rains for Draco Malfoy. Metaphorically. And literally. Ever since he had accidentally Conjured a cloud. A cloud that's ever so cross. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 21,139 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/234222

My Thoughts: I can't believe it took me until now to read this one, but I am glad I finally did. Everyday life had me feeling pretty down and sensitive, and this fic was the best balm to the pain of reality. There are no huge upsets and warm feelings at every corner; this fic is the definition of a comfort read.

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Star Quality by who_la_hoop

Summary:

Two years after the war, and Harry’s content with his life. OK, so it’s a little annoying that he keeps winning Witch Weekly’s Most Eligible Bachelor award, and he’s really not looking forward to the unveiling of an enormous gold statue of himself, but he loves his friends, and he loves being an Auror. And if he yearns for something more, something he can barely bring himself to think about, well, he’ll probably get over it. No one’s happy all the time, are they? But then everything changes, and Harry’s thrown into a new and dazzling world he’s not sure he can actually escape from. And as time goes on, he starts to wonder: does he actually want to? Rating: Explicit Word Count: 118,607 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17175614/chapters/40383773

My Thoughts: This is the first Drarry fic I (re)read this year, and it gave 2024 a joyful start! Who_la_hoop's characterization of Draco, simmering with desire and desperation, and Harry, struggling to figure out his life, is one of my favorites, and I was delighted by each chapter. This fic is also nice and lengthy, perfect for a long weekend. Artwork: Ah!... les comètes..., ça annonce toujours quelques grands malheurs!..., from Actualités, published in Le Charivari, October 30, 1858 by Honoré Daumier

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

The Interest Here by disapparater

Summary:

Draco has his own morning show on the wireless, which he loves; an ambitious assistant, whom he needs; and days in The Tea Shop, where he relaxes. He also has a new caller on the show, whom he finds bloody annoying. Rating: Teen and Up Word Count: 9,408 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/5107175

My Thoughts: Life has been a little unsettled lately and it's been hard to find the time to read. In the middle of all the chaos, The Interest Here was like a little oasis that calmed and soothed me. Much like the warm cups of tea Draco drinks in this story, this fic kept me feeling cozy and indulged me with so much sweetness.

Painting: Heroic Landscape with Rainbow by Joseph Anton Koch

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

The Ordeal of Being Known by louisfake

Summary:

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. It's obviously a terrible idea, a disaster waiting to happen, but Draco's never been able to back down from a challenge... especially from Potter. Features fuzzy cartoon slippers, devious house elves, 90s music, and lots—LOTS—of memories. Ron is annoyingly hot, Hermione sees right through you, Harry is a powerful idiot, and Draco is a reclusive masochist that would buy an entire city if it would make a kid happy. (And Pansy is "5'2, I wanna dance with you, and I'm sophisticated fun.") Rating: Mature Word Count: 146,637 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28864512/chapters/70806630

My Thoughts: A brilliant fic! It had the right amount of tension between Harry and Draco, making it hard to put down but not too much to be a stressful read. Much like the hot chocolate that often appeared in the story, The Ordeal of Being Known warmed my heart and soul. 

Painting: The Penitent Magdalen by Georges de La Tour

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Nothing Like the Sun by Lomonaaeren

Summary:

Harry finally realizes that he has trouble keeping lovers both because of his looks and because he isn’t very good at sex. He does what he can to alter that, but it seems he’s never going to be good enough to satisfy a wizard lover. When Draco Malfoy offers, Harry thinks a casual relationship with him might be the solution to his problems. But he should have remembered one thing: when it comes to Harry, Malfoy has a problem staying casual. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 144,233 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/799221?view_full_work=true

My Thoughts: Draco taking charge of a relationship and guiding Harry brings me so much joy. Harry’s struggle with his body also struck home for me. (Any potential readers should note that noncon in an intimate relationship is a big discussion point in this fic. It doesn’t happen between Draco and Harry, but it is a crucial element to Harry’s struggles.)

Painting: Pygmalion and the Image: The Heart Desires by Edward Burne-Jones

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Chasing Draco by dracogotgame

Summary:

Draco Malfoy is every suitor's nightmare. His brazen temper and absolute disregard for the personal safety of others has his father in despair. Enter Harry Potter. Based on 'Taming of the Shrew': An epic tale of Harry and Draco's crazy courtship complete with meddling fathers in law, reluctant fiances, annoying best friends and furniture missiles. Let the madness begin. Rating: Mature Word Count: 47,473 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/5243315?view_full_work=true

My Thoughts: This isn’t usually the type of fic I read, but I ended up enjoying it! I really like an insistent Harry, and this Harry was here to deliver. As the tags note, the characters might be a bit out of character. But, it works with the set up and overall flow of the story.

Painting: Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1865) by Alexander Louis Leloir

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

speak of the devil (and the devil shall appear) by mad1492, milkandhoney, and sophisticatedyet

Summary:

“So, there I was: probably a little bit concussed, stinking of vinegar, pickles sliding into my socks — and of course, that’s when Potter turns up.”  Pansy's gaze drifted over Draco’s shoulder and her lips twisted. “That’s funny, considering he also just appeared behind you." Unbeknownst to anyone, Draco gets hit by a curse. Suddenly, Harry Potter is around a lot more than either of them want him to be. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 87,971 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33499066?view_full_work=true

My Thoughts: Lately, it’s been oppressively hot and I have a hard time focusing on reading. But, this fic was like a glass of ice cool lemonade in this heat. Refreshing and funny, this fic had me giggling out loud while riding the bus. Humor aside, this fic had satisfying tension and resolution between Draco and Harry. Amazing buildup and set up!! Painting: The Tailor by Giovanni Battista Moroni

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Perdition by makeitp1nk

Summary:

Ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy commits suicide. Or so it appears. Determined to find the truth, Auror Rosier discovers more than he bargained for with the help of a man who disappeared a decade prior — the one and only, Harry Potter. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 21,234 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/37917595?view_full_work=true

My Thoughts: This fic is full of surprises (this might be because I am not familiar with the original film). Each twist and turn combined with the cinematic world building and descriptions made this an exciting story. I also really loved how repressed Draco was at the start and how Harry brought out his magic. Character (and relationship) growth...!! Painting: The Good and Evil Angels Struggling for Possession of a Child by William Blake

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Temptation on the Warfront by alizarincrims0n

Summary:

Draco Malfoy is forced into hiding with the Golden Trio and dragged into their search for horcruxes. What ensues is a journey of redemption, unexpected friendships and an unwanted, turbulent romance with Harry Potter. Warnings for swearing, sexual content, and dark themes. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 180,305 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/4373594/chapters/9926705

My Thoughts: I have replaced canon with this fic in my mind. Temptation on the Warfront is Deathly Hallows to me. There is so much to love in this fic-Draco redemption, Muggle clothes, Draco’s Patronus, so so much more. If you’re in the mood for a canon rewrite, this is a must read. 

Painting: Tristan and Isolde (Life) by Rogelio de Egusquiza

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

The Arc of the Pendulum by brummell (actualite)

Summary:

After his father casts a mysterious curse on Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy is forced to try to make things right. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 30,189 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/716731/

My Thoughts: Oh oh oh what a lovely fic!!!!! Harry and Draco living and falling in love together felt so natural. I fell in love with their relationship as the story progressed, and the pacing created such a delicious (and sob-inducing) tension in the end. Beautiful!!!

Painting: A moonlit manor across the river by O. W. Marshall

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

And So Death Took by ICMezzo

Summary:

Fairy tales may soothe small children into slumber, but some stories themselves refuse to sleep. The Tale of Three Brothers, retold. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 25,248 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/1056295/

My Thoughts: To get through the day, I tend to build up an unemotional crust, and sometimes it’s hard to open up. This fic truly broke through that crust and actually made me feel. Ron and Hermione made me cry multiple times, and Harry and Draco had me shifting between laughter and tears. This is a new fic to me, but it has become one of the precious ones. 

Painting: Death and the Maiden by Marianne Stokes

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Draco Malfoy and the House of Black by starbrigid

Summary:

After going back in time, Draco has tried to follow the path he remembers. But third year brings a new Ravenclaw cousin, a new Boggart, and a newly admiring Harry Potter, along with castle grounds full of Dementors and what they make him remember. With secrets of his mother's family coming to light, and a godfather he understands far less than he ever thought, Draco will discover that the time in which he can remain passive in the new timeline has finally come to a close. Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Word Count: 123,794 Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25111171/chapters/60836278

My Thoughts: Within the series, this fic really has Draco coming into his own and has some of my favorite character Draco character growth. Severus also is a shining star in the story (despite or perhaps because of his weaknesses). Even though I do love the building Drarry element, all the characters, even Ron!, has me coming back.

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Draco Malfoy and the Heir of Slytherin by starbrigid

Summary:

Draco Malfoy never asked for a second chance, nor did he particularly want one. But he found himself in his old body at eleven, and after a year at Hogwarts, he has a plan for the year before him: keep to himself, find Dobby, improve relations with fellow Slytherins to cordial but distant, get over this stupid obsession with Harry Potter, and no more jokes about controlling a Malfoy mountain troll. No one else thinks they're funny. And no more cursing people- well, only as many people as necessary... Draco Malfoy has never been very good at following plans. Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Word Count: 94,423

Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24509584/chapters/59166430

My Thoughts: This fic is a gem in my eyes for Draco and Hermione’s friendship. No matter how many times I read it, Draco’s breakdown and desperation to protect Hermione brings tears to my eyes. Throw in Harry’s continued (and growing) obsession with Draco, and this is a wonderful long read.   

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Earthbound Spook by bmouse (cest_what)

Summary:

Two months after Draco Malfoy was reported dead, Harry and Ron found him tangled in Strangler Ivy on the grounds of Hogwarts. Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Word Count: 57,550

Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/78824/chapters/104978

My Thoughts: A lovely, lovely fic. All the characters sound so real and their voices distinct that I absolutely melted while reading. Harry’s growing obsession with Draco and the action-packed story makes this an excellent fic!

[weeklydrarryficrecs]

Vulnera Sanentur by Zzzara

Summary:

When Harry Potter fires a deadly curse at his "arch-enemy", he has no idea what the curse does. He has no idea he will soon beg Draco Malfoy's forgiveness and try his best to atone. He has no idea that the ugly bathroom incident he would rather forget will tangle and bind their lives together with no chance of escape. Navigating a treacherous path between Dumbledore's lies and Voldemort's orders, Draco is trapped and considered to be dead by both sides of the Wizarding War. Against the Golden Trio's wishes, he joins them on the Horcrux hunt. Except that he has no idea what he is hunting for.This is a love-story, a fight-story, very much compliant to the 6th and 7th 'Harry Potter' books and yet, very, VERY different. Because this time - after the Sectumsempra incident - Harry visited Draco in the hospital wing and tried to apologise. Word Count: 51,716 Rating: Explicit Link to Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20882783?view_full_work=true

My Thoughts: I really like how this fic handled the aftermath of Sectumsempra and how it explored Harry’s feelings over the whole ordeal. The human touch there pulled this story together. The grittier, realistic feel to the development of their relationship grounded the story and made it hard to put down!