If the Fates Allow

Title: If the Fates Allow or here at AO3
Author: saras_girl  
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 80,000 Approx.  
Summary: What’s that crackling in the walls? // Harry has no clue at all. //   He’ll eat some cake and drink some wine. // Because he is completely FINE.
–A story about life’s disregard for our plans.


This is such a gorgeous story. We meet a Harry who is a bit adrift. He’s not happy at work, his personal life is a bit empty, except for Ron and Hermione and their children, who Harry obviously adores, the Weasleys and of course for Draco, whom he’s been in love with for ages, though Draco doesn’t know.  ^^

They share an office in the Ministry in the Auror Department. Draco is something like “Q”. However, their boss has it in for Draco and Draco ends up being unfairly fired, which is around the time Harry also realises he’s had enough of that horrible boss.

It’s truly a journey to happiness, with ups and downs and a beautiful, amazing ending. :D 

The Frisky Furnishings of Malfoy Manor

Title: The Frisky Furnishings of Malfoy Manor
Author: @writcraft 
Rating: R
Word Count: 19,600 Approx.  
Summary: The course of true love never did run smooth. // Or: Hermione has a crafty plan, Harry and Draco are fake boyfriends and wizarding traditions have a lot to answer for. Featuring awkward dates, mince pies, a saucy sofa and a line of sequined house-elf haute couture nobody asked for but got anyway.

This fic, it’s just so much fun; it’s just hilarious and super entertaining and yet sweet and endearing, too.

It all begins with Harry talking to Hermione. They are trying to raise visibility of same-sex relationships. Harry’s bi, you see, and even though in the wizarding world sexuality isn’t a big issue, there are hardly any same-sex couples in the public eye, so Hermione tells him this idea is super. And she even suggests Harry traditionally (and publicly) courts Draco.

Also in the meantime Harry, who is a Magical Renovation Specialist – not a builder, mind you! – could help Draco with his barmy furnishing at the Manor.

Of course, when Harry goes to tell Draco this idea, Draco is certainly Not Impressed™ but eventually Harry convinces him to go with it. And it’s awesome! \o/ They go on dates and there’s so much banter and flirting and UST and at the same time is so sweet as they grow so fond of each other. I’m sure you’re going to love it. :D Awesome fic!

You cannot save people, you can only love them

Title: You cannot save people, you can only love them
Author: amorette
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 51,500 Approx.  
Summary: Upon returning for Eighth Year, there are so many strange things going on with Malfoy, Harry doesn’t know where to start. He won’t talk to Harry, but he’s talking to ghosts. He won’t apologize for his past, but the Black Family tapestry has crossed him off its tree. And the worst of it all, he still has that infuriating, snotty mouth on him that gets Harry’s dick hard as a rock drives Harry insane.

This is such a smoking hot fic! :D There’s hung!Harry, which I looove. :D But there are a ton of awesome stuff going on. It start with Harry & Co returning to Hogwarts for their 8th Year, only Harry is very, very annoyed indeed because Draco has been ignoring him. He’s not looking at him, he’s not talking to him, and he didn’t even reply the owl Harry sent along with his wand during summer. The nerve!

So that’s the state of things when they are paired together for the year-long 8th Year project of re-building Hogwarts. Fun! *thumbs up!*

And that’s not all, while they aren’t roommates, they do share a bathroom, and of course they keep running into each other there. And of course one of those times is when Harry forgot to carry his towel to the shower. And of course he flashed Draco.

Anyway! Yeah, it’s a lot of fun to see these on the verge of exploding into each other’s faces, then Harry being obsessed with Draco all over again, seeing all that UST finally burst. :)

You open always (petal by petal)

Title: You open always (petal by petal)
Author: birdsofshore
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 66,000 Approx.  
Summary: Harry’s not the kind of person who pays for sex. He really isn’t. Until he is.
Content/Warning(s): rentboy!Draco, mentions of dubious consent in connection with sex work (not between H/D)

This fic is so good. God, there’s so much UST between Harry and Draco and yet there so much more than that.

The story starts with Harry walking back home one night and walking by the usual place he knows rentboys stands. He’s full of guilt at even doing this, you see, he’s desperately trying to convince himself he’s not doing anything wrong—and that’s when he see Draco standing under a street lamp.

And Draco sees Harry watching. They talk briefly and though Harry follows his way home he can’t stop thinking about Draco. Let me tell you, the description of Draco here is gorgeous. Soon after Harry is again walking down the street when someone calls him – he’s wearing his Auror uniform – to help with this disturbance in this flat. It’s Draco and he’s being attacked. Harry reacts, at seeing someone touching Draco and one thing leads to another and Draco ends up staying at Grimmauld Place with Harry for the night.

Only, of course, of course it’s not just something simple. For starters Harry is going crazy with want, and god, Draco does not make it easy for Harry, and then Grimmauld Place, which always felt unfriendly and cold towards Harry starts… like, feeling happy that Draco’s around. ^^

But again, there’s so much more than that. Harry goes from being in ~denial about his sexuality, to admitting it, to say it out loud and to act. And this journey is amazing. So is all that UST between Harry and Draco let me tell you! 

How We Throw Our Shadows Down

Title: How We Throw Our Shadows Down
Author: @thistle-verse  
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 14,000 Approx.  
Summary: Draco has finally found the perfect, rare piece to complete his collection. The only problem is that the item belongs to Harry Potter, the last wizard on earth Draco wants to ask another favor from.

This is such a lovely fic. There’s a feeling of belonging and finding each other at the end that will leave you with a smile on your face.

But the whole thing starts with Draco, a serious tea cosy collector, find this very perfect one that he badly ones. And by perfect I mean an ugly thing. :D He finds it via Zabini Imports. It’s something like an ebay play for wizards, and the owner of this particular unique tea cosy is one Harry Potter.

Of course, Draco doesn’t want to go around asking Harry favours, especially since years ago he already asking something important and promised it was going to be the last time he asked Harry something.

Anyway, he figures he should at least try to ask about this tea cosy – he really wants it. And Harry in turn invites him to have dinner. They continue having dinner, but let me tell you, the characterisations are so, so lovely. They are in this moment when they are trying, they are healing from the war and finding each other and it’s beautiful. Beyond a collection being complete and beyond dinners, Harry and Draco see each other. It’s wonderful. :) 

The Sleeping Beauty Curse

Title: The Sleeping Beauty Curse
Author: who_la_hoop
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 153,000 Approx.  
Summary: When Draco Malfoy falls into a cursed sleep and can only be woken – at least, according to the Daily Prophet, that impeccable source of truth – by ‘true love’s kiss’, Harry Potter knows there’s no way on earth he’s the answer to this particular riddle. Is he …?
Content/Warning(s): bonding!fic

This fic is amazing! As the title and summary tells you, Draco has been cursed to sleep until – according to the Daily Prophet  – his one true love kisses him awake.

The problem is that it’s six weeks and counting and Draco is not waken up by any kisses. And so Blaise, the Unspeakable in charge of this case, asks Harry, Ron and Hermione to kiss Draco.

Surely nothing wrong is going to happen, yeah? I mean, come on. Only, to Harry’s horror, Draco totally wakes him up when he kisses. And let me tell you, his reaction is hilarious!!!!! Harry’s reaction, I mean! :D

But that’s not all, not only Draco woke up, in a confusing turns of events, they end up bonded. As in in the middle of a marriage bond, and they can’t access their magic unless they either complete the bond (you know what that means, right?) or they are touching. YAY!

And so Harry and Draco are suddenly married and living together only they aren’t really, right? It’s as awesome and as fun as it sounds, trust me; watching these two try to be civil, but still bickering, seeing that UST growing, sleeping together, then sleeping together without fulfilling the bond—and well, falling in love. :D

The Malfoy Conundrum

Title: The Malfoy Conundrum
Author:  omi_ohmy
Rating: R
Word Count: 49,700 Approx.  
Summary: Harry’s miserable living with his memories at Grimmauld Place, so after a chance meeting he takes the opportunity to move somewhere new. His housemates, though, are rather unexpected. Especially the blond, pointy one…

This is such a wonderful, gentle story. It’s so touching and emotional because here we see a Harry who is not doing well, who is trying his hardest but he’s simply not well, he’s depressed and he doesn’t know what to do. He’s not happy where he’s living, he’s not happy at work, he’s just existing, sort of drifting. But there’s people who loves him and care for him, so to help him his boss tells him to take some time off, a work sabbatical and it’s in this time that he randomly runs into Dudley, who has changed, who is glad to see Harry, who apologies and that’s how Harry learns that Dudley is looking for someone to rent his room to while he travels. Harry who very much needed a change jumps of the chance, mindful of Dudley’s roommates, Dick and Blaine. :D

Which of course turned out to be Draco and Blaise, and we learn why Draco’s nick name is Dick (so very fitting, too, you’ll see!) and we see these two, them three, actually, learning to live with each other, getting to know each other.

Harry and Draco pretty soon, after deciding to be civil, realise they have some things in common, they spend time together and start to understand each other. There are so many lovely interactions between them. Flirty, friendly banter, UST, but it’s all so natural, and then the people around are seeing this happen, seeing them be happier than they’ve been in years. It’s super sweet and lovely. :)

Warm Together

Title: Warm Together
Author: @strawberryrosegarden
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 16,000 Approx.  
Summary: Eight months in the life of Harry Potter, Professor of Defence at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as he gets to know his newest colleague and navigates his youngest son’s first year at school.
Content/Warning(s): Partly Epilogue compliant

This is such a lovely story. Harry has been the Defence Against the Dark Arts for several years but this year a new Charms Professor joins the staff: one Draco Malfoy. And it’s just wonderful, let me tell you. The way Harry and Draco, older and more mature simply click and begin this friendship that turns to much more.

It’s also Albus’s and Scorpius’s first year at Hogwarts and both Harry and Draco are nervous and excited. We learn that Draco has been something of a recluse before coming to Hogwarts, and so he fears for Scorpius, but they both find their places, find friends, a family and much more. Truly lovely, sweet and perfect for this season. :)

Title: My Name Was Safest in Your Mouth
Author: @alpha-exodus  
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 46,000  
Summary: Harry didn’t ask for Malfoy to walk into his shop after so many years. But one event leads to another, and soon they’re scrambling to help Hermione find the solution to one of the most insidious viruses the wizarding world has ever seen. To make matters worse, Malfoy’s hiding something, and Harry really wants to kiss him—except Malfoy doesn’t date. Ever.
Content/Warning(s): Creature fic Veela, Bonding fic.

This is such an amazing fic. It’s so creative! You see, it’s been years since Harry and Draco have interacted. In fact, the last time was back at Hogwarts in Eighth Year when they kissed. It was—well, it was amazing, even after all these years Harry hasn’t forgotten how it felt. But Draco has been avoiding him ever since.

That is until recently, when unknowingly to Draco goes into Harry’s shop and, well, there’s a spark. Almost literally, but the thing is, even if all those feelings that Harry had are still alive, Draco is very clear on something: he doesn’t date.  Harry’s curious about why is it, they’ve been spending time together and Draco obviously enjoys it, too. After more ~dates~ that aren’t dates, finally Draco comes clean and tells him he’s part Veela, and he has a mate, but he doesn’t want to be mated. Harry is… Harry has a lot of complicated emotions about this, but one thing he knows, he wants to be with Draco however possible, so they start this relationship, this unique relationship where they are so invested, their feelings for each other are clear and yet never taking that one step they obviously want.

As their relationship progress we learn there’s a new virus targeting Purebloods, draining their magical core and one by one, people close to Harry start getting sick. But don’t worry! Hermione is one of the Healers in charge.

Like I said, it’s super creative and Harry and Draco’s interaction are full of love and want. So good!

Heartlines

Title: Heartlines
Author: @shiftylinguini   
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 72,200 Approx.  
Summary: Harry never expected he’d end up chipping away at his virginity while wandless and bonded to Malfoy in Northern Europe. // He never expected that would turn out to be the least surprising thing to happen while out on their training expedition in the middle of nowhere, either.
Content/Warning(s): bonding!fic

This fic, oh my god, this fic!  It’s Harry and Draco trainee Auror partners, who just so happen to be attracted to each other, and who are about to go in an training exercise wandless and bound to each other, so you know it’s going to be awesome.

But wait! There’s more! The thing, just before this trip Harry and Draco had a ~moment.  Okay, they went out for drinks and Harry kissed him and of course things got awkward and they had been getting along so well, you see, but now they aren’t quite talking. Only obviously they have to talk in this mission, and the beautiful thing is, they actually do talk. Harry says he didn’t regret kissing him and Draco said he surprised him and, well, things are a bit less tense but it’s full of sexual tension. And then they share a bed AND well things get really interesting.

One of the things I loved the most is seeing Harry and Draco like this. They are honest with each other, they haven’t forgotten who they are, or who they were, but they are growing, they accept the people who were, the mistakes they made and have learnt from them.

There’s of course the ~issue~ of Harry’s virginity which, as the summary says, he’s been chipping away as the trip progress. But there’s more than that, too, because this bond was a last-minute addition, and it’s very suspicious of both the bond caster – a foreign specialist, and the instructor, who hates Draco and practically gave them no choice but to accept it.

It’s interesting and amazing, funny and sexy, seeing them getting to know each other even better, seeing them experiment and admit their feelings and finally build something real. Most awesome. 

The Light That is Blinding Me

Title: The Light That is Blinding Me
Author: @acciotomriddle 
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 23,000 Approx.
Summary: After Flourish and Blotts stop stocking the books of Harry’s favourite author, he is directed to a queer bookshop and discovers it’s owned by none other than Draco Malfoy, who has more in common with Harry than either of them realise.
Content/Warning(s):  Brief scene of homophobia, depictions of anxiety and panic attacks

This is such a lovely fic. After Harry finds out that Flourish and Blotts is not selling queer books Luna suggests Harry to try a new one in York, Rainbow Reads, and of course once he goes there, Draco is the shop owner.

It’s so lovely because they bond over their love for a certain author and they start to get to know each other, Harry spending more and more time in York, which does Harry so much good – he suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, you see, and just, seeing their friendship and attraction turn to something more is wonderful. :)

Blood and Fire

Title: Blood and Fire
Author: @lqtraintracks 
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 45,000 Approx.  
Summary: Harry has spent the last twelve years in Romania, not returning to England as often as he knows he should. It’s complicated. But when Ginny asks him to be her best man and help her plan her wedding, he can’t say no. Having a reckoning with his choices, with himself, won’t be easy. To say nothing of seeing Draco again.

This is such a gorgeous story. It’s incredible! As the summary says, after twelve years of living in Romania Harry’s returning to be Ginny’s best man.  He’s obviously done well in Romania, he’s had a great life, he loves his dragons.  We learn through the story that he left England because he wasn’t ready, you know? However, we also learn that all those years ago Harry and Draco had something – it was, you can say it was of sexual nature, but only it was obviously a lot more than that to both of them. You have to imagine that, remember how young they were back then, and Harry wasn’t ready to stay, he was trying to find himself.

Now, seeing Draco after all those years, he feels everything he left behind, and he gets to know the man Draco’s become, and he wants, he wants him so badly it hurts, it hurts both of them. They can’t help it, they can’t keep their hands off each other, but still, there are all these things unsaid and unfinished, and there’s Harry that isn’t sure if he’s staying or coming back.

At least he thinks he doesn’t know, only he totally does (OH MY GOD) and I just don’t want to say anything else because you have to live this fic. These characters are so amazing and so rich. They laugh and cry and hurt and fuck and are beautiful in their complexity. Just, like, read it, you’ll love it!
            

Changing Tides

Title: Changing Tides
Author: @carpemermaidtales  
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 110,000 Approx.  
Summary: Draco has spent half of his life spouting the things his father has taught him without much thought about how he feels about what he says. When he unexpectedly comes face to face with the Dark Lord, he grapples with the harsh realities of the world and struggles with his changing views on life. Instead of doing what’s expected of him fifth year, he joins Dumbledore’s Army and learns how to defend himself, how to make his own choices, and how he can be something greater than his father’s example as he grows into his own man rather than his father’s shadow. The choices he makes change both his and Harry’s fates, intertwining their paths until they converge.
Content/Warning(s): Elements of Magical AU/Canon divergence (5th year AU).

This is such a beautiful, complex story. It’s slightly AU, in which, as the summary says, Draco joins Dumbledore’s Army to learn to defend himself, and this decision changed Draco’s life so much, and that’s one of the many awesome things about this story. It shows us exactly how.  We see Draco in Fifth Year, learning these spells, watching Harry, seeing a different side of him, interacting and while not everything is completely different, enough it is that Harry and Draco had the foundation  for an amazing friendship that they cultivate way after the war.

We see Draco seeing Harry being so happy in the DA, sees him again at his best when he encourages Harry to reform the DA again and more than that for it to become a club where students can practice and learn.

Then they join the Auror academy and ultimate become partners, but through all these there’s this amazing friendship and chemistry—something that had started back in Hogwarts grow.

And we see both POVs, too! Harry, through the story see him grow and learn more about his heritage, discover it, sort of, and feel like he belongs, learning costumes and sharing them with his friends, with Draco. It’s a journey, from them being young and living through so much to finding each other and happiness. Amazing!

The Two Days That Changed His Life

Title: The Two Days That Changed His Life
Author: @themightyflynn08
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 11,000 Approx.  
Summary: Draco believes he is happy with his current arrangement with Harry. A conversation with Pansy and Harry being injured force him to re-evaluate that belief, however.

This is such a sweet, lovely fic. Harry and Draco have been seeing each other for a   few months in secret. It’s been mostly a physical relationship, you see. But this one day, the day the Prophet published an article about Harry and Draco being seen together, is when Draco finally admits to himself (and Pansy, who is ~super surprised~ with this new development, and by surprise I mean she totally knew ^^) that what he feels for Harry goes deeper than just this sort of friends with benefits arrangement.

However, once Draco’s determined to talk to Harry, Harry and many ministry Aurors fall mysteriously ill. But don’t worry, everything turns out well. :D 

Like Clockwork

Title: Like Clockwork
Author: @agentmoppet
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 40,000 Approx.  
Summary: Draco has never been very good at trusting others, and Potter is no exception. But if they’re going to survive this, they need to accept that they’re holding each other’s lives in their hands, and–worst of all–they’re going to have to work together.
Content/Warning(s): a bit of drinking as a coping mechanism, memory loss

This story is just so cool! It’s case!fic with Unspeakable Harry Potter working with Curse Breaker Draco Malfoy. :D

The whole thing starts when a package is delivered to Weasley’s Wizard Wheeze and as it explodes it hits Ron, putting him into a coma. Draco, who happened to be there (though, granted, he was there to spy on Harry ^^) and is the best Curse Breaker agrees to take the case, and Harry’s going to help him.

It’s super interesting, because to work on this spell they sort of have to go into the spell, which manifests as a small room, much like the inside of a clock, actually. The catch is that when they come back from that place, that room, they won’t be able to remember anything that happened in there once they are back to the real world. But if they go back to that room, they will remember everything that happened both in their previous visit and the outside world.

And of course Harry and Draco get along in that room/spell, and of course once they are outside they don’t and everything is difficult. It’s awesome, this contrast, but also the way how even though they apparently don’t like each other in the real world, they trust each other to be safe in that place, and together work to solve this mystery. Pretty awesome, I’m  telling you. :D