#mintawasalreadytaken

[thedrarrylibrarian]

I know I always say this, but it’s always true - I am so excited for this month’s guest reccer! To say that Grace, who writes as @mintawasalreadytaken, has excellent taste would be an understatement - she is a tastemaker. I realized as I was looking through a server that we’re both in that I read Coyote Ugly (which I recced a few weeks ago) based on her recommendation first! She’s also an accomplished writer herself, so if you like her rec, be sure to check out her works.

I leave the format of the rec up to the guest reccer - sometimes people use emojis, sometimes they give the rec as bullet points, and sometimes people prefer to write paragraphs. Grace asked if we could have a conversation about this fic together, and I eagerly agreed! I’ll be TDL below, and she’ll be Grace. Just as a heads up, there are minor spoilers for the fic below the cut.

Without further ado, I present the May Happy Hour Recommendation - in conversation with @mintawasalreadytaken!

I Do Not Love You by @writandromance (228,290 words, Rated M)

In 2013, a carefully-designed Obliviation leaves Harry reconfiguring his life and identity without any memories of true love; an act that's essentially erased Draco Malfoy from his mind despite a wedding band and shared home.

In 2000, Draco had expected Pansy's relationship with Luna to bring the Gryffindors a bit closer to his orbit of quiet, carefully pacifistic existence, but he never expected to navigate such a transparent embrace into a unit of family, friendship, and love.

A mystery, two love stories, and a reminder that learning to love never has an end date.

TDL: You picked I Do Not Love You for this month's rec. Would you start by telling people who have never read it why they should give it a try?

Grace: I think I speak for a lot of us in the world of fanfiction, specifically Drarry fanfic, that we're not generally known for being chill about our obsessions. So, as someone who's read a lot of hurt/comfort and angst, I Do Not Love You stands out to me because it does a number of interesting things with its key trope, amnesia. It's a love story told backwards, and a love story that's as much about hate and how hate destroys as it is about love and how love builds.

TDL: I appreciate that you brought up the love story told backwards - I think that's one of the best parts of this story. The way, especially at the beginning, that the two plot-lines contrast makes it stand out to the reader about what Harry's lost, even when Harry himself doesn't realize.

Grace: Mmhmm, agreed. We start very firmly rooted in Harry's POV, with an eventual back and forth POVs between Harry and Draco, at opposite ends of the timeline of their relationship. So there's this wonderful tension there, right from go.

TDL: I think that's something very smart and enjoyable about Writ's writing. She's very good at creating that tension and then trusting the reader with it. She’s excellent at showing one perspective, and letting the reader infer the other perspective. It would've been easy to write from Draco's POV and get all of his angsty heartbreak firsthand, but instead she writes it from Harry's POV and we get his anger and are left to come to our own conclusions about Draco's hurt. It makes the conclusions more powerful to the reader.

Grace: Trusting the reader is certainly one of her strengths. Part of my deep enjoyment of this fic is how it begs to be re-read. It's only on the re-read that certain details, "tells" in Draco's behaviour, for example, become clear indicators of what will happen. But you need to learn them from Harry's POV first. It makes for a very fun circular read, in that way. Another way that trust is established masterfully is the contrast between Harry's anger in the present and the vignettes of his empathetic, whole-hearted earnestness in the flashback scenes. The distance between the two Harry's emotional states is enough for the reader to draw their own conclusions of how much it must pain Draco to go through this experience.

Though I will say, the angsty heartbreak moment we do get to see firsthand gets me every time. It's the most delicious stab in the heart!

TDL: I know it’s a spoiler, but will you be specific? What part exactly are you thinking of?

Grace: “I lost my husband.”

TDL: I put that quote down in my notes too - and "I didn't even get to say goodbye."

Grace: It gets to the heart of the worst part of a beautiful relationship: the fear of loss.

TDL: So we've done our favorite angsty moments. This fic, while angsty, is also really full of fun and funny moments. Does anything stick out to you along those lines?

Grace: Two stick out to me immediately. One is a callback to the Pablo Neruda quote off the top, from which the fic takes its title. "Your hand on my chest is my hand,” only Harry adds his own sexy twist to it, lol. The second is this incredibly tense moment mid-fight where Harry snaps about how long it would take to fall back in love with Draco and Draco's deadpan response of "You said 'when'" which is peak Drarry to me. That stubbornness in the face of literally anything, even the other avowing their supposed hatred.

What's your favourite funny moment?

TDL: Oh it’s got to be when we find out later that Pansy laughed at the toothbrush incident. It's just such a best friend thing to do. It felt like something I'd do to my sister or that she'd do to me and I think it added a realness to their friendship. They’re ride or die for each other, but they also laugh at each other, even in the hard times. I also love any scene Jules is in!

Grace: Agreed! The toothbrush moment was hilarious. And Jules is one of my favourite of Harry's familiars/pets-with-speaking-roles, ever.

TDL: I'm obsessed with the idea of a chameleon speaking Parseltongue! I also feel like Jules' character had a lot of thought put into it - what would be important to a chameleon? What would a chameleon notice and think in this situation?

Grace: Yes, his take on death and his sense of humour about it – that bonds Harry to him. The lens of his understanding of the relationship between Harry and his "ice queen" and the purpose of molting. It was all so well done. The fact that Jules can infer Harry's emotional state and then decides on whether and to what degree to argue about what kind of feed he requests is so spot on. Amazing characterization work.

TDL: With all of Harry and Draco’s friends and family, this fic had an ensemble of characters. Were there any other favorites?

Grace: My two favourites live on opposite sides of the spectrum. Ron, for his stoic, constant style of quiet and level-headed support. And Blaise, a true wild-card, who is ruled enough by ego to do things that endanger his relationships with both Harry and Draco, just never too much. They love him for it, even though he can be a chaos monster.

TDL: Blaise was on my list too! I thought his shenanigans brought a lot to the fic and I thought it was cool to see him portrayed as an equally important friend to both Harry and Draco that Harry saw him as someone to turn to for help, not just “Draco’s friend” but “my friend.”

Grace: The melding of friend groups, as most often happens when you're in a long term relationship, was done masterfully here. and the lines drawn in the sand becoming murky in places and crystal clear in others when a break-up looms, too.

TDL: Which brings us back to that relatable fear of loss - this loss is not just one person but friendships, community, a life and a future.

Something else that I want to mention is how immersive this fic is, even in a re-read. I knew what was coming and was still hooked.

Grace: True! It begins with a focus on interiority. We get the emotional punches first, and then the plot to underpin it. But in my view, the plot comes second to the feelings. It's a fic that invites you as the reader to put yourself into Draco's shoes. We all experience loss and so when we get thrown into this situation of experiencing what, for both of them, they consider a world-ending loss, we relate. The troubles only begin there, because after that there's still waking up every day and trying, again and again.

TDL: For a fic whose title refuses love, what better description is there for love than waking up every day and trying, again and again.

Is there anything else you’d like to add before we end this rec?

Grace: Just to say thank you for entertaining this, and for your thoughtful questions! And to thank Writ for writing this masterpiece of a painful, quietly beautiful love story. And to end on a quote – one of the ones I come back to constantly, as a reminder to self of the usefulness in trying at the things we find the most difficult: 

"Aw, don't get smart to wash off all the vulnerability, you wore it so well," he replied, eyes sparkling. As he backed towards the doorway, his arms opened wide. "Bask in the beauty of a difficult, emotional conversation." 

xoxo minta / grace

❤️ As always, if you enjoy this rec, please bookmark abd leave the author a kudos or a comment! ❤️

Lots of Love and Happy Friday!

PS - If you're interested in knowing what Grace and I are reading next, @writandromance just started posting a new Pride and Prejudice based fic. It's not complete, but chapter one went up today and we are so excited!

[kk1smet]

i’ve only got three words today and forever:

isn’t a kingdom.

[geesenoises]

i put incredibly stupid tags on @mintawasalreadytaken's post about daddy issues draco and then draw drarry badly was announced the next day, so it was fate really.

[the-sinking-ship]

Never Mind the Bollocks by The_Sinking_Ship

Pairing: Draco/Harry

Rating: E

Wordcount: 118K

Collection: H/D Erised 2023, @hd-erised

Tags: found family, friends with benefits, slow burn, they were roommates, reluctant celebrity Harry Potter, not-so-reluctant celebrity Draco Malfoy, clubbing, drinking, smoking, drugs, parties, running from the cops, Harry rides a skateboard, jealousy, action, banter

Characters: Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Viktor Krum, Oliver Wood, Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, George Weasley, Seamus Finnegan, Astoria Greengrass, Dean Thomas, OCs (seriously, the gang's all here)

Summary:

If someone told Harry six months ago that by autumn he would be single, living on whisky and toast, and dancing the night away with Draco Malfoy, he would have told them to get their head checked.

And yet, here he was.

Notes: This fic was written for @shiftylinguini as a part of the Erised 2023 gift exchange! Big thanks to my betas @mintawasalreadytaken and @drarrymyheart for corralling this monster and the Erised mods for their patience and hard work.

READ ON AO3

[oknowkiss]

first sentence patterns

rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern! thank you for the tag, @wolfpants !! what i've learned from this is that i love to drop the reader into the middle of conversations and/or a moment of contemplation.

à bon chat || drarry || 35K || E

The thing about almost getting caught is, when done correctly, it’s invigorating. A rush of blood to the head, chaos unspooling around the eye of a storm.

jerk/off || drarry || 7K || E

Harry doesn’t remember how it happened, when he wakes up in Malfoy’s room.

the waiting || drarry || 43.5K || E

1 JUNE, 2015. 8:45 AM BRITISH SUMMER TIME Harry grips his mug of tea and doesn’t notice when the heat sears into his fingertips.

proven lands || drarry || 3K || E

“You’re late,” Draco calls down the long entrance hall. Harry squints, darkness sharp after weeks in the blinding winter sun.

the sun, shining above you || dronarry, dron, drarry || 14.5K || E

“Draco?” Harry says, in that way he does now – quiet and fond and a little unsure.

draco malfoy's substitute murder service || drarry, harry/charlie || 10.5K || E

When Harry joins the Curse Breakers shortly after his twenty-fifth birthday, he’s surprised to find himself assigned to the Department of Creatures, Cryptids, and Associated Calamities.

historians || drarry || 30K || E

“Now, don’t get upset, Harry,” Hermione said, looking at him in a way that was deeply upsetting.

100 beats per minute || drarry || 14K || E

Draco checked his watch. Again.

the long ways || drarry || 10K || M

The first time Harry sees Draco after the war they’re still at Hogwarts and he thinks, At least I’ll never have to see you again.

the july tree || drarry || 51K || E

Unlike Hermione and Ron, when Harry decided to return to Hogwarts for Eighth Year, it was less a decision and more of a compulsion. 

tagging in @citrusses @skeptiquewrites @sweet-s0rr0w @tackytigerfic @sorrybutblog @dodgerkedavra @geesenoises @basicallyahedgehog @thecouchsofa @nv-md @vukovich @mintawasalreadytaken @phoebe-delia @oflights and anyone else who would like to play, consider this an open tag!

[drarryspecificrecsdaily]

2024.09.12

Complete fics posted on AO3 this day

1. Can't Leave You Behind by Adora_Slytherin [M, 35k, series]

Harry is tired of leaving things behind and moving on. But for once, he doesn't want to. He can't, even if he wanted to. He can't leave him behind. Maybe just this once, he could be selfish.

2. Twin Snakes by @cherriontop [G, 11k] *typo

Draco Malfoy comes to school wearing Slytherin green ear cuffs. [...] Something is wrong with Malfoy. Something, of course, other than the fact that Malfoy is a complete arse.

---

Fest/Exchange

1. and another one by Anonymous [M, 1k]

Draco has a few too many drinks after a row with Harry, and Harry has to come to his rescue... sort of. ★ HD Hurt-Comfort Fest 2024 | @hd-hurtcomfort-fest

2. by august, he was mine by Anonymous [G, 2k]

It starts with an umbrella. Or, well, actually, it starts at Hogwarts. ★ HP Drizzle Fest 2024 | @hpdrizzle

3. Seven Year Itch by Anonymous [E, 5k]

Depending on how you read it, it's a tragedy or a comedy in four parts. ★ HD Hurt-Comfort Fest 2024 | @hd-hurtcomfort-fest

4. Stormy Weather by @mintawasalreadytaken [M, 17k]

One way of hurting a person is by holding them still. By being there. By saying, "I'll never leave you," and meaning it. ★ HP Horrible Goose Fest 2024 | @horriblegoosefest

[horriblegoosefest]

Stormy Weather

By: @mintawasalreadytaken Paring(s): Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Rating: M Word Count: 17,459 Warnings/Content: Creator chose not to use archive warnings Goose: @dryrsheet

Tags:

Angst, substance abuse, power imbalance, sexual content, suicidal thoughts, roleplay, under-negotiated kink, number twelve grimmauld place

Summary:

One way of hurting a person is by holding them still. By being there. By saying, "I'll never leave you," and meaning it.

A honk of appreciation from goose JD:

Grace's prose style is gorgeous and physical. there are so many lines in this fic that made me have to stop and just luxuriate in the imagery she uses, and her metaphors and stylistic layout are like a sucker punch. the story itself is deliciously layered with implications and an unsettling awareness all the way through. we know it's wrong; harry knows it's wrong; some deeper, worse crime is lurking the entire time; and it is still so, SO very sexy. maraschino syrup flavored messy sex and uncoordinated decoration hide the real filth beneath. 

[schmem14]

Draw Drarry Badly Challenge 2024

Rules:

Draw Drarry.

Draw them as badly as possible.

Tag whomever you want!

Tagging @vukovich @nv-md @crazybutgood @mintawasalreadytaken @wheezykat @peachpety @lumosatnight @the-francakes @kittycargo @dodgerkedavra

"What? A snake? He's supposed to be DEAD!"💀 "Yeah... Weird..." "Fifty Pointsssss from Gryffindor..."

Title: "Potions Collab Gone Wrong…” Summary: Draco's not taking his failing potions grade well, so he thinks up a genius plan to get rid of Professor Snape. Rating: T CW: attempted murder, crimes against art Artist: @Schmem_14 Medium: paper, gel pen Thanks @julcheninred for hosting!!

[citrusses]

2023 Writing Wrap Up

Thanks for the tag @sorrybutblog and @wolfpants! The Drarry brainrot finally manifested as writing for me this year! Tagging @oknowkiss @sweet-s0rr0w @thehoneybeet @mallstars @oflights @moonflower-rose @nv-md @shealynn88 @mintawasalreadytaken @ghaniblue @cassiopeiasshadow @tackytigerfic @epitomereally and anyone else who wants to share their year!

Our Objective Remains Unchanged (E, 46K, Muggle AU, university rivals to lovers)

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.

The Isle of Ogygia (E, 13K, Wheel of Drarry, pining, solitude, strip poker)

There is an island, far out in the sea.

Löyly (E, 10K, Suds Fest, steamy saunas, cold plunges, fluff)

Somewhere between the steam of a sauna and the icy waters of the Gulf of Finland, Harry heals from a broken engagement and a failed career. Draco Malfoy helps.

The Roommates (E, 3K, Sirius/Draco ➡️ Drarry, voyeurism, rough sex)

Harry would later wonder if, that first time it happened, he hadn’t been meant to find out all along.

[skeptiquewrites]

WIP Snip

thank you for the tag @tackytigerfic and @wolfpants! this is a little ditty that i'm finally finishing ft disaster politician harry potter, and an overworked draco moonlighting as his press secretary.

“Well, what if he thinks you're holding a grudge, or you don't trust him? Not to bring up the war or anything, but you testified for him and never spoke to him again.” 

“That can't possibly be it.” 

“Imagine this. While you were in your hermitage—” 

“Godric’s Hollow is hardly a hermitage—”

“Being broody and tormented and glaring at the paparazzi—”

“Post traumatic stress is much less sexy than you're making it seem—”

“Selling knick knacks to villagers—” Penelope knew it was Quidditch supplies and was just trying to rile him at this point.

“I wish your constituents could hear you, Pen. You have lost it.” She grinned.

“Draco, similarly brooding and tormented, was here with Percy and the rest rebuilding this place brick by brick. And now he's working for you. Bit of an upset, no?” Penelope finished with a flourish. As if on cue, the voting bells started ringing. 

tagging @the-starryknight @nv-md @maesterchill @mintawasalreadytaken @saintgarbanzo @elskanellis but only if you'd like

[sitp-recs]

Hello, thank you for all your hard work!! ᕦ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕤ

As a former drarry fic addict I want to go back to reading again. Could you please recommend me some really good fics with happy endings?? They could be really old or brand new (๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ✧

Hello and welcome back! I’m afraid you’re never leaving Drarry again 🤣 happy to share some recs, I decided to highlight fics published within 2017-2022 (some very prolific years imo) and I think you might be familiar with a few already. These are mostly long, plotty fics; I can def do a shorts version if you’re interested (in fact I’d love to do it sometime because short fics are my jam), I just didn’t want this post to get even longer. You’re also welcome to check my master post with many other lists. Happy readings!

2017

Blood and Fire by @lqtraintracks (E, 45k)

9 1/2 Days by @magpiefngrl (E, 69k)

Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love by @aibidil (E, 80k)

Dwelling by aideomai (T, 83k)

Balance, Imperfect by @bixgirl1 (E, 91k)

What We Pretend We Can't See by gyzym (M, 131k)

Things Worth Knowing by Femme (E, 164k)

2018

In The Red by @bixgirl1 (E, 45k)

Take the Air by dysonrules (M, 51k)

Orbit by HenryMercury (E, 52k)

Little Compton Street by @writcraft and LLAP115 (E, 65k)

Little Deaths and How to Avoid Them by nerakrose and dustmouth (M, 96k)

All Missing Things (Can Be Found) by daisymondays (E, 100k)

Changing Tides by carpemermaid (E, 109k)

A Sword Laid Aside by @korlaena (E, 128k)

Away Childish Things by lettered (T, 153k)

2019

amid this warm and steady sweetness by warmfoothills (E, 21k)

Like Lightning at Your Fingertips by potterwatch (T, 43k)

Turn from Stone by @harryromper (M, 45k)

The Beauty of Thestrals and Other Unseen Things by @writcraft (E, 63k)

The Promise of Summer by Omi_Ohmy (M, 66k)

That Old Black Magic by bixgirl1 (E, 77k)

I Am Not Who I Became by mab_di (E, 93k)

Who we are in the shadows by @quicksilvermaid (E, 100k)

Way Down We Go by @xiaq (T, 109k)

Grounds for Divorce by Tepre (E, 122k)

2020

Vortex by @xanthippe74 (T, 20k)

Nice Things by aideomai (M, 22k)

Clouds That Veil the Midnight Moon by @drarrytrash (E, 36k)

(Un)wanted by @aibidil (E, 36k)

Unseen by @jackvbriefs (T, 47k)

The Four Doors by @fluxweeed (E, 49k)

Modern Love by @tackytigerfic (E, 61k)

Super Rich Kids by @thusspoketrish (E, 81k)

Criminal by @the-sinking-ship (E, 83k)

The Liars Department by @dorthyanndrarry (T, 103k)

Far From The Tree by aideomai (E, 112k)

2021

Take A Chance On Me by @mintawasalreadytaken (E, 41k)

The Trouble with Wanting by waldorph (E, 60k)

The Compact by astolat (E, 64k)

Home Truths by @skeptiquewrites and @fantalfart (E, 67k)

Timecode by Rasborealis (M, 73k)

Among Ancient Pines by @graymatters, @cambiodipolvere and only_the_heart_knows (M, 74k)

Nor All That Glisters by @sweet-s0rr0w, Danceabra and @fantalfart (E, 110k)

This Ain't the Garden of Eden by @romaine2424 (E, 131k)

By the Grace by lettered (T, 140k)

The Secret Keeper by @the-fools-errand and Razielim (M, 225k)

2022

Eager for the Sky by @oknowkiss and @upthehillart (M, 35k)

Heal Thyself by astolat (T, 47k)

Vis-à-Vis-à-Vis by @vukovich (E, 50k)

Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (T, 57k)

Kept in Cages by @sweet-s0rr0w and @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm (E, 77k)

all the western stars by @oflights (E, 78k)

A Case of You by @epitomereally (E, 97k)

where all the veins meet by eight_of_wands (E, 146k)

[stationintern]

Hi there!

I cannot believe October is over. I had planned on being Cher for Halloween, but I ran out of time and had to settle on being a cowboy. What were you guys for Halloween?

I’m back with my monthly contribution to this lovely fandom that has truly changed my life (even if my writing drive has been relatively nonexistent). I���d like to thank every beautiful writer who has provided me with joy these past 10 months, and share with you the stories that are bringing me joy now.

Enjoy <3

Etched, Curled, Stationed by @tepre, T 1.7k

This fic is a true love story. A short and sweet treat. Featuring a long span of time held in a tiny amount of words and magical houses who are in love with your childhood rival.

Cupboard Love by @shealwaysreads, G 4.1k

Touched my heart in such a tender way. This fic focuses on Harry’s relationship with food, along with how it relates to most of the close relationships in his life. Loved it. May have cried.

The Exhale by spqr, T, 4.1k

It may be a little dubious to have your ex as your therapist, but it definitely works here. As someone who grew up very lonely, this fic kinda ripped my heart out. I too have a certain visceral affection for the rover Curiosity.

Take A Chance On Me by @mintawasalreadytaken, E 41k

If you have ready any of my fics you will know that music usually plays a huge role in the overall plot. This fic scratched that itch. One of the most inventive and original works I’ve read in a while, along with a Draco so down and so out you’ll hardly be able to keep your eyes on the screen (extremely positive).

Take The Moon by @tackytigerfic, M 15k

It’s not a reclist unless I’m furthering the TackyTiger agenda, and that’s just the truth. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t recced this one yet. Sickeningly sexy for a moment and so rich with character you’ll feel as if you know all of these familiar characters intimately by the end of these 15k words. Tacky writes these realistic love stories with a twinge of fantasy that allow you to fully immerse yourself and feel what these characters are feeling, truly understand their motivations. Loved it. Have read it again, will read it again.

That’s all for now! I hope you found something new and if none of these are new to you, I hope you get the chance to reconnect with some old favorites. Looking forward to a wonderful November. See you!

XX, Moon

[fable-and-folly]

Rainbow Rec List

3Inspired by @danpuff-ao3 ‘s Color Self Recs

Pretty in Pink by @writcraft (Drarry, E, 3k)

What happens when the only person who accepts your secrets is the one person you can’t stand?

Hands Red, Hands Red by starlitsilveryes (Drarry, E, 30k)

Harry Potter is an International Quidditch Star with a dark secret behind his celebrity smile; Draco Malfoy is an Auror assigned to a case where he has to catch the world’s most dangerous and renowned criminal.

A story of crime, murder, emotional conflict, and illusion of love for those who are drawn to the allure of darkness.

Orange Blossoms by @danpuff-ao3 (Snarry, T, 3k)

These are foolish times to have hope, and more foolish still to be in love. 

Yellow is the Colour (of My True Love’s Hair) by @mintawasalreadytaken (Drarry, E, WIP.)

Harry Potter can't forget Dumbledore's offer to Draco Malfoy on the parapet. Convinced that saving his nemesis is key to conquering Voldemort, he makes an offer of mercy that intertwines their fates.

Going Green by emynn (Snarry, E, 14k)

It was all Harry ever wanted for Severus to be recognised by the Wizarding world for all he’d done. But when Severus’ newfound popularity leads to a potential love interest, Harry becomes all too familiar with the old adage, “be careful what you wish for.”

The Blue Door by Snegurochka (Snupin, E, 36k.)

There is no situation, no opportunity, no sudden, aching desire that a werewolf can't control. Any man who says otherwise is just a man looking for an excuse

the witching hour (purple midnight) by ElasticElla (Hedric, T, 1k)

The first time Harry notices Cedric is in his third year. Dementors swarm the pitch, and everything goes black. He wakes up later in the hospital wing, the Hufflepuff seeker sleeping in a chair beside him, and Ron tells him in excited whispers how Diggory caught him and the match was declared null.

That Old Black Magic by bixgirl1 (Drarry, E, 77k)

Centuries ago, marriage contracts were the norm — ready-made alliances between families, expected and complied with, without complaint. But norms have a way of changing, and when a long-dormant contract flares to life, Harry has to navigate an unexpected splintering of the path he'd thought would be easy after the war... with Draco Malfoy.

The White Road by @perverse-idyll (Snarry, E, 47k)

One day, comfortably set up in the afterlife, Lily Evans Potter switches on the telly and gets hooked on the Harry Potter show.

Flecks of Gray by @wynnefic (Tomarry, T, 1k)

After Harry's second encounter with Voldemort, Lily's protection goes haywire, turning everyone Harry touches to ash. It's very inconvenient.

Sandy Brown Curls by outofbookshelves (Wolfstar, T, 1k)

Sirius stumbles upon a bookshop one day and is immediately smitten with its adorable owner.

[wolfpants]

saturday wip snip

Thank you for tagging me lovely @tackytigerfic! Check out Tacky's incredible snip here, I am foaming at the mouth (respectfully) for this fic! Here's a little something from my upcoming Drarry fic, Terrible People, aka the Gay Cruise Fic™️ If you haven't already, check out a preview of @getawayfox's art for the fic here!

a bit nsfw

Harry blinks, giving himself permission to remember that exact moment he wandered up to the Tower. It had been a cold winter’s night, and he hadn’t felt like going straight to the common room after dinner. 

“A, er. Handy.”

“Classy.” Draco dips his hand into the bag of crisps. “Were they enjoying themselves?”

Harry’s laugh is weak. “Yeah. I mean. We were eighteen and we’d all just survived a war? I think a nice little congratulatory hand job would have felt fantastic.”

“Hm, well, I wouldn’t have known,” Draco says, looking into his drink. “Not back then, anyway.”

Harry scoffs. “Come on. You’re telling me you didn’t get your tackle tickled at all during Hogwarts?”

Draco makes a face, still looking at the melting ice in his plastic cup, his cheeks flushing scarlet. “Don’t be crass.”

“What?” Harry asks too quickly. The colour on Draco’s cheeks intensifies. He frowns at Harry. “No way,” Harry says. “I thought you and Theodore Nott were shagging all through Eighth Year.” 

“Well I can tell you right now, that is categorically untrue,” Draco says. “He and I were barely friends, let alone—that. We studied together, because we were both interested in… studying. That’s all.”

Harry tries to remember that part. Hanging back in the common room late at night, lounging across the red velvet sofa because it’d been his favourite: the one in front of the windows that looked down onto the Quidditch pitch. Sometimes he’d be with friends, sometimes he’d be alone, sipping Butterbeer or whisky snuck into the castle from the village, the honeyed smell of it tickling his nose, reminding him of Sirius. How he’d just lie there and listen to the radio or Dean’s CD player and stare: at the sky, at classmates playing chess, at the door, waiting for Draco and Theo to return from the library, both of their heads down, their arms full of books because at that point, no one else was carrying them for Draco. At that point, Draco had taken to carrying everything himself.

“I had a lot to reconcile with, in 1998,” Draco says, speaking when Harry doesn’t, pulling him out of memories that are worn and fuzzy around the edges. “I wasn’t really in the mood for casual sex.”

“I think it’s all I wanted,” Harry says.

no pressure tagging @skeptiquewrites @thehoneybeet @kbrick @mintawasalreadytaken @moonflower-rose @shealwaysreads @magpiefngrl @phoebe-delia @nv-md and anyone else who wants to share words!!!

Read another Terrible People Snip here 🍋🏳️‍🌈💖

[oknowkiss]

my writing year in review: 2023

thank you to @sorrybutblog @wolfpants and @citrusses for the tag!! tagging in a few folks as well: @tackytigerfic @sweet-s0rr0w @nv-md @oflights @mintawasalreadytaken @vukovich @lumosatnight @emmalovesdilemmas @mallstars @moonflower-rose @dodgerkedavra @rainstormradish @m0srael @reserve @babooshkart @lqtraintracks @skeptiquewrites @eveningstruggle @maesterchill @geesenoises @peachydreamxx @saintgarbanzo for anything you'd like to round up!

i went into this thinking 2023 was a bit of a fallow year, output-wise, but looking at my stats page apparently i wrote 100k this year!! who could've known? not me. big thanks to everyone who supported me this year, whether by beta-ing, reading, commenting, or otherwise just listening to me moan. i'm quite excited for what's in store next year, including plenty more moaning. hope to see you all in 2024!

here's what happened in 2023: APRIL the sun, shining above you || dronarry || 14.5 k || E for the inaugural @dronarryfest!

Since joining up with the dragontamers, Draco counts his days in nights. Nights spent drinking in the commune mess, making poor choices he doesn't regret, for once. Nights he doesn't remember, and nights he wishes he could stop remembering.

Then there's that night in Spain, caught in the circle of Ron's arms. A year of nights in Norway, caught in the heat of Harry's gaze. His first night at the Burrow, caught in between them both. MAY proven lands || drarry || 2.8 k || E for @microficmay!

The thing about circles is, they always end at the start. OR: A story about falling in love at the end of the Earth. (told in 31 microfics -- this is the "director's cut") AUGUST the waiting || drarry || 43.5 k || E for @hd-wireless and @m0srael!

It’s been almost ten years since Draco Malfoy disappeared during a routine Curse Breaker training exercise. Harry, his partner in more ways than one, is determined to figure out why. As the past resurfaces and the present fades into confusion, Harry discovers the only thing more unreliable than memory is love.

DECEMBER jerk/off || drarry || 7k || E for @drarrymicrofic secret santa exchange and @m0srael!

“You’ve got my face on your face,” Malfoy says, contorting his – Harry’s – face into an expression it had definitely never made before.

“No, you’ve got my face on your face!” Harry insists, grimacing at the sound of Malfoy’s voice. Being in his body is not unlike operating a sad wooden doll. à bon chat || drarry || 35k || E for @hd-erised and @moonflower-rose

Draco Malfoy didn’t intend to lead a life of crime after the war. It’s just that being good had turned out so incomprehensibly boring.

Now he's thirty-five, a fully redeemed member of society, the darling of the wizarding social pages, and a newly minted consultant for Gawain Robards' Investigative Research division. In his spare time, he enjoys good whisky, casual sex, and moonlighting as an art thief. His biggest score yet is fast approaching and he's got everything planned down to the minute. Everything, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a newly-divorced Harry Potter. Now that Potter's in the picture, Draco's no longer certain if he's the pursuer or the prize.

[vukovich]

first sentence patterns

rules: list the first line of your last 10 fics and see if there's a pattern! thank you for the tag, @oknowkiss!

1. “I assure you, Auror Potter,” drawled the Patronus, speaking even before it found its full form, “there is nothing wrong with your partner.” -Cry Havoc (unpublished)

2. Barty Crouch, Jr had nearly everything he currently wanted out of life: brooding good looks, son-of-a-diplomat status, top marks in all the important courses, a drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend with a French accent, and a father who didn’t speak to him anymore. -Glitch

3. Draco eased the car to a stop, frowned, and muttered the street names under his breath. -For Services Rendered (unpublished)

4. "Mister Potter," says the attendant. -Dashing Through the Snow

5. So there I am, on the dais at Madam Malkins, minding everyone’s business but my own, when in walks Potter. -You're horrible (and I love it)

6. It's a balmy Thursday night in late May, and Draco's thirty years old and doing what he always does after a match; getting blindingly drunk and burying his dick in someone in the alleyway behind the Leaky Cauldron. -Seahorse

7. Ginny found the ring on a Monday night, when she’d gone snooping in Harry’s work robe pockets. -Before the Cold Sets In

8. Draco half-rolled, half-fell onto his back, his skin sweaty against Harry’s sheets. -It Takes All Sorts

9. Workable, Harry thought as his balls tightened. -WHISKY-TANGO-FOXTROT

10. I will not think about Scorpius Malfoy during this orgasm. -For Sale by Owner: Rose Weasley-Granger's Virginity

--

SUMMARY: I apparently like to start my fics in bed or with the POV character interacting with the love interest. Makes sense.

@schmem14 @mintawasalreadytaken @peachpety @orangepellets you're up.