Hold Me Tight

Hold Me Tight

Author: Anonymous

Pairings: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter

For: Jen_814

Word Count: 5,361

Rating: General Audiences

Content: Canon Divergence, Hogwarts Sixth Year, Flirting, Romance, Pre-Slash, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Minor Seamus Finnigan/Dean Thomas

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Underage Drinking

Summary:

With Voldemort’s death on the fateful Halloween night in Godric’s Hollow, Harry’s life at Hogwarts has lacked a sense of excitement, until his Sixth Year, when Draco Malfoy transferred in from Durmstrang Institute.

“Was that supposed to be a pick-up line?” Draco responded with a lazy smirk. “10 points for originality. Surprising, I know, but I’ve really never heard that one before. You could stand to improve, though. The delivery was quite weak. Here, let me show you.”

He twirled his hair as he gave Harry a once over with his eyes, then dropped his pitch to give himself a husky voice. “Are you sure you’re not part-Veela or something, because I can’t seem to keep my eyes off you.”

Harry stuttered, “Uh, um.”

Draco leaned in, whispering sultrily, “Looks like it worked.”

Read it now on AO3! 

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Snarry Soulmates Recs

No promises that I've never recced anything on this list before. As a matter of fact, I know I have, but one can really never give a good fic too much love. And hey, be proud of me. There's recs on this list with no smut at all! In no particular order, they are:

The Gift of Kindness by hippocrates460 (E, 105k)

Thoughts: Y'all I'm gonna preface this by saying this is my favorite fanfic of all time. I'm serious. I have a tattoo inspired by it. That's permanent devotion right there. That said, the theme of this fic is so heart-warming that it is a favorite for comfort rereads. Severus is softer in private here, and his devotion to Harry is absolute. If you're a hopeless romantic, this is the fic for you. The courtship rituals are gorgeous and really an overarching backbone throughout the story. I could wax poetic about this fic for ages, no lie. It is always my first rec for anyone if they love Snarry, and it's also the one I dangle in front of people who are willing to give them a shot. It's perfect. You really can't go wrong here.

Soulmate Flowers by Lilian (G, 4k)

Thoughts: This was absolutely, bewitchingly lovely. I was captivated by the concept, enchanted by the content, and I'm smitten with the ending. Stunning work. Hippocrates460's companion piece for it, Bloom, is also phenomenal. P.S. Lilian has several soulmate fics, and they're all amazing. So check out the rest of her stuff.

Corresponding Shapes by bleedcolor (T, 5k)

Thoughts: My comment on this is a rambling mess of devotion. bleedcolor manages to convey what feels like a rewrite of canon in 5.5k. She is a magical being or made a deal with the devil. I can't quite decide which. Harry is exquisitely written in this, and I just went to pieces at the end. Loved it!

Succor by pluperfectsunrise (E, 40k)

Thoughts: This was my first ever girl!Harry story, and it remains my favorite. I appreciated the issues a female Harry would have to contend with that a male Harry would not growing up. The author handled those with a delicate touch, and I related to the character in a whole new way as a result. She was beautifully written, and Severus was as well. This did my favorite trope justice, and it was just a fantastic read. pluperfectsunrise is amazing in general.

World Enough, and Time by Likelightinglass (T, 6k)

Thoughts: I absolutely loved it. The idea of a countdown has always struck me as incredibly morbid, and in reference to Harry and Severus specifically as quite tragic. The author worked it into the framework of canon quite well, and the moments that were all their own were wonderfully emotive and touching. The angst was real and made my heart hurt, but I can always count on Light for a happy ending. This is a must read if you like soulmate AUs.

A Universe of Searching Souls by Writcraft (E, 9k)

Thoughts: I thought that Harry's reaction to having a matching mark as Severus was typical for him, ignore, avoid, put it off. Hah. I had to laugh when he had to hunt Severus down because he lived in the middle of bumfuck nowhere because he's a grumpy sod who dislikes people in general. Everything by Writcraft is magic, so you really can't go wrong here.

Waiting to Divide by emynn (E, 22k)

Thoughts: I keep saying I don't like time travel that much, but it keeps popping up and I keep loving these fics against my will or something. I mean, it's also a soulmate fic, so there is that. I also love emynn in general. The time portal gimmick is neat, and Harry really does have lovely friends. I cried at one point, but I'm a big weenie. I absolutely rec this when all is said and done. I loved it.

Immortal Claim by ladyofsilverdawn (E, 18k)

Thoughts: The murders lent an exciting bit of intrigue to this story, and the sexual tension between Harry and Severus was electric from the very beginning. The descriptions of the art and the buildings was particularly vivid. I very much enjoyed Harry and Severus' dynamic in this, and the smut was delicious. I definitely recommend this one. I enjoyed it a lot.

Tears of the Sun by Eriador117 (E, 66k)

Thoughts: This was so good! I devoured it in like a day and a half. I love bond fics, and Severus rescuing Harry from the Dursleys was a nice addition to that trope. The idea of him being raised afterward in a loving home with the Weasleys, who were basically his adopted family in canon anyway, was so sweet. It was my first time seeing a fic where Harry went to a different school and had such a different experience in general, though I know there are others out there. I still thought it clever and original, and I enjoyed the whole thing immensely. It does have some graphic descriptions of child abuse, so definitely mind the tags.

Pentamerone by ripeteeth (E, 15k)

Thoughts: This is a resurrected classic from a pillar of the Snarry writing community, and it is a thing of beauty. The prose is poetry in motion, truly, which is a hallmark of the author's style. I was glued to this until I finished it, and I had fic hangover for a few days the first time. 15k did that to me. I don't honestly know how to adequately describe how much I love drawlight's way with words. Read this. Read anything by this author. It's an absolute treasure.

Bougainvillea winds,

twisting through rusted iron,

sad and worn by time.

Drarry As Parents Fic Recs

I answered a request for fics in which Draco and/or Harry were parents ages ago, & I figured I'd throw 'em up here for people to reference & share as they liked. There are even two non-explicit recs this time, y'all! Does this mean I'm slightly less of a degenerate yet? (Probably not, oh well, lol.) Anyway, onto the recs!

All I Want For Christmas (Is For You To Stop Talking) by Femme & Noe (E, 162.9k)

Thoughts: This fic manages to feel like a slow burn to me despite taking place over the course of a month, & not only that, it's one of my favorites. I loved Draco & Harry as dads, & the whole concept of them sniping at each other over a children's holiday pageant made me laugh heartily. This was so well-written, & I enjoyed every bit of it.

Queer Eye for the Drarry Guys by Blowfish_Diaries (T, 18.2k)

Thoughts: I mean, what can I say other than that this was perfection? The Fab Five giving Harry & Draco makeovers at the behest of their adoring (& meddling) son Teddy was too precious for words. This was so fluffy & domestic & sweet that it nearly rotted my teeth out my head. It was lovely how much they cared for Teddy & what great dads they obviously were. I was floating on a cloud for hours after reading this. It was that cute.

Let It Fall by Buildyourwalls (E, 116.3k)

Thoughts: This is one of the most staggering portrayals of grief in fic I've ever read. My heart went out to Draco & Scorpius, & I cried a grand total of seven times reading this. It was gorgeously written, & every single character was fleshed out & engaging to read. Harry & Draco's slowly growing relationship had me spellbound, & I was so wrung out by the time I finished reading this I couldn't pick up another fic for a full day, if not longer. This is a must read. It's absolutely gorgeous.

Pocket Full of Starlight (Never Let It Fade Away) by Femme & Noe (E, 46.3k)

Thoughts: Okay, okay. I usually try not to double up on authors in the same rec list, but this fic really is just that good. This is a Parent Trap AU, & how frigging cute is that?! Jamie & Scorpius' rivalry at Quidditch camp had me in stitches, & the tension between Harry & Draco was electrifying. I particularly loved their characterizations. I highly recommend this. It was fantastic!

'Twas Brillig by Queenie_Mab (E, 73.9k)

Thoughts: I loved Harry's kids & his relationship with them in this. The trans characters were incredibly relatable, & my heart went out to the younger in particular with her struggle in coming out. I won't go into more details so as not to spoil that part, but it was very nicely done. Harry's own struggle with his sexuality made my heart hurt for him, & the split with Ginny was messy & painful. His & Draco's coming together was a fascinating read, & the smut was hot as hell. The case fic aspect took a backseat for me here. I was much more invested in the character's personal journeys, but both aspects of the fic were very well done.

Burn the Witch by lettersbyelise (E, 95.8k)

Thoughts: The author wrote Draco beautifully as someone who really grew out of the prejudices his parents instilled in him & found his own mind & voice & purpose in a really meaningful way. I thought his relationship with Scorpius was beautiful, & their take on a child on the autism spectrum was handled with care & aplomb. Ernestina was one of my favorite OCs ever in a story. She's really fantastic.

Harry seemed to slip right into their lives so comfortably, & I liked how natural that felt. Like it was bound to happen (because of course it was, haha). I loved how fiercely protective he was of both Draco & Scorpius, & they caught his endless capacity for love just perfectly in this story. The action scenes were wrenching, though minor in the scheme of things. This was an absolutely gorgeous story.

A Big Black Sky by AlexMeg (E, 90.5k)

Thoughts: At first I almost stopped reading this because a noncon tag wasn't included by the author, but to be fair they did put trigger warnings at the beginning of the chapters. That in mind, I skimmed what I couldn't handle & carried on. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this fic. The depth of emotion was beautiful, & I was so touched by Draco's love for his son. Harry's protectiveness made me warm inside, & watching them make their slow, fumbling way toward being a family with Draco, Scorpius, Harry & Teddy all together was so satisfying. I think the author handled the subjects of domestic violence & sexual assault with as much grace & tact as one can while writing a difficult narrative. I honestly don't think a good parent Drarry rec list would be complete without it. Just mind the tags because it definitely pulls no punches with the content it covers.

Where the treetops glisten (and children listen) by manixzen (T, 16.2k)

Thoughts: This was so heartwarming & lovely that I couldn't stop smiling through nearly the entire thing. I loved the idea of Harry & Draco being forced to spend time together due to babysitting Teddy for a week, & the opportunities for adorable hi-jinks were abundant indeed! Teddy pitting Harry & Draco against each other by playing to their need to be seen as his favorite was hilarious. I won't give anymore away, but this was so fluffy & cute it made my mood instantly brighten just from reading it.

Turn by Saras_Girl (E, 306.7k)

Thoughts: A must-read for many Drarry fans, I couldn't help but include Turn in this list because Harry's relationships with his kids & Maura are prominent (& very touching) features. The fic itself is a glimpse into what could have been if Harry made a different choice one night in sixth year & how that chance takes him in a direction he never quite saw coming. The whole story is spellbinding & gripped me until the very end. I've read it five or six times at this point if that tells you anything, so if you haven't yet, you bloody well should!

Harry Potter and the Great Cat Caper by Kbrick (E, 78.6k)

Thoughts: I enjoyed this fic overall, & I laughed a lot in the first half. It takes a turn a bit further in, & I'm including a couple more specific warnings the author did not because I felt they warranted mention. They do warn at the beginning of the chapter in which it happens for the death of a pet, but there is a mistaken identity via Polyjuice plot point involving secondary characters that definitely needs a dubious consent tag due to them engaging in sex acts without disclosing the deception. That said, it does come through with a happy ending, & the Harry & Pansy friendship is definitely a standout in this.

Drarry Case Fic Recs

So there are eleven of these instead of the usual ten I typically try to keep my lists at, but I just couldn't pick one to cut! The first is the only non-smutty one. It's absolutely brilliant, so I didn't even miss the hanky panky. Okay, fine. Only a little bit. They're in no particular order, as each one is gorgeous, and you should read each and every one of them. Well? Go on, read them!

Each Breath My First by laughingd0g (T, 46k)

Thoughts: The characterizations were dazzling, particularly Draco's. I loved his quirks, and the descriptions of his cottage were delightful. I found the curse damage Harry suffered from as fascinating as it was heartbreaking. The case was engaging, and the suspense was super intense! I loved the slow burn. This is an amazing read by an overall dazzling writer.

Chasing Shadows by manixzen (E, 93k)

Thoughts: This is an incredible case fic. The murder mystery evolves into something so rich in detail that it blows my mind how the author kept up with all the threads of the plot. Harry being closeted hurt me down to my soul. Just.. the way he gave in to the expectations of others and never lived for himself. Twenty years. That's a long time to be lonely and consumed with a job that makes you miserable. I felt for him, and the fact that the author could write it in such a way to bring out such vivid emotions is incredible. The ones that make people feel deeply are the best kinds of stories, and that's what they've created here. Read this. Both the fic and the fan art that comes with it are absolutely gorgeous.

Life Lessons by bixgirl1 (E, 68k)

Thoughts: This was brilliant. The background plot of a shadowy figure menacing the Slytherins was engaging, and the side characters were brilliant, my favorite being Greg Goyle. Harry and Draco's chemistry was off the charts, and the snark and banter are everything I've come to expect from a bixgirl1 fic. The rimming scene was the hottest one I've ever read, so there's a ton to look forward to in this!

And an Owl Named Romeo by Rickey (E, 26k)

Thoughts: I love a good epistolary fic, and this was absolutely delightful. I loved the way Harry kept coming back to see Draco and kept writing to him even when he was rebuffed by a very prickly and standoffish Draco. Their characterizations were fantastic. Romeo was an absolute riot, and I loved him to pieces! The magical theory involved in owls and mail-carrying was really neat, and I thought it was cool how it fit into the case. And speaking of the case, the drama really came through as well! This made me feel all the feelings, and it was so wonderfully written and enjoyable.

Serpentes by xErised (E, 29k)

Thoughts: This was so fucking good. It was hilarious and intriguing and had me hooked from the very beginning. I read it in one sitting, and I was bereft when I got to the end because that meant there wasn't any more of it! Bacon was my absolute favorite thing about the fic. He stole the show and my heart. The case itself was heartbreaking with what they were doing to those poor snakes, but it sure did keep the tension high. I won’t say anymore except to assure you that the dancing and the smut were both hot as fuck and definitely worth checking out. Read this!

All the Earnest Young Men by Tepre (E, 29k)

Thoughts: Draco was perfect in this, maddening and insufferable and utterly insecure underneath. He drove everyone around him mad, including Harry, who avoided him like the plague. I enjoyed the time skips. It was an interesting and engaging way to experience the story. I loved Draco's clumsy attempts to make friends with Harry, and them at the museum was a riot. I laughed so much at this fic, but it was also full of such poignant moments between Harry and Draco. The intimacy of the sex scenes was breathtaking. Another favorite, for sure.

Kaleidoscope by Saras_Girl (E, 104k)

Thoughts: This was so insanely good, and I can't adequately express how much I enjoyed it. The pining was so potent in this that I felt the ache in my chest throughout the entire fic, and Harry's characterization was so damn good that it alone made me want to cry. Him rambling around in Grimmauld Place tending to his plants and sharing his home with Calliope and Patrick made for such a cozy and domestic scene even while Harry practically oozed longing for Draco from his very pores. I won’t spoil the plot, but this is my favorite Saras_Girl fic since Turn. It is a must-read, no doubt about it.

The Light More Beautiful by firethesound (E, 81k)

Thoughts: Draco was so clever and creative in this, and the way he felt about Harry took my breath away. He appreciated the exact things about him that make me love Harry so much as a character, and it was probably my favorite thing about this fic. The pining was achingly lovely, the banter and teasing were fun, and the smut was scorching hot. I loved everyone's rivalry with the famous Agnes from the Floo address department, and both Harry's and Draco's battle for approval of their department acronyms had me dying of laughter. This fic was fantastic and definitely worth a read.

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

Thoughts: This fic is a gem. It is utterly original in both idea and execution. I love the fact that the author went with older versions of Harry and Draco than I usually see in fics, and I adore how they nurture each other throughout their ordeal on the run. Absolutely fantastic.

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

Thoughts: This approached the issue of consent so well, and I love it when fics make me think as much as they entertain me. This did both in spades. Hermione was a fucking rock star in this. I almost enjoyed her more than Harry and Draco, tbh. But I still loved them, of course! The switching perspectives made for a rich and intense bit of story-telling. It just really enhanced the whole thing. The arguments both for and against the use of love and lust potions, the fight to make them illegal, and then everyone dealing with the ongoing harassment Hermione and her loved ones were experiencing all made for a compelling read.

Harry and Draco's rocky relationship taking place throughout all this was so fun to see develop. Their banter was amazing. I loved the tension, and it only made the release all the sweeter when it finally happened. The many moments of levity throughout the fic were what surprised me the most. I didn't expect to laugh as much as I did for a fic that covered such heavy topics, but it was rife with humor.

A Lick and a Promise by tackytiger (E, 55k)

Thoughts: The characterizations were phenomenal, and the outpouring of emotion inherent to the author's style was so present throughout this. I found the case fascinating, and the magical theory involved behind both the stolen magic, how vampirism worked here, and the sentience of Hogwarts had me hooked and so utterly impressed by the author's creativity. Harry and Draco's banter was excellent, and their passion made my toes curl delightfully. Highly recommend.