Drarry Rec List - Tumblr Posts

✩ softly reading march 21 - 27 ✩

in which i list every single drarry fic i’ve read this week in hopes that you, dear reader, find a fic you like too!

✩ - a fave | 🔥 - hot | 🌼 - gentle read

spotlight rec

✩ Two Trees by @eelwinks [E, 36k] 🔥🌼

In his Eighth year at Hogwarts, part of Draco Malfoy's probation is to see a Mind Healer once a week. Another part, unfortunately, is having to take Muggle Studies. It wouldn't be so bad, really, if it weren't for the mandatory outing—a 'field trip'—booked at a Muggle lakeside retreat for the better part of five days. Draco is determined to get it all over with as painlessly as possible. That is, until Pansy tells him—at the very last moment—that she's schemed to have Draco stay in the same room with Potter for the whole trip. Just the two of them... in one room.

longer reads

You always open (petal by petal) by birdsofshore [E, 65k] 🔥

Harry’s not the kind of person who pays for sex. He really isn’t. Until he is. [H/D Erised 2017]

✩ Lost N Found by @famoustruth [T, 10k] 🌼

The six times Draco writes love letters to Harry without either of them knowing and the one time they do.

short & sweet

✩ (Un)Anticipated by anon [E, 8.3k] 🔥

Though he won't ever admit it—not even years later, when Draco's giving Harry shit about it right before they go to sleep, the bedside light just dim enough to hide the worst of his blush—it takes Harry an embarrassingly long time to realise that something is wrong. [H/D Cluefest 2022]

✩ Draco Malfoy and the Broken Room by anon [T, 7.3k]

A drunk and morose Draco gets trapped in the Room of Hidden Things with Potter of all people. Now, he’s got to figure out how to make peace with the Golden Boy long enough to get out. [H/D Cluefest 2022]

✩ and they called it puppy love by @pineau-noir [T, 5.8k] 🌼

Five times Draco unsuccessfully tries to get his and Harry's Crups to mate and the one time they're successful. [H/D Career Fair]

The Picardy Third by @blue--dreaming with art by @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm [T, 4.8k]

After the war, Harry and Draco are both struggling. As events contrive to draw them together, can they help each other move forward? [H/D Erised 2021]

✩ Winning Losses by @shiftylinguini [T, 1.7k]

Draco wins against Potter at something, or at least he thinks he does. It actually really sucks.

✩ The Mirror Room by @lqtraintracks [E, 466 words] 🔥

Inside the room, this is who they are.

previous softly reading lists

Eighth Year Drarry Recs

I was compiling a list for a friend's new Drarry recruit, and I decided to slap it up here for anyone else looking for some good 8th year Drarry fics. I had to be very strict with myself because otherwise half this list would've been bixgirl1 fics. Yes, I am a shameless fan of her work, and it is rare that a Drarry rec list by me doesn't have at least one of hers. So you're welcome for my show of restraint. Haha. Anyway, these are all explicit because I like smut, but most of them are more plot driven and just happen to have very hot smut as a bonus. They aren't in any particular order, but they are all five star recs off my master list. Oh, and the titles are links to the stories on AO3. Now onto the fics!

Year 8 Recs

In Evidence of Magical Theory by bixgirl1 (E, 43k)

Thoughts: The detail that went into the theory of magical cores and how Harry's and Draco's were represented by their respective elements and the way they each experienced the other's as they explored their link was mind-blowing and so impressive. I was enchanted by the way they crashed together and the constant thrum of their classic push and pull made me smile throughout the entire fic. The smut was on fire, but the true draw of a bixgirl1 fic is the depth of the emotions. Amazing work and a must-read.

Helix by Saras_Girl (E, 92k)

Thoughts: There were so many points in this story that I laughed until I nearly cried and just as many that I actually did tear up a little. The author's characterizations were spot on, and I especially loved Harry's helpless sort of slide into desperately wanting to be Draco's friend, then inevitably falling for him. The frost snails were so neat, and I adored Solomon! He's one of my new favorite Drarry pets ever. The portrayal of Draco's grief for Snape was touching and made me cry more than once. This is one of my favorites. I highly recommend it.

Dragon Heartstrings by JET_Playin (E, 23k)

Thoughts: I liked how the author covered Draco's experience with seeing the red strings throughout the years, briefly touching on his early childhood and skipping through his years at Hogwarts before settling into the meat of the story during his and Harry's eighth year at school. It was nice to have that history even in a streamlined fashion before we jumped right into them growing closer after the war. I loved how they wrote Draco. His remorse felt very genuine while retaining his prickly personality. I loved the warmth the Golden Trio exuded toward him, especially Harry's easy affection in the beginning. When Harry got awkward I instantly saw it was that weird bumbling way he (and Neville is so right about this) as a dork would be with someone he had a crush on. Poor Draco just couldn't even fathom that being true, and it made things so much harder than they had to be. But the journey to get to the happy ending was the best part. Loved this!

Say My Name by Thunderbird587 (E, 199k)

Thoughts: This is one of my favorite 8th year fics ever. I loved Harry's fixation on Draco after hearing him say his name while wanking in the shower. The slow build of their relationship was just lovely, and I really enjoyed Harry's apprenticeship helping him figure out what he wanted from life. I definitely recommend this. It's an amazing read.

Two Trees by LakeWitch (E, 36k)

Thoughts: I related to Draco's anxiety so much, and the descriptions of his panic felt very genuine to my experience. I also thought that the unexpected peace he found in nature was lovely, and the descriptions of the lake and the woods were all so nicely done that even reading them I felt like it was a little easier to breathe right here in my living room! Draco’s characterization was my favorite here, but they were all well written. I loved how much this fic made me feel a full range of emotions. The author's style was delightful, and I really can’t say enough good things about this fic. It's one of my favorite 8th year fics ever, and I highly recommend it.

The Only True Goal of the Universe by punk_rock_yuppie (E, 22k)

Thoughts: I loved the characterizations of all the characters, particularly Harry and Draco. Harry's respectful approach to Draco's transition, asking him about preferences and checking in with him often during sex was very nicely done and made me incredibly happy to see. The smut was so, so hot, and I loved the explicit and enthusiastic consent practiced throughout each of their encounters. Their banter was fantastic throughout the whole fic. This was such an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it.

Lumos by birdsofshore (E, 41k)

Thoughts: The writing style is fantastic, the banter between Harry and Draco is spot on, and the emotion conveyed in the story had me thrumming with happiness by the end. This is one of the best 8th year fics out there, bar none. I've read it several times and undoubtedly will do so again.

Things Worth Knowing by Femme & noeon (E, 164k)

Thoughts: The characterizations of Harry and Draco were both spot on. I adored Ravi and Omolade, as well. The slow development of Harry and Draco's relationship in this was incredibly well done. This is one of my favorite Eighth Year stories ever, and I cried more than once. Amazing storytelling. I highly recommend it.

You Look the Way I Feel by yourdifferentoctober (E, 108k)

Thoughts: I loved the way the author handled Draco's trauma. It felt very genuine and not overdone. Harry's as well, for that matter. I liked how their feelings were so similar, but they both dealt with it in very different ways. The way they slowly came together was so lovely, and Harry's possessive/protective behavior of Draco was just hitting all my buttons. The smut was superb. This is definitely a favorite of mine.

Catching the Niffler by keyflight790 & tsundanire (E, 10k)

Thoughts: Jesus fucking Christ, I had to scrape myself up off of the floor after this one! I was nothing but a pile of goo afterward. Eighth year party games is such a good trope, and Catch the Niffler is a rad new game to add to the list. Hot damn! Blaise had me cackling like a loon the whole time he was center stage, be it issuing a dare or performing his own. The Drarry was hot as fuck, with a perfect moment of tenderness at the end. You know it's gonna be good when nearly all of the tags are smutty. Haha.

Accidental Bonding Recs

So I put together another rec list for a friend asking for these who wanted some that weren't angst-heavy, and then another friend said they'd be interested in the ones with more angst. So we have a two-parter, of sorts, and I thought I might as well slap it up here, too.

Accidental Bonding Recs (not so angsty)

Two Weeks by shiftylinguini (E, 21k)

Thoughts: At first I was like.. veela Harry? Ehhh. Then I saw the author, and I was like, "It's shiftylinguini. Who cares what else it says?" I'm quite happy I took the plunge because this was so good! I think ultimately I still prefer veela Draco if either of them is going to be a veela, but it was very like Harry to try to suffer through the symptoms of longing for the person he'd fixated on for fear of alienating them. And of course that person was Draco. The smut was incredibly hot, also. I highly recommend this.

In Evidence of Magical Theory by bixgirl1 (E, 43k)

Thoughts: The detail that went into the theory of magical cores and how Harry's and Draco's were represented by their respective elements and the way they each experienced the other's as they explored their link was mind-blowing and so impressive. I was enchanted by the way they crashed together and the constant thrum of their classic push and pull made me smile throughout the entire fic. The smut was on fire, but the true draw of a bixgirl1 fic is the depth of the emotions. Amazing work and a must-read.

Let's Take A Chance On Happiness by endless_grey (E, 21k)

Thoughts: I liked the idea of Harry working with Luna in her shop. I've read one where they owned a book shop together before, but this was new for me. I enjoyed her friendship with both Harry and Draco in this. It felt very true to her character. Harry and Draco's bickering and tension was also well done. I liked that Harry was the one pining, as it's usually Draco. This is definitely worth a read.

Celestial Bodies by (again, haha) shiftylinguini (E, 20k)

Thoughts: Harry and Draco being bonded by 'space magic' as they both looked up at a comet during a stake out was too funny for words, and I loved that it was merely a catalyst for them to admit to something that had already been building between them for some time. The sexual tension was through the roof, and the smut was on fire. You can usually count on shiftylinguini for an amazing read, and this was no exception.

Accidental Bonding Recs Continued (these hit harder, but the payoff is just as sweet)

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 was 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.

Harmonized Consciousness by Talizora (E, 24k)

Thoughts: This was hilarious and incredibly smutty. I love a good soulmate fic, and the fact that they found out through a spell they expected to end after an hour was too priceless for words. Of course Draco, giant wanker that he is, doesn't want to end the spell and instead spends all day fucking with Harry. These two fit the rivals to lovers stereotype so well it almost writes itself.

For The Greater Good by jadepresley (E, 62k)

Thoughts: This was forced proximity done right, and I loved how it felt like a slow burn even though the story only took place over a couple of weeks. The sexual tension was off the charts, and the smut was sizzling hot, though I was just as gripped by the intensity of the feelings as I was by the physical intimacy itself. If you like bonding fics, then this is definitely a must-read.

Grounds for Divorce by Tepre (E, 122k)

Thoughts: I loved Draco's little idiosyncrasies and Harry's fumbling brashness. I was by turns frustrated and charmed by them as they danced around each other. The author's style is so poetic that I was brought to tears at several points of this fic. I loved several of the OCs, and the absolute best part of the fic is the whole trip to Luxor. Hold out for that, and you're golden. This is a must read. It's been on my top ten for ages, and I've read it at least four times now. I'll absolutely do so again. Grounds for Divorce is a thing of beauty, and it would be a travesty to miss out, in my opinion.

Chain Me Up or Set Me Free by alpha_exodus (E, 12k)

Thoughts: I thought that Neville giving Draco a chance was really nice, and the situation of Harry coming to work at the same company and immediately going off on Draco was hilarious even as it had me shaking my head in exasperation at his temper. Accidental bonding fics are a great part of the forced proximity trope, and this one was a treat to watch develop. Draco and Harry's animosity at first felt very realistic, and Draco being evasive and keeping his feelings hidden was very much like him. I liked how we got to see him slowly falling for Harry while mistakenly thinking that Harry wasn't doing the same. I won't spoil it, but this was a nice read.

Drarry A/B/O Recs

Okay, so these are obviously all smut. As we've established, I rarely read anything without at least a little bit involved, but to be fair, this trope is basically made for it. Don't let that fool you into thinking that smut is the only thing that omegaverse fics can accomplish. I'm very picky about this trope for a reason. It's not often done well in the HP universe, but these are all 5/5 stars on my master list. If you're a fan of a/b/o, then these are all worth checking out.

Embers by shiftylinguini (E, 41k)

Thoughts: This is the best HP Omegaverse fic I've ever read that isn't currently a WiP. I usually don't find that the trope works well for this fandom, but shiftylinguini absolutely made me take that back with this fic. This isn't just about fucking. Harry helps Draco work through the issue of his block when it comes to knotting, but they bond in an incredibly intimate way (emotionally, too, you deviants) in the process. It's in my top ten for a reason. Amazing!

Turn, Drop, Fall by Tessa Crowley (E, 29k)

Thoughts: Mind the tags if any of that isn't your thing. I'll go against the grain and clarify that the Attempted Rape/Noncon isn't between Harry and Draco, and it doesn't go past manhandling. That aside, this fic was riveting and sucked me in from the very first scene. The smut was some of the hottest I've read, and Harry and Draco's interactions were always passionate and very compelling. The pining in this was excruciating, but it was definitely worth it for the happy ending. I highly recommend this. It's a very well written a/b/o fic.

Burning the Ground by lq_traintracks (E, 10k)

Thoughts: This was stupidly hot, and I cannot stress that enough. Draco's concern for Harry, the victim of a werewolf attack, was very apparent from the onset, and one of my absolute favorite parts of this was their banter even in the midst of such a serious situation. The sexual tension was off the charts in this, and the smut was top notch. I highly recommend this one.

This Is How by bixgirl1 (E, 6k)

Thoughts: This was insanely hot. I love that they were working towards friendship before the surprise of Draco's first heat, and it always tickles me how we who love Drarry use their obsession with each other in school as a backdrop for the fact that they're obviously meant for each other. I find the mechanics of a/b/o fascinating, and the author's own hints about how it would work in this AU are interesting. This was a great read.

Tending the Flames by keyflight790 (E, 6k)

Thoughts: This was incredibly hot and sweet all at once. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of serious conversation during them being intimate, how Harry was insistent on convincing Draco that he loved him and wanted him, no one else. I also thought the daddy kink slipped in there was especially nice. And there's incredible fan art, too!

The Songbirds of Avebury Manor by Tessa Crowley (E, 18k)

Thoughts: I loved the roles the author placed everyone in, the characterizations fit the story, and the writing style fit the time period perfectly. The tone was overall incredibly romantic, and I'm a sap who loves that sort of thing. I loved the understated pining, and the bit of intrigue to the plot was a nice way to keep things lively. As stated previously, I don't often see omegaverse fics done well in the HP-verse, so this was a nice treat.

A Late Presentation by SouthronWilding (E, 10k)

Thoughts: I loved Draco's characterization. His reluctance about the whole affair down to him fighting his instincts was very on point. I also appreciated Harry's signing up to be an alpha volunteer. He would do something like that with his 'saving people thing'. I also really appreciated the moments of vulnerability throughout this, and the smut was both hot and intimate. There's a sequel in the works, but it's still a WiP and hasn’t been updated in quite some time.

Rut Mentoring Services Rendered by kitty_fic (E, 3k)

Thoughts: I loved how Harry and Draco both felt in character, the scenario itself was utterly believable, and so much of their history was covered so succinctly. That was brilliantly done. I felt like I got a lot more fic in only 3k. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the sex itself was filthy and hot and perfect. Excellent PWP!

Heat of the Moment by Writcraft (E, 2k)

Thoughts: It would be just like Draco to avoid the hell out of Harry until he absolutely couldn't anymore. The intensity of the feelings in this were incredible, and the urgency of the sex was hot and delightful, tempered nicely by Harry's concern for Draco and his need to make the frown between his eyebrows go away. Everything Writcraft touches turns to gold. Loved this.

The Lily Spell by pickledghost (E, 86k)

Thoughts: This was so incredibly lovely. I adore omegaverse fics done well, and I really enjoyed this one. I didn't mind Draco's characterization being OOC at all. I loved it, actually. He was so sweet I just couldn't get enough of him. Harry's characterization was great, too. It was a very realistic interpretation of how Harry might've turned out if there'd been no second war. He was still very much himself at his core, just more confident and self-assured, I think. I loved how protective he was of Draco from the very beginning. The slow burn was so well done that I didn't even notice the passage of time while I was glued to the story. It hooked me in and kept me invested from start to finish. The smut was both hot and incredibly fully of emotion. I can’t recommend this highly enough. It was wonderfully done.

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.

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.

Draco Falls First Fic Recs

I made this rec list when someone in a server asked for fics in which Draco falls in love with Harry first. I love pining, & this scenario is the perfect setup for it. As a result, I had rather a lot to choose from, but here are ten that made the cut this time.

The Unbearable Burden of Caring & it's sequel Sins and Scars and Shattered Things by Tessa Crowley (E, 22,189)

Thoughts: These fics both ruined me. They were so damn good that I could have wept from the sheer beauty of the prose alone. I swear I must've spent half of them clutching a tissue in anticipation of breaking into ugly sobs every five minutes. They were romantic & beautifully poignant; even the smut was so emotionally charged that I was left spellbound. I highly, highly recommend them both.

you've got the antidote for me by Kandakicksass (E, 20,730)

Thoughts: My heart was breaking for Draco before I even got through the summary. This soulmate fic is recced a lot & with good reason. It's still one of my favorites, & I reread it quite often.

Dragon Heartstrings by JET_Playin (E, 23,825)

Thoughts: Admittedly I'm a sucker for soulmate fics, so here's another for you. I liked how the author covered Draco's experience with seeing the red strings that indicated soulmate bonds throughout the years, briefly touching on his early childhood & skipping through his years at Hogwarts before settling into the meat of the story during his & Harry's eighth year at school. This is another one that I've reread several times because I just enjoy it so much each time.

Beating Out of Time by Moss_Man_Writes (E, 73,574)

Thoughts: I was sucked in from the very beginning, & I loved Draco's POV the most. The pining on Draco's part was perfect, & watching Harry fall in love with him was just enchanting.

The Butterfly Kiss by triggerlil (T, 1,998)

Thoughts: This is the shortest of all my recs, but it's by no means less engaging. The ethereal atmosphere of the whole thing left me breathless. Draco as a butterfly was something I'd never seen before, & even though I knew fairies were sometimes viewed as butterflies by unsuspecting mortals, I never would've thought of it as a premise. It was such a gorgeous soulmate AU (couldn't help myself). Draco's pining for Harry throughout was heart-achingly beautiful, too.

The Shape of the World by bixgirl1 (E, 48,276)

Thoughts: Memory loss fics often guarantee a healthy dose of angst, & this is no exception. Harry being the one afflicted did provide the perfect setup for Draco to fall for him first, though. He was probably already a bit in love with him before he ran back into him, to be honest, haha. This is by my favorite Drarry author, & rarely is there ever a time one of her fics doesn't make it onto a rec list of mine.

The Light More Beautiful by firethesound (E, 81,255)

Thoughts: Draco was so clever & creative in this, & 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, & it was probably my favorite thing about this fic. The pining was achingly lovely, the banter & teasing were fun, & the smut was scorching hot. firethesound is one of the most popular Drarry authors to date, & this is probably my favorite fic of hers.

The Lily Spell by pickledghost (E, 86,512)

Thoughts: Okay, fair warning, this is an Omegaverse fic & the author is up front about the fact that Draco's characterization isn't standard to canon or even most of fanon. He was so sweet that I just couldn't get enough of him. It's also an AU in which there was no second war with Voldemort, & I think it had a very believable interpretation of how Harry might've turned out under those circumstances. He was still very much himself at his core, just more confident & self-assured, in my opinion. The slow burn was so well done that I didn't even notice the passage of time while I was glued to the story. It hooked me in & kept me invested from start to finish.

Pop Up Pals by bambimoss (E, 62,447)

Thoughts: I cannot believe I almost forgot to add this fic. I read it twice in a row. That's how much I enjoyed the story. Draco being so lonely broke my fucking heart. Seriously, I think someone would have to be a sociopath if they couldn't empathize with Draco's experiences here. Surprisingly, I laughed a lot at this, & I also cried like a baby at one point. The characterizations were amazing, & the fic was jam-packed with emotion. It was absolutely stunning, & nothing has managed to knock it off of my top ten favorite Drarry fics list despite some very close contenders since the first time I read it.