title: A Duet

author: mustntgetmy

rating: M

tags/content: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Angst, Romance, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Violence, First War with Voldemort, Music, Musicians

summary: AU where Sirius was Sorted into Slytherin and also happens to be a gifted pianist and composer. Remus answers an ad for a music accompanist in a Muggle paper, is shocked to find out Sirius placed the ad, has a moral dilemma about working for a potential Death Eater, ignores said moral dilemma, then falls swiftly in love with the moral dilemma in question. But this is wartime, and even if love survives often people don’t. Expect tragedy, tenderness, complications, but above all, expect music.

wordcount: 24k

rec notes: Heed the archive warnings - this is one of those fics that reaches into your chest and pulls out your beating heart. But is done so lovingly that I can only recommend you put yourself through it too; I read this all in one feverish sitting and I think it speaks to the startling quality of the fic that I remember the exact conditions of this reading, and how emotional I was at the time. The prose is elegant and the characterisation impeccable. I would easily call this one of my favourite fics ever. Also, on a personal level, this fic inspired me to write a gift for the author, which turned out to be for a prompt inspired by a fic I'd written, so this fic will always have a really special place in my heart (which is back in my chest now but it's a tenuous thing.)
title: Magical Relations

author: evansentranced

rating: T

tags/content: Slytherin!Harry, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Magical Dudley Dursley

summary: Harry's relatives were shocked when the Hogwarts letters came. Not because Harry got into Hogwarts. They had expected that. But Dudley, on the other hand...That had been a surprise.

wordcount: 258k (ongoing - I've linked to ao3, but I get the feeling there might be more on ffnet, I just haven't caught up in ages)

rec notes: This is going to sound bad, but I am kind of reccing this out of obligation. Not because I don't like it all that much - I like it a lot! - but because I feel like this series is seriously a must-read, and therefore a bit of a must-rec. The dedication to rewriting the whole of canon based on this one tiny change (Dudley is a wizard) is incredible, and the story is never anything short of engrossing. It has a lot of the feel of canon too; the same humour and attention to detail. As well as my personal favourite rationalisation for Slytherin!Harry that I've ever read. Set aside some free time and immerse yourself.
title: With a Candle to Guide Me

author: daftfear

rating: M

tags/content: Angst, creature!fic, explicit sex, coarse language, mentions of self-harm, suicide attempt

summary: Draco wakes up in a nightmare, caught in the horror that’s haunted him since childhood. Desperate and trying to make sense of all that’s happened, Draco finds the only person who seems to want to give him answers is Potter. But being near Potter holds questions too—ones Draco isn’t sure he wants to ask. Even if it means turning down a way back to solid ground.

wordcount: 29k

rec notes: I literally cried nonstop while reading this (or, nearly nonstop. In bouts, probably about four times.) I know it's in first person but PLEASE DON'T LET THAT DETER YOU BECAUSE IT'S SO GOOD. It's so good written in first person that I don't think a third person version of this fic could have made me cry as much. It is emotional and there are elements of mystery/suspense in it and there are non-canon backstory elements that make perfect sense and I am just SAD. and EMOTIONAL. and SAD.

the characterization was wonderful and self-hating self-deprecating Draco is so (clenches fist) and honestly I think the bits with the house elf made me the saddest the most. I am literally tearing up just thinking about it this is embarrassing
title: Unexpected, A Holiday Tail of Mistaken Identity

author: [livejournal.com profile] amightypenguin

rating: M

tags/content: Animal transformation, hidden identity, Christmas, not epilogue compliant

summary: After an accident involving a two year old and a wand, Harry (much to his dismay) is sent to Draco, who believes he’s caring for a pet. A large pet with a bad attitude.

wordcount: 24k

rec notes: I am a huge huge sucker for animal transformation fics so this is one of my favorite H/D fics ever. Draco taking care of animals is so cute and Harry listening to Draco jerk it is awkward yes but one of my fav tropes still!!!! And Draco coping with living in the manor (alone :((() and the bond that he and Harry develop is so sweet and I am just all over this fic every day of my life.

ALSO HAZZA PLAYS FOR THE CANNONS IN THIS FIC IT'S VERY MINOR BUT I LOVE IT A LOT
title: The Arc of the Pendulum

author: brummell

rating: E

tags/content: HP: EWE, Minor Character Death, Mild Gore, Mythical Beings & Creatures, Werewolves

summary: After his father casts a mysterious curse on Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy is forced to try to make things right.

wordcount: 30k

rec notes: I know everyone and their mother has probably read this fic but as these things go we will all have to put up with me putting up the classics (that I've read) here, especially in the case if there are H/D people who haven't read this yet *hint hint*

this is basically the fic that made me realize I like werewolf fic (to be fair this was nearly a decade ago). I've reread it a few times since the first - most recently this week, for this rec - and it never fails to grip me and make me emotional and SAD about Harry and Draco. I am always sad about Harry and Draco! is this a surprise to anyone anymore??

Beauty & the Beast is basically my favorite 'classic' princess tale and this has the elements I love the most about it; the rescuing-from-wolves bit (especially even more ironic in this fic, since it's a werewolf fic); the taming and reluctance of the ~beast; the tender relationship that develops. also what I really liked about this fic is that Draco doesn't stop being Draco, he doesn't start saying sappy or kind shit even when he and Harry have reached a truce or mutual affection, and sometimes he still verbally fucks up and doesn't apologize for it. also the bit at the end where the *descends into incoherent blubbers*

anyway. if you haven't read this yet, 🅱lease read it. also I should note that while I have a somewhat obvious? preference for top Draco this has top Harry in it and it's still one of my favorite H/D fics of all time so
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