FIC: A Better Bargain Driven (R)

[dracotops_mods]

Title: A Better Bargain Driven
Author: lomonaaeren
Prompt: #64
Summary: Two years of war. Draco’s forgotten what it’s like to want something possible. But now, he has two things: the possibility of freedom from the Dark Lord, and Harry Potter’s arse. Perhaps not in that order.
Rating: R
Warning(s): (highlight for details): * Dub-con at the beginning, AU (

Comments

[leontinabowie]

Oh my gosh, I don't think I can express how much I loved this story ♥

I absolutely adored this world you created, different from canon but on a plausible path that Jo could have taken if the war had played out just a bit differently.

I really enjoyed the insight into the Death Eater's world, and how you shone light on Voldemort's paranoia and insanity, how Draco couldn't even speak his mind because there were eyes and ears everywhere. You really captured that terrifying atmosphere, where the Death Eaters were basically forced into loyalty with no chance to question their Lord.

And then I loved the somewhat hopeless but still determined mood of the Order, beaten down but still fighting. It was a different sort of bleakness to the Death Eater's world, but it contrasted nicely with it, showing just how much Voldemort had affected everyone, regardless of their loyalties.

Draco was wonderful in this. I appreciated that you didn't write him as a sad victim who just wanted to do good and save the world. Draco wanted to save himself, and that's ok. I liked that at first his agreement with Harry was just to humiliate him and get one over on him (though I suspect there were feelings for Harry there right from the start, though Draco didn't recognise them for what they were). And I adored Draco's tactics, so very Slytherin and sneaky, fighting in the way that show off Draco's strengths. I appreciated his planning with Snape, as I always found the teacher/student relationship between Draco and Snape fascinating.

Harry was written beautifully as well, so very in-character. He's so self-sacrificing, willing to do anything to save others. But Harry sees the good in people, and I'm glad he saw Draco for who he really was. I'd say (on Harry's end, at least) there isn't deep love between him and Draco, but there's a chemistry and a connection that can easily lead to something stronger, now they're free from Voldemort.

I think you ended the fic in a perfect place, too, because their story now is about recovery which is a whole new thing. But yeah, this was so well characterised and well-written, and I loved every word ♥ ♥ ♥

[lomonaaeren]

Thank you so much!

Poor Draco. Maybe he could even have found help in the Death Eaters if he'd reached out to some of them. But there was no way to do that, and he couldn't even have had that conversation with Narcissa if not for Lucius's seizing the magic of the Manor. Besides, I think this Draco doubted whether his parents had turned their backs on Voldemort at all.

The Order is so dispirited that they fall into place behind the bargain Harry proposes. I think you can see that with Harry's friends. They're horrified, but at the same time, they let him do it, which they wouldn't have earlier in the war.

Draco is...pretty Slytherin, yes. I wouldn't venture to say whether he already had feelings for Harry or not- well, not positive ones. I think the negative connection between them was at least pretty passionate. :)

Harry is a very forgiving person in canon, so I didn't think it was too much of a stretch for him eventually to forgive Draco. (I don't understand fanfics that portray him as unwilling to even entertain the idea of forgiveness). And it gave him a sense of control over the war, to know he was doing something more than just dying when the time came.

Thank you again!