April Recs Part 2
Title: We, The Kings
Author: MissPronounced
Rating: R
Word Count: ~200,000+
Warnings: Non-magical AU, m/m sex
Summary: A medieval tale of ancient prophecies, chivalrous duelling and a forbidden love between a Slytherin Prince and a lowly knight.
Why I loved it: Easy. It's medieval Europe Drarry!! What's not to like about that?! Of course, it helps that the plot while cliche is utterly adorable! It's so sweet and fluffy, your teeth will rot. For Bottom!Draco fans especially, this is the fic for you! I'm guessing in about a few years time, this fic will definitely be one of the classic must-reads for every bottom!Draco fan out there. It actually takes quite a bit to get to the Drarry part because the story starts off with James/Lily and Sirius/Remus (both very mild and nothing graphic) but trust me, once you get to the Drarry part, you're in love with it already. Draco is your typical snarky and petulant Prince while Harry's the epitome of all your girlish fantasies of a knight in shinning armor. 'We, The Kings' is very much like an adorable romantic comedy with bits of drama and 'forbidden love' angst. It's perfect to devour after a stressful day at work/school or directly after reading an angsty fic.
Excerpt(optional):
"Karkaroff wants my head," Draco answered carelessly, deliberately using a devil-may-care air to make a show of it. Harry wasn't to know he was actually rather frightened by the many attempts for his life.
The prisoner's response, however, was less than satisfactory. "Who?"
Draco blinked. "Karkaroff, you plebeian," he sneered impatiently. "The King of Durmstrang?"
Recognition floated across Harry's features. "Durmstrang," he nodded in understanding, completely undaunted at being insulted. At least he had heard of the country. Draco would have called for a rematch otherwise. Then, Harry asked once more, "Why?"
Draco huffed at his one-word sentences, frustrated by his unacceptable amount of enthusiasm for the cause. "Slytherin and Durmstrang are at war. A Slytherin solider killed the Durmstrang Prince on the battlefield, and now Karkaroff wants revenge," Draco rattled off quickly. "As the war continues, my life has been constantly threatened. I used to have six guards following me everywhere, but thank Merlin, my father has finally seen sense. Now, it is your job to make sure that nothing happens to me."
Harry's eyebrows dipped in what Draco supposed was anger. He could see thoughts tick away on Harry's mind. "Why not just find your protector from the Empire? Why stage a competition where the death of twenty or so men is on your hands?"
Draco sighed loudly, but inwardly pleased he got more than a monosyllabic answer out of the dirt-covered Hufflepuff. "We tried," was all Draco gave in answer to Harry's first question.
The corner of Harry's mouth lifted a fraction into a smirk. "Couldn't find anyone good enough out of Slytherin, then?"
Draco wanted to slap the arrogance out of the prisoner, and the smirk off his face. "My father wants the best for me," he answered with his head tilted up.
Harry's smirk remained. "I'm flattered you think that I'm the best".
Furious, Draco's eyes blazed. He opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came to mind. Instead, he scrunched his nose in disgust and cried, "You smell and look like dung. Get yourself clean before you come into my presence again!"
Title: For the Sake of Grades
Author: FrankieSunflower
Rating: R
Word Count: ~55,000+
Warnings: school bullying, mentions of past domestic abuse and non-con (very mild)
Summary: The aftermath of Draco choosing to do the right thing. It effects Harry's life too, in a way no-one expected.
Why I loved it: This one here is another adorable one. Especially Harry and his monologues. What I find sweet about this fic is... well, Harry and the way he handled his Malfoy-shaped dilemma. It's cute because it's so entirely Harry. Harry, who'd be so oblivious he had to be tricked by Snape to finally see Draco. Harry, who'd spent hours internally debating if he's gay only to shrug it off and say, "Oh well. At least snogging Malfoy is nice." Harry, who'd shy away from being too intimate with Draco (because it's 'too gay,' he says) only to recklessly shove that thought aside and jump Draco when the chance comes. Then, there's the utterly adorable albeit rather OOC Blaise/Neville and Ron and Hermione being so Ron and Hermione. Simply precious!
Excerpt(optional):
In a few short seconds, the moment hit Harry squarely in the head. He was kissing Malfoy. He was kissing. Draco. Malfoy. In Snape's office. And as Malfoy scraped his fingertips gently, as if by accident, over Harry's left ear, a delicious shiver ran up his spine and he reflexively tilted his head so as to avoid squashing his glasses into his closed eyes.
I guess this means I'm a bit gay, Harry thought resignedly. Then he reminded himself that he was bisexual. And that a tall, blonde, sensitive yet bullying antihero was sucking gently on his lower lip and tracing his jaw with shyly teasing fingertips. And he instantly felt better.
'Unique and novelty as this moment is,' Snape interfered after a few blissfully dazed seconds, 'I would thank you both to take it somewhere other than my office.'
Title: I'll Be Here
Author: Galadriell
Rating: R
Word Count: ~43,000
Warnings: Violence
Summary: It is Harry's second year working as a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital in St. Mungo's. A bloodied note arrives with the words, 'Harry Potter's assistance required'. It is found clutched in the hand of a child.
Why I loved it: It's a de-aged!Draco fic!! Duh. Draco as sickly 6 year old and Harry as his protective guardian cum attending Healer is the deal breaker here. They're utterly adorable together, mostly because their guardian-child relationship is believable. The mystery behind Draco's condition and the highly controversial nature of Draco's secret day job makes it all the more interesting too. However, as it gets near the end, it feels rushed and plot holes start to appear but the beginning and most of the middle is good enough that you'd probably just skip over the inconsistencies and just focus on the main course: Harry and Draco. It's cute and it's touching. A really worthwhile read.
Excerpt(optional):
They sat in amicable silence as Draco's appetite returned in full force. He was gobbling up the warm dish without restraint. For Harry it was bizarre to see Draco eat without the usual Malfoy poise.
"What do you remember last?" Harry asked, hoping to find some clue as to Draco's condition.
The boy seemed to be thinking this question over for a few minutes as he munched on his carrots. "Um… It was night. And - that's all."
"Do you remember getting hurt?"
Draco frowned as he looked away into the distance. "No. No, I don't think so. Was I hurt bad?"
Harry indicated to Draco's head. It seemed he had only just noticed. He dropped the fork with a clatter as his hands flew up to his head. The bandage still wound around his head and he ran his fingers along the expanse of it. "Whoa!" he breathed. "I almost died?" he asked gleefully.
"That you did," Harry said, more to himself than to the excited boy.
"Awesome! Mum's probably so angry!"
Harry didn't answer. He contented in watching Draco attack his food again, shoveling it into his mouth with fervor. The moment the last of the vegetable disappeared from the plate into Draco's mouth, a slice of treacle tart appeared on the plate. Draco was quite enthusiastic about it as well. Just as he brought his fork up to take the last bite, he looked at Harry. Slight color flooded his cheeks. "Um… Do you want some?" he asked lamely.
Harry couldn't help laughing at this. He shook his head between chuckles. "No. It's all yours," he said.
Author: MissPronounced
Rating: R
Word Count: ~200,000+
Warnings: Non-magical AU, m/m sex
Summary: A medieval tale of ancient prophecies, chivalrous duelling and a forbidden love between a Slytherin Prince and a lowly knight.
Why I loved it: Easy. It's medieval Europe Drarry!! What's not to like about that?! Of course, it helps that the plot while cliche is utterly adorable! It's so sweet and fluffy, your teeth will rot. For Bottom!Draco fans especially, this is the fic for you! I'm guessing in about a few years time, this fic will definitely be one of the classic must-reads for every bottom!Draco fan out there. It actually takes quite a bit to get to the Drarry part because the story starts off with James/Lily and Sirius/Remus (both very mild and nothing graphic) but trust me, once you get to the Drarry part, you're in love with it already. Draco is your typical snarky and petulant Prince while Harry's the epitome of all your girlish fantasies of a knight in shinning armor. 'We, The Kings' is very much like an adorable romantic comedy with bits of drama and 'forbidden love' angst. It's perfect to devour after a stressful day at work/school or directly after reading an angsty fic.
Excerpt(optional):
"Karkaroff wants my head," Draco answered carelessly, deliberately using a devil-may-care air to make a show of it. Harry wasn't to know he was actually rather frightened by the many attempts for his life.
The prisoner's response, however, was less than satisfactory. "Who?"
Draco blinked. "Karkaroff, you plebeian," he sneered impatiently. "The King of Durmstrang?"
Recognition floated across Harry's features. "Durmstrang," he nodded in understanding, completely undaunted at being insulted. At least he had heard of the country. Draco would have called for a rematch otherwise. Then, Harry asked once more, "Why?"
Draco huffed at his one-word sentences, frustrated by his unacceptable amount of enthusiasm for the cause. "Slytherin and Durmstrang are at war. A Slytherin solider killed the Durmstrang Prince on the battlefield, and now Karkaroff wants revenge," Draco rattled off quickly. "As the war continues, my life has been constantly threatened. I used to have six guards following me everywhere, but thank Merlin, my father has finally seen sense. Now, it is your job to make sure that nothing happens to me."
Harry's eyebrows dipped in what Draco supposed was anger. He could see thoughts tick away on Harry's mind. "Why not just find your protector from the Empire? Why stage a competition where the death of twenty or so men is on your hands?"
Draco sighed loudly, but inwardly pleased he got more than a monosyllabic answer out of the dirt-covered Hufflepuff. "We tried," was all Draco gave in answer to Harry's first question.
The corner of Harry's mouth lifted a fraction into a smirk. "Couldn't find anyone good enough out of Slytherin, then?"
Draco wanted to slap the arrogance out of the prisoner, and the smirk off his face. "My father wants the best for me," he answered with his head tilted up.
Harry's smirk remained. "I'm flattered you think that I'm the best".
Furious, Draco's eyes blazed. He opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came to mind. Instead, he scrunched his nose in disgust and cried, "You smell and look like dung. Get yourself clean before you come into my presence again!"
Title: For the Sake of Grades
Author: FrankieSunflower
Rating: R
Word Count: ~55,000+
Warnings: school bullying, mentions of past domestic abuse and non-con (very mild)
Summary: The aftermath of Draco choosing to do the right thing. It effects Harry's life too, in a way no-one expected.
Why I loved it: This one here is another adorable one. Especially Harry and his monologues. What I find sweet about this fic is... well, Harry and the way he handled his Malfoy-shaped dilemma. It's cute because it's so entirely Harry. Harry, who'd be so oblivious he had to be tricked by Snape to finally see Draco. Harry, who'd spent hours internally debating if he's gay only to shrug it off and say, "Oh well. At least snogging Malfoy is nice." Harry, who'd shy away from being too intimate with Draco (because it's 'too gay,' he says) only to recklessly shove that thought aside and jump Draco when the chance comes. Then, there's the utterly adorable albeit rather OOC Blaise/Neville and Ron and Hermione being so Ron and Hermione. Simply precious!
Excerpt(optional):
In a few short seconds, the moment hit Harry squarely in the head. He was kissing Malfoy. He was kissing. Draco. Malfoy. In Snape's office. And as Malfoy scraped his fingertips gently, as if by accident, over Harry's left ear, a delicious shiver ran up his spine and he reflexively tilted his head so as to avoid squashing his glasses into his closed eyes.
I guess this means I'm a bit gay, Harry thought resignedly. Then he reminded himself that he was bisexual. And that a tall, blonde, sensitive yet bullying antihero was sucking gently on his lower lip and tracing his jaw with shyly teasing fingertips. And he instantly felt better.
'Unique and novelty as this moment is,' Snape interfered after a few blissfully dazed seconds, 'I would thank you both to take it somewhere other than my office.'
Title: I'll Be Here
Author: Galadriell
Rating: R
Word Count: ~43,000
Warnings: Violence
Summary: It is Harry's second year working as a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital in St. Mungo's. A bloodied note arrives with the words, 'Harry Potter's assistance required'. It is found clutched in the hand of a child.
Why I loved it: It's a de-aged!Draco fic!! Duh. Draco as sickly 6 year old and Harry as his protective guardian cum attending Healer is the deal breaker here. They're utterly adorable together, mostly because their guardian-child relationship is believable. The mystery behind Draco's condition and the highly controversial nature of Draco's secret day job makes it all the more interesting too. However, as it gets near the end, it feels rushed and plot holes start to appear but the beginning and most of the middle is good enough that you'd probably just skip over the inconsistencies and just focus on the main course: Harry and Draco. It's cute and it's touching. A really worthwhile read.
Excerpt(optional):
They sat in amicable silence as Draco's appetite returned in full force. He was gobbling up the warm dish without restraint. For Harry it was bizarre to see Draco eat without the usual Malfoy poise.
"What do you remember last?" Harry asked, hoping to find some clue as to Draco's condition.
The boy seemed to be thinking this question over for a few minutes as he munched on his carrots. "Um… It was night. And - that's all."
"Do you remember getting hurt?"
Draco frowned as he looked away into the distance. "No. No, I don't think so. Was I hurt bad?"
Harry indicated to Draco's head. It seemed he had only just noticed. He dropped the fork with a clatter as his hands flew up to his head. The bandage still wound around his head and he ran his fingers along the expanse of it. "Whoa!" he breathed. "I almost died?" he asked gleefully.
"That you did," Harry said, more to himself than to the excited boy.
"Awesome! Mum's probably so angry!"
Harry didn't answer. He contented in watching Draco attack his food again, shoveling it into his mouth with fervor. The moment the last of the vegetable disappeared from the plate into Draco's mouth, a slice of treacle tart appeared on the plate. Draco was quite enthusiastic about it as well. Just as he brought his fork up to take the last bite, he looked at Harry. Slight color flooded his cheeks. "Um… Do you want some?" he asked lamely.
Harry couldn't help laughing at this. He shook his head between chuckles. "No. It's all yours," he said.