Fest Recs from HD-erised 2015
Oh man, hd-erised continues to be the best HD fest of the year! The authors and artists all bring their A-game to this fest, making it so hard to narrow down the choices of which ones to rec. But I persevered, and bring you my favorite works of fic and art from HD-erised 2015 :)
Fic Recs:
Solder by oakstone730 ( NC-17 | 35,000 ) 29-Dec-2015
Summary: Seven years ago, Harry disappeared out of Draco and Scorpius's life without a trace after Harry's addictions destroyed his and Draco's marriage. Now, Harry’s back, and Draco wants to believe he’s changed. But Harry isn’t the only one haunted by the past.
Rarely have I hit the kudos button at AO3 so fast! This fic was so good! I loved how realistic everything seemed - Draco's deep hurt and reluctance to trust Harry again, Harry's immense regret and determination to be worthy of trust, and even Scorpius was perfect. Honestly, I usually avoid kid!fic because the depictions of the children can seem so idealized and ungrounded, but every one of Scorpius' reactions to each step of his fathers getting back together was spot on how a child of that age and experience would have reacted. The reconciliation for Harry and Draco does not come easy at all, nor should it. But through it all there's a slow but searing build-up of the UST until the fantastic sex scenes at the end. Just AMAZING. Loved this fic!!!
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Dear Uncle Plume by eidheann_writes ( NC-17 | 16,500 ) 17-Dec-2015
Summary: Life after war is nothing like Draco expected. He only hopes he'll survive it. Especially when his friends are less than sympathetic.
This fic is such a treat! So witty, so clever, and so much fun! But it's also genuinely moving, without ever being heavy-handed about it. I loved all the wry humor and the banter between Draco and Pansy and the awkward conversations between Draco and Harry. It's told in a non-linear narrative fashion which is slightly confusing at first, but really serves to underscore the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up absurdness of Draco's post-war life. It's also interspersed with delightful excerpts from Draco's dry-witted "Dear Uncle Plume" advice column. Just a great read all around.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Any Instrument by dicta_contrion ( NC-17 | 130,000 ) 19-Dec-2015
Summary: Draco Malfoy wouldn't go back to England for anything less than an exceptional case. Being asked to figure out why Harry Potter can't control his magic might be exceptional enough to qualify.
This fic is so compelling, and takes its time in a nice slow build with fantastic characterizations, realistic dialogue, developing UST, and a fascinating medical mystery to boot. The fic is told from Draco's POV, and once he returns to England to work with Harry, we can tell immediately how unlike himself Harry is. Docile and flat, and complaining not at all about having Draco for a Healer. And yet, no one else around Harry sees just how odd this really is. We share Draco's frustration in dealing with pushy ministry types who press him to rush his treatment to get Harry back to work, and understand his need to stay professional and not let his developing feelings get in the way of the doctor/patient relationship, even as he begins to suspect that Harry reciprocates them. Nothing comes easily - not Harry's treatment, nor their relationship, nor what choices Harry will make about his career - which make the victories all the more sweet when they finally come.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
The Deeper Symbolism Behind Golden Apples by oldenuf2nb ( R | 26,700 ) 16-Dec-2015
Summary: When the Wizengamot insists Chief Auror Harry Potter pose for a statue for the Ministry Atrium, why are his friends reluctant to tell him who the sculptor is?
I'll admit I'm not usually one for past relationship stories, but this one is so beautifully told, with wonderful believable characterizations and dialogue. And I love that there had been no "stupid misunderstanding" in the past - the reasons for their break-up might seem trivial in retrospect, but at the time both of them thought it was for the best and it made sense. When they meet again for the first time in this story, you can tell how much they still mean to each other, and it is very poignant, yet understated and tentative at the same time. I love how we saw how much both of them had matured in the intervening years, and how much better they understood themselves and what they want now. Very very enjoyable and lovely all around.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Oh! And also there's lovely art at the end of it too!
Incongruent by agentmoppet ( NC-17 | 41,000 ) 28-Dec-2015
Summary: The war has left its mark on everyone. The Ministry, as usual, is only too happy to take advantage. But Harry won't let them destroy his home, no matter what he has to do to stop them. And no matter if a certain Draco Malfoy insists on getting him off track.
I enjoyed this so much! It's 8th year, and Dolores Umbridge is back and set on tormenting Harry once again. Harry is still wary and untrusting of Draco, but all the while is falling for a disguised version of him who is helping him get through his detentions. I felt for Draco, so, so much - his hope and his resignation were so palpable. I loved how their relationship developed in both of Draco's guises, and how Harry came to realize that he himself had his own prejudices as well. All the characterizations were great, the characterization of Umbridge particularly so. It felt almost like reading the fifth book again!
A Convenient Impracticality by firethesound ( NC-17 | 38,000 ) 1-Dec-2015
Summary: Somehow Harry ends up agreeing to a fake relationship with his ex-nemesis-turned-friendly-acquaintance-with-benefits, except for some reason it involves an awful lot of actual dating and, sadly, not much sex. Confused? Harry is too, but when has anything with Draco Malfoy ever been as straightforward as it seems?
So sweet and cute and enjoyable! Draco especially is so vulnerable-seeming and guarded, and makes you just want to knock Harry over the head with something :) I thought all the convoluted fake-relationship plotting was funny, especially this bit:
“So… let me see if I understand what you’re telling me. Our fake relationship involves going on real dates so that we can get to know each other well enough that our friends are reasonably convinced we’ve been actual-dating this whole time, except we’re not, but we’re very convincing about it because of all the dates we’ve actually been on.”
Draco huffed and folded his arms tightly over his chest. “Well it sounds stupid when you put it like that.”
*snort*
I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor by birdsofshore ( NC-17 | 28,000 ) 18-Dec-2015
Summary: Harry felt lit up from inside as soon as he entered the bar. There were blokes dancing together, their bodies close to one another, not keeping a wary distance as Harry was always careful to do when he was near another man. God, he wanted this - wanted it so much he could taste it, a metallic tang of heat and desire. He suspected nothing would ever be the same again - especially when he saw who else was in the room.
O holy hell, that was so hot! And amazing. I thoroughly loved Harry's journey of self-discovery, and how that became entwined with Draco and his own tentative steps towards commitment. Draco being the perfect foil to Harry - free and unashamed and decadent where Harry was pent-up and nearly closeted and reserved. But both were dealing with their own kind of self-denial, it seemed.
So, so well written too. I loved so many lines, but this one especially:
"Malfoy could go and fuck himself. If Harry wanted to go and meet blokes in a gay bar, that was his business. He was an adult. There wasn't anything wrong with liking men. It didn't make him a sleazy bastard like Malfoy, getting felt up, all cheap and easy.
It would be different when Harry met someone. It would be nothing like that.
Maybe he would go back next weekend."
Ha! Poor deluded Harry.
The Destiny You Sold by tryslora ( NC-17 | 59,000 ) 12-Dec-2015
Summary: In which Draco knits, Harry makes wands, and things get very tangled up between them.
So good, and so engaging! And JFC so hot! I love bonding stories so much too! Lots of good humor as well, like this bit:
Malfoy [...] has been working on carefully planning a letter to his parents to request further volumes from the Malfoy library. Harry can’t think what he’s going to say. He suspects that dear Mum and Dad, was accidentally bonded to Harry Potter, thought you might want to know, we’re working on dissolving the marriage wouldn’t be the best way to put it.
Almost Like Song by melusinahp ( NC-17 | 7,000 ) 16-Dec-2015
Summary: They were once lovers, but Harry hasn't seen Draco in years, so it's a bit of a shock when he appears to warn Harry about an upcoming Auror mission.
Heartbreaking. truly heartbreaking. But very very good. (Note: I personally preferred reading the spoiler warnings first.)
Dirty Talk on Christmas Morning by amorette ( NC-17 | 1,700 ) 24-Dec-2015
Summary: Emotions run thick as the boys exchange gifts on their first Christmas morning together.
PWP, but hot like whoa. If you like tender morning sex combined with hot dirty talk about public submission, this is for you.
Art Recs:
A Night At The Leaky Cauldron by isinuyasha ( PG | Photoshop ) 10-Dec-2015
Summary: It took a while for Draco to notice that he didn't really mind that Potter kept dragging him along to these "cozy" after work get-togethers at the Leaky Cauldron.
This is so great. I love how the artist drew all of Harry and Draco's friends, and still kept the focus on the two of them. And the way Harry is leaning in to whisper to Draco just says so much about the closeness of their relationship. Everybody looks so great and the holiday lights in the background are so festive! Wonderful job all around :)
Snowy Snogfest by mybutterflower (mitsouparker) ( PG | Digital Painting ) 25-Dec-2015
Summary: Draco & Harry are snogging in the snow after shopping in Hogsmeade.
This is absolutely stunning! I love how absorbed in each other they are (evidenced by the spilled candies!), and the lovely color scheme and soft-focus background. The contrast between Draco's hair and Harry's hair is perfect too, and the whole scene is so amazingly holiday appropriate. A gorgeous and beautiful piece of art!
Note: Authors and artists are still anonymous. Names will be added after the reveals!
Fic Recs:
Solder by oakstone730 ( NC-17 | 35,000 ) 29-Dec-2015
Summary: Seven years ago, Harry disappeared out of Draco and Scorpius's life without a trace after Harry's addictions destroyed his and Draco's marriage. Now, Harry’s back, and Draco wants to believe he’s changed. But Harry isn’t the only one haunted by the past.
Rarely have I hit the kudos button at AO3 so fast! This fic was so good! I loved how realistic everything seemed - Draco's deep hurt and reluctance to trust Harry again, Harry's immense regret and determination to be worthy of trust, and even Scorpius was perfect. Honestly, I usually avoid kid!fic because the depictions of the children can seem so idealized and ungrounded, but every one of Scorpius' reactions to each step of his fathers getting back together was spot on how a child of that age and experience would have reacted. The reconciliation for Harry and Draco does not come easy at all, nor should it. But through it all there's a slow but searing build-up of the UST until the fantastic sex scenes at the end. Just AMAZING. Loved this fic!!!
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Dear Uncle Plume by eidheann_writes ( NC-17 | 16,500 ) 17-Dec-2015
Summary: Life after war is nothing like Draco expected. He only hopes he'll survive it. Especially when his friends are less than sympathetic.
This fic is such a treat! So witty, so clever, and so much fun! But it's also genuinely moving, without ever being heavy-handed about it. I loved all the wry humor and the banter between Draco and Pansy and the awkward conversations between Draco and Harry. It's told in a non-linear narrative fashion which is slightly confusing at first, but really serves to underscore the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up absurdness of Draco's post-war life. It's also interspersed with delightful excerpts from Draco's dry-witted "Dear Uncle Plume" advice column. Just a great read all around.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Any Instrument by dicta_contrion ( NC-17 | 130,000 ) 19-Dec-2015
Summary: Draco Malfoy wouldn't go back to England for anything less than an exceptional case. Being asked to figure out why Harry Potter can't control his magic might be exceptional enough to qualify.
This fic is so compelling, and takes its time in a nice slow build with fantastic characterizations, realistic dialogue, developing UST, and a fascinating medical mystery to boot. The fic is told from Draco's POV, and once he returns to England to work with Harry, we can tell immediately how unlike himself Harry is. Docile and flat, and complaining not at all about having Draco for a Healer. And yet, no one else around Harry sees just how odd this really is. We share Draco's frustration in dealing with pushy ministry types who press him to rush his treatment to get Harry back to work, and understand his need to stay professional and not let his developing feelings get in the way of the doctor/patient relationship, even as he begins to suspect that Harry reciprocates them. Nothing comes easily - not Harry's treatment, nor their relationship, nor what choices Harry will make about his career - which make the victories all the more sweet when they finally come.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
The Deeper Symbolism Behind Golden Apples by oldenuf2nb ( R | 26,700 ) 16-Dec-2015
Summary: When the Wizengamot insists Chief Auror Harry Potter pose for a statue for the Ministry Atrium, why are his friends reluctant to tell him who the sculptor is?
I'll admit I'm not usually one for past relationship stories, but this one is so beautifully told, with wonderful believable characterizations and dialogue. And I love that there had been no "stupid misunderstanding" in the past - the reasons for their break-up might seem trivial in retrospect, but at the time both of them thought it was for the best and it made sense. When they meet again for the first time in this story, you can tell how much they still mean to each other, and it is very poignant, yet understated and tentative at the same time. I love how we saw how much both of them had matured in the intervening years, and how much better they understood themselves and what they want now. Very very enjoyable and lovely all around.
( my extended rec at hd-storyroom)
Oh! And also there's lovely art at the end of it too!
Incongruent by agentmoppet ( NC-17 | 41,000 ) 28-Dec-2015
Summary: The war has left its mark on everyone. The Ministry, as usual, is only too happy to take advantage. But Harry won't let them destroy his home, no matter what he has to do to stop them. And no matter if a certain Draco Malfoy insists on getting him off track.
I enjoyed this so much! It's 8th year, and Dolores Umbridge is back and set on tormenting Harry once again. Harry is still wary and untrusting of Draco, but all the while is falling for a disguised version of him who is helping him get through his detentions. I felt for Draco, so, so much - his hope and his resignation were so palpable. I loved how their relationship developed in both of Draco's guises, and how Harry came to realize that he himself had his own prejudices as well. All the characterizations were great, the characterization of Umbridge particularly so. It felt almost like reading the fifth book again!
A Convenient Impracticality by firethesound ( NC-17 | 38,000 ) 1-Dec-2015
Summary: Somehow Harry ends up agreeing to a fake relationship with his ex-nemesis-turned-friendly-acquaintance-with-benefits, except for some reason it involves an awful lot of actual dating and, sadly, not much sex. Confused? Harry is too, but when has anything with Draco Malfoy ever been as straightforward as it seems?
So sweet and cute and enjoyable! Draco especially is so vulnerable-seeming and guarded, and makes you just want to knock Harry over the head with something :) I thought all the convoluted fake-relationship plotting was funny, especially this bit:
“So… let me see if I understand what you’re telling me. Our fake relationship involves going on real dates so that we can get to know each other well enough that our friends are reasonably convinced we’ve been actual-dating this whole time, except we’re not, but we’re very convincing about it because of all the dates we’ve actually been on.”
Draco huffed and folded his arms tightly over his chest. “Well it sounds stupid when you put it like that.”
*snort*
I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor by birdsofshore ( NC-17 | 28,000 ) 18-Dec-2015
Summary: Harry felt lit up from inside as soon as he entered the bar. There were blokes dancing together, their bodies close to one another, not keeping a wary distance as Harry was always careful to do when he was near another man. God, he wanted this - wanted it so much he could taste it, a metallic tang of heat and desire. He suspected nothing would ever be the same again - especially when he saw who else was in the room.
O holy hell, that was so hot! And amazing. I thoroughly loved Harry's journey of self-discovery, and how that became entwined with Draco and his own tentative steps towards commitment. Draco being the perfect foil to Harry - free and unashamed and decadent where Harry was pent-up and nearly closeted and reserved. But both were dealing with their own kind of self-denial, it seemed.
So, so well written too. I loved so many lines, but this one especially:
"Malfoy could go and fuck himself. If Harry wanted to go and meet blokes in a gay bar, that was his business. He was an adult. There wasn't anything wrong with liking men. It didn't make him a sleazy bastard like Malfoy, getting felt up, all cheap and easy.
It would be different when Harry met someone. It would be nothing like that.
Maybe he would go back next weekend."
Ha! Poor deluded Harry.
The Destiny You Sold by tryslora ( NC-17 | 59,000 ) 12-Dec-2015
Summary: In which Draco knits, Harry makes wands, and things get very tangled up between them.
So good, and so engaging! And JFC so hot! I love bonding stories so much too! Lots of good humor as well, like this bit:
Malfoy [...] has been working on carefully planning a letter to his parents to request further volumes from the Malfoy library. Harry can’t think what he’s going to say. He suspects that dear Mum and Dad, was accidentally bonded to Harry Potter, thought you might want to know, we’re working on dissolving the marriage wouldn’t be the best way to put it.
Almost Like Song by melusinahp ( NC-17 | 7,000 ) 16-Dec-2015
Summary: They were once lovers, but Harry hasn't seen Draco in years, so it's a bit of a shock when he appears to warn Harry about an upcoming Auror mission.
Heartbreaking. truly heartbreaking. But very very good. (Note: I personally preferred reading the spoiler warnings first.)
Dirty Talk on Christmas Morning by amorette ( NC-17 | 1,700 ) 24-Dec-2015
Summary: Emotions run thick as the boys exchange gifts on their first Christmas morning together.
PWP, but hot like whoa. If you like tender morning sex combined with hot dirty talk about public submission, this is for you.
Art Recs:
A Night At The Leaky Cauldron by isinuyasha ( PG | Photoshop ) 10-Dec-2015
Summary: It took a while for Draco to notice that he didn't really mind that Potter kept dragging him along to these "cozy" after work get-togethers at the Leaky Cauldron.
This is so great. I love how the artist drew all of Harry and Draco's friends, and still kept the focus on the two of them. And the way Harry is leaning in to whisper to Draco just says so much about the closeness of their relationship. Everybody looks so great and the holiday lights in the background are so festive! Wonderful job all around :)
Snowy Snogfest by mybutterflower (mitsouparker) ( PG | Digital Painting ) 25-Dec-2015
Summary: Draco & Harry are snogging in the snow after shopping in Hogsmeade.
This is absolutely stunning! I love how absorbed in each other they are (evidenced by the spilled candies!), and the lovely color scheme and soft-focus background. The contrast between Draco's hair and Harry's hair is perfect too, and the whole scene is so amazingly holiday appropriate. A gorgeous and beautiful piece of art!
Note: Authors and artists are still anonymous. Names will be added after the reveals!