RE-REC: Unsinkable by dark_branwen
I've recced this story before, but today - on the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic - is the perfect day to read this amazing story if you haven't yet. Or re-read if you have. ♥
Titel: Unsinkable
Author: dark_branwen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: She was the jewel of the White Star Line and a marvel of modern, Muggle innovation. She was the history-making Titanic, and while her story is known far and wide, there is another story that has never before been told. Of Draco Malfoy, a fallen, hunted aristocrat, who has chosen to flee Britain and go into hiding from the magical world. And of Harry Potter, steerage class and unregistered wizard, who is traveling to meet his friends and the mother of his young child in America. When Draco senses another magical presence on board, he seeks it out, thinking he is in danger. But what he finds is Harry and with him, danger of an entirely different kind.
Word Count: c. 43,000
Warning: please highlight **major character death.**
Why I'm reccing this:
I've never read a historical AU as convincing, as entertaining and as heart-breaking as this one, all in those very short 43K that I never even noticed, not while proofing this fic for the Fair, nor while re-reading it. I am simply in awe of this story. The author is such a smooth and original story-teller, drawing you into her story with both ease and elegance. I love how she faithfully used the Titanic setting and the history of the ship's demise, but made it a true H/D story and not simply a retelling of the movie "Titanic". The way she wove in moments from canon, giving them different meanings in this different setting and plot, so they are commentary on canon, or add irony or depth to scenes is awesomely done. And I cannot help but love this Draco. ♥ I can practically see this gay son of an old pure-blood family on the run in front of me, full of entitlement and (rather misplaced) pride but yet ready to make major sacrifices for the man he came to love within such a short span of days. His snarky cynicism fits this Draco so very well, so old-world, so posh. I doubt he would have done well in America. Make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!
Quote
Draco compromised and lowered his wand slightly, giving Harry leave to put down his arms. "Fine. Maybe you don't know who I am. But that still begs the question: what are you doing on this ship?"
Draco had hoped that moving onto less turbulent ground would cure Harry of his moronic responses, but clear that wish was in vain. "Er. Well, to go to America. Obviously."
"Do stop looking at me like I'm a simpleton," Draco snapped. "It's tiresome. What I mean is, why are you traveling by ship?"
Despite his request, Harry continued to gawp at him. "Because swimming would take too long?"
"Could you at least attempt to take this seriously?" Draco seethed. "There's no reason why you couldn't have Floo'd there, or even Apparated if you know where you're going. Blast it, you can even fly there if you have the right broom."
This made Harry's expression change at last. However, it was to laugh in Draco's face, which was not much of an improvement.
"Do you have any idea how you sound?" Harry howled, actually slapping his thigh. "You're completely mental!"
"I was not joking about killing you," Draco deadpanned.
Harry didn't seem to hear over his incessant chortling. "I mean, honestly! Fly? On a broom? Like a w-witch."
Something within Draco bade him to take notice of the hitch in Harry's voice when he said 'witch.' Draco suspected some part of him was beginning to understand what all of this was about, but he needed more information to work it out.
"Yes," Draco answered. "Exactly like a witch."
Harry abruptly stopped laughing.
"Is something the matter?"
"You're mad," he repeated, a tremor in his voice.
"Am I?" Draco asked, narrowing his eyes. "Where did you go to school?"
Harry's cheeks colored. "I didn't. I can't... I can't even read."
Normally, Draco would have commented, but now was not the time. "I see. And you were never invited to attend any institution? No letters coming through the post, or... by other means?"
"No," Harry said, incredulous. "What school would have anything to do with me?"
Draco shrugged. "Who am I to say? I didn't attend Hogwarts."
"Hogwhat?"
"Tell me something, Potter," Draco continued. "Did anything strange ever happen to you?"
Harry paused. They were coming to it now. "Strange things happen to a lot of people."
"I think you know what I mean," Draco said, now lowering his wand completely. He understood now that this stranger was no threat. "Have animals ever behaved strangely around you? Owls or cats?"
Harry clenched his fists, turning his face away. "I'm hardly in a position to keep a pet."
"Were you ever able to do anything that others couldn't?" Draco asked. "Run faster, hide better? Did you ever find yourself in a place and have no recollection of how you got there?"
Harry looked visibly uncomfortable, as though he might be sick.
Draco closed the gap between them, and despite the silencing charm, pitched his voice low. "Have you ever felt different, Potter?"
Harry's head snapped up, green eyes sparkling with intensity. Draco was struck by the look on the other man's face, and perhaps even by the face itself. He may have been a poor wretch, but there was something arresting about him nonetheless.
"Yes," Harry admitted softly. "Always."
So that was it. Everything explained away in one fell swoop. Harry's apparent ignorance at all things connected to the wizarding world. His using the Titanic as a mode of transportation when so many faster ways were available. Even his magical signature, which Draco had thought seemed like an untamed wildcat, was achingly clear.
.
Titel: Unsinkable
Author: dark_branwen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: She was the jewel of the White Star Line and a marvel of modern, Muggle innovation. She was the history-making Titanic, and while her story is known far and wide, there is another story that has never before been told. Of Draco Malfoy, a fallen, hunted aristocrat, who has chosen to flee Britain and go into hiding from the magical world. And of Harry Potter, steerage class and unregistered wizard, who is traveling to meet his friends and the mother of his young child in America. When Draco senses another magical presence on board, he seeks it out, thinking he is in danger. But what he finds is Harry and with him, danger of an entirely different kind.
Word Count: c. 43,000
Warning: please highlight **major character death.**
Why I'm reccing this:
I've never read a historical AU as convincing, as entertaining and as heart-breaking as this one, all in those very short 43K that I never even noticed, not while proofing this fic for the Fair, nor while re-reading it. I am simply in awe of this story. The author is such a smooth and original story-teller, drawing you into her story with both ease and elegance. I love how she faithfully used the Titanic setting and the history of the ship's demise, but made it a true H/D story and not simply a retelling of the movie "Titanic". The way she wove in moments from canon, giving them different meanings in this different setting and plot, so they are commentary on canon, or add irony or depth to scenes is awesomely done. And I cannot help but love this Draco. ♥ I can practically see this gay son of an old pure-blood family on the run in front of me, full of entitlement and (rather misplaced) pride but yet ready to make major sacrifices for the man he came to love within such a short span of days. His snarky cynicism fits this Draco so very well, so old-world, so posh. I doubt he would have done well in America. Make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!
Quote
Draco compromised and lowered his wand slightly, giving Harry leave to put down his arms. "Fine. Maybe you don't know who I am. But that still begs the question: what are you doing on this ship?"
Draco had hoped that moving onto less turbulent ground would cure Harry of his moronic responses, but clear that wish was in vain. "Er. Well, to go to America. Obviously."
"Do stop looking at me like I'm a simpleton," Draco snapped. "It's tiresome. What I mean is, why are you traveling by ship?"
Despite his request, Harry continued to gawp at him. "Because swimming would take too long?"
"Could you at least attempt to take this seriously?" Draco seethed. "There's no reason why you couldn't have Floo'd there, or even Apparated if you know where you're going. Blast it, you can even fly there if you have the right broom."
This made Harry's expression change at last. However, it was to laugh in Draco's face, which was not much of an improvement.
"Do you have any idea how you sound?" Harry howled, actually slapping his thigh. "You're completely mental!"
"I was not joking about killing you," Draco deadpanned.
Harry didn't seem to hear over his incessant chortling. "I mean, honestly! Fly? On a broom? Like a w-witch."
Something within Draco bade him to take notice of the hitch in Harry's voice when he said 'witch.' Draco suspected some part of him was beginning to understand what all of this was about, but he needed more information to work it out.
"Yes," Draco answered. "Exactly like a witch."
Harry abruptly stopped laughing.
"Is something the matter?"
"You're mad," he repeated, a tremor in his voice.
"Am I?" Draco asked, narrowing his eyes. "Where did you go to school?"
Harry's cheeks colored. "I didn't. I can't... I can't even read."
Normally, Draco would have commented, but now was not the time. "I see. And you were never invited to attend any institution? No letters coming through the post, or... by other means?"
"No," Harry said, incredulous. "What school would have anything to do with me?"
Draco shrugged. "Who am I to say? I didn't attend Hogwarts."
"Hogwhat?"
"Tell me something, Potter," Draco continued. "Did anything strange ever happen to you?"
Harry paused. They were coming to it now. "Strange things happen to a lot of people."
"I think you know what I mean," Draco said, now lowering his wand completely. He understood now that this stranger was no threat. "Have animals ever behaved strangely around you? Owls or cats?"
Harry clenched his fists, turning his face away. "I'm hardly in a position to keep a pet."
"Were you ever able to do anything that others couldn't?" Draco asked. "Run faster, hide better? Did you ever find yourself in a place and have no recollection of how you got there?"
Harry looked visibly uncomfortable, as though he might be sick.
Draco closed the gap between them, and despite the silencing charm, pitched his voice low. "Have you ever felt different, Potter?"
Harry's head snapped up, green eyes sparkling with intensity. Draco was struck by the look on the other man's face, and perhaps even by the face itself. He may have been a poor wretch, but there was something arresting about him nonetheless.
"Yes," Harry admitted softly. "Always."
So that was it. Everything explained away in one fell swoop. Harry's apparent ignorance at all things connected to the wizarding world. His using the Titanic as a mode of transportation when so many faster ways were available. Even his magical signature, which Draco had thought seemed like an untamed wildcat, was achingly clear.
.