Recs!

[emmagrant01]

The semester isn't quite over, but I have given in and starting reading holiday fest fics anyway. I haven't had time to do much reading in the last, well, three years, to be honest, and god how I miss it. SO I've been staying up insanely late the last few nights and obsessively reading H/D fic. It is fucking AWESOME, let me tell you!

Here are some recs from hd_holidays. I've only gotten started reading, but here are some that stood out for me.

The Uninvited Guest (H/D, NC-17). Summary: Harry is cursed with an undeniable need by a spell gone sour by age and disuse, and only Draco can calm his uninvited guest.
My thoughts: WOW. Wow, wow. This one sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. I loved everything about it - the nonlinear storytelling, the way the reader is drawn into Draco's and Harry's heads, the creative magic, the fantastic characterizations of Hermione and Ron, and the post-war world the author built, warts and all. Oh, and there's rimming. Magically enhanced rimming. ;-)

I Await a Protector (H/D, NC-17). Summary: A snarky Patronus and its even more snarky master insist on disturbing Harry's peace of mind.
My thoughts: This was my gift, so I'm definitely biased. My request was for a twist on the old trope of Harry and Draco meeting up in a bar, getting drunk, and shagging in a toilet. And wow, did my mystery author deliver. This is gorgeous and sexy, and Draco's patronus is an added bonus. The magic the author created is fantastically creative! I love this fic so much I want to squish it!

Packing the Flat (H/D, NC-17). Summary: Months after their explosive break-up, Draco insists Harry return to their flat to remove his belongings.
My thoughts: This is one of the best depictions of the aftermath of a breakup that I think I've ever seen. It's gloriously real, yet Harry and Draco are both firmly in character. The pain of their breakup is so purely shown and felt, and the story of their relationship unfolds as Harry returns to their shared flat to pick up his things. We also start to understand what happened that caused their breakup, and then we see right through it, to the flaws in their characters that pushed them apart. I don't want to give away the ending, but yeah, I cried. Glorious.

In Which Draco Secretly Has a Happy Christmas (But He’d Never Admit It) (H/D, NC-17). Summary: This year, Professors Potter and Malfoy have been saddled with the responsibility of twenty-six students over the winter hols. While Harry tries to brighten up the place with perhaps unwanted Christmas cheer, Draco struggles to deal with his recent divorce, lingering insecurities, and Potter’s wonderfully stubborn charm.
My thoughts: I usually avoid fics where the premise is that the boys are divorced, partly because... well, I won't go into that. But I really enjoyed this fic's lightness and humor, and the appearances of the kids were actually adorably touching. It's probably just me, but I almost saw this Harry and Draco as Will Schuster and Sue Sylvester from Glee (though I don't ship Will/Sue by any means), with all the snarky comments from Draco and Harry's endless enthusiasm for helping the students have a good holiday break. I also have a soft spot for Professor Harry/Professor Draco fics, so this one hit the spot!

It's so awesome to have more H/D fic than I can manage to read, with more getting posted all the time. It reminds me of the old days a bit. ;-)

I wrote for hd_holidays and harry_holidays this year, so those are the two fests I'm following so far. What else should I be watching?

Comments

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I love it when these begin to post because it gives me something to look forward to enjoying every day.

[helens78]

Oo, I had to read "Packing The Flat", because I really love a good post-breakup fic, and that one had a nice punch-to-the-gut angst feeling. Thanks for the rec! :)

I know what you mean about holiday fic being awesome, though! My fandom these days is due South, and I can't WAIT for the dS holiday exchange to open. It doesn't go live until the 24th! *wails a bit, looks impatient* :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Pre-BG I would get up every morning and drink coffee while reading newly posted fest fics. Now I have to stay up after he goes to bed at night, but it's just as exciting!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I love this time of year! So many good fics, yum.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

I'd already read two of those (and uuuuunff so awesome) but glad to get more recs!

I also haven't read much fanfic in a few years, so I'm really glad to be doing it again. Hells yes.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I missed it so much, but it's been a challenge with a little one. He's almost 3 now and things are starting to get easier, and I feel like I have a little more time to myself all of the sudden. Holiday exchanges are so much fun to follow. :-)

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

The thing that makes me sad about fanfiction, is how much of it has disappeared as websites die. I talked to a woman who said she always downloaded stories she liked, and now I wish I'd done the same!

[spinfrog.livejournal.com]

can you please spoil Packing the Flat for me by telling me if they end up getting back together?