#lostdrarryfics

I'm thrilled to be hosting some of the @lostdrarryfics Mod Squad as they generously share their recs with us! If you're not familiar with @lostdrarryfics I cannot recommend their blog more - not only is it helpful in finding your own lost fics (I've used them!) but they welcome community engagement and are a fun easy way to contribute to fandom by helping others find lost fics. If you ever have a free minute, you can always scroll through their "lost" fics and if you happen to know it, you can help someone else find that fic. Sometimes I scroll through just to see what interesting fics people have read and wish they could read again!

Since it's not just one person, this Happy Hour is formatted just a bit differently, more like a rec list than just a Happy Hour rec, but each rec comes with its own review written by a moderator explaining why they picked that fic and why they love it so much. Without further ado, I'll let them give their recs!

@lambing: Hello and Happy Friday!

This is set one year after the war where Draco has been in a cell since awaiting trial, and Harry wants nothing to do with the magical world. Harry is desperate to get away, but finds himself in the other end of a spell with Draco as consequence of political machinations. I loved this! Gorgeous work. Well written characterization and excellent character growth, especially Draco. It’s hard enough to lose a part of yourself that defined you, but pair that up with a new reality that can feel simultaneously overwhelming and ungraspable, it’s easy to feel powerless and dejected. It was refreshing to watch Draco shift from being wary and uninterested to learning and finding interest in life again. I loved the move to France! That was the kind of escape I craved when I was at my lowest point. I thought it was sweet that the villagers took care of Harry and shared stories of their interactions with Draco. It’s always fun to read Draco in the Muggle world. I loved Harry; he’s such a good person, because that’s what Harry is, a fundamentally good person. After reading this fic, I thought how perfectly fitting the title was. It was lovely to see the development of their relationship which started off as the two of them struggling against each other to finding comfort that they’re not alone and caring for each other. I have a tender spot for getting together fics that just feels right and natural. I loved the hopeful ending - it was just the beginning of their new life and love together. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did! Don’t forget to show MA some love by leaving kudos and comments! I Won't Let You Fall Apart is part of HD Wireless 2022. When you’re finished, there are more works to check out!

Thank you Librarian for having the LDF team for Happy Hour and for all the work that you do!

I Won't Let You Fall Apart by Anonymous (49,840 words, rated M)

Harry has spent the year after the war staying out of the public eye, dodging political battles, and standing firm against pressure from his friends. But he has a secret plan to get away from it all. He just needs to testify at one more Death Eater trial: Draco Malfoy’s.

Little does Harry know what his act of compassion will cost him—and Malfoy.

CaladSigilon: There are few fics in the millions of words of published Harry Potter fanfic that so aptly explain a realistic progression of how Draco dragged himself out of the Dark pits of despair. A story of redemption, of one young man desperate to make up for his past wrongs (even while denying to all—most importantly himself—that he is doing so), finding a new path to walk down. A path, hard, stinging, and painful, but one that leads inexorably into the glories of the Light. There are only a few select stories that make me look back on my own life and wonder at the different paths not chosen, a list composed of some of the greatest fics that fandom have produced: Heal Thyself does so in spades.

Heal Thyself by @astolat (46,905 words, rated T)

"Are you going for the course?" Lovegood asked. "You have the NEWTs.”

“What course?” Draco said, then, “No, don’t be ridiculous,” when he realized she meant the notice pinned up on the board he’d been staring at: Applicants To The Introductory Mediwizard Course For The Coming Term Shall Present Themselves In The Chief Mediwizard’s Office By August 24th.

“Oh, I thought you might,” she said. “Well, goodbye.” And off she wandered again in her addled way.

@crazybutgood: The Owlpost gift exchange always features incredible, festive works in various forms, and @viventasopales’ submission last year was one such ingenious and heartfelt work I was absolutely charmed by. It includes two of my favourite things—Drarry and poetry—in a really creative way. I’ve always found opal’s writing to be really poetic, so to read poetry and haikus written by them was a treat. They took inspiration from ingredients from a gingerbread recipe for each one, crafting a lovely, domestic and homely atmosphere that will warm your heart. The gorgeous moodboards they’ve made serve to enhance that vibe, lending to a cosy and delightful read.

The Noble and Most Ancient House of Biscuits by @vivantesopales (435 words, rated M)

A Christmas poetry collection inspired by gingerbread recipe (each title is an ingredient)—bon appétit!

@ewpigguts: In Criminal, @the-sinking-ship combines classic tropes (fake relationship, lowkey enemies to friends to lovers) with fresh takes on two iconic characters. The hilarity and cleverness that is Draco combined with the obtuse and caring Harry make for a perfect pair. Don’t forget (my favorite fanfic character of all time) Pansy Parkinson, who’s absolute bitchiness and exquisite fashion sense saves the day approximately five times. Also Blaise Zalbini is uber-rich and into real estate, who knew! Silly and fun but with the this-could-be-a-real-ending-to-the-series quality that I require in fics I read, I could not recommend Criminal (or anything else written by @the-sinking-ship) more highly. If you have a singular ounce of appreciation for quality literature, read this fic.

Criminal by @the-sinking-ship (83,497 words, rated E)

Things were going just fine for Draco Malfoy. He successfully conned and counted cards across Europe and America, amassing a small fortune, along with a lengthy rap sheet. That was until he made the grave mistake of returning to England for a high stakes card game and got himself caught – by Harry Potter no less. Now, Draco is stuck in England under Auror Potter’s guard with no friends, no distractions, and no escape. How the hell will he pass the time? And since when did Potter get so bloody fit?

@stavromulabetaaa: aideomai is well-known for fics such as Dwelling or Far From the Tree, which are of course phenomenal but I think often overshadow their oldest masterpiece Such Great Heights. I’ve had several people tell me they were put off by the multiple pairings/polyamory tags and that this was the only aideomai fic they hadn’t read yet! When really the heart of this fic is friendship and falling in love (with one person! Don’t get me wrong, I adore poly fics but I would definitely classify this as an epic Drarry love story). Mostly it’s Harry being grabby and obsessive and oblivious and so very flawed, which is always something I find fascinating to read. Draco is witty, endearingly protective, and infuriatingly prideful. It’s one of those fics where each and every character is bursting with personality, and what makes this story so special is the vibrant cast of people we all know and love lying around in piles like puppies and healing and laughing, and partaking in a bit of animal rights activism.

Such Great Heights by aideomai (93,302 words, rated E)

Draco Malfoy, wide-eyed and pale and in a decidedly ragged shirt, was crouched next to the pile of whatever the dragon had been eating.

Harry threw himself to a halt and yelled, “Merlin, how many times do I have to save your life?”

Thank you once more to all the Lost Drarry Mods who participated in Happy Hour!

As always, if you find a fic you enjoy, please remember to leave the author a kudos or a comment!