how to succeed in adulthood, while kind of trying ~ mentalistecbm & Imprint of a Dream
Ignoring the jibe, Harry wipes the back of his trousers before turning around and asking Draco, ‘Do I have dirt on my arse?’
Draco coughs lightly, and when he replies, there’s clear amusement in his voice. ‘No, you’re… good.’
And then Harry realises what he’s just asked. Fuck, fuck, fuck! He swivels around, horrified. His face is terribly red and mouth hangs just slightly, because fuck.
‘I didn’t—not that way… not in any way—if—just…’ He pauses and takes a deep breath. ‘Yeah. Just yeah. Or something.’
For some reason I strongly dislike hogwarts professor!hd, possibly because it all feels a bit neat and grown up (and frankly most teachers are boring fucks) or perhaps it’s just I never really buy Harry as a teacher - but here they manage to be just as juvenile as usual. Which is always good thing when it involves duels, alcohol and inappropriate hard ons.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . c:DH . r:nc17 . l:medium . chaptered . g:humour . g:romance . g:angst . a:mentalistecbm . a:imprintofadream . professor!malfoy . professor!potter .Protegus ~ Imprint of a Dream
Summary: There’s a shop which Draco Malfoy is far too curious about; there’s a war Astoria Greengrass doesn’t understand; there’s a second chance Harry Potter is willing to give. There’s a history, a past, a present, a future. A beginning.
I follow him back to an office packed with objects like Sneak-o-scopes and half-eaten muffins, paperwork and a single Snitch flying around obnoxiously. Potter reaches up to grab the Snitch and stuffs it into a crowded drawer as he slips behind his desk, gesturing me towards the chair across from him. I lift a stack of unfolded robes off of it and sit, holding them awkwardly and glaring. ‘This is disgusting. You really ought to keep it neater if you’re going for professionalism.’
Stunning fic. And it’s unashamedly pre-slash. Don’t be discouraged though, the plot more than makes up for the lack of tangible penis. This was a product of Canon fest and fuck me if it didn’t deliver. The characterisations, relationships, interactions are all faultlessly authentic. The pacing is impeccable and it features some frankly unforgettable scenes (couples dinner date anyone?) The supporting characters add such a fullness but it’s Astoria and Ginny who shine (which - let’s be honest - is rare in a fandom that’s only too happy to cast them as evil vagina cock-blocks). The authors style is distinctive and inviting and Draco’s strength of voice makes this story unforgettable. There are truly too may commendable aspects here to mention, but this is the sort of fic headcanons are made of and I have to admit I’m really starting to develop a taste for hd orientated gen.
I never trust a neat Harry.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . oneshot . c:Ep . r:pg13 . l:long . g:humour . g:angst . t:sexuality . a:imprintofadream . favourite .To Know ~ Imprint of a Dream
Pansy looks at him again, and this time she stares. Considering.
But, really, she would know. It can’t be Harry and Draco, because… well, Harry hasn’t even let it slip that he’s gay yet, though she thinks it’s only a matter of time before he gets fed up with the dates she sets up for him. And besides, she would probably know if her two friends were interested in one another. She’s been the interested party where Draco is concerned—if she doesn’t remember how he behaved, then someone has modified her memory.
Pansy POVs are always genius. ALWAYS. And this was utter bitchtastic perfection. Snidy gossiping, secret rendezvous, ‘I don’t blame you’ voyerism and Narcissa as the omniscient heiress of the social elite. Favourites material hands down.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . c:DH . r:pg13 . oneshot . l:medium . g:humour . t:outsiderpov . a:imprintofadream . favourite .Stay ~ Imprint of a Dream
It’s disconcerting when he wakes up to find he’s missing several articles of his clothing, largely because, if he’s remembering correctly, this is not his bed.
Draco keeps his eyes shut tightly, inhaling the scent around him—masculine, warm, sticky.
He hears movement in the rest of the flat—a thump, like something has fallen. A string of colourful curses, muffled by walls, and then a door slamming a few seconds later—and realises he’s alone. Tentatively, he opens his eyes, takes in his surroundings, and bolts up to find his clothes. He’s dresses quickly, tugging at his leather belt whilst trying to tame his hair.
He picks up his shoes, grabs his wand, and Apparates straight home, escaping.
He refuses to think of it as running away.
READ THIS FIC. It should have the word ‘favourite’ above it in big neon flashing letters. This is 9,100 words of pure, categorical gorgeousness (I’m seriously running out of new ways to say “this is fucking excellent”). Idk, for me to really love a work, it has to be about more than the storyline (although I loved this storyline - tantalising!). More often than not, it’s about a bone deep adoration of a writers style, the effortless way they craft words. It doesn’t need to be showy or obvious - but it can enhance the enjoyment ten fold. For instance the style here is understated, simple, unarrogant, it’s paired down. And I love that. It lets the characters breath..
I may be talking absolutely bullshit by this point but it’s very hard to convey that it’s sort of the soul of this piece you loved.. It just made me feel light. I was grinning as everything gelled together. Harry was honest and perfectly hero-y in an unassuming, non-infuriating - I’m going to through-up from all the selfless sacrificial-ness- way. Draco was cynical, apathetic, lost but sympathetic and there was hope if he could only allow himself to have it. Hermione and Ron were exactly how you want and imagine them to be, down to the eye-rolling persistence and indignant acceptance. And Narcissa is an utterly unique, but oddly believable and joyous portrait (also she reminded me so my of my mum it was scary; so what’s the gossip Holly?)
People who write good, natural dialgoue are always my favourite. And I love this Draco. “Fuck-off vibes” should be a patented thing.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . l:medium . r:nc17 . oneshot . c:DH . g:angst . g:humour . a:imprintofadream . ministry!malfoy . ministry!potter . favourite .PW(much)P ~ Imprint of a Dream
‘It’s not worth it,’ he sighs, settling into his favourite armchair.
Harry glances up from across the room. He makes an odd picture, sprawled across the sofa with a book open on his chest, dictating notes to a Quick Quotes Quill hovering at his side. ‘Mmm, are you quite sure about that?’
‘Of course I’m sure. I’m always sure.’ He ignores Harry’s sceptical expression—he might be to blame for that—and continues, ‘I’m making a fucking mess and this isn’t going well in the first place. Why did I decide to do this?’
‘Because I said you couldn’t?’
He scowls because, well, this is true. Draco has problems with turning down challenges, especially challenges from Harry. Happy as they are together, they both thrive on the competitiveness that has always been present in all facets of their relationship. ‘Prick.’
Ugh, so much simple perfection. This is the sort-of-prequel to the sort-of-sequel I just posted. I love reading these little snap-shot domestic type fics. You just know there’ll be some squabbling and some sex. This is so Draco down to the letter. Competitive and will get the upper-hand even if it means cheating. Actually cheating is better. And a lot more fun.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . l:short . r:nc17 . oneshot . c:DH . g:romance . g:humour . t:established . g:pwp . a:imprintofadream . healer!potter .PW(any)P ~ Imprint of a Dream
Harry rests his head against Draco’s shoulder, grips his hips, feels Draco’s hands scrabbling against his back through his shirt. He’s annoyed, briefly, about the shirt still being on, but as soon as he moves, it’s forgotten in a haze of brilliant, move, Godric, Salazar, Merlin, why are you praying to those wizards when you’re fucking me, why are you—why are you talking when I’m fucking you, should I go harder?
This is exactly how I see them - so hot for each other it’s all heat and clumsy desperation. hjkf;djgs’g this is so hot to read. Kitchen-sex is next to shower-sex in sexiness degrees and fuck if cooking products used as lube doesn’t turn me on. Also Draco, I cannot not love you.
drarry . era:posthogwarts . l:short . oneshot . g:pwp . t:established . a:imprintofadream . c:DH .