Rec: Vorabiza's Secrets

2009-07-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Secrets by Vorabiza
Category: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Violence, Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Under 18, Slash
Word Count: 411,189
Status: Complete
Author's Summary: Beginning with Draco's unexpected arrival at the Dursleys, Harry's summer after sixth year becomes filled with activity and many secrets. As his summer progresses, Harry generates several unexpected allies as he finds himself actively becoming the leader of the Light side.
Alternate Links: HPFandom, The Silver Snitch, The Hex Files

Why Astrid Liked It:
I've been way into the Harry/Draco ship as of late, so it's appropriate that I begin this blog with a H/D rec.

This story begins a few weeks after the events of HBP. Harry is at the Dursley's, trying to get in that extra blood protection, and Malfoy shows up decked out in Death Eater gear. With a baby.

Yeah, a baby, but roll with me, okay?

Draco's got a baby girl, and he begs Harry to take her and keep her safe. Harry reluctantly agrees - swayed by Dumbledore's offer of protection. And the story progresses from there. Harry eventually is able to offer Draco and Narcissa a safe place to stay (his tiny bedroom at the Dursley's - which is entertainment enough). Harry struggles with keeping the Malfoy's happy, keeping Ron and Hermione in the dark, taking care of the baby, learning Occulmency from Draco, and meeting up with Snape, who is frantically searching for the missing Malfoys, while learning some new spells. Harry dances like a Slytherin in the first portion of this story, keeping all his lies straight, doing what he can to keep the Malfoy's safe, and oh yeah, that horcrux thing.

A hundred thousand words later the group have moved into Grimmauld Place. Then things really get rolling.

Harry is well portrayed in this fic. He's insecure and doubts himself regularly, but when it comes down to it he's very, very certain of his ability to win. He's everything a good little Slytherin should be, but he's still that Gryffindor Golden Boy.

Draco is Draco. He's snarky and demanding, and even when he's being very sweet to Harry he's still Draco. This, as you may well know, is a rarity. Not many authors can write a Draco who is both romantic and a bit of an asshole.

This story features many of my favorite fandom cliches: Severitus, Slytherins backing Harry, Savvy!Harry, and the Malfoy's switching sides.

I love it when authors bring the Malfoy's over to Harry's side, and yet keep them the wicked family that fandom loves: Draco, cutting and impossible, Narcissa, mothering and composed, and Lucius, all politics with that undercurrent of resentment and resignation.

Other things that sell it:
Fred and George are in on the 'keeping Draco and Harry's relationship secret' fun!
No Ginny bashing!
Remus/Severus! (It's nothing overt, but it's there!)

My only complaint might be that Ron and Hermione don't get much screen time, and what they do get is sort of negative. Not bashing, really, just that Hermione tends to doubt Harry's judgement, and Ron can't bring himself to get along with Draco. But it's nothing to keep you away. There's plenty of Slytherin love to make up for it.

astridfire's Fan Fic Recs

Rec: Vorabiza's Secrets