I haven't had much interest in the past in non-magical or cross-over Harry Potter fan fic that when I have tried to read them I found myself wondering things like "how is this still HP" or "what was the point of taking the magic away." With rare exceptions, I like my fan fiction so firmly grounded in canon that while alternative storylines but which stayed in the same HP setting worked for me but not the others. Until now.
This week, I have read three stories so well written, so absolute still Harry/Draco despite the change of circumstances, that they are now among my favourites:
Black Coffee on a Lonely Night by
femmequixotic. Non-magical AU set in the U.K. If it weren't for rec (or the name of the author whose work I adore), I might have missed this one. And that would have been a terrible loss. As others have pointed out, it has an opening line that grabs the reader immediately but the rest of the story delivers as well. Masterfully written, intricately detailed, this fic would be one of my favourites in or out of HP fandom.
Blood and Brimstone by
calanthe_fics. Steampunk HP. I love
Wicked Gentleman by Glinn Hale, but you don't have to have read the book to love this story. It's a blend that not only captures the feel of
Wicked Gentleman, but managed to blend it with Harry Potter in a way that is more than the sum of both and stands equally well on it's own. It's dark and sexy, and utterly beautiful.
Cornbread and Sweet Tea by
sor_bet. Imagine the Harry Potter story set in the American South instead of Great Britain. I couldn't do it. But
sor_bet does so with such stunning clarity that I was captivated. This is an unusual and very well done story.