February RECS - third lot

Today? Let's just not have that again, ever! Thanks!

Still late with the February-Recs, but will catch up before the end of it :).

Feb 16: The Darkest Day by Adenosine [Harry/Draco, R]
Summary: Harry accepts an intriguing offer from Draco Malfoy and steps onto the playing field only to find his timing off and his judgment shattered on this most unfortunate of days.
This harrowing little fic is one of my top favourite H/D stories *ever* (also one of the first I read); I think if there's one fic that made me want to start writing H/D (or pretty much slash in general), it was this, and it's got a very, very special place in my heart :).

Feb 17: Paths of Time by fyrie [Lucius/William Tavington, NC-17, HP/Patriot crossover]
Summary: A faulty time-turner leads Lucius Malfoy into an unforgettable encounter with a certain William Tavington (X-over)
One of my all-time favourites although I tend to dislike crossovers and actively hate "The Patriot"... But even apart from the eye-twinkling, semi-incestuous meta pairing, it's one amazingly hot bit of writing, and the characterisation (especially the parallels between the two) is very, very special :).

Feb 18: Number Thirteen by summerborn [Harry/Snape, NC-17, 3 Parts]
Summary: Harry and Hermione have been friends for a long time, but he still isn't too sure about her suggestion to use a dating service (especially when that dating service has a reputation for catering to, shall we say, "alternative" tastes). What follows is a mix of passion, disappointment, meddling, and new discoveries, as Harry finds himself facing choices and situations he'd never dreamed of.
This fic has two premises that usually send me running - nonmagical AU (wellll... of sorts) and a focus on D/S. And still it blew me away in spite of everything - hot as all get out, wonderful characterisation (especially of an absolutely delightful, nervous Harry), and a touching relationship development on top of everything else.

Feb 19: Powerful Men by frayach [Harry/Draco, R]
Summary: The Battle of Hogwarts was lost, but after ten years of tyranny and terror, Harry Potter has finally defeated Voldemort. Slowly, those who suffered
the most under Voldemort’s reign – the half-bloods, the Muggleborns and the blood traitors – emerge from their enslavement...
I'm fond of seeing familiar characters through an outside observer's eyes, and the narrator and perspective of this fic are both amazing. Not much H/D has really put me through an emotional wringer lately, but this managed. Exceptional!

Feb 20: A Mother's Right by flamewarrior [Narcissa/Hermione, NC/17]
Summary: Narcissa is a protective mother; any slight to the Malfoy heir must be avenged. Set at the beginning of GoF.
*Very* guilty pleasure! We've seen lots and lots of Harry/Lucius along this line before, but seeing it done in the female version... ohboy! Hot as heck, in a twisted, evil way and probably not for those who can't read non-con, and kind of channish.

Feb 21: Extremes by anonymous [Regulus/Sirius, NC-17]
Summary: Regulus will do whatever it takes to get a little attention from his big brother.
Wheee, I loved the degree of, well, casual brotherly physical violence between those two - the fighting that leads to more, and while Regulus stole my heart here, Sirius was also *very* realistically drawn - no hiding the bully inside him, only that here, he found his 'match'... :).

Feb 22: Eyes Wide Shut by alexajohnson [Snape, Minerva, Harry, Draco, PG, gen]
Summary: Severus Snape lives, and everyone, Snape included, has to cope with his survival.
This had me tearing up when I read it, especially Snape's encounter with Minerva. I've seen a few Snape-survives-and-faces-the-world-after-the-war, but this was definitely among the best.