A Belated hd_holidays Rec!

I'm still wending my way through the hd_holidays' masterlist. Expect a straggler here and there. Also, the link for Pairing Pendragon/Merlin has been updated here to reflect its status as a completed work.

As Souls From Bodies Steal - Harry/Draco [NC-17 - please heed the warnings] by femmequixotic.

Late review is late. I finished this well over a week ago. Sometimes it's necessary to light a fire under your own arse. My apologies to all and sundry.

So, Souls was one of the fics I went back to read after reveals. Honestly, I knew who wrote this the moment it came into my field of vision, but I wanted to make adequate time to savour this and not inhale it in one breathless gulp. This is another one of those fics that I caution is not an easy one, but well worth the journey. It's not a straight line either, per-se, there are curves ahead.

I don't normally believe in any type of spoilery descriptions, and I do mostly model that after my own fic reading preferences. A small spoiler, however, is necessary here since it sets off a chain of events. But since it happens so early on, I think I can safely say it won't spoil the enjoyment of further reading.

Souls begins with Draco and Narcissa dealing with the aftermath of Lucius's suicide. It's assumed he does this as an act of cowardice, and we see Draco taxed with the emotion of basically being angry at the world. Fair enough in the grand scheme of grief. He works a lot and as a magical historian, and I'm just going to spend a few flaily moments here delighting in Draco's profession. I almost get a sense of Draco being a Talamascan or a medieval scribe, or hell, even a Gregorian monk. His department in Souls is rather small. Try a headcount of two with Hermione (also very fitting). But he finds his peace here, and often uses his work as a substitute for grief.

Now, it's expected that Draco will inherit the manor, but he can't really take possession until he settles there. Easy enough, but there are all manner of ghosts and crippling memories of abuse that prevent him from doing so. This story is one of those that touched me on a personal level in that I could relate to Draco's dilemma. Granted, the circumstances are radically different, but I too had to brave up and take possession of my own childhood home after my mother's passing. It's always extra special for me as a reader to really feel connected to the main protagonist. And I do here. In spades.

Again with Harry/Draco stories, there's always that character in the forefront, and Souls is very Draco-centric. Make no mistake, though, Harry is a very powerful character who rearranges Draco's life on any number of levels. I always really love the relationship dynamics in Femme's stories, too, which is always at the top of my 'what matters most' checklist.

In conclusion, I really loved this story. Not only are the boys lovely together, but Lucius even shines in a couple of very surprising incarnations. Souls is not going to be for everyone, I realise, depending upon your comfort levels, but if you're up to a very rewarding challenge, I highly recommend this.

Enjoy all!

--P

Ugh. Work. DNFW.

Ugh. At work. Typing this on Droid.

So much awesomey awesomeness in fandom today, and I'm a bit envious I can't take part until I get home. Pity me, my lovelies.

Also, I thought I'd never hear myself say this, but there is a sizeable bulge in Draco's pleather catsuit. Go to hd_fanart and see for yourself. Also, Merlin friending meme is awesomesauce and happymaking. And I've been in ninja_orange's latest post stealing all the icons. And OMG non-Merlin-y people reccing Merlin is joyful joyness.

STOP BEING AWESOME TODAY PEOPLE. UR MAKING ME JEALOUS.

-P