What do you think?
Rate this book
Helix
Drarry Fanfic
Seven months after the end of the war, Harry is feeling lost. Fortunately, he is about to be offered an unexpected and sparkling chance to find himself again. [2014 advent fic]
Words:92870 complete
Seven months after the end of the war, Harry is feeling lost. Fortunately, he is about to be offered an unexpected and sparkling chance to find himself again. [2014 advent fic]
Words:92870 complete
206 pages, online fiction
Published January 4, 2015
1 person is currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 28, 2022
5 stars
December 14, 2017
SECOND RE-READ 12 December 2017
I've been looking forward to re-reading this one all year. It's my favorite Christmas drarry, and getting to spend time with this Harry and Draco and their snails is fantastically peaceful and soothing and hopeful.
So much love for this fic!
FIRST RE-READ 3 Jan 2016
I loved the parts of this I loved the first time just as much. The snails, Solomon, the development of the relationship, all of that was every bit as spectacular as I'd remembered.
There were parts of this that I'd forgotten I'd not enjoyed as much, and I enjoyed them even less this time through.
Some New Favorite Quotes:
"Here. I belong here."
reminders of what has been lost and what has been saved, what all of them must continue to fight for.
He doesn't know how to make it better, or even if he can, but he thinks he wants to, and maybe that's enough.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 15 Jan 2015
I loved this. Like crazy couldn't stop thinking about it while I was at work and couldn't read it loved it. Sara's Girl has created some of my favorite Drarry AU's and creatures. In this one I got both. I loved the idea of what the mourners had done during the restoration of Hogwarts. I ADORED the snails! They were described fantastically well, and little Solomon totally gives Stanley a run for being my favorite strange pet of Draco's.
So many elements from this fic just had me completely fascinated, and I almost can't wait to get to re-read it!
Some Favorite Quotes:
The castle is now dotted with coloured and patterned bricks, each representing the life of a person taken by the war with Voldemort.
McGonagall must be a sadist.
ignoring Draco right back. It's not mature, he knows that, and neither is it easy--there's something about Draco that yanks at his attention, always has--but he tries anyway, because this whole thing is ridiculous, and it's all very well to have a fancy, singing circle but if there aren't any snails in it, they might as well be curled up by their common room fireplaces.
"And I'm not trying to save you, Draco. You don't need saving. You saved yourself already."
"I think they're beautiful," Harry says, turning his attention back to the snails, who are now beginning to move slowly around the circle, creating swirls of sparkling frost trails wherever they go. "I think that's enough reason for them to exist, even if they need help."
He is clever and crotchety and not at all boring to look at, and Harry thinks that it is at least possible that the curious snail isn't completely wrong about him.
This is the last time he will experience Christmas as a student here--a second chance at a last time, at that--and he almost wants to run back up to the dormitory and come downstairs again, just to have another go at seeing it all for the last time, for the first time, for some time that makes sense.
"Don't try to work out cats," Draco says, stretching and getting to his feet with a wince. "They just know things."
"If you'll excuse the cliche, Harry, he was the father I never had. Lucius Malfoy taught me how to be a Death Eater. Severus taught me how to be a human being. He tried, at least."
he vacillates wildly between concern, anger, and incovenient longing.
"Why does courage always have to be measured in terms of testicles?" Hermione asks.
When even tea doesn't help, he knows it's over. He's in love with Draco Malfoy, and there's nothing anyone can do for him.
Hermione's frequent assertion that bookshops and libraries are places of worship, and should be treated as such.
"Of course there is a snail at the dinner table," McGonagall says faintly. "I should have expected nothing less."
I've been looking forward to re-reading this one all year. It's my favorite Christmas drarry, and getting to spend time with this Harry and Draco and their snails is fantastically peaceful and soothing and hopeful.
So much love for this fic!
FIRST RE-READ 3 Jan 2016
I loved the parts of this I loved the first time just as much. The snails, Solomon, the development of the relationship, all of that was every bit as spectacular as I'd remembered.
There were parts of this that I'd forgotten I'd not enjoyed as much, and I enjoyed them even less this time through.
Some New Favorite Quotes:
"Here. I belong here."
reminders of what has been lost and what has been saved, what all of them must continue to fight for.
He doesn't know how to make it better, or even if he can, but he thinks he wants to, and maybe that's enough.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 15 Jan 2015
I loved this. Like crazy couldn't stop thinking about it while I was at work and couldn't read it loved it. Sara's Girl has created some of my favorite Drarry AU's and creatures. In this one I got both. I loved the idea of what the mourners had done during the restoration of Hogwarts. I ADORED the snails! They were described fantastically well, and little Solomon totally gives Stanley a run for being my favorite strange pet of Draco's.
So many elements from this fic just had me completely fascinated, and I almost can't wait to get to re-read it!
Some Favorite Quotes:
The castle is now dotted with coloured and patterned bricks, each representing the life of a person taken by the war with Voldemort.
McGonagall must be a sadist.
ignoring Draco right back. It's not mature, he knows that, and neither is it easy--there's something about Draco that yanks at his attention, always has--but he tries anyway, because this whole thing is ridiculous, and it's all very well to have a fancy, singing circle but if there aren't any snails in it, they might as well be curled up by their common room fireplaces.
"And I'm not trying to save you, Draco. You don't need saving. You saved yourself already."
"I think they're beautiful," Harry says, turning his attention back to the snails, who are now beginning to move slowly around the circle, creating swirls of sparkling frost trails wherever they go. "I think that's enough reason for them to exist, even if they need help."
He is clever and crotchety and not at all boring to look at, and Harry thinks that it is at least possible that the curious snail isn't completely wrong about him.
This is the last time he will experience Christmas as a student here--a second chance at a last time, at that--and he almost wants to run back up to the dormitory and come downstairs again, just to have another go at seeing it all for the last time, for the first time, for some time that makes sense.
"Don't try to work out cats," Draco says, stretching and getting to his feet with a wince. "They just know things."
"If you'll excuse the cliche, Harry, he was the father I never had. Lucius Malfoy taught me how to be a Death Eater. Severus taught me how to be a human being. He tried, at least."
he vacillates wildly between concern, anger, and incovenient longing.
"Why does courage always have to be measured in terms of testicles?" Hermione asks.
When even tea doesn't help, he knows it's over. He's in love with Draco Malfoy, and there's nothing anyone can do for him.
Hermione's frequent assertion that bookshops and libraries are places of worship, and should be treated as such.
"Of course there is a snail at the dinner table," McGonagall says faintly. "I should have expected nothing less."
January 28, 2015
Sara's girl is an exceptional writer and one of my favourites in Drarry fandom. She always surprises with new and original ideas and plot twists and her characterisation of Draco and Harry -- hell, of all the characters -- is spot on. I really love her for this..
That being said, I have to admit that I'm not all that partial to utter cuteness and sweetness throughout the books I'm reading..
And tbh, while I certainly give her all the kudos in the world to come up with this snail business, inventing a new species within the Potterverse with that much love for detail (and I really mean that.. chapeau!) I gotta admit that this was a little bit too much fluffyness for me.
A shame really.
That being said, I have to admit that I'm not all that partial to utter cuteness and sweetness throughout the books I'm reading..
And tbh, while I certainly give her all the kudos in the world to come up with this snail business, inventing a new species within the Potterverse with that much love for detail (and I really mean that.. chapeau!) I gotta admit that this was a little bit too much fluffyness for me.
A shame really.
December 5, 2015
I swear, Sara's Girl can do NO wrong. It's like she knows the characters, all of them, better than just about anyone.
This is an 8th year fic, everyone back at school. Harry has been trying to be friendly with Draco pretty much keeps to himself, and ignores all Harry's overtures of friendship. Then, after a huge misunderstanding (and fight of course) McGonagall assigns them to a project together, which forces them to spend hours night together, overseeing the mating of a rare breed of snail.
Being forced into such close contact makes the boys finally start to get along, and it all just flows together beautifully after that. No huge fights, no big misunderstandings, no major declarations. They just seem to slide effortlessly into friendship and then more.
This was just a beautiful, sweet, soft sort of read.
This is an 8th year fic, everyone back at school. Harry has been trying to be friendly with Draco pretty much keeps to himself, and ignores all Harry's overtures of friendship. Then, after a huge misunderstanding (and fight of course) McGonagall assigns them to a project together, which forces them to spend hours night together, overseeing the mating of a rare breed of snail.
Being forced into such close contact makes the boys finally start to get along, and it all just flows together beautifully after that. No huge fights, no big misunderstandings, no major declarations. They just seem to slide effortlessly into friendship and then more.
This was just a beautiful, sweet, soft sort of read.
May 25, 2015
Saras_Girl is one of the top fanfiction authors in the Harry Potter fandom, in my opinion. I devoured 'Helix' within a very short time. It is a fun read, and I think anyone reading this will acquire an unhealthy obsession with snails, like I did.
February 15, 2022
Ósmy rok, Hogwart - Draco, Harry i ślimaki mrozowe.
Świetne. ❤
Świetne. ❤
March 24, 2020
This was the best fanfiction I’ve ever read. The author succeeded in creating a beautiful slow burning romance between Harry and Draco during the magical month of December which is grounded on mutual trust and respect for each other but also manages to be logical and reasonable concerning the history that these two had in the official series. She also stayed true to all of the character’s different personalities and their voices which is quite impressive. Just as she stayed true to the picture of Hogwarts that J.K. Rowling has created and staying into the laws of the magical world. I had the warm feeling of being back at Hogwarts, the Hogwarts I knew from the Harry Potter books and just like the original series it gave me comfort and joy.
The humor in this story was perfect and had me laughing out loud a couple of times which usually doesn’t happen and I also enjoyed how much thought the author put into the realistic creation of the frost snails. They seemed like something Rowling could have come up with, if not even better and the intricate description of them formed a clear picture in my mind of how they look and sound like and even of their movements. I completely fell in love with them (especially with Solomon) and found myself being rather interested in acquiring more facts about them throughout the story. I will never look at snails the same way again.
Another thing that surprised me about the story is how well it dealt with the aftermath of the battle of Hogwarts. The way the students and teachers grieved by rebuilding Hogwarts together over the summer and creating memorials in loving memory of the fallen was both sad and heartwarming. Especially Ron’s idea with the wall of different colored bricks was genius.
The author painted a really realistic picture of the Harry Potter world in this fiction by staying true to all what is important to me and what made Hogwarts the Hogwarts I know and love. Some of her ideas I’ll definitely add to my very own world of Harry Potter and take them as canon. ❤
The humor in this story was perfect and had me laughing out loud a couple of times which usually doesn’t happen and I also enjoyed how much thought the author put into the realistic creation of the frost snails. They seemed like something Rowling could have come up with, if not even better and the intricate description of them formed a clear picture in my mind of how they look and sound like and even of their movements. I completely fell in love with them (especially with Solomon) and found myself being rather interested in acquiring more facts about them throughout the story. I will never look at snails the same way again.
Another thing that surprised me about the story is how well it dealt with the aftermath of the battle of Hogwarts. The way the students and teachers grieved by rebuilding Hogwarts together over the summer and creating memorials in loving memory of the fallen was both sad and heartwarming. Especially Ron’s idea with the wall of different colored bricks was genius.
The author painted a really realistic picture of the Harry Potter world in this fiction by staying true to all what is important to me and what made Hogwarts the Hogwarts I know and love. Some of her ideas I’ll definitely add to my very own world of Harry Potter and take them as canon. ❤
November 19, 2015
I have no idea how why I didn't find this piece of art earlier. Really no idea. But I loved it. I have to gave it a 5 stars. Just because of writing style, all those snails, and absolutely brilliant characters. Saras_Girl is the best Drarry fanfiction author for me.
August 3, 2018
So delightful!
March 24, 2022
I really enjoyed the gradual development of eighth-year Harry and Draco's relationship here, and the unique original species that they're ordered to watch over, in what only starts out as a punishment. There's a wonderful sense of caring, hope, agency, and family-by-choice, as the overall "message".
Everyone at Hogwarts has been affected by the war and their losses, but at least for most of them that includes maturing and tentatively moving forward, learning what to remember and what to let go.
Draco starts out isolated, angry, and defensive, but as Harry sees more of what's going on behind his walls (including grief for Snape, and no grief for his imprisoned father), silence and tension gradually ease, and they grow closer. Of course, it's not a road without any bumps in it.
In addition to scenes with Ron and/or Hermione, Prof. McGonagall, Hagrid, Neville, Blaise, Ginny (better as just a friend), the new Potions professor, and one particular frost snail play their parts. (Did I forget anyone significant? Well, one OC shopkeeper, but I mean canon characters.)
The writing quality is high in both mechanics and style, and I can unreservedly recommend this to any Drarry reader, assuming you don't have a horror of snails. You could probably even enjoy it if you skip over the sexy bits, which are certainly not the bulk of the tale.
N.b., zeziliazink on AO3 has made one of her(?) "Classics" covers for this fic (i.e., using public domain art and Penguin Classics cover format):
Can a librarian add it to the book data, please?
Everyone at Hogwarts has been affected by the war and their losses, but at least for most of them that includes maturing and tentatively moving forward, learning what to remember and what to let go.
Draco starts out isolated, angry, and defensive, but as Harry sees more of what's going on behind his walls (including grief for Snape, and no grief for his imprisoned father), silence and tension gradually ease, and they grow closer. Of course, it's not a road without any bumps in it.
In addition to scenes with Ron and/or Hermione, Prof. McGonagall, Hagrid, Neville, Blaise, Ginny (better as just a friend), the new Potions professor, and one particular frost snail play their parts. (Did I forget anyone significant? Well, one OC shopkeeper, but I mean canon characters.)
The writing quality is high in both mechanics and style, and I can unreservedly recommend this to any Drarry reader, assuming you don't have a horror of snails. You could probably even enjoy it if you skip over the sexy bits, which are certainly not the bulk of the tale.
N.b., zeziliazink on AO3 has made one of her(?) "Classics" covers for this fic (i.e., using public domain art and Penguin Classics cover format):
Can a librarian add it to the book data, please?
August 13, 2024
Helix: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Sara's Girl
Tropes:
– Draco/Harry fanfiction
– Enemies to lovers
– 8th year
– Forced Proximity
GAH this was too cute. Harry and Draco have to spend a lot more time than they would have ever wanted in detention, taking care of frost snails and making sure they breed appropriately. Wild, right?
Harry's POV and Sara's Girl are the perfect pairing. They just KNOW how to write Harry's adorable awkwardness, confusion, pining, etc. As Draco and Harry get closer and closer from taking care of these snails, their friendship forms into so much more with time. I absolutely adored the way these two got close and took care of the snails as well as their little sanctuary (read: tent) where they could hide from the world together. Their bonding over Snape and their little shenanigans and everyone already knowing they were sneaking around was so good. Loved the banter, the bonding and everything about this one. Such a feel good read.
I'm so obsessed with Sara's Girl.
Sara's Girl
Tropes:
– Draco/Harry fanfiction
– Enemies to lovers
– 8th year
– Forced Proximity
GAH this was too cute. Harry and Draco have to spend a lot more time than they would have ever wanted in detention, taking care of frost snails and making sure they breed appropriately. Wild, right?
Harry's POV and Sara's Girl are the perfect pairing. They just KNOW how to write Harry's adorable awkwardness, confusion, pining, etc. As Draco and Harry get closer and closer from taking care of these snails, their friendship forms into so much more with time. I absolutely adored the way these two got close and took care of the snails as well as their little sanctuary (read: tent) where they could hide from the world together. Their bonding over Snape and their little shenanigans and everyone already knowing they were sneaking around was so good. Loved the banter, the bonding and everything about this one. Such a feel good read.
I'm so obsessed with Sara's Girl.
January 8, 2022
i have this bookmarked as 'snail fic' on ao3. actually, i don't remember much else because i read this 1,5 years ago, but i'll give 5 stars just for the fact that this is a fic about harry and draco taking care of frost snails and falling in love in the process. if i'm being serious, i did love this a lot, only - i probably should have read this in december, it didn't give me the full christmas feel because it was the middle of the summer when i read it.
December 7, 2017
Re-read advent fic
Frost Snails, I'm not sure how they're so interesting, as a sort-of gardener I generally despair of seeing them creep towards my veggies!
Silent hurting Draco and well-meaning besotted Harry. I do like the reminiscing on Snape and they're gesture. Also gingerbread, made me want some ;)
Frost Snails, I'm not sure how they're so interesting, as a sort-of gardener I generally despair of seeing them creep towards my veggies!
Silent hurting Draco and well-meaning besotted Harry. I do like the reminiscing on Snape and they're gesture. Also gingerbread, made me want some ;)
January 17, 2021
I have loved and absolutely adored Sara’s Girl’s fanfics but this one was just such a let down. I was dragging myself through every chapter and pushing myself to bear with the plot. In light of all their amazing other fics it was a very disappointing experience with me ending up skimming most of the time.
March 21, 2024
Overall cute, but not for me. I'm not sure if it's that now that I'm older I'm not as into 8th Year fics, or if it is just that if we are going from enemies to lovers I need a bit slower of a shift, but this felt a little too OOC for me for just about everyone.
December 23, 2019
Extremely cute story. But I think it was too easy. Constant fluff is a bit too much for a fic this long.
February 22, 2020
Incredibly sweet. I'm in awe of Sara's Girl and her writing.
March 10, 2020
Cute, but not quite as angsty as I prefer. Loved the snails though.
June 3, 2021
Beautiful... just aaagh, i loved it sooo much!
i almost cried in the last scene with Solomon.
I will reread it at some point <3
i almost cried in the last scene with Solomon.
I will reread it at some point <3
June 13, 2021
Mai avrei immaginato che leggere una Fanfiction che parla dei rituali di accoppiamento delle lumache mi avrebbe commossa a tal punto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
3.75
July 10, 2024
BECAUSE WHAT IS A SARAS GIRL FIC WITHOUT A QUIRKY SIDE CHARACTER OR STRANGE ANIMAL FRIEND??
April 6, 2021
Cute story with fantastic world building. The attention to detail was really immersive, which you want in fan fiction.
July 18, 2017
This was a sweet and enjoyable fic, a perfect one to read around Christmas time. The author (a favorite of mine) took prompt ideas and enfolded them in an ongoing story and it was just lovely. In the beginning Draco was difficult and terse and hard to sympathize with, but eventually he comes around. The introduction of the charming frost snails was well done and had me mesmerized. Who would have thought eyestalks could be so expressive? Draco and Harry get together around the middle of the book and there is a lot of ensuing fluffiness. Perhaps a touch too much for me. There were a few minor angsty moments but the majority of the story is very lovey-dovey with a strong 'we accept you though you can't forgive yourself' vibe for the recalcitrant Draco. Also, I think I enjoyed the other stories more when they were out of school and grown men rather than in the Hogwarts setting. Still you cant beat any stories by this author, they absolutely pull you in and hold your attention. A wonderful addition to her story collection!
June 29, 2016
This was easily one of the best drarry I have ever read, and I am not surprised in the least because it the wonderful Saras_girl's writing (despite the fact that I don't usually read 8th year fics bcasuse I fin most of them to be unrealistic).
This is wondefully well-written, extremely percisive and full of in-charcter character developmets which made me giddy with joy because they were just so Harry and Draco how I pictured them after the war.
Everything about Harry and Draco's interactions were subtle and bold and perfectly mutual. I could really tell that the realtionship between them was healthy and has the potential to grow into a long-term beautifulness.
Just wonderful!
This is wondefully well-written, extremely percisive and full of in-charcter character developmets which made me giddy with joy because they were just so Harry and Draco how I pictured them after the war.
Everything about Harry and Draco's interactions were subtle and bold and perfectly mutual. I could really tell that the realtionship between them was healthy and has the potential to grow into a long-term beautifulness.
Just wonderful!
dnf
February 7, 2016DNF at around 50%
September 1, 2016
I never thought i'd be emotional about snails, but here I am wanting my own
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews