Slithering

Harry Potter Works #7

by Astolat

Draco found the nest down in the Manor’s cellars, while he was clearing them out.

Genres: Fan Fiction, Fantasy, M M Romance, Harry Potter, Short Stories, Romance, Enemies To Lovers

44 pages, Online Fanfiction

Published July 21, 2016

About the author

I've written fanfic and made vids in a really ridiculous number of fandoms. Over the years, I've also used the pseudonyms shalott and the lady of shalott. All my work is available on the AO3 and you can also find me online in various other places.

http://ao3.org/users/astolat
http://astolat.dreamwidth.org/
http://astolat.livejournal.com/
http://astolat.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/astolatvids
http://intimations.org/fanfic/ (outdated)

You are welcome to add and review any of my stories here if you like, and I also love comments at AO3 or any of my other online haunts. I also have a blanket permission policy for noncommercial transformative work of my work (eg, podfic, remix, fanart, etc) -- I love to be linked to anything you do, but you don't need to ask permission.

Reviews

[Julesmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The warning about this taking place directly after the battle of Hogwarts and therefore including aftermath of the war is no joke.

The Malfoys return to the Manor and Draco immediately goes to the cellars to deal with the prisoners left by the Death Eaters. It's there he finds a nest of snake eggs, apparently left by Nagini. The first few that hatch try to attack Draco, so he has to deal with them on top of all of the horror he's been working his way through.

There's one last egg, though. And Coil is spectacular!

I love how Draco stands up for himself when he needs to. I adore Coil. So, while it started extremely heavy, it was still entertaining to read.

Some Favorite Quotes:
[Coil] flopped her entire body over onto her back and sprawled limp on the floor as though she'd died of sheer irritation.

He tried not to have thoughts like that, and for the most part he succeeded. It was only the occasional stray that crept in.

[Cherie Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about Draco redeeming himself after the war. Except for lack of Harry's perspective and why they fell in love, the story is well written and entertaining. It's a bit heavy at the start, but it gets more interesting (though bittersweet from Draco's POV) later on. Draco and Coil are so adorable!

[Day-thief · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thia had a good plot (liked the idee for why they were at the Manor alone for weeks). I had the feeling, though, that the romantic development was hardly described at all.

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content Rating: Explicit
Setting: Post-War
Tags: POWs, redemption, parseltongue translating

“She said you’re not lying, the cellars are all cleared out, and, er, then she told me we should all piss off.” Harry sounded rather bemused.
Draco folded his arms across his chest. “She is a remarkably clever creature.”

The idea of prisoners of war and postmortem surprises at the Malfoy Manor was a twisty good one! This one felt a little different then astolat's other works - a little more depth and involvement in the overall story. Its a nice addition to their HP standalone series!

“Words cannot possibly convey the depths of my loathing for you,” Draco said fervently.

I think what I love about this writer is their post-war, or even just post-Hogwarts Draco is exactly who I hoped he would become. I loved how he finally went about snagging what he wanted! Everyone knows Hermione is the General and the best one to get on your side... I also enjoyed the subplot of being involved in Andromeda and Teddy's lives. The ending was absolutely wonderful!

[Saba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Malfoy refusing to be used by Harry.

[Mindy Schaper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written and moving Drarry fic.

I keep being surprised that these 18 year olds want to get married straightaway. Is it Wizard culture or the author's preference?

It was cute to hear about the traditional courting. I can tell Astolat took inspo from history.

I also appreciate that each story centers around Draco's redemption and Harry's recognition of his change.

I can also rely on Draco vomiting due to Dark evil that's been done around him.


I feel like these stories are all different versions of the same idea, but I'm not complaining. I love the idea and I love the writing. So tender, beautiful, sweet, and funny.

[GrEatE · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A number of brilliantly heart-piercing lines, and a suspenseful spell-disassembly, but the beginning is quite dark, and I rarely give a relationship dynamic as messed-up as this one is (for most of the story) more than 3 stars, so I'm torn. Honestly, Astolat is such a skilled writer, and the ending is quite clever and satisfying — and with a final pop of humor (give confused Coil some cream — lactase-treated, if you're going to bring reality into this fantasy 😉) — it feels wrong not to round up … but this probably won't appeal to all those who enjoy the unproblematic sort of tone I usually give ≥4★.

Btw, I've also got a vivid mental image to use for attractive cover art, if I get ambitious enough to find photoshoppable (Does the verb still need to be capitalized, or is it sufficiently genericized by now?) elements and make it work.

27⅓K, archiveofourown.org/works/7548181

[Airi · Rating 4 out of 5]

2018: 4 stars
2023:4 stars