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Dear Cousin, Love Regulus
Fandom: Harry Potter
Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood (implied)
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As the sole Malfoy heir, Draco understood that his path was set long before his birth; who to be, how to act and what his choices should be. What he had not counted on was the power of outside influences. Letters from his deceased cousin caused him to realize that he did have choices, starting with the choice to be someone else, to be who he wanted to be. The road to self-discovery was difficult and navigating that path in the shadow of Harry Potter was its own challenge but maybe, just maybe, his friends would help him along the way. And he would owe it all to Regulus Black.
Words: 86569
Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood (implied)
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As the sole Malfoy heir, Draco understood that his path was set long before his birth; who to be, how to act and what his choices should be. What he had not counted on was the power of outside influences. Letters from his deceased cousin caused him to realize that he did have choices, starting with the choice to be someone else, to be who he wanted to be. The road to self-discovery was difficult and navigating that path in the shadow of Harry Potter was its own challenge but maybe, just maybe, his friends would help him along the way. And he would owe it all to Regulus Black.
Words: 86569
- GenresFan FictionHarry Potter
240 pages, ebook
Published September 15, 2018
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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January 28, 2019It was ok and i don't regret reading it.
This fanfic is narrated in third person from Draco's point of view. It was an fun character study of him and the what might have happened if Draco had Regulus' help in starting to question hiw worldview. It then touches on some incidents of the books and only starts to really diverge in book five. Before that it's mainly depiction of Harry's and Draco's realtionship and how it evolves differently from the books.
I don't agree with the depiction of Lucius and Narcissa. They never show Draco any kind of love in this story. He was spoiled rotten in the books by adoring parents. They weren't good people, but they at least loved their son. In this story I could see Draco defect from their ways without Regulus' help just because they are so unloving.
This fanfic is narrated in third person from Draco's point of view. It was an fun character study of him and the what might have happened if Draco had Regulus' help in starting to question hiw worldview. It then touches on some incidents of the books and only starts to really diverge in book five. Before that it's mainly depiction of Harry's and Draco's realtionship and how it evolves differently from the books.
I don't agree with the depiction of Lucius and Narcissa. They never show Draco any kind of love in this story. He was spoiled rotten in the books by adoring parents. They weren't good people, but they at least loved their son. In this story I could see Draco defect from their ways without Regulus' help just because they are so unloving.
January 12, 2026
I like epistolary narratives, hopeful endings, and Draco-redemption without turning him into some paragon of unhesitating, Gryffindor-ideal-esque bold courage, so I think I'll use the desire to credit its original premise to round up to 4★, though I will warn you, there are flaws to the writing and plot-choices. Also, there is pain deliberately inflicted that may warrant shelving with a content warning.
Style-flaw (1) I spotted a number of word-usage errors (the most memorable malapropisms being "prostrate" for the near-antonym "promenade", and "catapult" for "catalyst", which could almost work if the syntax were different) and other minor things like missing words making some sentences have to be reread.
Style-flaw (2) Some of the little philosophical speeches didn't sound at all like kids of the age supposedly voicing them, however much their experiences may have matured them — maybe the ideas, but not the style.
Debatable style-flaw (3) Not that it feels unbelievable, and I do have sympathy for his need for the therapeutic outlet, but Regulus's letters did get a bit repetitious.
Debatable character/plot flaw (4) YMMV re. forgiveness and impatience, but both Regulus and Draco felt largely helpless for a long time to make *meaningful* change, so they may have done less then was objectively possible. I'd say Regulus definitely, but he hated himself, which makes it very difficult to feel capable of doing better.
Now that I've explained the negatives making this only 3.x★ for me, here's my end-of-reading comment, wherein I emphasize the positives:
archiveofourown.org/works/15967970/ (86,570 words)
Style-flaw (1) I spotted a number of word-usage errors (the most memorable malapropisms being "prostrate" for the near-antonym "promenade", and "catapult" for "catalyst", which could almost work if the syntax were different) and other minor things like missing words making some sentences have to be reread.
Style-flaw (2) Some of the little philosophical speeches didn't sound at all like kids of the age supposedly voicing them, however much their experiences may have matured them — maybe the ideas, but not the style.
Debatable style-flaw (3) Not that it feels unbelievable, and I do have sympathy for his need for the therapeutic outlet, but Regulus's letters did get a bit repetitious.
Debatable character/plot flaw (4) YMMV re. forgiveness and impatience, but both Regulus and Draco felt largely helpless for a long time to make *meaningful* change, so they may have done less then was objectively possible. I'd say Regulus definitely, but he hated himself, which makes it very difficult to feel capable of doing better.
Now that I've explained the negatives making this only 3.x★ for me, here's my end-of-reading comment, wherein I emphasize the positives:
This story takes a brilliant, original premise and develops it with insight, feeling, and a plausible process of attempted changes, actual change, and hope. Draco's limited perspective on what was going on in Harry's life worked well, if at times as frustratingly for us as for him.
Some of the choices were particularly appealing, perhaps especially Draco befriending Neville, and the influence they each had on the other. One of my first experiences of fanfiction was Lust Over Pendle, which is an A+ Draco/Neville (the title does it poor service in selling its many qualities!), but it's sadly uncommon to have their relationship of whatever sort be a focus. Draco and *Dobby* being secret-rebel besties is wonderful!
When , my fears grew that , too… and then Draco ! 👏👏👏 Even ending before ol' Moldywart is fully dealt with, I have confidence that they'll succeed, with this foundation of clearer thought and less isolation.
Regulus's was the perfect final step, and the art is gorgeous! Thank you both for sharing your talent.
archiveofourown.org/works/15967970/ (86,570 words)
January 21, 2024
"One of these days, I'm going to get you to see what I see when I look at you."
"And what do you see?"
Neville smiled softly. "Everything."
"I think you are just biased." Draco looked to the ground as his face pinked up.
"Perhaps, but that doesn't make it any less true, and one day you'll see it, too."
"And if that day is far away?"
Neville's smile grew wider. "Then I'll see it for you."
Creo que una de las cosas más bonitas de la obra fue como se construyó la amistad de Draco y Neville, si bien adore las interacciones de Draco y Harry; ame cuando esos dos estaban juntos.
También en papel de Regulus que sin saberlo, creo una diferencia en Draco y le mostró que incluso sin enorgullecer a su padre, ya tenía a alguien sumamente orgulloso de él.
"And what do you see?"
Neville smiled softly. "Everything."
"I think you are just biased." Draco looked to the ground as his face pinked up.
"Perhaps, but that doesn't make it any less true, and one day you'll see it, too."
"And if that day is far away?"
Neville's smile grew wider. "Then I'll see it for you."
Creo que una de las cosas más bonitas de la obra fue como se construyó la amistad de Draco y Neville, si bien adore las interacciones de Draco y Harry; ame cuando esos dos estaban juntos.
También en papel de Regulus que sin saberlo, creo una diferencia en Draco y le mostró que incluso sin enorgullecer a su padre, ya tenía a alguien sumamente orgulloso de él.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2024
As the sole Malfoy heir, Draco understood that his path was set long before his birth; who to be, how to act and what his choices should be. What he had not counted on was the power of outside influences. Letters from his deceased cousin caused him to realize that he did have choices, starting with the choice to be someone else, to be who he wanted to be. The road to self-discovery was difficult and navigating that path in the shadow of Harry Potter was its own challenge but maybe, just maybe, his friends would help him along the way. And he would owe it all to Regulus Black.
Eu li isso mt tempo atrás, então não lembro do suficiente p escrever uma review
Eu li isso mt tempo atrás, então não lembro do suficiente p escrever uma review
October 2, 2022
This fucking fic wrecked me 😫
It was an absolute work of art. I loved to see how Draco evolved through the chapter.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit worried about the end at first I thought it was a bit rushed and we haven’t saw a true ending like the war is still going on and the horcruxes are stills there but I guess it’s because the story is about Draco’s path and not about Voldemort defeat. So yeah it makes sense.
The bonus chapter tho is the better ending I feel like. I cried my eyes out it was so beautiful to witness.
This fic really put me out of a reading slump thanks !
It was an absolute work of art. I loved to see how Draco evolved through the chapter.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit worried about the end at first I thought it was a bit rushed and we haven’t saw a true ending like the war is still going on and the horcruxes are stills there but I guess it’s because the story is about Draco’s path and not about Voldemort defeat. So yeah it makes sense.
The bonus chapter tho is the better ending I feel like. I cried my eyes out it was so beautiful to witness.
This fic really put me out of a reading slump thanks !
November 24, 2025
I honestly don't have words to say how much I love this fic. This was a beautiful story, and it didn't give us the full ending, but this is the definition of how the journey always matters more than the destination. After such a long, long time, I finally cried to a fic, so thank you for that. It was like we had the chance to see where exactly the moment Draco's life changed. I've read so many fics that have a good Draco, but this one goes into so much depth into how that happened, and I really appreciate it. just wow. This was amazing. I fill very fulfilled after finishing this.
March 15, 2019
I adored this story and I really liked how they spun a tale of redemption that wasn't afraid to deviate from canon. The dialogue felt a bit too advanced for the ages that they were during the early chapters but other than that I thought this was a fantastic read and it had me tearing up in places.
August 13, 2022
Simplemente es maravilloso, lloré a mares y no sabía que podía encariñarme tanto con Regulus Black, la autora le dio una complejidad como personaje que yo no había visto antes. No es una historia de amor, es una historia de autodescubrimiento personal y amo esto en todos los sentidos.
November 7, 2022
Loved it even though it is a short story it has so much impact on a person.
July 9, 2024
3.5
This was tooth rottingly sweet. And idc I want this to count towards my reading challenge. Blame Lottie
This was tooth rottingly sweet. And idc I want this to count towards my reading challenge. Blame Lottie
October 29, 2024
this hits diffrent at 3am laying on your side with autorotate turned off and school the next day.
September 9, 2022
White lies
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews