Dad Says

by GallaPlacidia

Eleven-year-old Scorpius starts writing to Harry. Harry starts to fall in love with Draco through his portrayal in his son's letters.

Featuring an extremely remorseful Draco living with muggles and working at a second-hand book shop, an isolated Harry, and a Scorpius who's dreading going to Hogwarts because he knows he'll be bullied there.

Words: 39219

Genres: Fan Fiction, M M Romance, Harry Potter, Gay, Fantasy, Found Family

134 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ness]

I read this for the first time sometime in 2021 and out of the mountain of fic I've read, this one has lingered. The characterisations are disarming and memorable: a Draco who is so prideless and self-effacing in his atonement; Scorpius, who so earnestly parrots his father's worldview with the kind of childish innocence that makes Draco's erosion of self horrifying; Harry, who can only receive help when he thinks he is the one doing the giving.

I fucking hate kid fic, generally speaking, but poor earnest, anxious Scorpius really is the thing that makes this one shine. The way he blithely betrays Draco's thoughts and vulnerabilities ("I'm a regular Hermione Granger!") is so clever. Also memorable: Draco tricking Harry into spending time with his own friends, Draco telling Harry he's a lazy shit unless he works 10 hours a week (and this being genuinely loving), Harry buying Draco a bookstore, Harry realising he's been a shallow coward about Draco while he's in the middle of accusing Blaise Zabini of the same.

I'm really not a fan of character-driven stories relying on action/injury/threat (particularly good old Draco In Distress) to carry their climactic moments, and Dad Says is one of these stories - but I can forgive it that because it's at least well foreshadowed and serves narrative purposes beyond just getting Draco and Harry together.

[whatashisreading | missing the wing leader]

I may be completely wrong here, but it seems like you think you’re ruining Scorpius’ life. And I guess it makes sense that you would worry about that, because (at least from my perspective), your dad ruined yours. But I grew up without a father, and I would have given anything to have someone love me like you love Scorpius. I know you think he’d be better off without you. I promise you, he wouldn’t.

OMFG 😭

[Helen]

Apparently, I am a sucker for Scorpius and this author. Harry has become a bit of a recluse 11 years after the war and rarely adventures out into society. One day when he is in Diagon Alley he comes across Scorpius and Draco being accosted. This then begins a tentative friendship with Scorpius letters, which slowly morphs into one with Draco. I absolutely love the characterization of them and the banter was top notch. The dynamic was great and the supporting characters added to the story. My only critique of this is that it should have been longer and that we had gotten more of them as a family Great fic.

[lu]

This was so much fun l. I loved it.

[purplegrape]

I don't remember if I ever read this or only ever listened to it. I don't think I would've read it if it weren't for the podfic/podcast (since I'm not a fan of kid fics but am evidently a fan of GallaPlacidia). What is there to say? I love how she writes Draco. Scorpius is so lovely, and their dynamic is absolutely darling. It's nice that Harry isn't as much of an arse in this one (even if it makes it less realistic).

It's no The Bucket List, but it's definitely enjoyable from start to finish. A nice length to finish in one day. Every time I listen to her fics I remember how much of a joy it is (not just the story but her voice and the voices she does). It's a shame she never got to her complete works, but I'll take all that I can get. This is always the fic I come to after The Bucket List (though if Lessons in Grace and Decorum or Adventures of a Suicidal Gentleman or Code Name L were available, I'd definitely listen to those in that order first).

It's nice to be back. Not brilliant, not terrible, but a sweet treat all the way. I wouldn't be surprised if I revisit this within the year (not 2024 since it's November but 12 months).

[Dracosmuggle]

It was so good. I personally don't like self depreciating Malfoy post war but this, here he was self depreciating yet so self depended, so accepting yet so clever and I loved him.
Your Scorpius was a ray of sunshine, and all his Dad says were one of the bests, him being so intelligent because of Draco's parenting and him making deals with Harry just so his dad could be safe.
Him being that clever and intelligent Draco we could've had if his parents weren't like that.
Harry and Draco's bond was lovely.

I loved how Ron took to Draco and understood him and told Harry to not offer to pay.
Them playing chess together was wonderful.
I loved Draco's muggle friends a lot, like a lot.

And Draco tricking Harry into spending time with his friends even when he was in a disadvantaged situation yet instead of taking help, he's helping him out.

Then Harry buying the bookstore and naming it BOOKS and tricking Draco into owning it

I loved how Scorpius repeated that same, "Can I send you a letter? " thing with Hermione because that showed that Draco'd mentioned both Harry and her to him like they both were some celebs and he couldn't help but write them a letter.

Even Blaise telling Harry how wrong he was was a nice touch. Most of all, I loved how everybody was so truthful with each other, no lies, no deception, just plane and simple truth, especially Draco.

Luna and Dean were great in thinking about Draco toom
Hermione being pregnant with Rose was a lovely addon.
And the end, them adopting a baby, wonderful!

[meg]

Dad Says: ★ ★ ★ ★ . 5

GallaPlacidia

Tropes:
– Draco/Harry fanfiction
– Friends to lovers
– Single dad Draco

When Scorpius starts writing letters to Harry, Harry falls in love with Draco through them.

Actually, the cutest book I’ve ever read. I’ve kind of been binging this authors works, and I didn’t realize that this was their very first one, but it was so good. It was wholesome and lovely and I absolutely loved the way that Harry would do anything for Scorp. Harry was definitely an idiot when it came to Draco (the whole “mistake” thing grated my nerves especially after what he deals with!!! Come on Harry?!!) but he was so sweet and apologetic and helplessly in love that it moved me lol.

[Kuro_kami]

I think Dad Says was pretty good. I liked Scorpius and Dracos relationship and how Harry slowly fell in love with it. I loved how Harry changed everything so Draco could meet his muggle friends. And of cause, their love story. That they went clubbing, and Draco got Harry the hottest guy in the roon, even when it turned out that guy was him. How Harry wanted to confess and only found a bloody Draco. Well shit, so to say. Also, Dracos coping mechanism humor was pretty funny at times. (PS. Draco, don't let Harry name the child.) (I also listened to the bonus chapter, and "I don't like kids. They are not as cute as cats, but they make more noise." is just so true.)

4.5 stars

ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

[Mindy Schaper]

Draco is a dad, a social pariah, a Muggle bookshop employee, and also a patient saint who doesn't believe he deserved redemption.

Harry is a depressed, isolated wastrel who has done literally nothing since the war.

He meets Draco and Scorpius and steps in to help Scorpius from wizarding bullying, and falls in love with Draco along the way, of course without realizing it and being a big jerk about it.

Harry helps Draco with a house and job and Draco helps Harry get a life again. It's a happily ever after.

[Luke]

De verdad, de verdad yo fui llanto con esto; la forma en la que Scorpius es descrito en relación con Draco. El cariño, la devoción, en verdad un niño que ama a su padre, y Draco, él en serio amo a Scorp, nombre aquí mis daddy issues dijeron "cuídate que ahí te voy" y tASSSS. Me gusto el desarrolló natural de la siempre inquietante obsesión de Harry por saber lo que Draco planea lo llevo a tener su familia, ay no, eres grande mi galla

[charlie]

“The war is over, Draco. You have to forgive yourself.”

“I will never forgive myself,” said Draco fiercely. “Never.”

“Okay,” said Harry, kissing him chastely, soothingly. “Okay. We’ll revisit that later. Fine. You think you don’t deserve me. But what if you’re the only thing that can make me happy? Do I deserve happiness?”

“You manipulative little pseudo-Slytherin,” said Draco. He was trying not to smile. 

“I know I deserve you. You’re my happy ending, Draco. Let me have it. Please.”

[Lyra]

OMG! Why is this more known??? It's a top Drarry fanfic! I mean, I'm always looking for mature and realistically depicted Harry and Draco, and this was perfect.
I really loved the characterization of Draco, sometimes is a dad, sometimes is a smutty single adult looking for fun. I love it. I loved this.
Top on the list with "The ordeal of being known" or "The man who lived".
Top top tooooop!!

[gigi.blck]

Que bonito que cute!! Adoro la relación padre-hijo entre Scorpius y Draco y los amigos muggles de Draco.
De los fics de Galla donde Harry es menos gilipollas, es un lonely guy la mayoría del tiempo y el cariño que le tiene a Scorpius es adorable. Me encanta como durante el fic Draco es quien hace malabares mentales para que Harry se ponga cada vez más en contacto con sus amistades.

[andra]

idk what it is about gallaplacidia's works, but they make me feel so sad and empty yet whole and warm. she clearly loves to traumatize draco & make everyone hate him after the war & u know what? I eat it up every time. I adored ron & draco's friendship in this. I also adored little scorpius and his tenacious loyalty for his father. what a wonderful fic!

[Salisa]

Omg I love Scorpius Fics so much but it puts me through so much pain. Love the fact that Scorpius is a Ravenclaw in this one. Eve and all Draco's muggle friends are my favourite characters. Love their reactions to magic and why Draco can't send Scorpius to another school.

[Ness Rios]

Me encanto, la narrativa de Draco me hacía llorar, como aceptaba el hecho de que todos lo odiaban y lo hubiera convertido paria, por errores que cometió siendo un Niño, Scorpius es un niño encantador, me encanta

[Camsherr]

Decir que llore leyendo es un eufemismo, me deshidrate en cada capítulo porque Dios como dolió leer lo mal que lo estaban pasando 😭😭😭
Una historia preciosa pero muy dolorosa de leer aunque vale totalmente la pena.
Sigo acordandome de algunas escenas y llorando internamente 😭😭😭

[Gaby (catching up) | read.onrepeat]

First time reading a Drarry fanfic with Scorpius and it was lovely.
Draco is a great father but struggles with guilt. Living in the muggle world, hiding from people looking for revenge. Scorpius is protective of his dad. It was really lovely.

[GrEatE]

4.5*

[Tobe]

I love Scorpius fics.

[Kate]

All was well.

[jenn ashley]

4.5 🌟🥺

[Jasmine]

i’m a regular hermione granger

[gweeeeen]

drarry will forever be my comfort pairing <3

[zoe]

amazing scorpio is so cute. draco is slightly too pathetic in some scenes but i love pathetic draco so its ok.

[fayre]

Mm
Harry x Draco fanfic
Draco’s son Scorpius - hated by wizards
Harry imprints on them and they become friends
Draco keeps getting attacked
Married in the end

[Hannah]

I love a Harry Potter fanfic, and even though I will forever be a Dramoine fan, this little Drarry story was lovely, very sweet, and had me smiling the whole way through 😊

[lynn]

So incredibly sweet. Well written, it’s easy to find into the story. I couldn’t stop reading, Harry’s and Draco’s Relationship is portrayed so sweetly 💞

[amber]

saw this on tiktok and thought it sounded cute (it was)

[victoria]

nono el comfort fic definitivo