thanks a lot, ariel

And now for another bookmark dump.

Strange Bedfellows by casspeach; HP; Neville/Draco; Adult; long
After graduation, Draco gets a job as Neville's assistant at the Ministry of Magic. Draco is good at his job, Neville's growing something awesome in the cupboard, and the two of them begin to develop feelings for each other. Naturally, the Trio assumes that Draco has put Neville under a love spell. I very much like the way the elder (and imprisoned) Malfoys are put to use in this fic; it's difficult not to have sympathy for them, but you also are very much aware that they are getting what they deserve. I also very much like Neville's awareness of the power inequity between him and Draco and all the angst that ensues.

Inescapable by coffee_n_cocoa; HP; Millicent/Neville; Adult; medium
THIS IS A FABULOUS STORY. I love fic that takes tangential characters and gives them life, and this is such a lovely, lovely example. Millicent is minding her own business and living her life and staying very well out of anything unpleasant when Neville comes crashing down into her yard. And her heart. This is glorious, glorious character work.

But Someone's Got To Do It by chazpure; HP; Neville/Charlie; Adult; medium
Neville's job takes him to the dragon preservation where Charlie works. This is light and porny and fun. The author intersperses letters from Neville back to his grandmother which are very humorous in tone. This isn't particularly plot heavy, but I'm all about Neville having a great time with a Weasley. Any Weasley. Probably even Molly.

Learning Curves by midnitemaraud_r; HP; Neville/Ron; Adult; medium
This is set at Hogwarts in fifth year. It is a yummy, angsty fic in which Ron and Neville develop feelings for each other with neither of them quite knowing what he means to the other. Good character insight prevails here. I love how strong Neville is in this fic, and the ending is so nice. It made me feel warm and happy for a long time after I was done reading.

The Memory Box by ze_dragon; HP; Harry/Snape; Adult; long
This story feels very fractured--in a good way. I love the narrative device of excerpting texts about the war and wizarding society to structure the story. I very much like the Hermione-Ron-Luna triangle and how difficult a time Hermione has had adjusting to being without Ron. I love the Draco-Snape-Harry triangle that is the center of Harry's issues with Snape, and I love that Snape and Harry misunderstand each other so badly. This is a story with no resolutions; the hard things continue to be hard at the end. It's unclear how certain relationships are going to turn out. I love the ambiguity (I think. Mostly).

The Pride of this Empire by Lucy Hale; HP; Snape/Seamus; Adult; Long
This is one of those stories I should not like. It's got lots of things I don't like, primarily Harry, Ron and Hermione (and everyone else in the Order) being so stupid and small minded and stupid and short sighted and stupid in the face of Snape's wisdom and unerring spidey senses. That part of the story gets very tedious. Also, logic holes in plot like last fall's stockings. But Seamus is dying! And Snape loves him! And it's sad! Or something. I don't know. *slinks away*

Draco Malfoy and the Tome of Entrapment by sabershadowkat; HP; Draco/Harry; Adult; Long
Paging crazydiamondsue! You will love this fic. I swear on MeeMaw's coke salad. For as much as this fic could be cracky, it really is not. It's based on the premise that Draco has been trying to save Harry's life since the first year at Hogwarts and that he belongs to the aptly named and sooper seekrit PRATS--Potter Rescue and Tending Society--with a handful of other students (notably not Ron and Hermione). That shouldn't be canon compliant, and yet the author makes it work and makes it plausible. I really, really love Draco's characterization here and the friendship he has with both Pansy and Neville.

Earthbound Spook by cest_what; HP; Draco/Harry; Adult; Long
I love alternate reality fic. In this one, Draco from a universe over replaces the Draco we all know and love loathe. Apparently, in the world without cheese, Draco is a Gryffindor and BFF with Ron and Harry. Watching Draco try to adjust to this new environment (often with heartbreaking results) as well as the others figure out how to accept a reformed Draco (often with heartbreaking results) is a damn good read.

Two for Tuesday [it's Tuesday somewhere, right?]

Have some music.

Rolling in the Deep by Adele Raw and scratchy and honey over whiskey. Yum.

Our Own Pretty Ways by First Aid Kit They're in the woods with their instruments and their voices. This is not produced at all. They're just this damn good.

You're Not Coming Home Tonight by First Aid Kit God, the harmony is so gorgeous on this one. This might be my favorite of theirs so far.

Have some Buffy.

A Gift of Ordinary Magic by liz_marcs; HP/BtVS XOVER; Xander-centric; Medium
I am in awe of this story. You can't be in Buffy fandom and not know that liz_marcs has one of the best handles on Xander's character of us all. Her Xander voice and Xander motivation and Xander insight are always impeccable and interesting, but this story, wow. This story takes her usual brilliance and kicks up a notch or two. "A Gift of Ordinary Magic" deftly weaves two universes together--one in which magic has never existed and one in which magic is dying. Both of these worlds are harsh and bleak and gifted with extraordinary grace where it is least expected. Beautiful and moving. How did it take me six years to find this fic?

Life Cycle of a Monster by sunnyd_lite; Warren-centric; short
This is so brief but so telling in terms of the person Warren will become. Excellent character study.

Seraph by snickfic; Spike-centric MPREG gen; looong
I have mad love for this fic. First off, how many gen MPREGs does a gal run across? The vast majority of MPREG is focused on a romantic relationship, and I love that this has nothing to do with romance or sex. Secondly, this is season four Spike to a T. He's angry at being chipped (and knocked up), he's forced to interact with and depend on his sworn enemies whom he keeps revising his opinion of (albeit grudgingly). This Spike is mean and cruel at times and he doesn't really care about the Scoobies (except when he does), and I promise you'll enjoy watching him and those around him change as his pregnancy progresses.