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That Old Black Magic
Fandom: Harry Potter
Relationship: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter
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Centuries ago, marriage contracts were the norm — ready-made alliances between families, expected and complied with, without complaint. But norms have a way of changing, and when a long-dormant contract flares to life, Harry has to navigate an unexpected splintering of the path he'd thought would be easy after the war... with Draco Malfoy.
Words: 77777
Relationship: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter
--------------------------------------------------
Centuries ago, marriage contracts were the norm — ready-made alliances between families, expected and complied with, without complaint. But norms have a way of changing, and when a long-dormant contract flares to life, Harry has to navigate an unexpected splintering of the path he'd thought would be easy after the war... with Draco Malfoy.
Words: 77777
266 pages, ebook
First published September 5, 2019
4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 11, 2024
Закохалась в стиль цієї авторки❤️🔥 хімія зашкалювала, склішко присутнє - ідеально)
May 22, 2024
Excellent trope take.
Drarry save families, the house,
themselves by fucking.
Drarry save families, the house,
themselves by fucking.
October 15, 2024
“The biggest thing was having chosen each other, but the little things were important, too, the whens and wheres.
They were easy decisions to make: under the stars, their fourth wedding was in the garden.”
♾️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They were easy decisions to make: under the stars, their fourth wedding was in the garden.”
♾️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 12, 2023
Drarry is canon.
November 20, 2024
3.5!!!
draco i soooo baby girl with harry it makes me SICK! I LOVE THEM!!!!
draco i soooo baby girl with harry it makes me SICK! I LOVE THEM!!!!
June 3, 2020
Such a bittersweet one here. I love it, but I cried like there was no tomorrow for them. It was heartbreaking to read their struggles, how they hurt each other not knowing better and how piece by piece they came together reluctantly and so beautifully.
May 7, 2020
Steamy, magically bonded Drarry.
October 27, 2023
drarry is canon. fuck jkr.
August 27, 2024
Unfortunately I had two very large overarching issues with this fic, although I did enjoy reading it, for the most part. It's overall pretty well done, and I commend the construction of the curse and explanation for such a contrived situation in particular. All the characters were pretty in-character, too, which is no easy feat. However, it's all very angsty, even thought it's not even tagged as angst.
First of all, it's quite well written, and hardly needs any corrections, but there is a lot that is vague. I experienced a lot of confusion while reading and had to re-read many segments just because of how the writer conveys the story. So many lines I couldn't understand why they are said or what they're referring to. The author is clearly one of those writers that forgets their audience can't see directly into their minds and form the same connections. So, there's a bit of a disconnect there.
Moreover, the amount of cut-off lines. I don't know if this is on purpose or not, but it drove me crazy, and it often left me floundering in conversations or any scene where things are left unsaid that the reader is genuinely unaware of.
I didn't even understand where the big climactic argument was coming from. Not to mention, it also felt like the longest conversation they have in the entire fic. And when they got into it, they finally felt so Drarry, and we got to see more of them shine. Too bad I was so confused at that part.
My second big problem was how sexual everything was. Basically every single scene. We could have had more cute scenes that weren't so sexually charged or lacking deeper emotion. By the end of the story, I wasn't really convinced that they were actually in love. Because we never really saw the connecting, or talking, or really enjoying each other's company outside of sex.
A smaller problem I had, which is completely personal, was the random inclusion of Bill in the drama? I did not like Bill as a love interest, basically. It just felt weird. Every scene with him was so uncomfy and confusing lol.
Aside from that, there were many little things I loved.
I loved Draco's pet snake. Mostly, I loved Harry talking to it, and Draco being impressed and wanting to know what they're discussing, and the snake sharing cute little tidbits to Harry. I needed more. There was definitely not enough of this.
Another point, which is a bit of a spoiler, is
The wedding night scene was surprisingly spicy (and I did not see it as the precursor it was). It was the right combination of awkward and sexually charged, and maybe a little bit sad. Okay, almost everything was pretty sad. This fic definitely could've done with the slightest bit less angst.
My memory can't recall any other little things I enjoyed in particular, but overall, I did enjoy this. I definitely want to see what else this author has in store!
First of all, it's quite well written, and hardly needs any corrections, but there is a lot that is vague. I experienced a lot of confusion while reading and had to re-read many segments just because of how the writer conveys the story. So many lines I couldn't understand why they are said or what they're referring to. The author is clearly one of those writers that forgets their audience can't see directly into their minds and form the same connections. So, there's a bit of a disconnect there.
Moreover, the amount of cut-off lines. I don't know if this is on purpose or not, but it drove me crazy, and it often left me floundering in conversations or any scene where things are left unsaid that the reader is genuinely unaware of.
I didn't even understand where the big climactic argument was coming from. Not to mention, it also felt like the longest conversation they have in the entire fic. And when they got into it, they finally felt so Drarry, and we got to see more of them shine. Too bad I was so confused at that part.
My second big problem was how sexual everything was. Basically every single scene. We could have had more cute scenes that weren't so sexually charged or lacking deeper emotion. By the end of the story, I wasn't really convinced that they were actually in love. Because we never really saw the connecting, or talking, or really enjoying each other's company outside of sex.
A smaller problem I had, which is completely personal, was the random inclusion of Bill in the drama? I did not like Bill as a love interest, basically. It just felt weird. Every scene with him was so uncomfy and confusing lol.
Aside from that, there were many little things I loved.
I loved Draco's pet snake. Mostly, I loved Harry talking to it, and Draco being impressed and wanting to know what they're discussing, and the snake sharing cute little tidbits to Harry. I needed more. There was definitely not enough of this.
Another point, which is a bit of a spoiler, is
The wedding night scene was surprisingly spicy (and I did not see it as the precursor it was). It was the right combination of awkward and sexually charged, and maybe a little bit sad. Okay, almost everything was pretty sad. This fic definitely could've done with the slightest bit less angst.
My memory can't recall any other little things I enjoyed in particular, but overall, I did enjoy this. I definitely want to see what else this author has in store!
July 14, 2024
That Old Black Magic: ★ ★ ★ . 5
bixgirl1
Tropes:
– Draco/Harry fanfiction
– Enemies to lovers
– Forced marriage
– Forced proximity
When Draco and Harry learn that they are bound to an ancient marriage contract or their families get hurt, they do as the contract requires while being on house arrest.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would’ve loved this if it was longer and we got to see more of the emotional connection and angst and pining, but I still liked it! The hate fucking was phew, and I just loved when they gave in outside of their "days" of... copulation. Kreacher was so funny. Harry standing up to Lucius for Draco was a HIGHLIGHT for sure.
bixgirl1
Tropes:
– Draco/Harry fanfiction
– Enemies to lovers
– Forced marriage
– Forced proximity
When Draco and Harry learn that they are bound to an ancient marriage contract or their families get hurt, they do as the contract requires while being on house arrest.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would’ve loved this if it was longer and we got to see more of the emotional connection and angst and pining, but I still liked it! The hate fucking was phew, and I just loved when they gave in outside of their "days" of... copulation. Kreacher was so funny. Harry standing up to Lucius for Draco was a HIGHLIGHT for sure.
April 21, 2024
When I tell you this fic was so hot, it’s because it’s porn with plot. The plot being a forced marriage which was another excuse for these two to behave like rabbits.
It was also a perfect enemies to lovers, one of the best I’ve ever read. There was so much hate that was love but they thought it was hate, do you know what I mean?
It was really good and I’m happy I found it.
Things I loved: sentient house (Grimauld Place), snake pet and Harry still a parselmouth, Harry standing up to Lucius for Draco, silly men in love.
It was also a perfect enemies to lovers, one of the best I’ve ever read. There was so much hate that was love but they thought it was hate, do you know what I mean?
It was really good and I’m happy I found it.
Things I loved: sentient house (Grimauld Place), snake pet and Harry still a parselmouth, Harry standing up to Lucius for Draco, silly men in love.
February 29, 2024
I love a good Drarry fic, especially one that includes lore and history and culture that I’ve never considered.
I didn’t love some of the writing - there was too much half uttered ideas that I would like to be expressed deeper and more explicitly so I feel certain I understand them all. But I thought this was beautiful (and good spice too!)
I didn’t love some of the writing - there was too much half uttered ideas that I would like to be expressed deeper and more explicitly so I feel certain I understand them all. But I thought this was beautiful (and good spice too!)
May 17, 2025
“We hold on to what we love, do you hear me, Harry? And guard it fiercely.”
“The biggest thing was having chosen each other, but the little things were important, too, the whens and wheres.”
this was so well written, i absolutely adored it
August 19, 2023
This was not good. The plot was SO HARD to follow like genuinely I couldn’t get into the story bec of how confusing it was. Like this author should just write smut like just don’t bother w a plot.
February 25, 2024
Mm
Draco x Harry
Marriage contract between malfoy potter lines
Kept in grimauld for 6 months
Draco has a snake and fixes things
Harry becomes a wand maker
Draco connects them on the tapestry
Draco x Harry
Marriage contract between malfoy potter lines
Kept in grimauld for 6 months
Draco has a snake and fixes things
Harry becomes a wand maker
Draco connects them on the tapestry
July 9, 2024
I couldn't possibly not give it a 5 star ratings.
June 19, 2025
this was exhausting to read
October 15, 2025
4 stars
a solid forced marriage fic. enemies to lovers felt believable. loved sirius being mentioned so much. pretty enjoyable overall! nothing too crazy
a solid forced marriage fic. enemies to lovers felt believable. loved sirius being mentioned so much. pretty enjoyable overall! nothing too crazy
October 26, 2025
angry hot, espléndido.
además, amo/odio cuando están tan traumados que no pueden ni aceptar lo que realmente sienten aunque lo tengan ahí enfrente.
además, amo/odio cuando están tan traumados que no pueden ni aceptar lo que realmente sienten aunque lo tengan ahí enfrente.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2023
4,25⭐️
January 5, 2023
One of my favorite Drarry fics.
It is truly enemies to lovers but they learn to love sweetly along the way.
Very humorous and endearing.
It is truly enemies to lovers but they learn to love sweetly along the way.
Very humorous and endearing.
December 13, 2020
This is basically drarry but make it lowkey an ✨ historical romance✨.
So I liked the idea: Harry and Draco MUST get married because if not their families will get sick and die. I mean, i'm down for arranged married trope anyday of the week, buuuut... Here are a few of the things I just didn't like:
-There is no... introduction to the characters? Even if it is a fanfic and we already know these characters, i would have liked to have been told WHY Harry and Draco hated each other. I mean, at the beginnig there was a lot of hate, but the reasons why are not really clarified? I mean, i know it is obvious, but i really felt i needed to be reminded for this story to be a thing of its own. Each fanfictions kinda chooses a way of portraying characters and this one starts with the assumption that we already know (?
-Many things where not shown nor told, but implied? and this fustrated me A LOT. Everything was told in a veiled manner. And i just... No.
So it was totally a it's-not-you-it's-me kinda thing.
Sorry.
I really wanted to love it, but it wasn't meant to be.
So I liked the idea: Harry and Draco MUST get married because if not their families will get sick and die. I mean, i'm down for arranged married trope anyday of the week, buuuut... Here are a few of the things I just didn't like:
-There is no... introduction to the characters? Even if it is a fanfic and we already know these characters, i would have liked to have been told WHY Harry and Draco hated each other. I mean, at the beginnig there was a lot of hate, but the reasons why are not really clarified? I mean, i know it is obvious, but i really felt i needed to be reminded for this story to be a thing of its own. Each fanfictions kinda chooses a way of portraying characters and this one starts with the assumption that we already know (?
-Many things where not shown nor told, but implied? and this fustrated me A LOT. Everything was told in a veiled manner. And i just... No.
So it was totally a it's-not-you-it's-me kinda thing.
Sorry.
I really wanted to love it, but it wasn't meant to be.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews