astra inclinant

by Eleventy7

"The stars incline us, they do not bind us." For Harry, it's something he learned long ago on the battlefield. But for his son, James, it will be a painful lesson in the form of a friendship with a boy named Scorpius Malfoy.

Genres: Fan Fiction, Ebooks, Fantasy, Magic, Romance

2027 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[feb · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay i’m sad it’s over, number 1 comfort fic

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will always have a special place in my heart. I loved James, since he felt so very similar to my younger self. As a teenager, there are so many issues you think you have, but sometimes you don't know how to deal with them, nor do you understand how to deal with the emotions coming along with them. And it ends up with you taking it out on your parents, when all you really want is to not be alone, to be accepted by someone for who you truly are. But most often you feel like you're not.

It's a story focused on child- and parenthood, growing up and loss and grief. The heavy focus on themes other than romance in fics with a set pairing isn't uncommon in works of this author (e.g. their fic Running on Air), but I love it. It makes the characters much more real.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This probably doesnt count as a book but i spent the entire weekend reading it so im counting it anyway. Great read.

[IP. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm positively broken. That ending. 😫

This is my first big HP next gen fic. And right off the bat, I never thought a fic about HP next-gen would be added to my top 5 fanfics I've ever read but here we are. This is truly beautiful, one of those fics that every HP fan should read. It's the Epilogue we wish we got.

I'm truly blown away. How on earth was this 850 page fanfic accomplished? We see these characters over the span of almost 2 decades and the writing never once felt like filler. I'm amazed. Hats off once again to Eleventy7

• Scorpius. I love little (and grown up) Scorpius
• I loved the male friendships, e.g. James helping Thomas with his anxiety - I really appreciated small touches like this.
• Teddy, just anything with Teddy.
• Draco and Harry's friendship was truly precious.
• The way Draco comes to terms with his past. I liked the way Eleventy7 wrote his journey to be non-linear.
• The fraught nature of being a teenager is brought to life on the page in such a heartbreaking way. Your heart aches for James and Scorpius through these teenage difficulties. As someone who works with teenagers, I appreciate such reminders of their internal worlds.
• The dialogue is hilarious, especially the dads. So many funny quotes.
• The different expressions of love. My heart...
• The very realistic portrayal of parenting. The love and frustration and feeling lost and joy and pride and self-doubt and stubbornness and the mistakes...
• The writing was impeccable.
• Exactly the right amount of show vs tell, I've realised this is exactly the kind of writing I enjoy.
• Beautiful descriptions of setting, breathtaking.
• That ending 😭

The only things that could have made better is if the later years at school weren't so rushed. So yeah if anyone knows similar fics to this (where the writing style is similar) please let me know 😭

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tags need work. Teddy definitely needs a warning in them (did I just miss it?). I was also waiting for Drarry to happen, which is my own fault, because it was not tagged but I still waited for it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Imagine being able to look at the stars and see all the ones your family are named after...I'd never be afraid of the darkness again if I loved the stars so much.”

It’s the year of the fic I guess… But there’s just so much to love about this one to not add it to the count. Teddy Lupin 🥲 I will weep for you until my dying day.

[yelhsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astra Inclinant was incredible for so many reasons. While I did have trouble at the beginning I was quickly invested. The writing is so well done and the pacing was literally perfect. In some fic, reading from year 1 to 7 can get repetitive & tiresome but it never felt that way whatsoever!

The friendship that develops between Harry and Draco was so genuine, I absolutely adored their interactions. Their ability to joke with one another over a game of Monopoly was so pure and honestly one of my favorite aspects of the fic. On the other end of it was James and Scorpius who I equally adored but also wanted to bash in the head several times... By the end, I could appreciate the tumultuous start of their relationship even though it broke my heart whenever they weren’t on good terms.

Harry and Draco lost their parent privileges, I am Scorpius and James' father now. Their periods of bad parenting made me LIVID but the symmetry in them both needing to work hard at it made their growth that much more enjoyable. Ultimately they are #bestdads and we love them for it. But seriously Scorpius, my little ✨astrophysicist✨is wonderful and James, with all of his dad's wit but the smarts to back it up ON GOD he should've been in Ravenclaw. I would protect them both my whole heart.

Also. MINOR CHARACTER DEATH MY ASS!!! Teddy felt very MAJOR to ME. He was so significant to the story and his death was CRUSHING, I was sobbing in my bed at 3am bc it was so devastating. I cried through the next two chapters after he died and anytime he was brought up. I hated it but it ended up being so crucial to James’ attitude change that I will forgive eleventy7 for putting me through that :)

Such a great pairing and story, an absolute must read because all the characterizations are so on point. How do I make a copy because I just want to hold this in my hands and cherish it endlessly.

“Astra inclinant, sed non obligant. The stars incline us — but they don’t bind us.”

Astra Inclinant (336559 words) by eleventy7
Chapters: 37/37
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Scorpius Malfoy/James Sirius Potter
Characters: James Sirius Potter, Scorpius Malfoy, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy
Additional Tags: Friendship, Drama, Epic Friendship, Minor Character Death, POV Multiple, Present Tense, Next-Gen, Harry Potter Next Generation
Summary:

"The stars incline us, they do not bind us." For Harry, it's something he learned long ago on the battlefield. But for his son, James, it will be a painful lesson in the form of a friendship with a boy named Scorpius Malfoy.

[꧁noe꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a journey has been...
I loved every second of it, i laughed and cried, grieved and celebrated with them.
I'm so fond for every single character, perhaps because this book -I won't accept another definition for this masterpiece- covers such a long span of time, we see Scorpius and James grow up and I genuinely felt like Harry, crying thinking of baby James.

I loved Draco and Harry's friendship and i really hoped they would've just moved together in the end, i just can't imagine both of them in empty houses knowing that their kids are adults now.
I loved the side characters like Iwan and Thomas and how James during the first years used to almost dislike and ignore Iwan (and how Iwan just kept offering his friendship) but in the end it's one of his closest friends, it really shows James' growth.
I loved even the dorm mates and i really really wished they would've been showed more.
I really appreciated the way the author portrayed James growth, it is just amazing. He goes from being so scared of living behind his dad shadow and being so depressed to being confident and finally being able to trust and appreciate the people that surrounds him.
Scorpius my beloved child you deserve the best of everything plus you're so relatable I would've always choose to do the same things and act in the same exact ways, ilysm.
The relationship between James and Scorpius is so special and innocent, they were really meant to be. I mean the way James understands Scorpius emotions and thoughts without even talking and how he's the only person who can actually calm him down and let him being his true self? I crave what this bitches have.
I was almost forgetting. Minor character death MY ASS i cried for hours during those chapters, unbelievable.

Last thing:
I actually have a strange feeling towards this book which is that for me it feels so so so so short, almost like we got to see very few things about their lives when in reality this is more than two thousand pages long. It really doesn't feel like it.
I genuinely got more attached to this book than to the Harry Potter series -i know, sorry- and i really think everyone who loves this universe should read this.
I don't even think i have to say it but this is five stars for me.
Go read this on ao3 byeeeee

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First James Sirius/Scorpius fic I’ve read and it was great! I especially appreciated the time dedicated to Harry and Draco growing as parents and their friendship. There were heartbreaking moments and moments where I laughed out loud; it was an all around lovely read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So slay

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's weird to write a review about a fanfic, so I'll just say that this was amazing, I just finished it and I already miss all of them. And to think that I almost didn't read it!!

[Ioana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[murleve · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories of all time. I love the character dynamics and development, and it's rife with angst but it captures the trials of growing up, work life, and family so well.

I have one critique for the story - I don't think the romantic arc is it's strongest, and I didn't find it the most satisfying because I don't think enough time was devoted to it, but I still love this book with all of my heart.

[hazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’d never be afraid of the darkness if I loved the stars so much.”

there were so many great and beautiful quotes, but this was the one that stuck with me immediately. I don't think I can ever forget it, not that I think i want to.

[katie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i genuinely don’t know when i’m going to get over this one. i sobbed for like two hours ON AN AIRPLANE. my newest favorite person is james sirius potter.

OMG IM GONNA START SOBBING AGAIN THIS WAS SUCH AN OVERWHELMING READ

5⭐️

[Mel]

Running on Air didn’t really do it for me. But this monster of a fic? just YES

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t even talk to me for atleast 3 business days
I’m extremely emotionally attached to this book and I already feel lost without it

[zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

the number of times this fic ripped apart my soul in half is astounding

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so NAOXNAOXN
my marauders heart has been really hurt during the process because all the references uuugh
but still i loved it 😭

[Gabriela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words to describe what this fic made me feel.
It is impeccably written, long enough to dive deep into the plot and lives of everyone. It is heartbreaking and hilarious. I don’t know how this writer managed to make me cry rivers and laugh like a lunatic every few pages.
I noticed the tags are very negligent. I have no triggers but I want to know what kind of pain and mortal peril I’m getting into before reading, so here are the content warnings:
- Death of two MAJOR characters
- Terminal illness
- Depression
- Suicide
- Cancer
- Death of a loved pet

I’m going to write down the things that stood out the most, so I can remember this story when I revisit this review. It can be a spoiler, so be aware.


James is an only child. Astoria takes Scorpius when he’s 6 and raises him as a muggle. Teddy Lupin is the best character ever written in literature, hands down, not exaggerating. Lucius Malfoy escaped and had been missing for +20 years. Almost all the Slytherins are dead. There is an over sensitive cactus that needs reassurance or it dies. A lot of heartbreak. A study of parenthood. Harry and Draco’s friendship is the best thing ever.

[Monoluvver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, it takes me half of a book to realise I’m reading something extraordinary. Sometimes it happens right off the bat, which is rare, I suppose. Sometimes it takes me finishing the book to realise how much I already miss it. Like it just slipped through the crevices of my fingers so damn fast and I’d never get to experience that ever again. This one though, it was the first case. It was almost 4am with my dad repairing the kitchen sink and I used the excuse that I could not sleep with motion going on, but right as dad finished and dark engulfed me yet again all I had in mind was “I never want this night to end.”

[claire ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Almost exactly six years ago," he says, "I was about to begin my first year at Hogwarts. I was sitting in an empty train compartment feeling completely alone. And then a boy walked into the compartment and introduced himself."

Scorpius waits. Draco doesn't speak.

"James," Scorpius says. "The moment I saw him, that was it. Head over heels. I knew I would never, ever want anyone else. And I was right."

one of my god tier fics and i know nothing about this ship. so.. i feel like that says everything we need to know.

[Rieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This left me staring at the wall heart emptied by the lose of it yk ? And then started crying

Not that the ending was sad or anything no it’s because it’s so beautiful i read more than 2000 pages in 3 days I couldn’t put it down I just wanna say if the author ever published a book I will be the first buyer because the author is literally amazing i read two of their work and both of them were immaculate

[Cissa]

DNF @ 16%

This is way too fucking long to be this fucking boring. I have to be reading a different fic than everyone else, because how does everybody loves this one, meanwhile I had to force myself to read up to 16%?
Hated the characterization of them, hated the (lack of) plot, hated the premise.

[victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

te amo. te amo. te AMO. pedazo de fic x dios 😭🙏 muchos años del fic me hicieron miserables pero todo después cayó en su lugar y fue HERMOSO. todas las variantes de los potter me vuelven loca!!!!!! y siempre es un placer leer a harry como papá <3 su amistad con draco tmb es hermosaaaaa y nada todo EXCELENTE

[leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was beyond the best fanfiction i have ever read in my life
it's like side by side with manacled for me like oh my god just read it
it's unbelievably good and so relatable tbh like holy shitititititiitiitit bruh

[Maëla Cyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting story about love, friendship and
Forgiveness. It was nice to read a happy fanfic for a change!

I wish the book had been less repetitive. There’s a lot of themes that are hammered in for chapters after chapters.

[Jess B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The angst. The pining. It was grueling but ut was worth it

[Freya Elliott]

if u saw me log this no u didn't <3

[purnota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS FIC SO MUCH LIKE IM LITERALLY TYPSETTING IT SO I CAN AHVE A PHYSICAL COPY