Discussion: Wartime Harry and Draco

[pink_mint]

I made a post to accio_hd_fics the other day asking if anyone could think of stories or art depicting WWI or WWII. I couldn't think of any, but I was hoping I was wrong.

Many thanks to roma_fics because she remebered a piece she thought was great, and oh, wow, do I agree. It features Harry and Draco, amongst several other characters, in a trench.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR (or) Steady On, Soldier

by massicot

The drawing is intense and cool and very well done. It's the kind of thing I was looking and hoping for. And what really delighted me about the piece is that it's a magical AU. I think it's so special.

But sadly this is the only thing that came up. I'm surprised this is the case, especially since the Harry Potter series had a first Wizarding War and lead up to the second Wizarding war. It seems like it would have been done extensively and become almost a cliché.

Why hasn't it been done? This is an unmarked territory for Harry and Draco. I'm craving more stories and art like this, and I'm inspired to add to it. I think I have my prompt idea for my hd_holidays sign-up! Distress and romance during a wartime fall and winter - my heart flutters just thinking about it! :-D

Comments

[mijeli.livejournal.com]

Ohh, I remember this piece, and it's just as shiver-worthy the second time. I agree, absolutely fantastic, both deep and just kick-ass cool.

Why the scenario hasn't been further explored... well, I'd presume just because it's obviously hinted, but still takes place in a different world. What I love about the Potter!verse is the magic, not the reality of it all. (But I'm not big on AUs in general.)
Also, I can only speak for myself, but as an Austrian citizen I have no desire to keep occupying myself with WWII more than I really have to (and it's rubbed in your face constantly if you live here). I figure it's too dark a setting for many people to traipse around in for fun - which is after all what fanfiction / fanart is about for most. I agree with shiv here: Not because it makes Draco look bad, but because it's people's families.
Lastly, many writers might want to avoid the role of the "moral educator" that could come with writing war and destruction.

Am I contradicting myself here, praising the art, then dismissing the comparison? :o You know, I obviously enjoy the aesthetic parallel, because I'm one morbid f*ck ;), and I'd be all over Distress and romance during a wartime fall and winter in your style. I could probably even enjoy reading such a story if it was credibly written and not overly "teach-y". I'd be really hesitant though to draw or write it myself.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

All your points are excellent, sweetie! I would also only like to read something like that if it were, like you said, credibly written and not overly teach-y.

Hee! I think the appeal of the art is that it isn't at all teach-y, and it isn't dark in the sense of dealing with heavy issues. It shows magical trench warfare, and that's about it.

You probably read this in my Hols sign-up, but this is a scenario that I would like to see:

AU WWI: Manfred von Richthofen!Draco and British ace!Harry, with flying battle scenes and maybe Draco and Harry blowing out each others planes (brooms?) and landing in France's countryside/wilderness, stranded. Non-magical or magical.

Now, while I know Richthofen is controversial, I think a story like that would be exciting and different, and really just another way of putting Draco and Harry together in a stressful situation. It isn't set up to be terribly teach-y or intensively about the war. Rather, the time acts like a base setting for the boys and their character development.

What are your thoughts about that? :-)

[mijeli.livejournal.com]

I completely agree about the art here - it really lacks any "educational" vibe, which is why it's so exciting to look at. A really well-done piece *loves*

Yes, I read about this scenario, and tbh, I had to ask Almighty Google about the Richthofen guy :o Honestly, I like what you came up with here (also, I have a much less problematic relationship with WWI than with WWII), and I would very much like to see this picked - especially as art!

and really just another way of putting Draco and Harry together in a stressful situation
Good point. I find myself agreeing again! :) Bringing them together where they're most separated - that's what's so intriguing about this pairing, after all. I'm generally not one for AUs, but I'll admit that in this case, it's extremely fitting: two different sides in the same war, the enemies not as different as they'd like to think. Hm, it grows more interesting with the minute I think about it, really!