Post-War
Set after the great conflict of canon ends, these stories ask what survivors do with peace they never expected to see. Especially central in Harry Potter fandom, where 'post-war' covers the rebuilding of the wizarding world after the Battle of Hogwarts, but the label applies anywhere canon ends in victory and rubble.
What is Post-War in fanfiction?
Set after the great conflict of canon ends, these stories ask what survivors do with peace they never expected to see. Especially central in Harry Potter fandom, where 'post-war' covers the rebuilding of the wizarding world after the Battle of Hogwarts, but the label applies anywhere canon ends in victory and rubble. With over 50,000 works on Archive of Our Own, Post-War is one of the most beloved tropes in fanfiction.
Why readers love Post-War
War stories end at the victory; post-war fic begins there, and readers are drawn to the harder, quieter question of how broken people build ordinary lives.
Examples of Post-War
Hogwarts students returning to repair a castle full of ghosts, or veterans of the Survey Corps figuring out what soldiers become when there is nothing left to fight.
Best Post-War Fanfics
The highest-rated Post-War stories across all fandoms on AO3.
Slithering
Completeby astolat
Draco found the nest down in the Manor’s cellars, while he was clearing them out.
Breath Mints / Battle Scars
Completeby Onyx_and_Elm
For a moment, she's almost giddy. Because Draco Malfoy's been ruined by this war and he's as out of place as she is and — yes, he has scars too. He's got an even bigger one. She wonders whether one day they'll compare sizes.
House Proud
Completeby astolat
His house liked Draco Malfoy more than him.
Blood and Gold
Completeby ObsidianPen
The true Time-Turner was slammed savagely into Hermione's throat. It shattered against her neck, bits of glass and gold piercing into her skin. The last thing she saw before blackness consumed her was a plume of metallic dust and vitreous fragments, tiny prisms dancing behind her eyelids.(In which H
trapped in a blue haze
Completeby MourningElegance
“And in that moment, Draco knows. He knows that all his deep-rooted suspicions about Harry’s childhood are terribly, horribly true.”As their relationship grows, so do Draco’s misgivings about Harry’s past.
BLOODY, SLUTTY, AND PATHETIC
Completeby WhatMurdah
“In my humble opinion there’s only three things that men should be and that is bloody, slutty, and pathetic.” And, on a good day, Draco Malfoy can be all three.When war heroine Hermione Granger and Azkaban-tattooed war criminal Draco Malfoy are forced to wed as part of Shacklebolt’s controversial Re
Ten out of Ten
Completeby morriganmercy
"On a scale of one to ten, how comfortable would you say you are with me physically?" she asked."Zero."Hermione's lips pursed in annoyance because she really should have seen that coming. How charming that the extent of his arseholery could still surprise her. In which Hermione is determined to find
9 times Harry kissed Draco and the 1 time Draco kissed Harry
Completeby aw_godusopp_no
'Harry grinned, Draco fell into his trap perfectly. Surging forwards, Harry wrapped his fingers around Draco's tie and pulled him forwards until their lips met over their cauldron. The pressure lasted for three seconds, Harry's eyes shut and Draco's wide in surprise. When Harry let Draco go, he slid
Unseen
Completeby astolat
When he wasn’t wearing it, he got jumpy, always waiting for someone to come at him wanting something—and now they did it even more urgently, if they ever saw him, because most of the time, nobody did.
Meet Your Match
Completeby morriganmercy
After the war, Draco Malfoy seeks refuge from infamy in the Muggle world. A friendly Muggle couple takes him under their wing, but there’s a problem: they are intent on setting him up with their best friend, Hermione Granger. Or, in which the Muggle friends Hermione Granger undoubtedly would have ha
helping the world via murder, a guide by your local reformed terrorist
by RK7200
Cursed spirits are usually born knowing what they were supposed to do, apparently. "Apparently" is pretty dubious because Obito was not exactly born but more like spat out of death's stomach with absolutely no idea of what to do next. On the upside (more like downside) there's a Kakashi-look alike w
It Was All Just a Game (Rewrite)
Completeby write_me227
If there's one thing that Draco Malfoy yearns for, it's seeing Harry Potter in pain. How that happens, he doesn't care. When Potter's name is pulled out of the Goblet of Fire, Draco sees it as the perfect opportunity to fulfill his greatest desire. Except Saint Potter has luck swimming in his veins.
Matched Set
Completeby astolat
“No one asked you to look, did they?” Draco said, eyes glittering and intent on Harry’s face—like he’d just wiped off the years and turned back in time to when their greatest ambition in life had been to knock the other off his broom in front of the school and grab the Snitch first, before they’d bo
In These Silent Days
Completeby HeyJude19
Hermione is familiar with fighting: for respect, for attention, for justice. She’s even made a career of it; working on behalf of creatures and beings. But her battle against the Ministry’s marriage law is one she loses. Badly. And now, she has to contend with not only public derision and patriarcha
The Sleeping Beauty Curse
Completeby who_la_hoop
When Draco Malfoy falls into a cursed sleep and can only be woken – at least, according to the Daily Prophet, that impeccable source of truth – by ‘true love’s kiss’, Harry Potter knows there’s no way on earth he’s the answer to this particular riddle. Is he . . .?
Balance, Imperfect
Completeby bixgirl1
When Harry sustains an injury in the line of work, he no longer knows how to navigate the life he loved, and finds help and solace from the most unexpected source.
A Gallows Marriage
Completeby MilaBelle
“Glee was the last thing she felt staring into the empty eyes that should have been a bright grey. His face had always looked pointed and sharp, but now that gave way to gauntness. His hair, which he had been so particular about in school, hung long and limp. It reminded her of how his father had lo
How 'Potter' became 'Harry' because of a Seeker's game
Completeby mfingenius
Post-War, Hogwarts Eighth Year Soulmate AU where an animal that identifies your soulmate appears somewhere on your body. Draco's is a stag, and he's been lying to everyone and saying it's a snake because he knows no one would approve of a former death eater being Harry Potter's soulmate. Harry inevi
promises kept
Completeby gabstar
after barely surviving the war, katsuki swears to do right by izuku. no matter what it takes.
Come Find Me
Completeby hopelessravenclaw
Six years after the war, Hermione has the picture perfect life. She’s married to a loving husband, has the Ministry job she always wanted, and friends that are loyal to the end.So why does she have to glamour away the bruises on her face, as she reaches for her bottle of Muggle pills?No, her life is
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Post-War fics are on AO3?
There are over 50,000 works tagged with Post-War on Archive of Our Own.
What fandoms have the most Post-War stories?
Popular fandoms for Post-War include Harry Potter, Attack on Titan, The 100.
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