Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn

Here comes the first and truly magnificent recommendation.

Author: Wemyss
Fan of: Harry Potter
Found: fictionalley.org
Length: Novel (>160,000 words), with ten chapters and an epilogue
Time Set: Written before The Half Blood Prince

What about:
We all dream and what happens when Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy dream the same, possibly prophetic, dream? A dream of a future together, a future which is so hopeful and glorious and, above all, maybe possible that it's frightening. And Albus Dumbledore can do nothing but wait, for interference may destroy all hope.

Warnings:
The rating of the story is "R", but you wont find any violence or adult topics. As with Harry and Draco as pairing (and some others as well), there is a slash warning due (but nothing graphic). Oh, and in the end, you will cry (at least I did, and I'm not a cry baby).

What I love about the story:
There are so many things about this fan fiction I absolutely love that I don't know where to start. But I knew from the first pages that this fic would be one of the best I ever read.
Each chapter starts with some quotes and references, always well chosen and intriguing. Wemyss seems to be an widely read and literate author and definitely knows how to use this knowledge. Throughout the whole story you'll get a lesson in religion and history, together with art and politics. Wemyss also loves England - you can see it in every respectful description of the country; painting a beautiful and breathtaking picture which made me extremely curious to see everything there for myself.
Also very intriguing is the way the story is told. It covers the time from the 6th year to the very end, but is discontinuously told, jumps forth and back, showing what could be and how it began. But you'll never lose the thread, for each single dream Harry and Draco share a careful link is placed and everything combined is just awe inspiring. A truly magic way of story telling.
Also interesting are those small hints in the story to other books like the ones by Beatrix Potter or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (those are the obvious hints). Wemyss also apparently likes to read The Lord of the Rings, as the style sometimes reminds me of Tolkien's.
Another nice fact is that I couldn't find mistakes made in the HP universe. All facts we know out of the books are there, and additions are thoughtful and believable. There are also no obvious mistakes in the storyline itself, making reading even more pleasurable.
On top of everything, this fan fic isn't just serious, as you get your fair share of humour (sometimes hidden) and Weasley Twin jokes. So, what else do you need?

What I don't like:
The Rating - R is way too hard, but that's probably the slash; very sad indeed. Also, if a child reads Harry Potter, where dead, murder and child abuse (harsh, but you can put it this way) are mentioned in the very first chapter, it should also be able to handle and deal with this story.

Ranking:
11 out of 11 (somewhere I read that a scale should always be uneven, this way people can't chose the middle, but I like the number). Absolutely amazing and wonderful, outstanding and overwhelming. Just great. You'll like it. And even better - there is a sequel around! Can't wait to read this one.

Happy reading!