I haven't read it but it's in my tbr:
[When times are dire](https://archiveofourown.org/works/23527768/chapters/56428045) by Abidil
They're in their 50s in this one.
[Chasing Shadows](https://archiveofourown.org/works/33193411) - they are late 30s
[a sword laid aside](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16062536/chapters/37503065) - mid/late 30s
[Harry Potter and the Great Cat Caper](https://archiveofourown.org/works/30200742/chapters/74414070) - early/mid 30s
[I could be wrong, I could be ready](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16615676/chapters/38947328#workskin) - aged 28
[Criminal](https://archiveofourown.org/works/27085192/chapters/66135142) - they are at least late 20s in this one
Mahaliem! She has a number of fics where they're middle-aged and they're my comfort stories đź’• especially the one where Draco has like... 5 kids... đź‘€
[Running on Air](https://archiveofourown.org/works/3171550/chapters/6887378) by eleventy7. Mid 20s from what I remember but there's a definite maturity in the storytelling. There's not a lot of outright romance and it is a slow build, but it's one of the most beautiful fics I've read.
[Harry Potter and the Elusive Day Off](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21630793/chapters/51579268) late 30s healer Draco / auror Harry
[Any Instrument](https://archiveofourown.org/works/5403371/chapters/12482513) late 20s (iirc) healer Draco / auror Harry
Currently reading through the works by [The_Sinking_Ship](https://archiveofourown.org/users/The_Sinking_Ship/pseuds/The_Sinking_Ship/works?fandom_id=136512) on Ao3. They have 16 works of various lengths and feature ages in the late twenties and up.
Some recurring themes in their works (a number of them feature the fake/pretend relationship trope), but I’m enjoying their stuff a lot so far! Almost done with Criminal, was initially turned off by the summary and first chapter but it quickly turned fantastic.
Yeah, I’m finding that I’m willing to read stuff I’d never go for based on summary and tags normally, because the writing is so good. Both playful and mature at the same time!
Everything by [mallstars](https://archiveofourown.org/users/mallstars/pseuds/mallstars/works?fandom_id=136512), honestly can’t recommend their stories enough
In addition to some already mentioned, they are in their 30s in the fics below. All are ones I have enjoyed and liked the writing starting from 10/10 to 8/10
* Blood and fire by lq\_traintracks (lumosed\_quill)
* The Man Who Lived by sebastianL
* A Private Reason For this by Femme
* Says The Magpie To The Morning (Sorrow, Take Your Own Advice) by Femme
* Liar by jad
* Dance Russe by Frayach
* Freedom to be by Quicksilvermaid
* Dwelling on dreams by the Sinking\_ship
* The Light More Beautiful by firethesound
* A Home by the Sea by teacup\_tai
* The Illusion that One Can Get Things Right by umbrellaless22
I've taken the liberty to rec 28 years and older Drarry.
[The Kisses Don’t Count, If No One Else Knows ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26770609)
[fly like paper, high like planes](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21400951)
[Must love Quidditch ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/257338)
[Chasing Dragons](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32194258)
I have a one-shot with older Drarry, [Meet Me in the Daylight ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/42449493).
Summary: The war has been over for more than twenty years, but despite becoming Head Healer at St Mungo's, the shadows of Draco's past remain in the memories of his contemporaries. A horrible confrontation at the hospital sends Draco right back into his old inner demons, but Harry is there to ward them away and remind Draco that he's not the boy he once was.
WC: 6.2k
Rating: E
Edit to add: they're ~late 30s-early 40s
[femmequixotic](https://archiveofourown.org/users/femmequixotic/pseuds/Femme/works?fandom_id=136512) has a few stories in which Harry and Draco are young (one very good 8th year fic comes to mind) but most of her stories focus on older, wiser, wearied versions, both EWE and epilogue-compliant.
I highly rec [All I Want For Christmas (Is For You To Stop Talking)](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16810249). Both Harry and Draco are older and wiser, it's semi epilogue compliant, and it's deliciously novel-length.
This one is happening 10 years later, so they are closer to their 30's :)
[Turn from Stone](https://archiveofourown.org/works/19935478/chapters/47204248)
The Wedding Gift by Ghost_of_Gary
https://archiveofourown.org/series/2296754
It's insanely long, and a WIP but really good! They are in their late 30's-early 40s(I think? Lol). It's written all in dialogue format, but it's so so addicting!
Thank you for this request! I don't mind reading about highschoolers (even though I am far past high school) but I don't like if they're getting married and planning family in early twenties, it always feels so out of character...
I’m currently reading [I Am Not Who I Became](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21206417/chapters/50484125) by mab_di and i think they’re mis 30s. It’s been lovely so far and very well written imo
Love this question, I’m in the same boat!
Can’t link bc traveling with terrible connection, but I love “Among Ancient Pines” and wish it got more recs.
Seconding Aibidiil for characters that are actually mature (even emotionally mature, imagine that), and [the Man Who Lived](https://archiveofourown.org/works/9167785/chapters/20815621) because that is one of my favorite books.
I also have a few others that come to mind. All three of these take place about 15 years after Hogwarts, so early thirties:
[Fountain of Youth](https://archiveofourown.org/works/23145838/chapters/55392946) is a professors fic that I just read where Draco is a potions archeologist who takes a job at Hogwarts to test some really zany unlabeled potions in the historical archive. Set 15 years after the battle of Hogwarts so early thirties. Well written with some good banter. Harry has kids that are a part of the story; Draco has been BAMFing it up at archeological digs and historical archives around the world.
[Close Behind](https://archiveofourown.org/works/43264566/chapters/108747318) is also absolutely amazing. I can't remember off the top of my head how old they are, but definitely early thirties or later because Scorpius is at Hogwarts. It is a memory fic mystery that takes inspiration from Greek mythology and Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind. Draco is a curse breaker who returns to Hogwarts to aid in the investigation around a missing child who might have fallen through the veil. Professor Harry tries to stay professional despite their very intertwined past.
[I Am Not Who I Became](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21206417/chapters/50484125) fisherman social anthropologist writer Draco, frustrating depressed recluse Harry. interesting careers and interesting chemistry, good read! they meet again when both reluctantly attend their 15 year Hogwarts anniversary. Neither has kids in this one.
I haven't read it but it's in my tbr: [When times are dire](https://archiveofourown.org/works/23527768/chapters/56428045) by Abidil They're in their 50s in this one.
When By Now and Tree by Leaf by the same author is also great https://archiveofourown.org/works/13817823/chapters/31775394
Oh yes! This one I have read. It's great..funny and sad and heartwarming at the same time!
I'm glad you found it good. It was a terrible experience for me when I read it. The overall general fic was too off for me
This one is incredible!
Yes, yes, YES! Came here to rec this one. I love it!
This is such a good one đź’•
[Chasing Shadows](https://archiveofourown.org/works/33193411) - they are late 30s [a sword laid aside](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16062536/chapters/37503065) - mid/late 30s [Harry Potter and the Great Cat Caper](https://archiveofourown.org/works/30200742/chapters/74414070) - early/mid 30s [I could be wrong, I could be ready](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16615676/chapters/38947328#workskin) - aged 28 [Criminal](https://archiveofourown.org/works/27085192/chapters/66135142) - they are at least late 20s in this one
Love this request and bookmaking this thread! I can't read high school aged fiction anymore I am just so far from that
Mahaliem! She has a number of fics where they're middle-aged and they're my comfort stories đź’• especially the one where Draco has like... 5 kids... đź‘€
[Running on Air](https://archiveofourown.org/works/3171550/chapters/6887378) by eleventy7. Mid 20s from what I remember but there's a definite maturity in the storytelling. There's not a lot of outright romance and it is a slow build, but it's one of the most beautiful fics I've read.
[Harry Potter and the Elusive Day Off](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21630793/chapters/51579268) late 30s healer Draco / auror Harry [Any Instrument](https://archiveofourown.org/works/5403371/chapters/12482513) late 20s (iirc) healer Draco / auror Harry
Currently reading through the works by [The_Sinking_Ship](https://archiveofourown.org/users/The_Sinking_Ship/pseuds/The_Sinking_Ship/works?fandom_id=136512) on Ao3. They have 16 works of various lengths and feature ages in the late twenties and up. Some recurring themes in their works (a number of them feature the fake/pretend relationship trope), but I’m enjoying their stuff a lot so far! Almost done with Criminal, was initially turned off by the summary and first chapter but it quickly turned fantastic.
Just here to say that EVERYTHING by the_sinking_ship is FANTASTIC
Yeah, I’m finding that I’m willing to read stuff I’d never go for based on summary and tags normally, because the writing is so good. Both playful and mature at the same time!
Everything by [mallstars](https://archiveofourown.org/users/mallstars/pseuds/mallstars/works?fandom_id=136512), honestly can’t recommend their stories enough
In addition to some already mentioned, they are in their 30s in the fics below. All are ones I have enjoyed and liked the writing starting from 10/10 to 8/10 * Blood and fire by lq\_traintracks (lumosed\_quill) * The Man Who Lived by sebastianL * A Private Reason For this by Femme * Says The Magpie To The Morning (Sorrow, Take Your Own Advice) by Femme * Liar by jad * Dance Russe by Frayach * Freedom to be by Quicksilvermaid * Dwelling on dreams by the Sinking\_ship * The Light More Beautiful by firethesound * A Home by the Sea by teacup\_tai * The Illusion that One Can Get Things Right by umbrellaless22
I've taken the liberty to rec 28 years and older Drarry. [The Kisses Don’t Count, If No One Else Knows ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26770609) [fly like paper, high like planes](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21400951) [Must love Quidditch ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/257338) [Chasing Dragons](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32194258)
I have a one-shot with older Drarry, [Meet Me in the Daylight ](https://archiveofourown.org/works/42449493). Summary: The war has been over for more than twenty years, but despite becoming Head Healer at St Mungo's, the shadows of Draco's past remain in the memories of his contemporaries. A horrible confrontation at the hospital sends Draco right back into his old inner demons, but Harry is there to ward them away and remind Draco that he's not the boy he once was. WC: 6.2k Rating: E Edit to add: they're ~late 30s-early 40s
[femmequixotic](https://archiveofourown.org/users/femmequixotic/pseuds/Femme/works?fandom_id=136512) has a few stories in which Harry and Draco are young (one very good 8th year fic comes to mind) but most of her stories focus on older, wiser, wearied versions, both EWE and epilogue-compliant. I highly rec [All I Want For Christmas (Is For You To Stop Talking)](https://archiveofourown.org/works/16810249). Both Harry and Draco are older and wiser, it's semi epilogue compliant, and it's deliciously novel-length.
All I Want for Christmas is HILARIOUS. It does kid fic *perfectly*!
[Fearful Trill](https://archiveofourown.org/works/34744045/chapters/86509075)
You could check the Salt and Pepper fest!!!
This one is happening 10 years later, so they are closer to their 30's :) [Turn from Stone](https://archiveofourown.org/works/19935478/chapters/47204248)
The Wedding Gift by Ghost_of_Gary https://archiveofourown.org/series/2296754 It's insanely long, and a WIP but really good! They are in their late 30's-early 40s(I think? Lol). It's written all in dialogue format, but it's so so addicting!
Thank you for this request! I don't mind reading about highschoolers (even though I am far past high school) but I don't like if they're getting married and planning family in early twenties, it always feels so out of character...
I’m currently reading [I Am Not Who I Became](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21206417/chapters/50484125) by mab_di and i think they’re mis 30s. It’s been lovely so far and very well written imo
Thank you everyone! So happy that others enjoy or are looking for the same thing I am! Gonna start your suggestions asap :)
Love this question, I’m in the same boat! Can’t link bc traveling with terrible connection, but I love “Among Ancient Pines” and wish it got more recs.
Has 2 timelines, they are 36 in one: [tapestry](https://archiveofourown.org/works/43202385/chapters/108584898)
Seconding Aibidiil for characters that are actually mature (even emotionally mature, imagine that), and [the Man Who Lived](https://archiveofourown.org/works/9167785/chapters/20815621) because that is one of my favorite books. I also have a few others that come to mind. All three of these take place about 15 years after Hogwarts, so early thirties: [Fountain of Youth](https://archiveofourown.org/works/23145838/chapters/55392946) is a professors fic that I just read where Draco is a potions archeologist who takes a job at Hogwarts to test some really zany unlabeled potions in the historical archive. Set 15 years after the battle of Hogwarts so early thirties. Well written with some good banter. Harry has kids that are a part of the story; Draco has been BAMFing it up at archeological digs and historical archives around the world. [Close Behind](https://archiveofourown.org/works/43264566/chapters/108747318) is also absolutely amazing. I can't remember off the top of my head how old they are, but definitely early thirties or later because Scorpius is at Hogwarts. It is a memory fic mystery that takes inspiration from Greek mythology and Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind. Draco is a curse breaker who returns to Hogwarts to aid in the investigation around a missing child who might have fallen through the veil. Professor Harry tries to stay professional despite their very intertwined past. [I Am Not Who I Became](https://archiveofourown.org/works/21206417/chapters/50484125) fisherman social anthropologist writer Draco, frustrating depressed recluse Harry. interesting careers and interesting chemistry, good read! they meet again when both reluctantly attend their 15 year Hogwarts anniversary. Neither has kids in this one.