cactuscandle
Fandoms
- Merlin (TV) (32)
- Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling (5)
Recent works
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Summary
Four years has Merlin spent in Hogwarts and yet he's no closer to getting answers. Who took his memories? What is his purpose? Where is Arthur? Well, it seems at least one of his questions would get answered but now... Merlin wasn't sure he wanted to know. After all, did he deserve his king?
It's time for the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth to pay his penance.
Series
- Part 5 of To Restore The Balance
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Vogue's 73 Questions With To Restore the Balance by cactuscandle
Fandoms: Merlin (TV), Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
25 Dec 2025
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Summary
The real Christmas miracle - getting everyone to agree to this interview.
Can be read alone (it's not like context will make this any more understandable)!
Series
- Part 4 of To Restore The Balance
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Summary
Merlin's here for his third year, determined to finally make sense of what's going on - even if that means he has to take a step back to (ultimately) make progress. Meanwhile, his friends have their own agendas, some which may involve Merlin a bit more than he'd like (looking at you, Hermione).
It's time for the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth to show everyone what he's truly capable of.
(Oh, and enter Sirius Black.)
***ATTENTION: story is now FULLY written and updates will come out weekly on FRIDAYS***
Series
- Part 3 of To Restore The Balance
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Summary
Merlin takes on an apprentice. Except the apprentice is a little too curious and ends up granting one of Merlin's wishes. And so when Merlin finds himself where it all began, he has two choices: change nothing and let destiny run its course, or step in. Naturally, he knows which one to choose, but who said that destiny will allow him to have his way?
Actually, destiny couldn't care less, but one specific dragon had a lot to say about this.
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Day 25: “In Vain Have I Struggled. It Will Not Do. My Feelings Will Not Be Repressed. You Must Allow Me to Tell You How Ardently I Admire and Love You.” by cactuscandle
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
25 Feb 2025
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Summary
Merlin hadn’t planned on eavesdropping but he had no choice.
“—must dance! You cannot tell me not a single lady here has not caught your eye?” said Lancelot with a disbelieving expression. Arthur rolled his eyes.
“They are all as equally vapid and vainglorious as the next,” he said coldly.
“Speak to them, Arthur,” urged Lancelot, not put off by Arthur's demeanour. “I hope you haven’t forgotten what Leon has suggested.” Arthur looked at him, affronted and shook his head firmly. “Why, I can recommend the lovely Lady Guinevere! She is the most beautiful lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Merlin preened and promised to relay this excellent praise to Gwen. Lancelot gestured to where she was sat and Arthur turned to look.
“Oh. She is tolerable,” conceded Arthur haughtily and Merlin doubted he was going to like the rest of his assessment. “But not handsome enough to tempt me." It took all of Merlin’s restraint not to deck that motherfucker right there and then. “You had better return to the ball and enjoy these creatures, for you are wasting your time with me."
Or it's the Pride and Prejudice/Merlin crossover we all needed (no knowledge of P&P required!)
Series
Recent series
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Summary
Merlin survives an eternity, patiently waiting for his king to rise again. What else is his purpose apart from to guide the Once and Future King? Well, apparently his job description had a few other minor details, such as retaining the balance of magic, and once he was kindly informed of this, Merlin find himself once again correcting the latest magical problem in the country. Only this time, it's a little more difficult, what with Voldemort using Old Magic to achieve his means of immortality/Wizarding Britain domination... the like. No matter, Merlin has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Cue Merlin losing his memories in quite an embarrassing fashion, if you ask me.
Now, how can he restore the balance of magic if he can't even remember his purpose?
Oh, featuring Harry and the lot of them because of course he's tied up in Merlin's shenanigans as well.- Words:
- 209,507
- Works:
- 5
- Bookmarks:
- 177
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Summary
25 stories featuring Merlin, Arthur, the Knights, Gwen and a range of others navigating circumstances they never had to in canon. Buckle up because this series is filled with misunderstandings (the funny kind), betrayals (the dramatic type) and happy endings (save for one).
Also despite being released daily, there's no continuation and no obligation to read all of them but readers may find a few cactuscandle eggs (see what I did there?) here and there!
- Words:
- 228,314
- Works:
- 25
- Bookmarks:
- 35
Recent bookmarks
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Summary
Lucius Malfoy has died, and Draco has inherited the Malfoy estate. For the next six months it is under Ministry review.
Draco Malfoy's problems now include: (i) a vast network of assets he cannot name, let alone manage properly; (ii) a one-night stand who won't go away; (iii) a different one-night stand he's wanted to find for years; and (iv) his mother's insistence that he start courting, preferably before Pansy Parkinson does.
Meanwhile, Hermione heads out on a field assignment where she makes an unexpected friend. Upon her return she’s given a new assignment from the Ministry that should be a curse-breaker's dream: find Lucius Malfoy's dark objects and decommission them.
If only the Manor would be more cooperative.
**2024 Reddit Dramione Top Fics**
Best Post-War Fics (Top 3)Series
- Part 1 of The Sentient House Series
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 302,409
- Chapters:
- 49/49
- Collections:
- 8
- Comments:
- 1,419
- Kudos:
- 5,143
- Bookmarks:
- 2,886
- Hits:
- 392,989
Bookmarked by cactuscandle
19 Jan 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
hermione: i don't cook, i don't clean but let me tell you how i got this ring
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Summary
Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.
Series
- Part 1 of Running on Air
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 74,880
- Chapters:
- 17/17
- Collections:
- 18
- Comments:
- 5,603
- Kudos:
- 68,367
- Bookmarks:
- 22,377
- Hits:
- 1,683,193
Bookmarked by cactuscandle
05 Sep 2025
Bookmarker's Notes
this is the most profound thing i've ever read
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When I Didn't Know The Answer, I Found It In Your Eyes by ironfamjam for muguetmuse
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
26 Mar 2023
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Summary
“It was never supposed to end like this. You were both meant for such happier things.”
“I was always meant to be a tragedy.” Arthur disagrees.
“Dearest darling, you are the king of kings, this will not be your end.”
With Arthur's death comes a single chance to go back to the beginning and save everyone he's ever loved. Seeing home in Merlin's eyes and a hope for a better world in Morgana's, Arthur knows what he must do.
Only bringing magic back to Camelot will prevent the future he knows is coming from happening, but in his way is the only mountain he's never been able to climb; his father won't change for anyone, not even for his son.
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Summary
Snape's Worst Memory... As told in a musical format based on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"
I see a greasy haired Slytherin over there
Snivellus! Snivellus!
Would you like to come join us? -
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Summary
The monotony of Arthur's daily commute is suddenly intterupted by a tall, dark stranger whose charm wins over everyone on the bus, even Arthur, despite the fact that the stranger is usually running late. One rainy day, Arthur shares his umbrella with the stranger, and everything sort of cascades from there.
Series
- Part 2 of Cally's Classic Song Fics
Bookmarked by cactuscandle
23 Jun 2022