u/Fuzzy_Move

Not sure if they've been recced here because I couldn't find anything. Both the fics are so well written!

Things Worth Keeping

Okay I love a cold and in-control Tom but I love a Tom who's struggling in the wizarding world even more. His realization that he's a nobody both in the muggle world and at Hogwarts, combined with his class differences with his peers, and most importantly Harry is explored very well. And Harry is so damn sweet yet oh so oblivious. It's a timeline mashup fic and completed!

Summary:

Tom Riddle owns one good quill, given to him by a boy who had so many he didn't bother to count. It was the first entry in the ledger.

Every gift Harry Potter gives him (the quill, the book, the ink, the gloves, the robes) gets a line, and Tom pays it back the only way he can: fixing Harry's homework, earning his marks for him, and eventually, kissing him on a cold balcony because twelve Galleons' worth of dress robes demand a currency beyond essays.

Harry thinks they're falling in love. Tom thinks he's staying solvent.

This is the story of every object between them, and the moment Tom finally stops counting.

All the Precious Things

This one has Harry and Tom grow up together at Wool's. There's no time travel and it's fem Harry. I know people usually dislike this trope but this one has lovely characterization and is recognizable as Harry. Also, the fic is definitely for the cold and calculated Tom lovers. Dude has his priorities (Harry) and does not budge lol. Total boyfriend material in this one if you ignore all the blackmail and murder (like Harry). But Harry's also not a pushover and has her own character arc. Seriously, read it. It's great.

Summary:

Tom Riddle kept everything that was his in a box beneath his bed: a tin soldier, a green marble, three buttons, and a red ribbon stolen from the suitcase of a girl who arrived at Wool's Orphanage on a Tuesday in November.

She was not crying. She was the only one who never did.

He kept her, too. He just didn't use a box for that.

link

Brilliant, funny, cute and plotted to perfection. One of my favourite reads!

Summary:

Everyone always says Harry Potter has unnaturally good luck, but he’s not convinced. He’s nothing special, just your average bloke trying to make his way in the world.

Tom Riddle, top-ranked professional poker player, makes his own luck, thank you very much. And he isn’t about to let anyone get in his way.

When a business trip, a poker tournament, and adjacent rooms in Caesar’s Palace set these two stars of fortune on a collision course, what happens next is very unlikely to stay in Vegas.

This series by darklordtomarry is such a gem! Tom and Harry's characterizations are similar to what I've read before and yet somehow so unique. If Grey Harry/Dark Harry, without completely detaching from his canon self is your jam, then trust me this is the fic for you. I also generally dislike pureblood culture but boy does this fic really delve deep into the politics of it all, and I mean deeep. It has a Slytherin Harry, James & Lily are alive in this AU and the fic does a great job in examining how the small house change would affect everybody.

I really can't say more without spoiling it because this fic deserves to be read for its character progressions alone but also because it has an awesome villain that actually gives our characters a challenge. The first part starts out one way and it may or may not be your preference but the second part is where it all starts coming together. All the other characters are also so great and it's one of those fics where you sympathize with every changing POV. There's no clear cut narrative stance and I'd say it's pretty realistic. It's also not afraid to make a fool of it's characters, for example, Harry is smart but he's still a teenager and therefore has the cockiness of youth; Tom is brilliant but he has his blind spots, etc. It's clear they are not always in control so there's always a tension underneath and I was genuinely worried for the characters.

I had (wrongly) assumed it would be a simple royalty fic but wow what a surprise.

Some other things: 1. Tom & Harry's relationship is fast burn
2. it's WIP/unfinished and I don't know if it will be finished (but it's worth it imo)
3. the fic can be humorous but is dark at times. It explores themes of bigotry and it gets pretty rough at points so if that bothers you, you can watch out for it

link

Summary:
The pureblood nobility are known as the Sacred 27 and they have ruled magical Britain without a monarch for centuries.
Lord Thomas Slytherin has appeared out of nowhere with a strong claim to the throne; he has aroused the interest of the nation, and of Harry Potter; A seventh year Slytherin who occasionally works as an information broker. Like everyone else Harry wants to know more about Lord Slytherin, but will he like what he discovers?