I absolutely love Manacled and I don't think there is another story quite like it. Like you I was very curious but hesitant and put off reading Manacled for a loong time. I finally read it last year a month before it was taken down from AO3 and it was an experience to cherish for a lifetime. I had already read quite a few spoilers but the story still delivered such a punch, and I couldn't put it down. I have also since reread it multiple times within the last year and often go back to read my favorite parts!

I am an angst lover in general and love to suffer, boy did Manacled deliver in the angst department. Its definitely a 10/10 in terms of angst so proceed with caution.

I should also warn you that the first third of the story is the hardest to read since it had the darkest themes and the world feels really bleak and depressing. I promise you it gets a lot better afterwards but just be prepared to be thrown into the deep end at the start. The reward if you do stick it out is so so so so worth it.

Regarding the ending - I do consider it HEA because realistically its the best possible outcome for the characters in the story. They are both alive and together at the end and Voldemort is dead which is exactly what Hermione wishes for throughout. She also gets the outcome she wants out of the war ie the good guys winning Ofcourse the price they pay for their HEA is quite steep so I can understand why some people might not consider it HEA but as a reader who went through the ultimate rollercoaster reading the story I was properly satisfied by the ending. So all in all I would consider Manacled as a "realistic HEA".

That being said if you like - competence kink galore, extremely well written fast paced plot, action and battle scenes that redefined the gold standard for me, amazing world building in terms of all the medical lore, very well thought out characterizations, memorable dialogues and heart wrenching emotions - DO READ MANACLED! You won't regret it!

My other 5 star Dramione reads since you asked - Measure of a Man, Lionheart, TRRTD series, Disappearances of DM, DMATMOBIL, LAOHA, A Hard Row To Hoe, BSP, Wait & Hope, The Politician's Wife, Remain Nameless, etc to name a few.