Lindsay's list of fan fic recs.
Feb. 6th, 2006 02:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lindsaydotcomYou all know that I spend copious amounts of time reading Harry Potter fan fiction online. In doing so, I've come across a TON of great stories. Not just good or so-so, but really fine wrting in their own right. So I've put together my own list of recommendations for anyone who's interested:
First thing first: I love reading stories about relationships and how they develop. One of the reasons I like the Potterverse (Harry Potter Universe) so much is that much of the fan fiction is about how various people work out and define their relationships with one another and how that changes due to the passage of time and various events. Most of the fiction I read covers time periods from around Harry’s 5th year on through about 5 years past Harry's time at Hogwarts. When you look back on your own life during those ages (15 through 22) you surely see how much you grew and developed into the person you are now. It's a time rich with emotion and yearning and angst and what seems like endless possibilities. You throw in the wizarding world on top of what everyone else goes through already and it lends itself to a whole universe of writing fodder. I have always thought that Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione are the pairings that were meant to be. What I read reflects that, and as I think Ginny is one of the coolest damn characters ever written, I like stories that focus on her and her journey. I do have access to several sites which are considered "restricted" for one reason or another. If you're trying to get to a fic that’s restricted let me know and I’ll tell you how to get to it.
Completed chaptered stories
After the End by Arabella and Zsenya
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=619&chapno=1
44 chapters. This is one of my very favorite fan fics – it was written prior to OotP so Sirius is still around. It's about as long as GoF and quite complex - the situations and emotions are very realistic – it doesn't just recycle the same places and people over and over again but you do feel right at home in this universe. Starts just after the Trio graduate from Hogwarts and right after the last battle. They and Ginny go to Lupin lodge to spend the summer with Sirius and Remus and Ginny stays on after the summer since Hogwarts has been destroyed and Harry, Ron, and Hermione all take different jobs to make due. This has several follow-up stories, particularly Writing History by Zsenya - http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=607&chapno=1, The Morning After by Zsenya - http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=599&chapno=1, Tell Him About It by Zsenya - http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=606&chapno=1.
The Test of Time by Alchemilla
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=189&chapno=1
16 chapters. Set after the war is over and Voldemort has been defeated. Harry is a young auror living an unsettled and unfocused life when he is thrust into the role of father for a young boy who is left in his care. But life has gone on since Hogwarts and Ginny is no longer part of Harry’s life, which is the one thing he really wants. (This has a brief prequel – Midnight Musings - http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=188&chapno=1 which should be read first)
Shifts by FernWithy
on http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2339&chapno=1
38 chapters. Set during the year of OotP, it focuses on Remus Lupin, who is given the job of guarding Dudley at Smeltings. Somewhat AU, since it covers a developing relationship with Tonks. Beautifully nuanced. There's a sequel in progress– Shades at http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2681&chapno=1 - which I haven’t started yet, but I will, soon.
Ginny's Gift by Ashwinder
On http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=396
29 chapters. Written pre-OotP, but takes place in Harry's 7th year. Ginny gives Harry a medallion as a birthday gift, which causes a change in their relationship and affects his plans for conquering Voldemort. Excellently written, and has a "missing moment" scene - If I Fell - http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=374. It's sequel, The Long Road Home, is also very, very good (and also one of my favorites), and is 33 chapters long: http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=425. It's outtake is sooo incredibly funny – The Talk, at http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=375.
From Across a Great Divide by Ashwinder
On http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=378&i=1
18 chapters. Ginny has been working at the Ministry of Magic and living alone in Hogsmeade while Harry has been a Quidditch player, and the two are living very separate lives when they reconnect at Ron and Hermione's wedding. A threat to her security and an article written about the two in Witch Weekly changes things. Missing moment scenes include Ghost Story at http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=373 and a prequel, but the prequel should be read *after* From Across a Great Divide - On Her Own at http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=367&i=1.
The Letters of Summer by Kokopelli
On http://www.phoenixsong.net/fanfiction/story/53/
22 chapters. It’s hard to describe this story without it sounding really bizarre, but it makes sense when you're reading it. Author's summary says "It's the summer of 1996, after the events of The Order of the Phoenix. Harry is sorting out life after Sirius, life in light of the Prophesy. He's figured out what he wants, but he's got to get over Voldemort's dead body to get there. Harry stays in touch with old friends over the summer, gets a new guardian, studies under a new tutor, and gets turned into a dog - and that's just in July!" Follow up story is Kisses athttp://www.phoenixsong.net/fanfiction/story/2077/ and a new follow-up series Stories From Sixth Year at http://www.phoenixsong.net/fanfiction/story/2139/ which is still in progress (8 chapters so far).
The Bargain by Mr. Intel
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2462&chapno=1
13 chapters. Due to a pact that their parents made year ago Harry and Ginny have to wed and consummate the marriage before Ginny’s birthday – just 12 days after Harry comes of age. The device to get the story going is sort of stretched, but it’s a lot of fun to read, especially since Harry tends to mess things up like only he can.
A Muggle Summer by Zsenya
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=600&chapno=1
19 chapters. This is one of the first fan fics I ever read, and it's one of the ones that made me keep reading. It's an R/H fic, summer after fourth year - Ron visits Hermione to learn Muggle ways. It's not particularly special in terms of the wizarding world, but it is a lot of fun to read.
A Secret Love by madjh
On http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=1453
15 chapters. Ginny begins her Seventh year at Hogwarts. She feels trapped in the past while everyone else is moving forward. She also has secrets to keep, for her own safety as well as the safety of others.
Explain the Night by Nowrah B.
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2577&chapno=1
9 chapters. If Remus and Sirius would ever get together, it would happen like this. And it all starts at James and Lily's wedding. Slash.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Dessie
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1901&chapno=1
5 chapters. Five friends reflect on love, life, and the state of their socks, as Remus and Sirius grow to realize that sometimes friendship just isn't enough. Slash.
Naked Quidditch Match by Anya
http://www.diagonally.org/efiction/viewstory.php?sid=157&i=1
Not remotely serious or even in canon, but so damn funny. The Griffindor Quidditch team get forced into playing a game of quidditch naked after losing a magically binding bet and decide that if they’ve got it, they’re going to flaunt it. Takes place (almost) entirely over a medium like email, referred to as "Mmail" - magic mail?
Roses in December by Amanda R.
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2728&chapno=1
30 chapters. A spell to conquer Voldemort may cause members of the trio to lose their memories. In order to preserve their past they write letters to each other telling them about their relationship and what they mean to each other. Ron’s and Hermione’s letters reveal more than they would have normally told each other.
In-Progress stories that I’m following:
Seeking Ginny by Casca
On http://thehiddentower.net/cseekingginny.htm
10 chapters re-written, 14 chapters written so far. Ginny has uprooted her life in order to get some semblance of normalcy and to get away from her feelings for Harry. She’s enrolled in France and created anew life for herself but when Harry appears in her new life she struggles with remaining true to her new self. This is such a beautifully written story, and there are a great many of us who are breathlessly waiting for Casca to finish it. She decided to re-write it once HBP was released in order to make Ginny’s character more like that in the book, but the original work can still be found at http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1277839/1/.
Home Alone: Shadow Rising by KEDme
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2537&chapno=1 (revised version – in progress) or http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1704&chapno=1 (original version)
28 chapters. Summer after OotP, Petunia and Vernon go away for the weekend leaving Dudley in charge. When Dudley decides to throw a party and Harry’s friends turn up some intresting developments occur as to relationships (H/G, R/H) and things become dangerous as Harry’s connection with Voldemort increases. The revised version (still in progress) is definitely better. Does not contradict anything in canon. It’s sequel, The Shadow of the Serpent (16 chapters and counting at http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2202&chapno=1) is also good, but very different. It introduces a completely new location, characters, and plot, and pushes the Harry/Ginny connection quite a lot. I prefer Home Alone.
A Lost Love by Rhiann
On http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1645464/1/
30 chapters – about 7 more yet to come. After a horrific experience Ginny has run from her old life and forged a new one as a muggle university student and band singer. For three years Harry’s been searching for her, but he doesn’t know how she’ll react once he finds her, or even if he will ever find her. Uses some parts of the After the End Universe, so read that one first.
Harry Potter and the Staff of Serpents by Aragog
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1721&chapno=1
26 chapters with 2-3 more yet to come. This is both well written and fairly believable, but the author's notes are incredibly annoying. No, really, they are. His summary says "It is the summer after 5th year, and all Harry really needs is time and a place to mourn. But for the reluctant, often mistreated hero of the wizarding world, misery over the loss of his beloved godfather must compete for his attention with greater and lesser things. Such as the petty depredations of the Dursleys, Ministry officials both inquisitive and obnoxious, the classes he must take to complete his education at Hogwarts, his growing attraction to Ginny Weasley, and most disturbing of all, the discovery of Lord Voldemort's new plot involving a mysterious artifact: The Staff of Serpents."
Endangered Species by Night Zephyr
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1688&chapno=1
24 chapters (in progress). Set in summer after OotP. Hermione goes to visit the Burrow and gets frustrated with the (non)progression of her relationship with Ron before leaving for a summer internship working with magical creatures. It’s well written with excellent characterizations and it’s definitely compelling, but I’m not really certain where it’s going just yet, since the direction has considerable changed since it's inception.
One Shots
Being Noble by Poseida9
On http://community.livejournal.com/hpgw_ficafest/48774.html
A lovely little tale told by Ginny, which makes me smile every time I think about it.
One Last Day of Peace by Ashwinder
On http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=1448
Harry goes to the Burrow for Bill and Fleur's wedding. I can picture book 7 starting very similarly. Great characterizations.
Christmas Angels by wildmagelet
on http://wildmagelet.livejournal.com/4950.html?thread=34646
Post-war and post-Hogwarts and Draco is celebrating Christmas with Pansy. It’s evil and angst-y and very well written.
Platform Nine and Three Quarters by Lilac
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2414&chapno=1
Written post OotP but before HBP. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione send Ginny off for her final year at Hogwarts. It's sort of a reversal from Harry's first Hogwart's Express train ride.
Only In Dreams by Ashwinder
http://www.bitchnmoan.net/fanfic/viewstory.php?sid=1420
Ginny tries out one of the WWW’s patented daydream charms, but doesn't experience what she'd hoped for.
Awakenings by Arabella
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=810&chapno=1
Harry witnesses a fight - and a sort of reconciliation - between Hermione and Ron. Written post GoF, but pre-OotP. Follow up story Afterwards... by Zsenya at http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=608&chapno=1
Palmistry by Arabella
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=814&chapno=1
A discussion of fate lines that can be found on the palm and their meanings. Sort of. It's lovely.
Sex, Socks, and Slugs by Imogen and Firebolt909
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=418&chapno=1 (which is a continuation of Socks, Sex, and Snape on http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=413&chapno=1). Harry and Ginny are having a difficult time trying to find a place and time to be alone at Hogwarts.
Abandoned chaptered-stories (boo!!)
A Deep Breath by coquillage
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1829&chapno=1
5 chapters written. I'm devastated it’s not going to be finished because the writing is so heartwrenchingly angsty. "Summer after fifth year Harry, Ron and Hermione reunite at the Burrow and find themselves struggling to understand the past, confront the present, and prepare for the future."
The Letting Go by Nicole_n
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2466&chapno=1
Missing scenes from OotP – what Remus goes through after Sirius goes through the veil. Very angsty.
Memories of Tomorrow/Dreams of Yesterday by Jedi Boadicea
On http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=273&chapno=1
Written between Gof and OotP. Author's summary says "It's Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, but he's not the only one with weighty matters on the mind. The story also focuses heavily on Sirius Black and Remus Lupin - will they be able to clear Sirius' name? The stories 'Job Hazards' [ http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=271&chapno=1 ] and 'Dreamwalkers' [ http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=272&chapno=1 ]serve as a prologue to this series, and Bill Weasley will also feature. New magic and old friends galore." I personally like the two one-shots that the story is based on. And I still can't believe it was abandoned so close to the ending.
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Date: 2006-02-08 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-08 09:05 pm (UTC)Right now I'm re-reading Kokopelli's Letter of Summer. Sigh.
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Date: 2006-10-06 05:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-06 05:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-14 06:20 am (UTC)