Man of Property

Man of Property [Part One] [Part Two] by Josan PQ

Summary: After the war, an injured veteran Severus Snape finds sanctuary. AU, 7,000 Words.

Why You Should Care: There’s something very human about this story, something warm that we can all engage with. It seems to deal with the trivial facts of one man’s attempts to return to reality, but occasionally it seamlessly slips into something deeper where it has the ability to shed some light on darker topics. Extra points for exciting facts about House-Elves.

Why You Might Not Care: Written pre-DH so Snape Lives. Gratuitious pretty house-porn, and also gratuitious house-elves.

Immature

Immature by Walkingcensure

Summary: Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter are seven years old, plump, cute, and innocent. Life for them is all about cake, ice cream, friendship bracelets, and premature vows of love. Humour, 8,713 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because it’s so cute! Mini!Marauders and Mini!Lily may just be the best things ever. There’s a wonderful ruefullness about reading this story, it takes you back to the dramas of being seven and all the crazy stuff you used to believe and it’s fun. Additionally, the author manages to keep all the characters pretty in character, and also passably young. It’s a nice gimmick, but done so well that it feels like more.

Why You Might Not Care: Vaguely AU. Also, small people are not everyone’s cup of tea. Plus, Lily/James.

Note: I haven’t actually been able to pin down Chelle about recs, but I guess I’ll just post as many as I can as often as I can until Chelle tells me not to…?

The Taste of Love

The Taste of Love by Playground_Love

Summary: A short glimpse into a young woman who traveled from frivolous flings to a devouring love. She comes to see that love builds upon itself and that spiritual relationships can’t exist without the meaningless ones that came before them. Oneshot, 1,810 Words.

Why You Should Care: Remus/Tonks from Tonks’ perspective, and it’s neither over-angsty, over-lovesick or over-pashy (if you’re not familiar with the term – I only learned it yesterday – a “pash” was a British sixties term for crushing on a teacher. Or maybe you all know it, and I’m being totally patronising. Hmm.), it’s just beautiful, sweet and a little poignant. Nice Remus, nice Tonks, beautiful imagery (I loved the idea of ‘lips like tin’). Playground_Love is known for a beautiful way with prose, without being too purply. A pleasant read.

Why You Might Not Care: R-rated due to graphic…kissing. Basically. Also, you might hate Remus/Tonks, or it might just be too plotless for you. But otherwise, enjoy!

Haggis From Algernon

Haggic From Algernon by Vea and GhostOfBambi

Summary: The fic about nothing. Humour, 101,594 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because it’s funny, and there’s not enough funny left in this damned fandom. Part-crack, part-romance, part-cat!worship, this fic is two talented comic authors playing with Lily, James and the eponymous Algernon to whom I give my heart.

Why You Might Not Care: It’s almost crack, and, hard as they try, there’s no poignancy or worthiness. Not drink-safe.

Awards: 2008 Hourglass Award, Best Comedy Fic — Second Place

Cauterize

Cauterize by Lady Altair

Summary: “In truth, Harry’s photograph is the least interesting of all.” Drabble Collection, 1, 496 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is post-DH stress syndrome written through pictures, and gives a really realistic sense of being a survivor, trying to pick up the pieces of the war. Dennis Creevey is, like every character he photographs, just trying to find a way to return to normal, and the struggles are beautifully and subtly portrayed. There’s almost no description of feeling, it’s all about the visual: show not tell to perfection. Lady Altair’s skill as a writer is clear in this well-crafted piece.

Why You Might Not Care: I don’t really know. If you can stomach post-DH writing, and most people can, if they try hard, this is well worth reading.

Box, Opened

Box, Opened by Halrloprillalar

Summary: Girls and politics. Drabble, 100 Words.

Why You Should Care: It’s a Harry Potter/Adrian Mole crossover. It’s a 100 word drabble. It’s by that girl that did the Snape-counsels-gay-Hogwartians drabble (recced here 07.01.08). It’s funny, and rips the piss out of canon (in a good way) and Dumbledore features.

Why You Might Not Care: No content, no meaning, no worthy messages. It’s, basically, a witty one-liner. But what’s wrong with that? Also, will make no sense if you haven’t read Adrian Mole. However, if you haven’t, do.

The Insecurity of the Wicked

The Insecurity of the Wicked by Carondelet

Summary: This argues what manner of life theirs have been: wicked and vile? Honest and just? Wasted, forlorn? With the final judgment, so their paths conclude. There are but fifteen turns to make with each of them, but can the truth be perceived from only one or but from all of their stations? Drabble Collection, 9, 637 Words.

Why You Should Care: Every time I reread these it amazes me how much thought has gone into them. These are drabbles loosely tied to religion and self-sacrifice and the words are so tightly woven that they draw you straight in to the confused humanity of these character’s minds. I would personally particularly recommend that you read carefully the Peter, Ginny, Voldemort and Andromeda chapters. Beautiful, and truly haunting, this drabbles give you a real insight at times, and a revelation at others.

Why You Might Not Care: Sometimes too many words don’t say enough here. Also, angst. Serious angst.

Awards: 2007 Hourglass Awards Best Drabble or Drabble Collections — Third Place

Our Private Universe

Our Private Universe by Busaikko

Summary: Watch Remus, Peter said, look for evidence; but what Sirius found was something different. Christmas 1979. Romance/Angst, 12,000 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is so much more than slash. This is the most beautiful story I think I have ever read: it gives Remus a history and a humanity, and it gives Sirius a beautiful naiveté which is so fitting. The search for the spy is such an intriguing part of the Marauder story and the author’s gentle handling of it makes the final inevitability of it all the sadder. Unlike so many fics about this particular era, Busaikko uses our prior knowledge to make this beautiful tragedy, rather than powering through as if it were new. The characterisation is lovely, as is the raw emotion carried through it, complimented by the sweetness of falling in love and some unexpected humour. Perfect.

Why You Might Not Care: Slash, yes, yes, and rated for one short section towards the end. Which may or may not be required, depends on your perspective. Enjoy, m’loves.

Cleaning

Cleaning by GM_Weasley

Summary: Kreacher is cleaning. Cleaning, and following the Blood Traitor’s spawn, walking along poor Mistress’ hall with her unnatural hair as if she owns the place, a disgrace to the noble name of Black. Drabble, 750 Words.

Why You Should Care: This fic has fluff and PG-rated sexuality and humour, and it’s all cute and light and I really do like it. But moreover, this fic is Kreacher-centric. And Kreacher is awesome. And this Kreacher is awesome, all the conflicting emotions and allegiances, and yet he’s just an elf. This author is a genius, I tells you, she’s a bloody genius. Wow. Just, just, wow.

Why You Might Not Care: Shh, I’m wowing.

Getting The Point

Getting The Point by Arabella

Summary: Hermione and Ron at the Yule Ball. Romance, 16,406 Words.

Why You Should Care: Arabella is one of the few authors who I trust with Trio-era fics. She’s got JKR’s knack for storytelling: her fic is action packed, but heartfelt, and the characters are human and flawed and lovely. Her Ron and Hermione are so meant to be. Ah. Le Fluff.

Why You Might Not Care: Le Fluff. Cough.

Over Time, Hope Dies

Over Time, Hope Dies by AuReviorSanity

Summary: There’s that absolute determination to fill emptiness. Drabble, 195 Words.

Why You Should Care: This isn’t my kind of fic at all: it’s angsty and it’s Hermione. But it’s honest, in a way that few Hermione fics are. It gets right to the root of the character we know, and shows us just how Hermione would react to the situation she is placed in. Every single word is utilised. Perfect drabble. Maybe it is my kind of fic.

Why You Might Not Care: Hermione-centric and most people aren’t keen. Also, angsty. But well thought through.

Group Therapy

Group Therapy by Calliope08

Summary: An unlikely pair finds consolation at the funeral for James and Lily Potter. Oneshot, 1,140 Words.

Why You Should Care: It’s hard to find a good Potter’s funeral fic, but Calliope’s spare, fond style fits the bill perfectly. It’s the combination of the profound and the just plain mundane – this fic is very honest; the conflicting thoughts of the characters perfectly in keeping with the tone of the whole piece. Both Remus and Petunia are very humanly characterised – enjoyable and thoughtful.

Why You Might Not Care: It’s another Potter’s funeral fic, albeit a very good one. Also, too short, in my opinion: I’d’ve liked to have seen a little more from Petunia. But you can’t have everything.

Marigolds

Marigolds by Lady Bracknell

Summary: Her mother used to tell her stories of love and life, only in the stories, the two didn’t seem all that different. Romance, 2237 Words.

Why You Should Care: The ever-brilliant Lady Bracknell strikes again with her unrivalled ability to see through a character’s eyes and make their world seem so real we forget our own. The Luna she sets loose in this gem of a story is so full of life and hope and vivacity that her optimism pulls the reader along for the ride. With the utilisation of not-quite drabbles, the author allows us the sense of Luna’s curiosity and whim. You love this character from the word go: she has everything you could ever want, or need.

Why You Might Not Care: I don’t care if we rec Lady Bracknell here too much. I don’t care that there was a Neville/Luna piece here yesterday. Read on, please.

Five Reasons Why Lily Evans Does Not Like Sirius Black (And Five Reasons Why She Does)

Five Reasons Why Lily Evans Does Not Like Sirius Black (And Five Reasons Why She Does) by Papered

Summary: Sirius Black is infuriating in a way only he can be. And maybe that’s why Lily Evans comes to like him. Romance, 3,374 Words.

Why You Should Care: Hey there, your resident Lily/Sirius shipper checks in with a rec. This fic tells the Lily/Sirius story in a original, almost funny, sweet and fitting way. You can see it happen: Papered is expert at giving just enough detail for us to envisage the scene. Denial!Lily is the best thing ever.

Why You Might Not Care: List fics should die. Even ones where the form is actually used pretty well, like this one. But read on.

Apology: This is late from yesterday. Laptop issues. Sorry for inconvenience!

Rush

Rush by Infinitesimal

Summary: He whispers, hot open mouthed kisses, and she tastes like cinnamon from her toast that morning and the butterbeer he had bought for her, ran all the way to Hogsmeade under his cloak and bought for her, just because she said she’d never tried one before. I want you to experience everything he’d told her, and she’d looked so innocent. Oneshot, 1,408 Words.

Why You Should Care: I know I recced Infinitesimal just the other day, but this fic is so noteworthy that I hope you’ll let it pass. This short and simple Lily/James piece is so richly emotive and carnally passionate that something within you stirs as you read it. At first glance it just feels like a pointless, mussed-haired moment, but the details about the emotions and facets of the characters give this piece light, shade and depth as the characters stand gingerly on the edge of the precipice.

Why You Might Not Care: Rated NC-17 and at times gets a little close to being a little PWP-ish, but mainly it’s character-driven, not porn-driven.

HP Drabbles (Het)

HP Drabbles (Het) by Celandine

Summary: Drabbles (100-words-exactly ficlets) include a variety of het pairings in the HP-verse. Drabbles, 1,400 Words.

Why You Should Care: Sweetly romantic and at times bitterly chill, Celandine has a knack of creating the moment. The reader is given no more than a snapshot, no more than a glimpse, but the author knows exactly how much, but just enough, is required to allow the story to weave in one’s imagination.

Why You Might Not Care: This piece has the worst title in the history of Harry Potter fanfiction. Some of the pairings aren’t really my thing. But I like the style and so should you.

Myriad

Myriad by Infinitesimal

Summary: To fall, to fly, to sleep, to dream, to die. Drabble, 898 Words.

Why You Should Care: I love Lily. I love happy!Lily and pregnant!Lily and James’!Lily. But most of all I love crazy!Lily. Half-minded, edge-of-a-precipice, somewhere between here and insanity Lily. This fic, with its so-tangible imagery and its so-relatable narrative, is the perfect example of this Lily I love. The depiction of grief and self-deception in this fic is heartbreaking and honest. You laugh and you cry reading this fic and damnit, it’s less than 900 words.

Why You Might Not Care: Very brief and gratuitous angst/purple prose. But you love it really.

Letters from the Exile

Letters from the Exile by MsSpell

Summary: The correspondence surreptitiously exchanged between Tonks and Lupin with the help of the Order members, during the year he worked as a spy among the werewolves. Oneshot, 3,017 Words.

Why You Should Care: I hate Remus/Tonks. For no real reason. But I love this fic. It’s perfect; romantic, honest and fresh. The characterisation is startlingly good: none of the letters in this epistolary fic are signed, and yet there is no difficulty in distiguishing character — both Remus and Tonks have such strong styles and characters. Remus’ cutting nature makes this a little sad, while Tonks’ bluntness makes it a little bit funny and, frankly, it feels like how Remus/Tonks may have actually happened, as opposed to the disjointedness that is canon. The awkward end scene is suitably cute and then entire sense is far less forced than canon. A rare gem.

Why You Might Not Care: Sometimes Tonks is irritating. Like, very. And this fic feels a litte rambling in places. But nothing so bad as to deter one from reading.

If I’m A Fool For You

If I’m A Fool For You by Esinde Nayrall

Summary: On New Year’s Eve, Remus Lupin makes a promise to Sirius Black. Five days later, Remus Lupin makes a promise to himself. If he keeps them both, it will be the hardest thing he’s ever done. Romance, 84, 000 Words.

Why You Should Care: It’s hard to write Remus/Sirius originally: it’s all been done before, but this fic feels fresh. The author has very clear characterisations of Remus and Sirius and they’re quite out of the norm, and yet they fit perfectly with the adults we know they will grow into. But this fic is more than heartbreaking (which it is, by the way. There’s a whole load of angst. I cried. I never cry at fic.). James and Peter are also really well characterised; these feel like real people and the way they react to different situations is also very real. Not to be missed.

Why You Might Not Care: There’s slash. Lots of slash. Some NC-17 slash. Quite a bit of NC-17 slash, actually. And also, angst that makes you want to die, just to stop it. And a rubbish attempt at using the Black Family Tree. As in, Sirius’ mother is Cassiopeia and his uncle Alphard is dating a guy called Marius. But yes. Read this fic, it’s fabulous.

Aftermath

Aftermath by Georgie

Summary: The rain is like the aftermath. Drabble, 100 Words.

Why You Should Care: Every schoolchild learns about pathetic falacy and the use of weather and changing seasons to show emotion. Here the author uses weather as more, as a symbol of something nearly tangible that Ginny holds onto in her fight back to normality. Like all great drabbles, it says so much with so little. Exquisite.

Why You Might Not Care: Don’t like drabbles, don’t like Ginny, don’t like weather.