And But For The Sky

And But For The Sky by WinglessFlight

Summary: And never say Sirius didn’t love them. He loved them, all of them, whatever they’d done and whoever they’d become. Drabble, 975 Words.

Guest Rec’d By: Glynnis Griffiths

Why You Should Care: Because it’s tightly written – even poetic in spots – and manages to convey a great deal of feeling in few words without going overboard into gratuitous angst. Sirius reflecting in Azkaban is hard to nail, and WinglessFlight strikes a wonderful balance between the inherent madness of the place and the thing that is keeping Sirius from completely succumbing to it.

Why You Might Not Care: Well, it strikes a great balance but it’s still angst of the first order. If you’re looking for fluff, look elsewhere.

The End To ‘Always’ Evermore

The End To ‘Always’ Evermore by Juniperus

Summary: Snape. And redemption. And Poe. Drabble, 571 Words.

Why You Should Care: It’s Poe! And unrequited angsty Snape/Lily, which you just know Poe would secretly fangirl! And just a smidgen of parody! And Poe!

Why You Might Not Care: Didn’t you hear me say there was Poe? Why are you still reading this rec and not reading Snape/Lily Poe?

Stasis

Stasis by Andromeda311

Summary: There is no hero. There is no villain. There is only redemption and damnation, success and failure. Oneshot, 5,137 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because it’s the Regulus everyone writes except that it’s so much better.  This characterisation is everything I’ve been missing in Regulus fics — darker, harsher, more bitter, and on a path clearly marked by self-destruction.  This is a character sketch I can sink my teeth into, and one that is sure to be enjoyed by darkfic readers.

Why You Might Not Care: You might like seeing Regulus as more a victim of circumstance than this portrays.  Like Snape, Regulus makes his own bed in this one.

The Perfect Glasses

The Perfect Glasses by Emiime

Summary: Percy needs glasses. Luckily he’s found the perfect pair. Oneshot, 1,132 Words.

Why You Should Care: This piece is so adorable and sad. Percy is on his way to becoming the canon character we’re familiar with, yet here, he’s still a little boy who shouldn’t have to deal with being poor. I can see this happening, and it broke my heart a little to read it. On the surface, it seems like a simple story, but the image of what the Weasleys have to go through — all the time — just hurts.

Why You Might Not Care: Sympathetic Percy, or even the Weasleys in general, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s alright. However, this is a short, bittersweet piece that is well worth the read.

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.

As Before

As Before by Atrata

Summary: “That’s the worst, I think.  When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller, but for want of an understanding ear.” Drabble, 635 Words.

Why You Should Care: Written sometime between the release of Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, this piece reflects one of so many possible outcomes of the complex relationship between Snape and Harry, had the chips of plot fallen differently.  There’s a lot of room for interpretation in these six hundred words, which makes it all the more interesting — especially when we apply what we know from Deathly Hallows about what motivated Snape.

Why You Might Not Care: In the words of the author, it could be Snape/Harry if you squint (you really have to want it, though).  Otherwise, it’s fairly clear-cut gen.

Nothing a Good Imperius Wouldn’t Solve

Nothing a Good Imperius Wouldn’t Solve by Afterthree

Summary: “Snape has nearly gotten used to dealing with the darkness creeping sullenly through the back of his head.” The tempting of Severus Snape. Oneshot, 1,562 Words.

Why You Should Care: Anything I put here will look pretty arrogant, eh? Rec’d in a couple of other places and the winner of an Hourglass Award, so I think it’s above board to put it up here.

Why You Might Not Care: Have shamelessly rec’d my own work, and you may all boo and hiss at your leisure.

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

A 12-Step Program

A 12-Step Program by FalseEyelashes

Summary: 12 steps. 12 steps, and you can cure alcoholism, sex addiction, a love of coke, an uncontrollable rage or that hatred within yourself. 12 steps and you can dance in reverse, fall apart and watch the carefully constructed fabric of your life unravel. And in 12 steps, two people can foolishly fall in love.  Novel-Length (almost), 39,019 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is a stirred and physicologically colourful look at love, lust, and the difference (or sometimes lack thereof) between the two.  The characterisations of Lily and Remus are multifaceted and startlingly (almost shockingly) real — even bordering on gritty — and what strikes me most is how appropriate for their age this emotional opera is.  The writing is stylized and almost exclusively narrative, slipping into and reaching most of Lily’s conscious and unconscious thoughts.  In some ways, this is an angsty fic about angst.

Why You Might Not Care: This fic could be seen by some to be overindulgent, and in some ways I might agree, except I remember what it was like to be in my own head at 18 and think that maybe a little of that is part of the point, really.  It’s both fascinating and tedious; in some places it digs so deep it starts going in circles.

All The Pretty Horses

All The Pretty Horses by RedShoesOn

Summary: Perhaps she’s created this place in her mind, the way they used to say she made up Wrackspurts and Nargles. Angst/Oneshot, 2,284 Words.

Why You Should Care: Darkly mad Luna works so much better than I want it to. This is not how the story ends, but yet nothing about it makes me wrinkle my nose in disbelief; instead, I hear ‘please, no’ echoing in my head. It’s just so well done; a little frightening, but a perfect example of skillfully executed angsty darkfic.

Why You Might Not Care: Well, it’s clearly AU, as we know that Luna lives to marry Rolf Scamander and have lovely little babies with dreadful names. But if you can stomach alternate endings, and dark and twisted ones at that, this beautifully crafted piece is worth your time. It will tug at your heartstrings.

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.

Mentoring

Mentoring by Juniperus

Summary: A psychological study of Severus Snape in three acts. Oneshot, 3,046 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is a fascinating and in-depth character study of Snape at three pivotal times in his life. The language is incredibly thick and nearly entirely a descriptive exercise that occasionally wanders and slips and digresses and distracts, as the mind is inevitably wont to do. In places it might have even been stream of consciousness (except not quite). It is both canon to the core and not, and dances on the edge of indulgence without ever really becoming so. It is a high-level psychological exploration dressed in prose.

Why You Might Not Care: The language is so thick as to be sometimes confusing and even distracting, though in a way that never seems purple. Read this slowly, and read it twice.

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.

Charmbreaker

Charmbreaker by Orange_Crushed

Summary: They smile and tell him that he’s grown, as if this were a real reunion; which is funny because he feels that he’s been shrinking, and that he won’t stop until he has reduced himself to nothingness, like a star. Oneshot, 6,571 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because everyone has said it at least once — “All Marauder stories are the same these days.” Well, not this one. Using the idea that Remus was made to leave Hogwarts after the Prank, Orange_Crushed spins a wonderful alternate reality. You really feel the wasted years slip by as Remus submerges himself into another life, not so much the Muggle world, but a strange balance as he carves his own niche. This story progresses wonderfully, and the events are such that I wouldn’t mind seeing them fleshing out into a chaptered fic. All of the supporting characters just feel right, and Remus himself is lovely. Lastly, and I hate to say it, things almost turn out better this way, for everyone involved; there is so much potential in the ending (and I love the phrasing in the final lines, so wonderful).

Why You Might Not Care: AU is just simply not some people’s cup of tea, and I can respect that — however, I do recommend that you look past your preferences and give it a try. It really is a jewel of a piece. Also, I think Remus/Sirius is implied here, but anything that alludes to it can be taken as a close friendship. It’s very slight.

Awards: 2008 Hourglass Award, Best AU Fic — First Place

Fighting To Explain From In-Between

Fighting To Explain From In-Between by Inkvoices

Summary: Dennis wishes he was more like Colin, then maybe he wouldn’t be in this in-between place. Oneshot, 1,766 Words.

Why You Should Care: Colin and Dennis Creevey are rarely written about in this fandom, and it’s lovely to see a piece that considers their situation during the Second War. Dennis, in particular, is very interesting in this piece, and the limbo between the Muggle and wizarding worlds in which he finds himself is especially intriguing. This piece is sad, but ultimately has an ending which, while not exactly happy, is definitely hopeful. Great characterisation for two fairly obscure characters, excellent flow, and an all-over worthwhile read (as most of Inkvoices’ fic tends to be).

Why You Might Not Care: I wish I’d seen Dogma, because this was written for an Omniocular challenge in which a TV show or film is incorporated into a fic (Inkvoices chose Dogma), and I can’t really fully understand how this ties in with a film I haven’t seen. Those of you who have seen it are better equipped to judge what sort of job she did at the challenge; as Harry Potter fic alone, though, this is wonderful. No criticism.

This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours

This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours by Hackthis

Summary: “There’s only one story in the entire world and everything else is a variation thereof, so the idea that Sirius fell through the veil and died is just one potential ending out of hundreds of thousands. Remus doesn’t like that particular ending, so he’s going to choose another one.” Drabbles, 883 Words.

Why You Should Care: For the Remus/Sirius lover, this is six little connected snippets of heartbreaking AU gold. It’s straightforward, presenting each alternate scenario honestly and without frills instead of breaking into developed stories. Each one left me wishing it had happened that way instead, and they’re just so perfect. I’m finding it quite difficult to be eloquent about these. Just read them, you won’t be sorry.

Why You Might Not Care: There’s a brief moment of explicitness, and this is quite obviously slash. If you scoff at Remus/Sirius, this isn’t the story (or rather, stories) for you. Also, you might wish they had been longer: each one has the potential for a full-blown tale behind them. However, they work quite well as they are.

Valedictory

Valedictory by Thirty2Flavors

Summary: It is the night before the Fidelius Charm is performed, and Lily cannot shake the feeling that this will be the last time she ever sees Sirius Black. Oneshot, 2,091 Words.

Why You Should Care: This piece broke my heart when I first read it. You might think, alright, the last time James and Lily will ever see Sirius — okay, not that original, moving on. But no, Thirty2Flavors dives right in and presents the scene with such raw emotion that I can guarantee that you have never seen it like this before. I rarely cry at fanfiction, but tears were streaming down my face by the end of this one. Lovely, and heartbreaking, and so real. Thirty2Flavors, once again, has set my personal canon.

Why You Might Not Care: Sharp, piercing angst. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Also, like I said, you might have already imagined or read about this scene — but really, it’s so worth reading, even if you think you’ve seen it all before. (Maybe you’re tired of reading Thirty2Flavor’s fics, too, but I have no sympathy for you there, because you’d have to be mad not to love her work.)

Awards: 2007 Hourglass, Best Oneshot — Second Place.

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.

Seven Things That Didn’t Happen On Valentine’s Day At Hogwarts, Or Maybe They Did

Seven Things That Didn’t Happen On Valentine’s Day At Hogwarts, Or Maybe They Did by Pru

Summary: “At seven thirty-six AM on February fourteenth, the giant squid climbed out of the Hogwarts lake, dragged itself in front of a nondescript part of the castle, and began to sing “Daisy”. Before the encore performance and right after a glorious vibrato finale, the squid dedicated the song to Severus Snape, who had appeared at one of the nondescript windows at twenty minutes ’till eight.” Valentine’s Day over seven years at Hogwarts. Humour/Romance, 25,256 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is so funny — and so Marauder. Of course they would have prank wars on Valentine’s Day. As ridiculous as it gets — trust me, the summary is only the start of things — you never stop believing that it could have happened. It’s equal parts romance and humour, with just a little bit of angst towards the end to keep the saccharine from becoming overwhelming. A perfect fic for today.

Why You Might Not Care: Some of the formatting is a bit off, but that’s a minor irritation. One of the seven sections runs quite longer than the rest, but it never stops being amusing. Also, this is quite decidedly Remus/Sirius, and though about half of the fic focuses on the actions of all four Marauders, the ship does take over at the end. If you’re not interested, don’t read it, but I highly recommend that you do; I love this fic.