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 Chocolate Frog War

The Chocolate Frog War by Leni Jess

Summary: The war is over, and Severus Snape is in Azkaban.  With Chocolate Frogs.  Could there be worse?  Well, yes.  Correspondence about them.  Just what is really going on? Oneshot, 4,918 Words.

Why You Should Care: I… don’t really know.  I just like something about it.  Probably the complete randomness of the situation that is dealt with in (almost) all seriousness.  It’s a grand battle of the wills over something completely insane.  It’s wacky.  It doesn’t quite make sense.  It might be crackfic, except that it doesn’t read quite like crackfic.

Why You Might Not Care: It ends with several questions unanswered, and even after three read-overs I’m still not quite sure what all actually happened.  But I still like it, possibly because it’s just… odd.  A very strange and possibly unique piece of fanfic.

Minerva McGonagall and the Insurance Salesman

Minerva McGonagall and the Insurance Salesman by Emiime

Summary: “The hapless insurance salesman squirmed. ‘If you will recall, Professor McGonagall, last time we spoke I told you we wished to cancel your policy. The amount of issues the school has — it’s simply too high-risk for us….’ ” Oneshot, 1,218 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because it’s an absolutely smashing idea for a fic that mixes the magical and the ordinary in ways that make me cackle. I adore the original character of Brian Hemmings, who bit off much more than he could chew. A bit of a stab at the insurance industry. Delightfully amusing.

Why You Might Not Care: It says part one of two, and the second part hasn’t made it up yet. It stands well enough on its own, though.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things by Sonya

Summary: Buffy meets someone interesting in an unlikely place… Crossover, Humor, Romance, 2,772 Words.

Guest Rec’d By: Kira

Why You Should Care: An HP/BtVS crossover set post-OoTP, the first in a series of three one-shots where Remus meets Buffy Summers in a wizarding employment agency.  Sonya does a great job of giving Buffy her trademark witty, but sometimes foot-in-mouth, remarks without grating on the readers’ nerves and Remus gets an in-character, though slightly snarky personality that is reminiscent of Young!Remus in Marauder-era fics.  It’s touching to read this cute fic where Remus finally meets someone who feels just as out of place in society as he does and doesn’t mind the fact that he’s a werewolf.

Why You Might Not Care: You might not like Buffy.  You might not like Remus.

Home Invader

Home Invader by Ichthyosaur

Summary: Ron is home alone with Rosie and Hugo when a spider attacks!  Humour, Oneshot, 1,856.

Guest Rec’d By: Kira

Why You Should Care: Fangirls, rejoice!  Daddy!Ron is the sex.  The over-the-top reaction that Ron and little Rosie have to the intrusive spider is hilarious and their interaction whilst facing off the spider with their brave Gryffindor courage is adorable.   Ichthyosaur does a delightful job of placing our favourite characteristics each from Ron and Hermione and reflecting what home life would be like in the Granger-Weasley family, post-Epilogue – filled with Gryffindor courage and makeshift kitchen armour!

Why You Might Not Care: Epilogue fics aren’t suited for everyone, particularly those about the next generation.  However, the fic stands strong on its own without the Epilogue (read: without the names Rose and Hugo pulled from those pages.)  It’s just a splendid read to see Ron in a father/daughter situation; guaranteed to resonate with anyone who has an arachnophobic significant other or offspring.

Weasleys Wizard Wheezes: The Ministry Disapproved Edition (The Liability Remix)

Weasleys Wizard Wheezes: The Ministry Disapproved Edition (The Liability Remix) by SullenSiren (Original by Xylodemon)

Summary: From the desk of Percival Ignatius Weasley, concerning the twins’ latest product line. Oneshot, 3,000.

Why You Should Care: Originally written in 2006 for the Omniocular Non-Fiction Challenge, and recently remixed for Remix Redux 2006. The original was absolute fun, and the new additions in the voice of Percy compliment the original content wonderfully. Catalogue comes complete with images, pricing, order form, and sparling text! Really fantastic multi-media comedic exercise that fits well in JKR’s universe.

Why You Might Not Care: The original was written before DH, and the remix — even though it was written post DH — has complied with that original, so suspend your canon complaints.

Minutes of Order of the Phoenix Meeting, 28th June 1997

Minutes of Order of the Phoenix Meeting, 28th June 1997 by GoogleBrat

Summary: Even in a war, it’s important to follow procedure. Humour, 1,455 Words.

Why You Should Care: Almost a parody and certainly a comedy, this fic will be especially wonderful to anyone who’s ever taken or read minutes in a professional setting. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes on behind that closed door during top secret Order of the Phoenix meeting, now’s your chance!

Why You Might Not Care: Mostly pointless fluff, but the funny kind. Mocking minutes more than Harry Potter.

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

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.

Sirius Black, Super Genius

Sirius Black, Super Genius by Mistful

Summary: “A few weeks later with Valentine’s Day drawing inexorably nearer, it began to dawn on Remus that this did not appear to be one of the daydreams Sirius toyed with and then forgot about, like the time he wanted Dumbledore and McGonagall to get married and have superchildren.”  Humour, 8,953 Words.

Why You Should Care: I have no solid understanding of the precise agreed-upon meaning of the term “crackfic”, but if I had to describe what the word means to me, I would probably use this fic as Exhibit A.  And B.  Also C through Z.  This is one of those fics that zig-zags so violently across the line between comedy and parody that it becomes its own beast.  It’s completely over the top while still somehow managing to have a solid foundation under all that crack; this one doesn’t just bring the clichés, it practically invents new ones.  I can’t decide if Mistful is a genius or completely Sirius-Black insane.  Probably both.

Why You Might Not Care: I suppose it all depends on what you define as crackfic and whether or not you like crackfic.  I put forth only that in reading this I managed on several occasions to force hot tea through my nose in an attempt not to choke on my own laughter.

Draco Malfoy, Ruler of the Universe

Draco Malfoy, Ruler of the Universe by Mistful

Summary: “Draco tilted his head. At this angle, you could almost see Dumbledore’s will to live draining away.”  Draco Malfoy gets what’s coming to him. Parody, 8,865 Words.

Why You Should Care: Manically funny and delightfully backward.  The characters are pushed far enough that it’s wonderful parody, but not too far that it’s absurd.  Sure to delight readers of Trio-Era fiction the most, and Draco lovers and haters in equal parts.  He’s the star in this one… and Mistful goes to great lengths to make fun of that, too.

Why You Might Not Care: I suppose there might be one or two people out there who don’t like parody, which is really quite a shame.  Just think about all that wonderful laughter those people are missing out on!

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.

Five Times Fred and George Got Away With It

Five Times Fred and George Got Away With It by Attilatehbun

Summary: “For once, this is more than a joke, this is something that needs doing. Not that jokes don’t need doing, because they certainly do, now more than ever.” Oneshot, 1,065 Words.

Why You Should Care: Fred and George are wonderful in this fic. Watching them grow up — and yet not at the same time — is perfect. These moments which Attilatehbun has chosen are very real and leave you agreeing that yes, they would have happened. Chararacterisation is spot on, excellent blend of humor and gravity, lovely ending.

Why You Might Not Care: Honestly, I wish that the author had chosen a different title; list-fics are starting to grate on the nerves of the fandom in general — the organisation of this piece isn’t so much a list as it is separate scenes, but the title can’t tell you that. Beyond that, though, it’s definitely one of my personal favourites.

Thanks To: Redonthefly, for reccing this in her journal.

Up All Night

Up All Night by Gilpin and Mrs. Tater

Summary: The night before Harry’s hearing in OotP and, for Remus and Tonks, it really was asking for trouble to go out like this. Risky and unprofessional. In fact, anything might happen… Romantic Comedy, 51,093 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because I love stories like this, that take a brief and completely perfunctory exchange and give it a backstory and a different sort of weight. Now, every time I read the beginning of Chapter Seven of OotP, I’m going to remember this story and smile. The characters are well constructed, and the dialogue is spot on in every scene. Remus and Tonks shine as real people tripping their way across the muddled waters of any friendship-turned-romance, and the bit characters — Sirius in particular — have not underperformed, either. It’s also a great example of a well done co-authored story: the authors have melded their styles and ideas so well that it really only seems like one of them wrote it. And, you know, because I think it’s been a little while since I’ve recced a Remus/Tonks, and that just won’t do.

Why You Might Not Care: Remus/Tonks, for those who prefer Remus shipped with someone else. Some might say it’s a tad anti-climactic (and they’re not necessarily wrong) what with the addition of the last chapter, which stretches out the ending a bit more than was perhaps necessary, but for me it’s a minor quibble.

Two Conversations

Two Conversations by YKuang

Summary: Harry has a hypothetical toe fungus. Ginny thinks he’s odd. Hermione thinks he’s odd. Everything happens at four in the morning. And it’s all canon. Oneshot, 1,665 Words.

Why You Should Care: The friendship between Harry and Hermione is a tricky one to write without straying into awkwardness, romance or the library and YKuang deserves a medal for this one. The interaction between Ginny and Harry is suitably sweet, and the author does a good job of connecting awkward!Ginny with grownup!Ginny. But it’s the characterisation of Hermione that really makes this fic stand out. I hate the character. I love this fic. Go figure.

Why You Might Not Care: This isn’t one of those fics that makes you laugh out loud, or cry, but it’s beautiful in its own, quiet little way and sometimes that understatedness is the best kind of genius.

A Problem of Scale

A Problem of Scale by Halrloprillalar

Summary: Snape’s bad day. 100 Word Drabble.

Why You Should Care: It’s funny, and takes a well-meaning knock at the fandom.  Anything else I say would probably ruin it, seeing as it’s only 100 words.

Why You Might Not Care: Some people don’t like 100 word drabbles because they’re too short.  I love them because they’re exactly the right length.

Form 46A

Form 46A by Alan McLeod

Summary: How are things like household bills handled in the Harry Potter world? Are their beurocracies as incompetent as ours? Snape finds out. Drabble, Humour, 560 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because I really think Jo would probably find it hilarious, and just right on form. And because I think it’s hilarious. Snape makes the best straight man for this little drabble, I think, and the fact that it’s him just makes me love it even more.

Why You Might Not Care: It’s short and humourous. If one of those doesn’t tickle your fancy today, then skip it.

How The Dark Lord Stole Christmas

How The Dark Lord Stole Christmas by Alyx Bradford

Summary: Every kid down at Hogwarts liked Christmas a lot. But the Dark Lord who lived just north of Hogwarts did NOT! Parody, 1,257 Words.

Why You Should Care: Because I thought a cute and funny Classic Christmas Story parody would be just the thing. (The last bit is my favorite!)

Why You Might Not Care: Come on, it’s Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all the C&Cers, without whom this site would just be me, talking to myself.  Cheers!

The Enforcer

The Enforcer by EmilySavsTheDay

Summary: Lily becomes sick at a Quidditch match, and James comes to see her (but only after he’s done playing, of course). Oneshot, 3,870 Words.

Why You Should Care: Oh, the banter!  This is how I feel James and Lily really should be, you know.  I think the combative nature of their early relationship would have translated into glorious and hilarious Josh’n’Donna-esque pedeconfrence banter (for those of you who don’t know, that’s a West Wing reference there).  This is like that.  Two people of equal wit showing each other they care by way of carefully placed digs.  Love it.

Why You Might Not Care: That up there is my impression of these characters, I admit, and yours might be different; if so, this might strike you as out of character– though we know so little that it’s really all about personal preference when it comes to James and Lily, isn’t it?

Faded Laughter

Faded Laughter by Mary Borsellino

Summary: Ginny finds a portrait in the attic. Oneshot, 1,386 Words.

Why You Should Care: This fic almost brought tears to my eyes. The premise is that Ginny finds an old portrait of Sirius in the attic, and the way it’s told is so sweet and quintessential. Young!Sirius is so filled with energy and passion, and this is contrasted by the almost lethargic Ginny that we meet: so young and yet so old. And there are these fabulous moments, like when Ginny thinks that she could be infatuated by Sirius’ charm, or when Sirius refers to the Weasleys as ‘spawn’. Particular kudos for using Ginny and not Harry, the more obvious choice. It’s nice to see her with some true emotion and sensitivity.

Why You Might Not Care: A little too short to give as much impact. Plus Mary Borsellino falls into the old trap of just having to include a moment of Remus/Sirius. But it’s nicely handled and actually adds somewhat to the fic.