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…?

A Matter of Opportunity

A Matter of Opportunity by Shimotsuki

Summary: Remus is worried about Teddy, but Tonks is worried about Remus, and circumstances lead her to try something she’s never done before. She can only hope they are ready for it. Oneshot, 2,390 Words.

Why You Should Care: Mostly because I haven’t rec’d a Remus/Tonks in a little while and angsty!Remus fretting over baby Teddy’s first full moon delights me. I also quite enjoyed the interaction between Tonks and Wolfsbaned-Wolf Remus. Nice, cute, and fluffy.

Why You Might Not Care: What do you mean Remus and Tonks died in Deathly Hallows? Psht, like even. Unashamed denial-fic.

A Metaphor For Change

A Metaphor For Change by Sahara Storm

Summary: Five things Albus Dumbledore could not bring himself to say to Gellert Grindelwald. (One of them is a lie.) Drabbles, 1,000 Words.

Why You Should Care: Ah, the “Five Things” meme… what an awful lot of fic it spawned.  It is fortunate that quite an impressive percent of it turned out to be quite good.  Dumbledore is hard enough to characterise as a wise old man, and tracing him back through the years to his younger self is nigh impossible.  Sahara Storm does, I think, a reasonable job, and what’s more the drabbles she creates around her theme of things not said are well worded.

Why You Might Not Care: Obviously a Dumbledore/Grindlewald, and an R-rated one at that.  This may or may not slip over into NC-17 territory, depending on your point of view.  I would say it’s probably not worksafe.

Stealing Harry

Stealing Harry by Copperbadge

Summary: “Harry didn’t see why sharing a street with strange Mr. Black should mean he couldn’t go into the bookshop. After all, nobody actually knew that he owned it, and he had it on good authority that the shop itself was mostly run by another man named Moony.” Novel Length, Alternate Universe, Approx. 85,000 Words.

Why You Should Care: Alternate Universes are fun. They’re fun to write and they’re fun to read, and Stealing Harry by Copperbadge is no different. It’s a well paced, fully developed and well thought-out universe that branches off canon without feeling too contrived. In addition, it features a complex and interesting Remus/Sirius that feels like a fresh and original take on an over-written pairing. Their characters are familiar yet different, as all well constructed AU characters are, and while this version of Sirius may feel too settled for some people’s tastes, there is something wonderful endearing about him as he navigates deeper into the unknown territory of this new romantic relationship.

Why You Might Not Care: I’m not thrilled with the characterisation of eight (and a half) year-old Harry in this fic. Most of the time he comes off as quite a but younger than that, except occasionally when he comes across as quite a bit older; never once in this fic did the dialogue given to him sound like it might actually have come from an eight year-old boy, or at least not any eight year-old boy I’ve ever known. Snape’s character is likewise somewhat distanced from the Snape we know from the books, but considering this was written in 2005 without some of the canon knowledge we have today, I think overall the AU nature of this fic justifies the characterisation enough to be going on with. Be mindful of a handful of NC-17 scenes throughout the latter half of this fic that are not at all worksafe.

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

Now or Never

Now or Never by QueenB23

Summary: “Scorpius Malfoy, who was a Slytherin and a pureblood.  Who, even worse, was the son of Draco Malfoy, a man that her parents barely tolerated when they saw each other in public.” Novel Length Work in Progress, 94,000 Words (and counting).

Why You Should Care: Queen B does not go the predictable route here, spending thousands upon thousands of words in the long slow build up that at long last comes to fruition as Rose and Scorpius inevitably realize their feelings for each other.  Instead, she brings us in minutes before they come together and writes us a story that is equal parts about the now or never nature of teenage love and the complexities of loving across the Romeo-and-Juliet lines of family history and hostility.  Rose and Scorpius are fantastically realized, both as lovable and fallible as real people, and Queen B has given equal consideration to her supporting cast of youngsters and adults alike; parents Hermione and Ron are particularly wonderfully crafted, and their interaction with their daughter on the issue of the Malfoys is true to their character, personalities, and history.  A hopelessly romantic and carefully realistic portrayal of what Scorpius/Rose might really be like, and a unashamed exploration of the charming angst and desperation of teenage love.

Why You Might Not Care: I have hesitated so long in reccing this because it’s a work in progress, and I generally don’t rec unfinished works.  That is more a guideline than a hard and fast rule, however, and I feel this fic is well worth following.  At times, this fic seems to get lost in the sometimes too-passionate day-to-day comings and goings of Rose and Scorpius, but isn’t that exactly what teenage love is all about, really?  Love at sixteen and seventeen has always been that sort of I didn’t see you yesterday and it was just terrible, how did I ever endure it kind of thing, and so the silliness that frequently irks me also delights me because of its honesty.  Heads up for scenes with NC-17 content peppered throughout, starting somewhere around the ninthish chapter.

Thanks to:  So many people who rec’d this to me several times over, including most of the UR.org Roomies, especially Erin and Liz.

Surprises

Surprises by Lady Bracknell

Summary: Lily likes surprises, and this thing with James Potter has been positively filled with those. Drabble, 678 Words.

Why You Should Care: Ahhh… this tops up my James/Lily metre nicely.  It’s sweet, a bit romantic, and mostly sigh-worthy fluff.  Lady Bracknell’s just damn good at finding all those impossible little nothing moments that mean so much.

Why You Might Not Care: All about James/Lily for people who ship elsewhere.

Laughter

Laughter by Emiime

Summary: There is always laughter.  Drabble, 250 Words.

Why You Should Care: I love everything about this flash fic — the character contrasts between serious baby Neville and his light and lively parents, the suggestions of real-life unromanced sex, the foreshadowing of what we know is to come for this family.  It’s a wonderful word sculpture.

Why You Might Not Care: It’s rated R but I’m not sure I’d count it as NWS, but it’s all up to you.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Nellie Darlin

Summary: The real reason Lily Evans keeps turning James Potter down?  She’s already sleeping with his best friend…. Romance/Drama, 18,890. (NC17)

Guest Rec’d By: Kira

Why You Should Care: A canon-compliant Lily/Sirius fic that manages to (fantastically!) document how Lily migrates from one Marauder to another without being dreadfully angsty or making her seem like a fickle shrew.  Nellie writes with an entrancing voice that creates perfect imagery and captivating characters.  What really wins me over is the excellent dynamics that she writes between the characters – Lily and her conundrum between James and Sirius – and how, despite it being a Lily/Sirius fic, she manages to fill in the transformational gaps for James from “arrogant, bullying toe-rag” to love of Lily’s life and the Lily/James moments are precious.  The final scene is possibly one of the best fanfiction end-offs I’ve ever read; it takes my breath away every time.

Why You Might Not Care: There’s not much here for people who can’t stand Lily/Sirius, but if you’re even mildly neutral towards the pairing, you’ll find this fic endearing.  There’s an OFC best friend for Lily, which is common enough in Marauder-era fics, and while this one’s a little bubbly, she doesn’t annoy and serves as an important plot device as opposed to others who are window-dressing Mary Sues.  Personally, I was initially a bit off-put by under-aged sex (16 y.o’s – but I frankly prefer to think that no one at Hogwarts is tapping any ass until they permanently leave the gates), but apparently that’s all the rage these days with young whippersnappers.

Stacked Against

Stacked Against by Lady Bracknell

Summary: At Bill and Fleur’s wedding, Ron seeks advice from the two people he knows who have faced the obstacles he thinks are in front of him, and finds that Gryffindors are nothing if not lucky in love. Oneshot, 3,889.

Why You Should Care: Lady Bracknell takes her well-used pen — so deft at spinning Remus/Tonks — and creates a Ron/Hermione fic that is just as wonderful.  Charmingly canon characterisations paired with canny heart-to-heart discussion, plus just enough of the Remus/Tonks interaction we expect from Lady Bracknell to be the icing on the cake.  Should prove sigh-worthy for Ron/Hermione shippers and Remus/Tonks shippers alike.

Why You Might Not Care: Written the spring before Deathly Hallows was released, and takes place at Bill and Fleur’s wedding, which in this incarnation is not crashed by Death Eaters.  Not that that’s anything close to a good enough reason.

Tumble

Tumble by FireworkFiasco

Summary: “There isn’t time to dream, to pretend, so she busies herself with plotting and planning and doesn’t think about caresses by the lake or how green his eyes really were.” Oneshot, 1,340.

Why You Should Care: I’m not generally fond of Ginny-centric fics, and I think it’s because I find her character as created by Jo somewhat elusive — you think you’ve got her nailed, only to read it over and find out no, no that’s not quite right.  I can’t say that this fic will suit everyone’s vision of Ginny, but it suits mine quite nicely; what’s more, it’s been carefully and deliberately designed in four verses, each with its own theme, and the entire four part oneshot stretches itself across the expanse of Ginny’s character in Deathly Hallows.  Her transformation from child to adult is as borderless as the changing of the seasons.

Why You Might Not Care: For whatever reason, there are some people who so detest Ginny as a character overall that they probably wouldn’t enjoy anything that featured her.

Autumn into Spring

Autumn into Spring by Crookshanks22

Summary: In this sequel to ‘A Romance, with Dragons,’ Viktor finds love at last… and long shadows of the past. Set in Romania, Bulgaria, and Budapest in the aftermath of the second war. Drama/Romance, 19,292 Words.

Guest Rec’d By: Allie Meril (allie_andromeda)

Why You Should Care: You don’t get a lot of fics that are (a) not set in Britain/Hogwarts/etc., and have (b) really fantastic original characters.  “Autumn Into Spring” is one of those rare stories that paints a wholly new picture of a wizarding culture outside of Britain, and a totally believable one at that.  Crookshanks’ picture of wizarding Romania and the rest of Eastern Europe is appropriately bleak and harsh, and this reflects beautifully on the development of the OCs: Marina Vasik is the way she is because her life molded her that way.  Even more than in “A Romance, With Dragons,” Crookshanks22’s writing is stunning.

Why You Might Not Care: An OC-centric story, paired with a very minor character who only appeared in two books…  And to boot, Marina has a tragic past!  This sounds like a recipe of bad cliches, but it surpasses all of them to form a beautiful and touching story.  I’d say that Marina is one of the very best OCs that I’ve ever seen, and her tragic past has very real effects on her character; it isn’t used as a way to get pity from others.

Weakness

Weakness by Alyx Bradford

Summary: “This cannot possibly end well.” Oneshot, 6,761 Words.

Why You Should Care: This is a great little oneshot fiction about the coming together of the Founders that also lays the breadcrumbs of the inevitable clash between Godric and Salazar.  The characters are wonderfully three-dimensional (well… you don’t really get much out of Helga’s cameo to be fair) and the thematic elements of this fic are tied right into the centre of it.  In addition, the writing is mindful of the era this is set in, and the dialogue fits this period piece quite nicely.

Why You Might Not Care: It doesn’t win a million points for having an original premis (the Salazar/Rowena/Godric triangle has been done plenty of times before, and I can’t help but wonder why it’s always Rowena in the centre of it — anyone got a Salazar/Helga/Godric fic laying around somewhere?) but the execution is nearly flawless.  Also, warnings for NC17 and NWS material, folks.

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!

A Romance, With Dragons

A Romance, With Dragons by Crookshanks22

Summary: Meanwhile, in eastern Europe… Charlie Weasley tries to put his life back together after the war. A fairy tale for grownups, with Weasleys galore, Tonks, Remus, Viktor Krum, and plenty of dragons. Written postHBP, refers to deceased characters. Romance, 11,398 Words.

Guest Rec’d By: Allie Meril (allie_andromeda)

Why You Should Care: Crookshanks22 does an excellent job with Charlie and Katie Bell, creating backstories for them that work well in terms of them getting together as a couple. I really loved the analysis of why people marry so young in the wizarding world: that was a topic I’d never seen addressed before in a fic, and it made a lot of sense. The story also shines in creating a successful wizarding atmosphere outside of Britain.

Why You Might Not Care: It’s a pure romance story, with no driving plot except the characters getting together. So if that isn’t your cup of tea… Other than that, I can’t think of any reasons! Go forth and read!

Curiousity

Curiousity by Lady Bracknell

Summary: Remus has always been curious about Lily Evans, but kept his distance. Now, he wants to do nothing of the sort. Oneshot, 2,183 Words.

Why You Should Care: No one makes me love the Remus/Lily pairing as much as Lady Bracknell does. Even though the idea of Lily cheating on James makes me all sad inside, I love this despite that. Somehow Lady Bracknell manages to make this infidelity the right choice for the characters and the situation, like a necessary aside rather than a moral detour. Neither of them regret it, and somehow neither do I. It’s cathartic for them, I think; it wouldn’t have been worse to continue to let their feelings be unfelt forever.

Why You Might Not Care: If James/Lily infidelity makes you weep, maybe steer clear. It’s rated R for sex, but it all seems fairly worksafe to me.

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.

The Rules of Being a Godson

The Rules of Being a Godson by Copperbadge

Summary: Teddy Lupin never gets too close or feels too much; his godfather’s son never does anything else. Drama/Romance, 12,329 Words.

Why You Should Care: Whether you know him as Sam the Storyteller, SamVimes,or Copperbadge, there is no denying that this author is gold. Previously recced on Coffee and Chocolate for his humour masterpiece, Sublimation and the Snitch, he is perhaps better known for his excellent slash romances, and this piece does not disappoint. Action! Drama! Longing! All in Copperbadge’s wonderfully straightforward style. This is excellent, and the reason I ship Teddy/James about the same as Teddy/Victoire.

Why You Might Not Care: Beware, there are kissing boys in this fic. Also, it was written approximately twenty-four hours after the release of Deathly Hallows, and as such, might not adhere to all interview canon, though nothing leapt out at me during my re-read.

Awards: 2008 Hourglass Award, Best Slash Romance — First Place

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.

Chase This Light

Chase This Light by Lady Altair

Summary: “Draco Malfoy falls head over heels for Astoria Greengrass while he’s sneaking out of her engagement ball (in the most literal sense; he trips over her.)” Drama/Romance, 3,867 Words.

Why You Should Care: Have you ever read something that leaves Draco Malfoy just as he is in canon, and yet makes him utterly delightful and sympathetic? Yeah, I hadn’t either, until I found this. It’s the most lovely way of weaving the name-only Astoria Greengrass into existence and into everyone’s least favourite snarky bastard’s life. I started grinning at the beginning, and just couldn’t stop; I hope you have the same reaction.

Why You Might Not Care: Some people don’t like Draco, and you know what? I don’t blame them. However, it’s a good fic, and I enjoyed it. (What I didn’t enjoy was that it’s in three parts, and instead of links to the next chapter, you have to navigate to the journal’s main page to get to each one. Luckily, you don’t have to hunt far.)

Rhapsody in Blue

Rhapsody in Blue by Copperbadge

Summary: Remus has decided it’s time to cure Tonks of her awkwardness, the only way he knows how. Oneshot, 6,001 Words.

Why You Should Care: This has got everything a Remus/Tonks shipper wants, including friendship, clumsy Tonks, intellectual Remus, romance, sex, and dancing. It also has a brilliant and frank exchange about half-way through about the land-mines of being a werewolf, and the quiet, polite prejudice Remus has grown accustomed to from his friends. But mostly because it’s written by Copperbadge, and you mostly can’t go wrong with things written by Copperbadge.

Why You Might Not Care: Remus/Tonks in this one, and there’s a section of NC17-ish material which is not overly explicit, but probably not something you should read at work.

Note: Due to a complete lack of internet connection this weekend, I ended up not being able to rec until I got to work. These have been backdated for the sake of my own brain.