Harry Potter/Fanfic Recs/General

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Harry Potter general fanfic, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that doesn't fit into one of the other folders.''

I'll Fight For you by Hazelmist
 * Recommended by Drjafjaf
 * Synopsis: Set in the Marauder Era, this fanfic tells the story of Lily and James' 6th year from Lily's point of view.
 * Comments: There are some elements of a typical Marauder Era fic, but this one by far surpasses all others. The writing is excellent and well thought out, the plot revolves around more than just belligerent sexual tension, and the characters are all done justice by the author. In particular, the last section epilogue of the story is one of the most powerful things I have even read, both in published work and fiction.

Harry Potter and the Boy Who Lived by The Santi
 * Recommended by Sweece
 * Synopsis: Harry Potter loves, and is loved by, his parents, his godfather, and his brother. He isn't mistreated, abused, or neglected. So why is he a Dark Wizard? Non BWL!Harry. Not your typical Harry's brother is the Boy Who Lived story.
 * Comments: An excellent fic with a more intelligent interesting Harry who isn't overpowered or bound by the chains of Destiney (or some such crap).

Apprentice Potter and its sequels, Journeyman Potter and Master Potter (the last a Dead Fic) by Draco664 (All AU)
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: A Harry Potter Alternate Universe that diverges shortly after the events of Order of the Phoenix. Instead of letting Harry return to Hogwarts for his sixth year, Mad-Eye Moody arranges an apprenticeship for him, with a mysterious and infuriating new master.
 * Comments: Includes Fem!Blaise, Angry!Angry!Really Freaking Angry!Harry, and poly shipping.

The Most Grievous and Lamentable Tragedy of the Death of Lord Voldemort by rowen_r
 * Recommended by Micah
 * Synopsis: Harry Potter meets Jacobean revenge tragedy.
 * Comments: Written pre-Half Blood Prince. Has stage directions like "[In a manner suggestive of profound, puppy-kicking evil]" and "[Makes frightening groaning noises just for the hell of it, the scamp]".
 * It's probably twice as funny for anyone familiar with Renaissance literature, especially Shakespeare and Marlowe, so English majors, theatre majors, and AP Lit students will probably laugh harder than anyone else.

A Bad Week At The Wizengamot by DisobedienceWriter
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: After Harry Potter is convicted by the Wizengamot for defending himself against the dementors the summer after his fourth year and goes wandless into exile, Cornelius Fudge is certain all is now well with the world. At least until Harry's revenge begins...
 * Comments: Funny short story set in an Alternate Universe that looks much bleaker than canon... at least at first. Features Cornelius Fudge as the ultimate Pointy-haired Boss.

Eternal Return by Silver Pard
 * Recommended by: User:Looney Toons, chimeras, 0Wraith, Fenro
 * Synopsis: Harry finds himself reincarnated as a newborn Tom Marvolo Riddle, decades in the past. Can he do what he needs to in order to ensure that he is born and lives out the life he remembers? Can he bear the cost?
 * Comments: Dark, heartbreaking and ultimately creepy.
 * Definitely seconded, even if you saw it coming, the ending is still chilling.
 * 0Wraith: This is one of the best Harry Potter oneshots I've ever read. Very dark, very devastating. Silver Pard writes brilliant Death Note fics too, if you're into that fandom.

The Book of Dobby: Per Arcana ad Astra by Doghead Thirteen
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons, Comartemis
 * Synopsis: While obsessively cleaning Colin Creevy's stacks of nerd paraphernalia, Dobby stumbles on a book about The Battle Of Britain and takes a liking to the idea of big metal birds blowing shit up. A few weeks later after Voldemort's return, Harry is trying to think of ways to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters when Dobby offers a solution involving magic, elves, and World War II air power. "TURNS OUTS THEM LIGHTSES! IS YOUS NOT KNOWING THERE IS BEING A WAR ON?"
 * Comments: One of the most warped and entertaining Potter stories I've ever encountered. Words cannot describe just how twisted and fun this story is—it must be read to be believed. Completely unlike any other Harry Potter fic in existence. Incomplete Dead Fic, sadly.
 * Looney Toons: The version of the story linked above is the reboot/rewrite of the now-abandoned original, and opens differently from what is described, just in case you get confused.  Don't worry, it's even funnier and more outrageous than the original.  But sadly it, too, has become a Dead Fic.
 * Comartemis: A fic that absolutely refuses to take itself seriously, this is gloriously crack-tastic and a joy to read; my only complaint is that there isn't enough of it. Conspicuously avoids Evil!Dumbledore despite invoking the same Fridge Logic that generally leads to that characterization (he's not evil, he's just senile). Also, watch for 40K and Girl Genius shout-outs including
 * Sinclair: This story is utterly hilarious and Dobby's (and his fellow elves') antics will leave you unable to breathe from sheer laughter many, many times. The best part? For all the crack, it could actually work!

Reclamation by Sam the Storyteller
 * Recommended by Lavanya Six
 * Synopsis: In an alternate universe, one man still struggles with a moral decision made many years before.
 * Comments: My favorite HP one-shot. It explores the life and mind of in a world where, like a recovering alcoholic, he makes an conscious effort each day to not turn Dark.

Measure for Measure by Grover Cleveland
 * Recomended by Radiofreak
 * Synopsis: Harry Potter's fifth year. Featuring a sarcastic!/slightly independent!/STRAIGHT!Harry Harry/Daphne
 * Comments: One of the best HP fanfics I have had the pleasure of reading, with a very well done first person view of a slightly mad Harry. Features Harry getting paid in virgins outside of a crackfic.

Fair Trade by BajaB
 * Recommended by Ithanyx
 * Synopsis: Harry confronts Voldemort after his sixth year at Hogwarts with an alternate reason for some of the Dark's Lord's failures, and offers to help him out, for a price.
 * Comments: A fantastic ret-con fic which shows an interesting idea of what a power that Voldemort knows not could be like.

Bungle in the Jungle and its sequel, Turn Me Loose by jbern
 * Recommended by Dor, User:Looney Toons, Foo Fighter, Chuckg, lanky, oruma
 * Synopsis: Harry Potter escapes one of Dumbledore's plans to manipulate him by following Bill Weasley on an expedition to South America, where they find far more than they bargained for.
 * Comments: Very few authors use the second person successfully; Bungle in the Jungle is among the best of the exceptions. The story can be a bit intimidating for the first chapter or two, between the point of view and the first chapter being in non-chronological order. Stick with it, and you find a cast of thoroughly-developed original characters, an insightful look into what a cursebreaker actually does, and one of the best climactic battle sequences in fanfiction. Be warned: There's a pretty significant amount of Hermione- and Weasley-bashing, although the sequel redeems them somewhat.
 * User:Looney Toons: I particularly like his take on Luna Lovegood, which makes perfect sense in this setting. Also note that this story does not end conclusively, but its sequel picks up where "Bungle" left off.

Taking Control and Free Life, by "fake a smile"
 * Recommended by Chuckg
 * Synopsis: Sirius' ghost hangs around after OoTP to help Harry get over his death and train him, leading to a Harry who enters year 6 with an iron determination to grow up and take his fate in his own hands and fight the war against Voldemort on his own terms. Meanwhile, the "Golden Trio" splits apart when Harry won't let them in on his new plans, leaving Ginny (and later Remus) as his only confidants. Independent!Harry and Genuinely-Well-Meaning-But-Stiflingly-Manipulative!Dumbledore. Taking Control is complete; its sequel Free Life is incomplete but in progress.
 * Pairings: Harry/Ginny

The Innocence of Guilt by ENSIGN
 * Recommended by Unclouded TJ
 * Synopsis: Harry Potter was sentenced to Azkaban prison. However he never went there. Who is this James Pathertrory who's running around the world causing problems for the Death Eaters?

Make A Wish by Rorschach's Blot (Fanfiction.net link)
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons, Chuckg, Elenor, UnseenVoice, lanky
 * Synopsis: After learning the prophecy, Harry comes to the conclusion there's no way he can win against Voldemort. And if that's the case, he decides he has to get in as much living as he can before he must return to the conflict. But in the process of the whirlwind round-the-world tour he takes under an assumed name as result of that decision, he inadvertently creates a mythic figure of such proportions that even Voldemort begins to fear him.
 * Comments: An enjoyable, funny story despite the author's primitive grasp of the technical rudiments of writing and the somewhat anticlimactic ending. Watching how the Wizarding World creates the myth of "Mr. Black" by misunderstanding or selectively re-interpreting the information and stories left in Harry's wake is worth the occasional frustration with Blot's style, as is the scale to which the myth eventually grows—and how Harry reacts when he finally learns what his "last vacation before dying" has wrought. (Be warned, though, that Make A Wish starts slowly—although the lead-up has some good if low-key humor, the funniest stuff really doesn't start to kick in until the end of chapter 10.) Anyway, don't take this story seriously—just sit back and enjoy it. It has a sequel, The Hunt for Harry Potter, which isn't quite as good in my opinion, but is still fun to read.
 * The writing is amateurish, but the plot is original and engaging, the OCs interesting, and the humor spot-on.
 * lanky adds: The more the story goes on, the less entertaining it gets, I found. It's an interesting read, but Harry quickly becomes a Boring Invincible Hero when he stops being mistaken for a huge, powerful badass and actually becomes one. Especially after the story abandons humor to take the serious route. Honestly, the story could have been a lot better had it just stuck to the premise. It's still worth a read, however.

Warrior's Heir by Osireia (AU)
 * Recommended by abcd_z
 * Synopsis: Harry is thrown into a world where purebloods are discriminated against, Tom Riddle is the Boy Who Lived, and the Dark Lord...is someone he'd never suspect. Will his emerging abilities be enough? Should he support Riddle—or the Dark Lord?

The Alexandra Quick series by Inverarity: the Thorn Circle, the Lands Below, and the Deathly Regiment and the Stars Above (Very completely AU)
 * Recommended by Chaosjunction
 * Synopsis: This story has next to nothing to do with the characters in the Harry Potter series; it has everything to do with the Harry Potter world. Set in the United States, where the Confederation, a government in political turmoil, has problems with revolutionaries and warring cultures. It focuses on Alexandra Quick, a Muggle-born girl who goes to Charmbridge Academy and discovers a lot about not only magic and the wizarding world, but about herself as well.
 * Comments: If you liked Hogwarts Houses Divided by the same author you will most definitely like this one. The setting feels natural and sucks you in, and the characters are memorable and detailed. The first two stories are complete, but a third is on the way. I really hope he goes on to finish the entire series with seven stories total; Alexandra Quick is a lot more than fanfiction. In fact, it's closer to the Star Wars novels set in earlier eras with less Lucas guidance than it is to fanfiction. Got me teary eyed near the end of the second one, too.

A Place For Warriors by owlsaway
 * Recommended by Fenro
 * Synopsis: A fifteen-chapter Bottle Episode begins as Dumbledore locks Harry and Snape in the Room of Requirement for a week, and as the focus on Snape and Harry's interaction is very tight even after they manage to get out, the cast is still less than ten people. The author mentions that it is not, nor will it ever be, slash. Work-in-progress.
 * Comments: The explosive mesh of "screwed-up-teenager" plus "screwed-up-adult" strikes a very weird but audible chord, and Dumbledore is presented as a flawed human rather than an emotionless chessmaster. The interactions between Snape and Harry are excrutiatingly powerful once they realize their similarities, and this is twenty-five chapters of Talking Heads that you will not resist reading out loud. And that friend you rope into reading with you won't mind, either.

The Dagger of Foreboding by Lord Drash
 * Recommended by The Omegod
 * Synopsis: A supposed AU of the Harry Potter series with the characters searching for the above-mentioned, Dagger of Foreboding.
 * Comments: Honestly this is nearly impossible to describe. It is probably one of, if not the most hilarious fanfic ever made for several reasons. First, it's written in an awkward style rife with inconsistencies and contradictions and can be a biting parody of Harry Potter fanfiction as a whole. Oh, and it has the best similes ever.

Unequivocally Unusual, by Quantum Cat
 * Recommended by Comartemis
 * Synopsis: Fate kicks Harry in the teeth in his second year when Ron and Hermione are both petrified by the basilisk. With the rest of the school villifying him worse than ever and nobody left to turn to, Harry begins to break down... until coincidince throws him a bone. A rather loony bone.
 * Comments: Now here's something you don't see every day; a Harry/Luna friendship fic. No soul bonds, no "twu wuv!", and no use of Obfuscating Stupidity to turn Luna into a Possession Sue. A very engaging take on what it would take for these two to hit it off and what happens when you mix Lovegood-brand insanity into Harry's usual adventures. Highly recommended, but it seems to be dead; it's been on hiatus since April of '09.

Poison Pen, by Genkai Fan
 * Recommended by Mandrke, Unclouded TJ, User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: "Harry has had enough of seeing his reputation shredded in the Daily Prophet and decides to do something about it. Only he decides to embrace his Slytherin side to rectify matters." As quoted from the author's page.
 * Comments: It has its ups and downs but the overall story has enough twists and turns to keep you interested. The plot revolves around the wizarding world's reaction to the writings of one "Oliver Twist" during the summer between the 4th and 5th book and goes on from there. It brings up some good points about how stupid the wizarding world can be, especially during wartime. It's also a finished work with the author ruling out sequels or side stories, so what you see is all you'll get.

To Fight The Coming Darkness by jbern
 * Recommended by lanky
 * Synopsis: Susan Bones was with Amelia Bones when Voldemort came to kill her. Unfortunately for him, Harry was there to stop him. Essentially, the story diverges rapidly after the events of the fifth book, with Harry managing to catch Voldemort off of his guard and injuring him. This enrages Harry's powerful foe into taking him completely seriously, causing reality to ensue.
 * Comments: This story rapidly gets darker and darker as it progresses, with both Harry and Voldemort not pulling their punches. While jbern's work is always leaning towards cynicism on the sliding scale, this work takes Anyone Can Die to new levels and develops some characters into quite believable monsters. This is a world where Voldemort becomes very Dangerously Genre Savvy, forcing Harry to ditch being The Messiah in order to examine exactly how far he's willing to go to beat Voldemort and to discover the simple truth that Good Is Not Nice. Brilliantly written, as always, and it gets bonus points for lots and lots of Character Development, not all of which is good for the characters involved.

My Immortal Refined by Evilkritter
 * Recommended By Mac Phisto
 * Synopsis: A brave soul attempts to rewrite My Immortal... with all the grammatical mistakes corrected!!
 * Comments: This is better than an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000!

The Potions Master's Nephew
 * Recommended By: Kittastrophe
 * Synopsis: An accident occurs and Professor Snape finds himself trapped in his fifteen-year-old body. Enrolled into Harry Potter's fifth year, he is forced to hide his true identity. Girls, drama and teenage angst do not bode well with Severus.
 * Comments: Probably my favourite "Fountain of Youth" fic. The writing is beautifully done and the plot development is excellent. It eventually contains some Draco/Ginny (well-written, I add). It looked like a deadfic for a while, but when the author eventually finished it, the edited version was put up all at once. Anyway, excellent characterization, and who doesn't want to read youthified!Snape? It's fun!

The Serpent of Lord Voldemort by Angie Astravic
 * Recommended by Leradny
 * Synopsis: Harry can turn into a snake. This power saves him when Voldemort turns up at Privet Drive and blows up the (empty) Dursley's house—instead of killing Harry on sight, Voldemort just thinks he's a real snake who can recognize Harry Potter, and takes him prisoner.
 * Comments: Voldemort has some of the oddest yet most in-character Pet The Snake moments EVER.
 * This fic is the fourth in a series of fics: An Unwelcome Visitor, Under the Rose Bush, The Serpent

Realizations by Wishweaver.
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons, Seraviel, Dor
 * Synopsis: A Harry Potter fic set in the summer after Goblet of Fire—Harry comes back from Hogwarts to discover the Dursleys have packed up and moved to Australia without telling him, and he must find a way to survive the summer without unnecessarily alarming anyone.
 * Comments: Incomplete, and almost certainly a Dead Fic -- the most recent chapter was posted in November 2010, and the author hasn't made an appearance in his/her (now defunct) Yahoo group in almost as long.
 * What's especially notable about this fic is that the Fridge Logic employed is never condescending to Canon and that nobody is vilified -- even the way that Harry's abuse escaped the notice of the Order and the Ministry is covered in an amazingly believable way (one Ministry social worker mistakes Petunia's violent reaction against Magic as protectiveness and shielding Harry from potential Death Eaters!), and once I got over Figg being a full witch and not a squib, my suspension of disbelief has never wavered.
 * Update, August 2020: After nearly ten years of inactivity, Wishweaver has revived the story and is rewriting it.  The updated version can be found here on Archive of Our Own.

The Founder's Pendants, by Spiral Digger
 * Recommended by Oracle Seven
 * Synopsis: The spirit of Salazar Slytherin has been released into an unwilling Snape and as the charismatic Founder takes charge of his body, Severus discovers the only way to regain control is through his own Slytherin cunning.
 * Comments: A definite AU that diverges rather forcefully from the main plot of the books in the first chapter. Salazar comes across as a Magnificent Bastard right from the beginning, and it only gets better as the story continues.
 * There are so few well-written Founder Fics out there. It is good to see one that is enjoyable.

Dimension Hopping For Beginners, by nonjon
 * Recommended by Khym Chanur
 * Synopsis: After defeating Voldemort, Harry travels to other universes and helps them with their Voldemort problems.
 * Comments: Several of the universes are serious, but most of them are comedic. Contains bashing of Draco, Snape, and Harry/Draco.

Renegade Cause by Silens Cursor
 * Recommended by Vazeron1
 * Synopsis: At the start of Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry comes to take Harry into custody for using a Patronus charm in front of a Muggle. Harry, warned by Dumbledore to not let them destroy his wand, defends himself. Things change.
 * Comments: An in-depth look at the darker arts of Magic, the darker forms of politics, and the darker morals. And not just Voldemort or Fudge, for once.. Harry makes difficult decisions, Voldemort delves in Spell Creation, and it is very violent.

Sounds Like a Breakfast Cereal by Ara Kane
 * Recommended by MtheR
 * Synopsis: In his fifth year, Harry finally gets to take a vacation. Join Hex Holmstrom as he dodges arrest from the Ministry, gets the girl, beats the bad guy, and turns Hufflepuff House upside down! This story was written prior to the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
 * Comments: I like this one because it takes the badfic staple of "American witch/wizard comes to Hogwarts," and keeps the core idea (let's follow someone new and different and see all their wacky fun adventures!) but sorts the OC into Hufflepuff, a house which sorely needs some wacky fun adventures. It's probably not for everyone, though.

Happy Birthday Mr. Dark Lord by After the Rain
 * Recommended by Valjean
 * Synopsis: Lord Voldemort announces that he's going to celebrate his birthday with Sugar Quills, Pin-the-Beak-on-the-Hippogriff, and Death Eaters in hula skirts. Has he finally lost his mind, or is somebody crazy like a fox?
 * Comments: Achieves what all short pieces should strive for—packing a lot of meaning into a few paragraphs. Starts out sounding like a hilarious, highly random crackfic, twists into what seems to be a great light-hearted humor piece, and finally whiplashes at the end into  The simple, two-word line

Winter's Debt by La Guera.
 * Recommended by Eoppen.
 * Synopsis:  tells the story of the little sister he found he had, and why she had to be hidden from the world.
 * Comments: Warning: This one is serious Tear Jerker material. If you don't start crying at some point in the story, you have no soul.

Marshmallows by Glockgal
 * Recommended by Wookiee
 * Synopsis: Summer with the Weasleys. Harry and friends go camping, and bring some muggle marshmallows along. Set in the summer after fourth year, written before Order of the Phoenix came out.
 * Comments: Possibly the most beautiful piece of fanfiction this troper has read in her life, in any fandom. The powerful but understated characterization, the surprising drops of darkness and angst mixed with the strong, homey, familial tone, and the simple, childlike emotions were enough to bring tears to her eyes. The style is brief, but too descriptive to truly be called sparse. The various events are full of unanalyzed meaning that are addressed by the characters' reactions and never explained by an omniscient author, giving it the feeling of poetry and lingering in the reader's mind long after the story is finished.

In Blood Only by E.M. Snape
 * Recommended by Fenro
 * Synopsis: Snape is Harry's father. No one is happy to hear it. R due to colorful language, dark themes, and nongraphic violence.
 * Comments: This is one of the best Severitus Challenge fics out there. This story is complete. See Severitus for challenge details.

Fire Burns by Purple Banana/Parnopius
 * Recommended by skysong8
 * Synopsis: Set in Marauder time, seventh year, but centered around the Slytherins. Second in the trilogy (Carpe Diem, Fallen Angel). Currently being revised. Revolves around Katherine Riddle (Voldemort's daughter), her friend Remus, and her fellow Slytherins during their seventh year at Hogwarts. Not your traditional OC.
 * Comments: Marauder time—start of 7th year at Hogwarts. Great characterization. Complex, occasionally dark, often hilarious.

Ananke by Eunike
 * Recommended by FatRat
 * Pairings: Severus Snape/Lily Evans
 * Synopsis: An accident sends the nineteen-year-old Lily Evans eighteen years into the future, and a coincidence leads her to her former best friend, Severus Snape. Lost in a terrible world she no longer recognizes, Lily is torn between doing what she is supposed to do, and doing what she thinks is right. Can Lily change her fate, or must she succumb to what was meant to be? Meanwhile, Severus can't believe his own luck when he realizes that he's given another chance to save Lily, and to finally tell her how he really feels -– but is he brave enough to take that chance?
 * Comments: sort of AU but fits very well with canon in the Authors own words "time-travel. Tad confusing. Severus is mostly depressed, Lily has an odd sense of humour. Multichaptered and kind of long. Angst! Angst! Glorious angst!".

The Lies That Bind
 * Recommended by Willyolio
 * Synopsis: Takes place mid-HBP and Harry gets captured and tortured for months. Quite a few twists for such a short fic, but it features a Dark!Harry and a good interpretation of the prophecy (marked as an equal and power he knows not). Also has a satisfying, but unhappy, ending.

The Wall by brenners
 * Recommended by mermaidgirl45
 * Synopsis: What if, in Hogwarts, there was a wall in the girls bathroom where there was a list of all the guys in the school, rated from 1 - 10?
 * Comments: This is a great fic. It's really interesting, and funny, and it's sticks with the characters. It comes highly recommended.

Man-eaters of Kumaon by ignipes
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Synopsis: April, 1982. Remus Lupin travels to India to track a creature that has been devouring villagers in the Himalayan foothills.
 * Comments: A Lost Years fic. The author does an amazing job of portraying the local color, and this is an excellent action/adventure story as well.

Carnival Of Dark And Dangerous Creatures by DragonDi
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Synopsis: Four years ago, Remus Lupin lost his friends to death and betrayal. Now he finds himself betrayed once more, and in a place where death may very well be preferred.
 * Comments: Great adventure story. The author's written several other fine works as well.

Ashes by killing_rose
 * Recommended by Those Dancing Days
 * Synopsis: Rose is your surrender. You will not, cannot, be a Muggle now. You are not going to get another chance to escape.
 * Comments: Chilling and memorable; this one will haunt me for years. The POV allows some of the story bits to resonate on a personal level that's achingly disturbing.

With Malice Aforethought and And Malice Towards None by SPSmith
 * Recomended by Shinji117
 * Synopsis: An alternate 6th year. But surprisingly believable. Avoids Ron, Albus or Ginny The Death Eaters. A very possible what-could-have-been. Harry takes the death of Sirius rather badly, and decides to take things seriously (but realistically. No time-turner training, insta-god-mode from Founder inheritance etc) in 6th year.
 * Pairings: Start of fic-, end of WMA-.
 * Comments: This is actually very good. Normally alternate year stories have Harry somehow gain power overnight (be it via time travel, inheritance or divine intervention). This story avoids that, and gives Harry a realistic power increase in proportion to the work he is putting in. This story has no moments that truly are canon-breaking (well, Crabbe and Goyle are a tad Leather Pantsified as unbelievable as that sounds). Voldermort is a tad passive at the start, but that does change later on. Even those who normally hate  probably won't mind as it comes off believably after all the main characters undergo quite a lot of well-written development. No-one really acts out of character other than Crabbe, Goyle and Dawlish. Now if only SPSmith would continue the sequel...

A Second Chance at Life by Miranda Flairgold
 * Recommended by rheasilviadiroma
 * Pairings: M/M, M/F
 * Synopsis: A Second Chance at Life and its sequels, Changes in a Time of War and A Magical World is a realistic take on the overdone 'Harry gets into a new school' cliche. It's a complete AU of Deathly Hallows, and features a much more diverse magical world, new forms of magic (which are fully explained by the story instead of Applied Phlebotinum). Unfortunately A Magical World hasn't been updated for over a year now, and leaves a lot of plot points hanging. Her older works aren't that stellar either.

In Her Hands She Held The Whole World by Sirenny
 * Recommended by Thanatos13713
 * Synopsis: Three years after the defeat of Voldemort, Hermione Granger looks back on the events that destroyed her world. Heart-rending, beautifully written, and utterly chilling. A masterpiece.

Not Go Gentle by Cloneserpents.
 * Recommended by MrMous
 * Synopsis: Harry goes on a Horcrux hunt, but is captured patheticly easily. Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron are having relationship problems... as yet unfinished, but enjoyable; HOWEVER, to quote the author,
 * "WARNING: this work contains depictions of sex (heterosexual, lesbian, bi-sexual, and group acts with both consensual and nonconsensual sex scenes), graphic violence (including but not limited to torture, murder, mutilation, rape, and more). These actions will happen TO and be performed BY major canon characters (both protagonists and antagonists). This is a horror story so readers should expect evil activity from canon characters." I have read this, and if you are faint hearted or under, say, twelve (or even over), DO. NOT. READ.

Yes, Minister by Taure
 * Recommended by Fenro
 * Synopsis: A new Muggle Prime Minister has been elected, and it's time for him to meet the Minister for Magic. Only, things don't go quite as smoothly as normal...
 * Comments: Possibly my favorite HP fanfic ever. just read it and watch out for the ending. its a dozy...

As Long As You Know That, Potter by owlsaway
 * Recommended by dezba, Mazz, Marlee Cross, Fenro
 * Synopsis: A different take on Harry's first Occlumency lesson with Snape. A very short, one-page fanfic that is nevertheless powerful, building up to a surprise ending.
 * Comments: For a "one-shot", it's surprisingly compelling. Keeps Snape in-character, complete with snide and unnecessary remarks, but actually helping Harry in a roundabout way, and showing he cares in the only way he can.

Recnac Transfaerso by Celebony
 * Recommended by Animaluver
 * Synopsis: In a rash act of self-sacrifice, Harry saves a dying Muggle by magically transfering the man's cancer to himself. Now, going through his fifth year with a terrible secret, he begins to realize just what he's given up.
 * Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione
 * Comments: Like the synopsis says, there is abuse, but this story is so heartrendingly sad, yet so inspirational, it's difficult to stop reading. The characters are well-written, keeping in canon even as they grow in their own way.

A Better Man by Valandar
 * Recommended by GeorgeUK, Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: Vernon changed in the beginning to be a better man, thanks to a wish. How will this affect Harry, and the entire Wizarding World? Now complete!
 * Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Remus/Tonks
 * Comments: The idea of Good!Dursleys is a novel one, and the author manages to make it work, due to Vernon getting a chance at redemption when he ends up in Hell after his death. Glosses over the first four books, with a few changes  but takes a massive diversion from Canon after  . Well worth reading.

My Nephew Harry by Lucillia
 * Recommended by Marlee Cross
 * Synopsis: During the two months she had watched her eight year-old nephews, Marge Dursley discovered that Petunia was a pathological liar, Vernon had somehow been brainwashed by that no good b***h, Dudley was the spawn of Satan, and Harry was actually a good kid.
 * Comments: It's obviously not a new concept by any stretch for Harry to be removed from the Dursley's custody in some way, however, the fact that Aunt Marge of all people is the one who instigates it, and quite believably I might add, is what makes this fic notable. The chapters may be short, but are still quite well written. Also of note is the very interesting Alternate Character Interpretation of certain characters, Vernon in particular.

Future Imperfect by Lady Azar de Tameran
 * Recommended by Mazz
 * Synopsis: One Shot. AU. A world in which Voldemort wins. And honestly wishes he hadn't. Time travel. Could be interpreted as slash, but only if you are looking for it. Ignores Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows but incorporates some of their elements.

The Reign of Theodore Nott by Amadea
 * Recommended by AwayLaughing
 * Synopsis: Oneshot. Draco Malfoy never noticed Theodore Nott at all until sixth year when his task starts to weigh heavily on his mind along with death and all things surrounding it. Very much a character driven work, Draco/Pansy is there and some slash if your goggles are on, but that is very much not the point of this work.

Reunion by movinggirl
 * Recommended by Aromli
 * Synopsis: James and Lily Potter have had to learn everything about their son through people who have died and come Above. But after 100 long years on Earth, Harry's finally at the Gate. Now James and Lily will get to meet their son, for the very first time.
 * Comments: Character death is a lot more heartwarming from the eternal side of the Gate. Also, it's fun to see James and Lily learn about Harry second-hand. As James says, "Coolest. Son. EVER."

I'll Shoot the Shot, Bang by wandlorean
 * Recommended by Str 8 Shoot
 * Synopsis: Harry travels back in time to shape the future into a happier one, but will he listen to Hermione's warning? (Snape/Harry, oneshot, not slash)
 * Comments: This, ladies and gentlemen, is a wonderfully original take on time travel. I recently stumbled upon this little gem and am very thankful I discovered it. It is extremely well-written and the characterizations are spot-on. Time travel has become an overused plot in Harry Potter fanfiction but, here, the author takes the idea and turns it into something unique and chilling. With fics like this one, you have a character going back in time to change certain things about the future, but what would happen if ? Just when you think you know where things are headed, the author spins everything around, smacking you across the face with a . A haunting, bleak, and original story with solid writing. It will leave you speechless and feeling like you've been punched in the gut. Really, there are no words. I highly recommend it.

Never Alone Never Again by Bored Beyond Belief
 * Recommended by Zephyr7
 * Synopsis: Harry's holiday reaches its lowest point. Will Harry finally be able to have the kind of love everyone else seems to take for granted?
 * Comments: This was a well-executed fic with strong characterization and amazing development and layers to the characters. Harry's suffering (combined from the Dursleys' abuse, the worsening nightmares and the emotional and physical pain that came with Voldemort's return) was just gutwrenching for Harry's loved ones and for the readers to see. There are some parts in the story that can be quite dark and it seems like Harry won't be getting better. But there are some light-hearted moments and some heartwarming and Tear Jerker moments to balance it out, leading up to a Bittersweet Ending. The one-shot sequel Make a Joyful Noise couldn't have ended the story any better.

The Riddle Chronicles Little Differences by Theta Serpentis
 * Recommended by Shebali
 * Synopsis: They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. From a few hours before his birth, to the end of his eleventh birthday, this is the life Tom Marvolo Riddle.
 * Comments: A most wonderful story which tells us of the origins of Voldemort. Can be rather dark at times, but that's to be expected, really. Incredible writing style, well-developed characters and all historical research you could wish for. It's a WIP, recently updated. Go ahead, take a look. And be sure to check LJ version for fact finders. They make the experience even better.

My Renewal, My Immortal by esbmusic42
 * Recommended by Melody H. Grace
 * Synopsis: Ebony Way is normal. Even if the rapidly-growing canines and love of blood say otherwise.
 * Comments: It's basically the author's attempt to give My Immortal's Ebony D'arkness Dementia Raven Way a real personality (and a normal name). There's not much up yet, but Ebony's character is pretty good and, more to the point, the Canon characters (Draco, Hermione, etc.) are pretty close to their Canon counterparts as well. It's not that long yet, but it's definitely worth the read.

Dudley Dursley and the Quest for Truth by books101
 * Recommended by: Tropical Snow
 * Synopsis: When Dudley Dursley and his parents are forced to spend a year with witches and wizards, Dudley decides this is the opportunity for him to learn more about his apparently famous cousin. With Potterwatch, tall tales and magic thrown into the mix, it's bound to be an interesting journey!
 * Comments: This story is well-written and truly is an interesting and entertaining read. It also gives Dudley, Petunia and several minor characters some well-needed Character Development along the way.

Against the Moon by Stoplight Delight
 * Recommended by Mismoree
 * Synopsis: The odds were stacked against him: a child from a blended home with no friends, no social skills to speak of, and a terrible secret. Yet slowly Remus Lupin began to realize there was a place for him in the world, if he could find the courage to claim it.
 * Comments: I can't even begin to describe how amazing this story is. It has incredible imagery, realistic dialogue, character development, and some serious suspense; it's good enough to be considered canon. Updates are near daily and are several thousand words long.

Business by esama
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons, Unclouded TJ, The Forgotten One
 * Synopsis: So the Dursleys have painted Harry as a freak and a criminal in the years before he gets his Hogwarts letter? Well, when Harry decides to find out what those words really mean, the well-intentioned intervention of a librarian results in Harry finding a role model—and the Wizarding World will never be the same. As the author puts it, the "mildest of fusions with Sherlock Holmes". And no, it's not Holmes who becomes Harry's inspiration.
 * Comments: A complete short story. While it's a little hard to imagine an 11-year-old making some of the plans that Harry does here, it's still a gripping read, right to the end moments.

Reach the Open Space by Tinn Tam
 * Recommended by Magic Kirby
 * Synopsis: After defeating Voldemort, Harry Potter was about to become the most adulated wizard in the History of Wizardkind. But he ruined it all. And he's damn proud of it. Mild violence.
 * Comments: A oneshot that I keep going back and reading. Takes a canon Harry and turns him into the person he was always meant to be.