icarus | Whoops HPSA's alive-- and an idea

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Whoops HPSA's alive-- and an idea

I have an idea.

The benefit of the HPSA was not that people picked the greatest Harry Potter stories ever, but that the HPSA collected, democraticly, a large number high-quality recs in various pairings and ratings.

Many of you know that I talked to Natalie of the HPSA about a complimentary contest, the details of which are not needed here as

tinderblast pointed out some fundamental flaws in my idea (yeah, she was right).

A Nominations Page
Fool that I am, I'm creating a nominations page on my site.

Here's how it works:
1 - Give me a link, an author's name and email, pairing, rating & summary (and any warnings please).
2 - I'll post it in my LJ.
3 - If someone seconds the nomination, then I'll add the link to my site (with credit to the person who recommended it).

This is open to any pairing, any rating, Gen, Slash, Chan, Mpreg, Squidfic, Femmeslash -- whatever. It is not subject to my tastes, nor am I allowed to nominate or second anything myself. (Ah, democracy!) I only request (unenforceable of course) that people not nominate (or second) their own work.

Now I'm rather busy and an utter fool to do this, so links will be added on my availability of time and personal whim. But I'll try to get them up once a month or so. Without further ado...

The Nominations Are Now Open!

You can nominate anything, but if we need focus (or an idea scratcher) let's see some Fred/George.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

http://www.sarcastic-muse.com/hpsa/

They're still there. Final voting began today. (I only found it 'cause someone else linked it. *grin* I'm daft!)

The concept of nominating or seconding my own work frightens me. Then, I'm a wuss.

Good luck! =)

Yeah, I figured that out, belatedly (actually, from your journal).

Nominate somebody else's work. There are plenty of people who will nominate yours. Anyone you think should have been in the HPSA, post the link here.

Icarus

although if I may, I hope that there will be some great nonslash stories here too!

Hear, hear! Polka-Dot Plague!

Are you nominating it? Give me a link!

Icarus

Yes, the link Sushi gave, to the HPSA (http://www.sarcastic-muse.com/hpsa/), as well as the nominees page (http://www.sarcastic-muse.com/hpsa/nominees.html) and the voting page (http://www.sarcastic-muse.com/hpsa/vote.html) all work fine for me. But I really like the idea of a collective recommendations thing, the idea that there are some stories that everyone likes. I hope that you get a lot of gen, because gen is often passed up in favor of slash or shipping stories, and I haven't seen nearly enough gen. I also hope that you get some gen nominations other than Scrabble (which was entertaining, although not enough to make it onto a big recs list for me), Harry Potter and the Bookwyrm (same), or Harry Potter and the Polka-Dot Plague (surely the angstiest nonslash non-epic fic in existence other than Green Candle).

I think I'll have some random recs in a few minutes. Btw, is it all right to rec things written for you, or that you helped edit?

PS: Is it all right to nominate stories that are already on the HPSA's list? And is it all right to nominate stories that you (Icarus) wrote?

Absolutely we can put any story on this list, including those that are up on the HPSA, either among the original nominees or in the finals.

You can recommend stories of mine, but I'm going to put any recommendation of my stories last (and wait a bit before I put them up). Otherwise it'll look like just more of my shameless self-promotion. LOL!

Icarus

Stories that were written for you, or you beta'd, that's fine. I think if people recommend their own work, it might as well be a self-uploading archive (fanfiction2.net). ;)

I'm looking forward to some Gen, too. That's what got me into the fandom.

Can't wait to see your recommendations.

Icarus

Here is a short list of my current favorite HP stories, by all means not an exhaustive one, just all of the ones I care to rec at the moment. None of these recs will be new to you, because if it's worth reccing now, it was probably worth reccing earlier as well. I hope the format of these recs are all right, and if they're not, tell me what information I need to give you. The email address of all of these people are on their LJ profile pages.

I have to begin with a few old favorites of mine by

epicyclical. Something Impossible (http://www.astronomytower.org/authors/cassie/SI.html) (also available at LJ (http://www.livejournal.com/users/epicyclical/127433.html?mode=reply)) made it onto HPSA's list, and rightfully so. H/D, PG13. It's only fourteen pages of pure, over-the-top sugar in Cassie Claire's best writing. Draco does something bad to Harry and is forced to perform three tasks to apologize to him, although the nature of the what Draco had done and of the tasks are not clear to Draco until the very end. Both Harry and Draco are delightfully innocent, and Draco is something of a fanon send-up in the best possible sense, and almost every page leaves me laughing no matter how many times I read it.

A Lot to Be Upset About, also by epicyclical. Ginny/Draco and about thirty other Ginny ships and some references to Draco/Snape. PG13. Ginny Weasley begins dating, and she doesn't go halfway about it. Draco thinks that he should be perfectly irresistible, so feels spurned when she doesn't date him, asks his super-flattering mirror for advice, and does all sorts of strange things to try to get Ginny's eye. Meanwhile, Harry speaks in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, and no matter what he does, whether he's coated with yellow paint or dragging a can of petrol, everyone just says that he has a lot to be upset about and ignores it, whose significance we don't really see until the end.

Sins of the Father (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Ali_Wildgoose/) by ali_wildgoose. R-rated Harry/Draco, but do not let that fool you, since it really has quite a developed plot other than the H/D, and you can read it as gen. Its R-rating has nothing to do with sex yet. (Note that this is a fifth-year story begun in the GoF era, so it diverges radically from OoTP and is wildly AU, but has some concepts from and spoilers for OoTP in later chapters anyway.) In Harry's fifth year, Arabella Figg is one of the very meanest DADA teachers ever, Mundugus Fletcher is potions professor, Draco's parents are dead, Harry is a reluctant Quidditch captain (especially because Ginny is a better flyer than Ron is), and Draco is ostracized by the entire Slytherin house as well as by Mrs. Figg. Most of Ali's voice is highly canonical, and in a few places where it's not, you'll see that she was still using her narrative much the way JKR does anyway. (http://www.livejournal.com/users/epicyclical/151092.html?mode=reply)

The Librarian (http://www.witchfics.org/lillith/librarian/index.html), by

lillithj, also avalaible at ffn (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1129611). Pince/Malfoy, and R in the last chapter, but its nonporn plot is actually quite entertaining. Madam Pince actually comes from a line of Dark witches, and is quite proud of it; her ancestors could more than stand up to the likes of Voldemort. She has in her possession a certain book of dark magic by one of her ancestors that Lucius Malfoy would dearly like to get his hands on, and as of the last chapter, the two of them were falling in love. The POV alternates between Madam Pince and Lucius Malfoy, with their subtly different voices, and through the clear tone there are lots of treats like more hints at just how powerful Madam Pince's family is and a ghost who doesn't know she's dead.

Knockers (http://www.circusinmyhead.com/fics/knockers.htm) by

msscribe and available at several other places, but I am too lazy to go find the links. Harry/Ginny, R-rated, but it's not your average smutfic! Over the summer, Ginny Weasley grows a pair of breasts so enormous that they cause traffic accidents, and she doesn't know how to make anyone pay attention to her instead of to them. Also, Harry, her crush, finds them positively frightening, and they have a lot of other nasty side-effects too, so she has to find a way to work around them by the end of the story. Give it a try; it's very short, and much funnier than it sounds!

Soft as a Feather (http://www.livejournal.com/users/pingviini/96354.html?mode=reply), by

pingviini. Harry/Hedwig, and I would rate it a hard PG13. This hardly has any plot, but Hedwig, an Animagus employed by Dumbledore to help keep tabs on Harry, has a crush on Harry, and this is just a little mood piece where the crush becomes more than a crush and she reveals herself to Harry. It's very short and told in lyrical, poetic language that help bring this ship to wonderful realization.

Eyes Big Love-Crumbs (http://www.livejournal.com/users/isilya/132781.html?mode=reply) by

isilya. Hermione/Hermione, NC17, warnings for chan and timeturning. There's nothing quite like giving in to a temptation you've been resisting for months. In her third year, when she has a time-turner, Hermione uses it for sexual purposes, yielding a very strange ficlet with logical impossibilities dealt with, sensuous, evocative language, and very hot sexual activities.

Also, I want to recognize that

resmiranda collected a huge list of gen recs here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/resmiranda/226522.html).

Two more short recs, because they need more love:

Sociofemme's Slash!Hogwarts Mary Sue ficlet (http://www.livejournal.com/users/mctabby/111418.html?mode=reply) by

sociofemme. Unrequited Coralynneanne/Harry, with marginal Ginny/Hermione, Harry/Draco, McGonnagal/Coralynneanne, and probably a few other slash ships as well. PG13, I think. Written to the Blame Each Other bunny of A Mary Sue attempts to transfer to Hogwarts, but she accidentally bumbles into a Raving Slasher's Hogwarts instead of the fluffy-and-pink Hogwarts she expected. Chaos ensues. That summary describes it as well as any.

Boston (http://www.thedarkarts.org/authors/bojude/boston.html), by

bookofjude, and its sequel, Peppermint Jazz (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bookofjude/444375.html?mode=reply). Rita/Hermione (yay!), Colin/Harry, various other pairings implied. AU, set in Boston in the 1940's, with alcohol. Hermione is the editor of the Boston Globe and Harry knows too much information.

Right...You've asked for it...*Grins*

Brave New World (http://members.verizon.net/~vze3kcjz/bnw/bnwindex.html) by

theatresm, rated hard R and it's Snape/OFC....My rec site says:

When browsing summaries of fics, I see the acronym 'OFC' and run screaming - and such I would have done with this, if it weren't for the fact it had been recommended very highly by another good author (See R.J. Anderson). So I read the blurb on the front page with a sceptically raised eyebrow and thought 'worth a try'. After the first chapter I was interested. After the second I was intrigued. By the third, I was hooked, and continued to read the rest of the fic in two days, going so far as to put large sections of it on disk so I could read it between classes in college. Miranda Hunter is not your average 'Mary Sue'-ish OFC. She is a well-plotted character in her own right, and fits perfectly in with the well-known, well-loved and well-characterised canon characters we all know and love. In addition to this, there is lots of snarky!Snape, which is a must for any fic I recommend!

The Fire and the Rose (http://www.potions-master.com/metrorhos/fireroseindex.html) by MetroVamp and Rhosymedre, rated NC-17 and it's Snape/Hermione....Rec site says:

I started reading this fic when it was still a WiP and was instantly hooked. After that, I tuned in every Sunday morning for the chapterly update and wrote long, squeeing fangirl-style e-mails to the co-authors. When it was finished, I felt bereft! That is how good this fic is. The usual cliche plot device of a potion going awry that has been seen so many times is given a true touch of class. Hermione and Severus are both beautifully in character, and the authors have a wonderful way of showing how very similar these characters are, or at least could become. A good fic for anyone looking for a good, substantial read that moves at a steady pace without compromising either of the main characters.

Something to Write On (http://www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/stories/stwo.htm) by

cybele_san, rated NC-17 and it's Snarry:

Something to Write On was a response to a challenge that I read many replies to. This one stood out like a sore thumb as a classic piece of Cybele delisiousness. Harry has to hand in his rather explicit Potions journal. Snape's reaction to the lovely little bits of smut Harry scribbles during Potions class is wonderful.

The Last Dance (http://remembrall.slashcity.net/~telanu/plank/sushi-thelastdance.html) by

wikd_sushi, rated NC-17 (In a bittersweet kinda way) and it's Snarry:

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. It really is difficult to find other words to describe this work of literary fandom art. Originally a reply to a SSFF challenge, I think this is now a praised work of well-known proportions. After Harry's death, Severus discovers he has feelings for him, and those feelings help in resurrecting Harry. However - and this is a big one - do not read this fic if you are looking for a Happily Ever After Ending. It will tear you apart and leave you crying for hours - it did for me, anyway. A good fic for anyone who understands heart break, and the true meaning of 'if you love him, let him go'.

Gorge Series (http://libertine.veela-inc.net/fanfiction/g1-1.htm) by

lucius_malfoy, rated NC-17 (Anyone spotting a theme in my recs?) and it's Snape/Lucius and Lucius/Narcissa:

A fabulously dark and totally un-fluffy take on when Severus first joined the Dark Lord. I absolutely love Libertine's take on the whole Malfoy family, and particularly their respective attitudes to a young and very arrogant Severus.

Is that enough to be getting on with?...*Grins*

I'll second The Fire and the Rose.

*seconds Something To Write On*

Oh god, see, I don't know any fred/george and I'm lost.

I know so many fics I like, and while this is an excellent idea I fear it'll be one of those things, where people with lots of friends (in the extra-LJ sense) get in and nothing else does, and there are some clusters over-represented because those clusters have apostolic supporters and so on. But it could work, so what will amek it work?

I think a set of headings might be good -- can you think of a good Hermione/Cho story, why yes I can (well, in fact I'm not sure I can, though I vaguely remember there was one I liked), that sort of thing. More work, of course.

Off the top of my head I know there are dozens of unmissable things and if I try to list them here it will be a product of my wine-sodden BBQ more than anything else. And if it needs links (and of course it should need links otherwise argh what would you be up for...) then it will take effort on my part. I'll get back to you -- and rec your Weasleyness, so there...

There is no possible way to make this work, in terms of making it fair. All you can do is even the field by recommending stories that people haven't heard of. I've been 'round this circle before.

I'm gonna be swamped just putting up the recs without trying to be the arbiter of taste. That's a position I don't want. The ball's in your court to expose people to some other flavour than the usual vanilla. *weak pitiful cough* Do you have any Sudafed I can borrow? I have the worst cold and the response has been over-the-top. I'm writing my Sirius/Ron 'drabble' (it's now up to five pages) and doesn't have a happy ending - people are going to hate this story.

Icarus

I wasn't really whinging about it, just observing. And I do have Sudafed, if I could just find a means of channelling it you're way.

I'm not sure I would read anyone else's Sirius/Ron, happy or sad, but I'll read yours.

Get well soon.

Two Worlds and In Between (http://www.witchfics.org/mctabby/twib/index.html), by

mctabby. PG-13; pairings involve assorted OCs. "The 19th Century history of the Potterverse: a saga with adventure, angst, romance (het and slash), ethical dilemmas, drama, betrayal, war, and lots of magic. Opens in 1855, at Hogwarts with the Dumbledore brothers - and Julius Marvolo, grandfather of Tom Riddle. "

Like the Finest Gold (http://www.thedarkarts.org/authorLinks/Cedar/Like_The_Finest_Gold/), by

cedarlibrarian. Hard R, James/Lucius, some kink. "When your enemy learns your deepest secret, something that could cost your dearest friends their wands, you have no choice but to submit to his blackmail. But what happens when he awakens parts of you, searing and dangerous, that only leave you wanting more of his torture?" (I feel awful, reccing in when I still haven't read the last chapter. *thwaps self* But still...)

Sweet (http://www.thedarkarts.org/restrictedsection/fic.php?fic=tda:/authors/cedar/sweet.html), by

cedarlibrarian--the companion piece to the above. R, Lily/Narcissa. "When Lily finds out from Narcissa where James has been on the nights he tells her he's going for a late-night ride, she doesn't know how to react. Narcissa, however, has a suggestion. Written as a birthday gift for Eilan, the events of this story take place during the final chapter of Like the Finest Gold, though the two can be read independently of each other."

The Rapture (http://www.sockiipress.org/~luthien/snapeff/endfest2/archive/rapturetake2.html), by

snaples. NC-17, Snape/Draco, heavy kink. "Draco Malfoy has been caught doing something he has tried desperately to keep secret. Snape, however, develops an interest in the situation. Part of the Severus Snape Fuh-Q Fest (for scenario #116: Snape (or his partner) finds out that he enjoys erotic asphyxiation, partially because (or in spite of) the risk.)" Also there is a sequel: Throned on Highest Bliss (http://www.sockiipress.org/~luthien/snapeff/endfest2/archive/throned.html). NC-17 (of course), assorted combinations of Draco, Blaise, Snape, and Harry, more heavy kink. "Draco becomes possessive, Blaise Zabini involves himself and Harry offers something to Snape. Part of the Severus Snape Fuh-Q Fest (for scenario #58: Severus Snape has a secret fantasy of being tied up by his lover. One day, he gets his wish.)"

May have more later. Must get breakfast.

I second TWiB, though I think the rec should come with a warning that it's very WiP; the story hasn't gotten far and it's updated slowly.

Definitely-- er-- thirding TWiB, and seconding LtFG by

cedarlibrarian. Will possibly come up with more nominations when RL backs off slightly, but it's an absolutely brilliant idea,

icarusancalion!

Thank you! The response has been amazing. I'm scrambling to keep up with the great recommendations. More postings today, the first batch will be temporarily stuffed on my website over the weekend (barring any RL difficulties) until I can find a better location for it. May need to move around some Buddhist stuff.

Icarus

I feel like Elvis when I say 'Thank you. Thank you very much.' Heh. I can't wait to get these up. I'm hoping to have all the recommendation lists on their own post by the end of the week, so we can have some votes on everything by the weekend.

Icarus

My M.O. these days is "blabber first, check where you're doing so later". IOW, I nominated my first batch after your post that asked for seconding someone's recs. Bad

shezan, no biscuit.

Anyway, a second batch of recs:

-

aesc's Longest Cold (http://www.ontheqt.org/nc/logos/hp/cold.htm). (Harry/Draco)

- BaronNomaw's Seeker To Seeker (http://www.snitchfiction.net/cgi-bin/stories/story.cgi?id=775). (Harry/Draco)

-

frances_potter's Resolution (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Frances_Potter/Resolution). (Harry/Draco)

-

predatrix's Size Queen (http://predatrix.slashcity.org/fiction/sizequeen.htm). (Snape/Hagrid)

- Josan's Severus And The Crup (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/7/severusand.html). (Harry/Snape)

- Josan's Betrayals (http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/josan/hp/b01.html). (Snape/?, Snape/HP, HP/?, HP/NL, DM/?, RL/GW, SB/FW)

-

tiranog's A Nick In Time (http://www.sockiipress.org/~luthien/snapeff/snapecock14/archive/nick1.html). (Harry/Snape)

- Theresa Ann Wymer's Clipped Wings (http://www.hogwartsletters.hpg.ig.com.br/stories/clippedwings.html). (Harry/Snape)

-

lexin's Through A Glass, Darkly (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/6/througha.html). (Harry/Snape)

-

lexin's He Said it That Knew it Best (http://www.redrosepress.co.uk/voldemort/best.htm). (Sirius/Remus)

-

resonant8's Down, You Lie Down, Too (http://trickster.org/res/down.html). (Harry/Snape)

-

resonant8's The Familiar (http://trickster.org/res/familiar.html). (Harry/Snape)

More to come!

Shezan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Fanfic_Recs

I second "Severus and The Crup", "Clipped Wings", "A Nick in Time", "Through a Glass Darkly" and "The Familiar"!

I'll second 'Down, You Lie Down, Too'.

Okay, just from raiding my recs page (http://www.dymphna.net/fanfic/recs.html) (and thanks, Mark, for letting me know about this -- I ♥ good recs):

Some Kind Of Beautiful (http://www.sparklydanceboys.com/hp/fic/skob.html) by Zillah: RPF/HP, Britney/Ginny. Britney's got a new girlfriend, Jamie Lynn thinks she's a little more than she says. Brilliantly written, with a dash of Snape/Harry as well.

in the closet (http://www.angelfire.com/games5/ffviibackgrounds/closet.html) by Michi M. Chu: Harry's having an affair, and no one knows with who...but when it's finally revealed, it's more horrific and more brilliant than can be imagined.

Faded Laughter Against Her Ear (http://muse.inkstigmata.net/harrypotter/fadedlaughter.html) by Mary Borsellino: In the Black residence, after OOTP, Ginny finds an old portrait of a teenage Sirius. Very bittersweet delicious gen.

Photos (http://paranoid-kitten.net/hp_photos.html) by Claire: Oh, this is a perverse little piece of brilliance. Ginny/Colin, but with this really screwy Ginny/Hermione and Colin/Harry vibe, and a focus on wizarding photos that you so know would happen.

And The Hat Said 'Gryffindor' (http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=162&chapno=1) by Ciircee: Hagrid gen. Young Hagrid when he was getting expelled from Hogwarts, and how his life was, is, and will be. Great Hagrid voice, sweet ending, and just fantastic.

The Gift (http://www.rightthisway.net/proclivities/schuyler/thegift.html) by Schuyler: A sweet and sympathetic Lockhart, a great twist, and it's all about Trevor. You just think he's Neville's toad.

Confection Carnage (http://papermoon.crackerbox.nu/confectioncarnage.html) by Aspen: Summer, Harry, Ron, Popsicles, Sex. It's a PWP that just blows me out of the water.

Swimming (http://www.rightthisway.net/proclivities/schuyler/channel.html) by Schuyler: Harry/Hermione/Ron, the slow progression of friendship into something more, and three days near water.

Oof. I think that's it. For now. I know I have more. Somewhere.

I definitely second "Confection Carnage" and "Swimming".

I'd also like to rec Harry Potter and the Legacy of the Light by

gramarye1971. Trio's fifth year, gen fic, crossover with the Dark is Rising sequence.

I totally second Swimming, Faded Laughter against Her Ear, and The Gift.

Slytherin Bond (http://www.geocities.com/lily_hp2003/slythbond.html)
Author: Lillian
Email: lillian02025@yahoo.com
Pairing: SS/HP
Rating: R
Summary: A spell gone wrong brings Harry and Severus together.

Single White Rose (http://www.geocities.com/lily_hp2003/rose.html)
Author: Lillian
Email: lillian02025@yahoo.com
Pairing: NL/BZ
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Neville finds that love is blossoming for him from a most unusual and unexpected source.

An Awfully Odd Adventure (http://www.skyehawke.com/archive/story.php?no=379)
Author: Dementor Delta
Email: dementordelta@yahoo.com
Pairing: HP/SS
Rating: R
Summary: In which a classic is defiled and some Lost Boys are found. Harry Potter meets Peter Pan.
Warnings: Not chan, despite appearances and multiple references to the word 'boy', AR

Recs! They're all pretty short, I read one-shots much more often than I read longer fics.

breathe (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=885490) by Fuyumi. Author's summary: "There's something in the air connecting Hermione to both her best friends." PG-13.

What is a kiss?

A kiss is simply two people,
their mouths joined together,
sharing air.

Sharing life.

Sharing love.

Realize that if a kiss is simply sharing air, sharing life, sharing love, then one can kiss someone without touching at all.

It's kind of sad and happy all at once, I don't know how to describe it properly. Beautifully poetic. My favourite HP story.
Golden Years (http://www.geocities.com/glitterlove/scrib/goldenyears.html) by Scrib/scriblix. Remus/Sirius, PG-13. Sirius catches Remus dancing to David Bowie, unaware that he's being watched. Very short, but funny and incredibly cute. Fantastic dialogue.
eyes big love-crumbs (http://www.livejournal.com/users/isilya/132781.html) by Isilya/isilya. Hermione/Hermione. Gorgeous, HOT, a bit twisted... yay for Time Turners! :)
Constellography (http://www.dymphna.net/annamaria/constellography.htm) by Anna Maria/anna_maria. Ginny-centric, het, femmeslash, angst, lovely. <3

Got to run out, I know I've missed loads so I'll probably be back later with more. :)

Hi Icarus! *waves* I'm new on your LJ, so I hope I got this right. Otherwise I'm just plain stupid. :) I have more recs, but they'll have to wait till tomorrow when I have more time. Anyway, on with the 'nominations'.

If You Are Prepared (http://www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/images/coverpages/iyap_cover.htm) by Cybele (

cybele_san) SS/HP, NC-17
Well, I doubt there will be many people who don't know this one, but anyway... The story is novel length and picks up a month or so after the end of book four. Harry and Snape have to go into hiding together. That doesn't quite cover it, but it's rather difficult to provide an adequate summary for this one. The relationship that slowly builds between Harry and Snape is not a simple one, and Snape struggles with the idea of having a relationship with a student.
What can I say about this fic? It's my favourite fic ever. The characterisation is absolutely wonderful -- from Snape to minor characters such as Remus and Malfoy. They're all very real and you can't help but love them, even if they're far from perfect. Or perhaps because of that. The story is dark and hilarious at the same time, and left me on the edge of tears and laughing myself silly at the same time more than once. Oh, and it's absolutely heart-wrenching. The only fic ever managing to make me cry. Really cry. This is the kind of story that will haunt you for days after you've read it, that just won't let go, and will tear at your heart every time again. But I don't regret reading it for a moment.

Quill and Ink (www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/stories/quill_and_ink.htm) by Cybele SS/HP, NC-17
Someone nominated Something To Write On, and I think the sequel, Quill and Ink, is definitely more than worth the read, too. It's 'just' a PWP, but it's hot and it's original. And god I want to lick Cybele's Snape.

Hell: Frozen Over (http://www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/stories/game.htm) by Cybele SS/HP/SB/RL, NC-17
This is the sequel to The Eager Student (http://www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/stories/eager_student.htm) and The Road to Hell (http://www.swish-n-flick.netfirms.com/stories/roadtohell.htm), which are definitely worth the read, too, but Hell: Frozen Over has to be one of the most hilarious fics I've ever read. It's Harry's birthday, and he'd like a special present. Which somehow ends up with Snape, Harry, Remus and Sirius playing a rather interesting card game. Yes, it's what you think. Meet manipulative!Harry and manipulative!Remus (a delightful pair, really) and grouchy!Snape and !Sirius. But ah, they're such fun together. And the characterisation is wonderful in this one, too.

Sal Si Puedes I, II, III and IV (http://www.geocities.com/exlibrissnape/author.html#becca) by Becca (

aqua_alta) SS/BW for part one, SS/RL for the others, NC-17
Angst. Lots and lots of angst. But the good kind, and very well written, I think. Snape and Remus 'accidentally' end up mated after spending the night together, and Remus finds out what it's like to be mated to someone. He tries to ignore the bond, tries to push Snape away, but the bond turns out to be stronger than he is. The need just seeps from the screen in this one. And then there is, of course, some plot, but it's the relationship between Remus and Snape that remains the most captivating. And all of this leads to an absolutely heart-breaking end. You've been warned.

The Longest Time (www.sockiipress.org/~luthien/snapeff/archive/longest.html) by Becca SS/??, NC-17
This is a short story that somehow always manages to make me smile. One night, Snape receives a letter, and he writes back. But who is the mysterious writer? It's hot, it's funny, and you won't be able to decide whether to keep reading the interactions or skipping to the end to see who the writer is.

Sedation in Agony (Closed-doors.cyberbree.com/archive/sedation.html)/Closer to Redemption (Closed-doors.cyberbree.com/archive/redemption.html) by Hazelnut (

umbrarumregni) SS/RL, NC-17, non-con
This is a darkfic. This is non-con. Explicit and very violent non-con. If you're easily squicked by this kind of thing, please don't read it.
These two fics take place during PoA, at a time where Remus believes Sirius has indeed betrayed him and their friends. And Remus longs to forget... This was the first non-con fic I'd ever read, and at the time, the characterisation completely blew my mind away. In the meantime, I've read my share of fics with remarkable characterisation, but this remains one of my favourites. Especially, Closer to Redemption, which is told from Snape's POV. Twisting and chilling.

I believe you mentioned you wanted some Fred/George recs? :) Unfortunately, I don't know many good ones, and the two I do know aren't very smutty... But still.

Let's Get Metaphysical (http://tilly.bacchae.org/metaphysical.htm) by Mathilda (

tillytilly) Fred/George, R according to the author, but it's more of a Gen fic.
This is a brief fic in which one of the twins muses on what it's like to be a twin. There's little plot here, but this story has always fascinated me.

tillytilly asks some very relevant questions about what it's like to be a twin -- especially the way J.K. Rowling describes them -- and trying to find your individuality. The rather clever last question certainly made me smile. Very original fic, in my opinion.

An Alphabet of Objects (http://esther.brown.rice.edu/sinope/stories/alphabet.html) by Sinope (

eponis) Fred/George, PG-13
For every word in the alphabet,

eponis lists an object (or sometimes something more abstract like "secrets") and expands on its relation to the twins. Slowly, with every new word, we find out more about the relationship between the twins, and yes, there's actually even a little story to it. But the beauty of this fic consists of its slow pace and often seeminlgy unimportant details, and how amongst those details we find the very foundation of their relationship. Cleverly done and well written.

Control by Capitalflash (at RS.org (restrictedsection.org)) Fred/Percy/George, NC-17, non-con
Very brief Percy-centric fic, written in second person. This story tells of how Fred and George Weasley 'control' Percy. I can't really think of anything to say but that it is rather disturbing. Satisfyingly disturbing. Heed the non-con warning.

Love Bites (http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=8538) by Mathilda and Hazelnut (

tillytilly and

umbrarumregni) RL/SS, RL/SB, NC-17, all sorts of gruesome warnings (not listed -- non-con a.o.), WIP
If you're squicked by blood, non-con or very twisted people, stay away from this fic. However, if you like that kind of thing, you've just arrived in heaven. I don't really know what to say about it. Remus is in a relationship with Sirius, but Snape has an odd fascination for Remus. Includes a very gruesome description of the 'prank', and very disturbed people. No relationship, no character is simple in this fic. It's harshly written and very, very dark, the kind of dark I personally love to wallow in.

Lukewarm (http://www.geocities.com/juxian1972/lukewarm.htm)/Mine (http://www.geocities.com/juxian1972/mine.htm)/Out of Darkness (http://www.geocities.com/juxian1972/outofdarkness.htm) by Juxian Tang (

juxiantang) RL/SS, an overall NC-17
Ah, what to say. In Lukewarm, Remus finds out his accommodations have certain... advantages. Or disadvantages, as far as he is concerned. His room is next to Snape's and, with his sharp werewolf smell and good sense of hearing, he can pick up on certain... things. A very conflicted Remus Lupin here, and at least at the beginning, a bit harsher than we (think we) know him. And yet, his characterisation is fascinating, the writing designed to draw you into his mind.

juxiantang does not describe a beautiful, perfect world, nor beautiful, perfect people, which is exactly what makes me love this fic. Remus still struggles with Sirius's death, and Snape is his usual cold, snarky self -- and yet, through Remus's POV, she manages to perfectly capture Snape's vulnerability, without once making him seem out of character. The writing flows perfectly and never becomes fluffy, and for me, at least, pushes all the right buttons. In Mine, the story switches to Snape's POV. Remus and Snape start an awkward relationship, while Snape still spies for the Order of the Phoenix. Again, a wonderful characterisation of Snape, surprisingly insecure yet cold and sometimes downright mean. But still caring very much about Remus. In Out of Darkness, the POV switches back to Remus. Snape suffers the consequences of some of the events in Mine, and Remus notices he behaves rather oddly. Snape, however, refuses to say what is wrong, and when Remus finally finds out, he's rather taken aback. Juxian has a good feel for detail, and knows just when to introduce a little bit of humour, balancing out the story. Beautiful writing and characterisations, and one of my favourite stories ever.
Quotes:
I hate it. It's so much more than I ever wanted to know about Snape.
And it's distracting. Here, in Hogwarts, I could've felt so comfortable, welcomed and at home - the only place where I feel at home. Why do I have to be aware of Snape's dirty pastime - secrets that should be hidden, never revealed to anyone?
[Lupin's] eyes have this ill, clouded look in them that always makes me want to hit him; and at the same time, hold him, and never let anyone else touch him.

Staffroom Seduction (www.angelfire.com/wizard/dovielr/stories/staffroom/Staffroom00.html) by DovieLR (

dovielr) SS/RL, NC-17, BDSM
If you don't like BDSM, this is probably not your kind of story, as it handles things like bloodplay and collaring. I once read someone saying that this is one of the few 'meaningful' BDSM stories out there. I'll have to agree. If the BDSM is extreme (but then, Lupin is a werewolf with remarkable regenerative capabilities), the relationship between Lupin and Snape is layered, meaningful and at times even sweet, but in a credible way. Lupin is his usual gentle (but witty and humorous) self, and tries to convince Snape that he is not a bad nor an ugly person, and Snape slowly yields. The writing is good, and the scenes flow from harsh to light and humorous. The story, told entirely from Snape's POV, takes place during PoA (it perfectly integrates canon information), and we all know how that ends. Staffroom Seduction II is however being written, so there is no need to despair. :)

Truth (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/12/truth.html) by thisveryinstant (

thisveryinstant) HP/SS, NC-17
This fic has more than once been called 'canon Snarry', and with good reason. Snape and Harry are perfectly in character, anger and righteous indignation driving each of them. When Snape has the class brew a Truth Potion, and makes Harry the test subject, things get a little out of hand. Anger and hatred crackle between them all through the fic, and lead to rather hot smut by the end of the story, leaving both characters rather confused.

Cordelictus (http://www.tittisrealm.com/thinline/main.html) by Fabula Rasa (

fabularasa) SS/SB, NC-17
I'm not really into Snape/Black, but

fabularasa 's writing is excellent, her stories credible and hot. In this story, Snape and Sirius are already in a relationship together. To prove how serious he is about their relationship, Sirius bonds them together using a Dark spell, with rather unexpected consequences. This story should definitely get a prize for the most Snape-ish declaration of love ever. You have to read it, if only for that, though the entire story is definitely more than worth reading.

Ah... How about some humour now, hm? (Am I annoying you yet? Great idea, though, by the way. :) )

Night At The Opera (http://www.100megsfree4.com/myfic/hpstuff/nightattheopera.html) by GMTH (

gmth) HP/SS, PG-13
This is a 450 word drabble. Don't let that scare you away. It's also one of the most hilarious fics I've ever read, not to mention cleverly done. The drabble consists entirely of dialogue, and yet you'll have no trouble imagining the characters' tones or facial expressions, which is quite a feat. Oh, and it's funny. Very funny. It made me smile for days after reading it.

The Worst Happiest Day Of His Life (http://www.amanuensis1.com/theworsthappiest.html) by Amanuensus (

amanuensis1) HP/DM, NC-17
H/D is absolutely not my pairing. But this... oh my god, I laughed myself silly. The summary given is "We have to WHAT?", and I really don't want to say more, because, though I'm sure many of you will have guessed, well, it's funnier when you don't know for sure. Let's just say that something happens that neither Draco nor Harry are very happy about... at all. The results are devastating. And hilarious.

The Coffee Series (http://www.amplexus.org/~telanu/horoscope.htm/Oh, Just This Once (http://www.amplexus.org/~telanu/justthisonce.htm)) by Telanu (

somniesperus) HP/SS, PG-13
Another one (well, two) that had me laughing out loud. In 'Oh, Just This Once' we find out how the relationship between Harry and Snape came to be. In 'Your Horoscope For Today', Snape is having some problems. With the coffeemaker. Which is broken. I don't think the image of Severus Snape shoving his mug under the coffeemaker is going to be erased from my mind anytime soon.

Consequences Of A Weary Mind by Sushi (

wikdsushi), at her site (http://www.societyhappens.com/sushi/). HP/SS, NC-17
I had the -- ah -- 'displeasure' of reading this fic in public. And getting the oddest looks from people around me. Very annoying when you're in a silent library and you can't muffle your laughter. Harry has to hand in an essay to Snape...

A Perfect Plan (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/0/aperfect.html) by Seeker HP/SS, NC-17
Not really the laugh-out-loud kind of fic, but definitely worth quite a few grins. Or perhaps a few more. Voldemort has designed the perfect plan to finally kill Harry. Absolutely infallible. *cough*

Growing Up (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/4/growingup.html) by Devi, the Wynter Wytch HP/SS, NC-17
I can't say much about it, because that'd be giving the beginning away. And we wouldn't want that. The story is very amusing, but one scene in particular had me in stitches. How Snape got his revenge... or thinks he's going to.

Just A Few Letters Off (http://inkstain.slashcity.net/isf/archive/0/aperfect.html) by Devi, The Wynter Wytch HP/SS, PG-13
Not the laugh-out-loud kind of fic, either, but I grinned just about all through it. With this story, Devi tries to find a credible way to get Snape and Harry into a relationship. Harry is attracted to Seamus, and writes him a letter. Well, someone should have told him not to use a half deaf owl. No matter how pathetic it looks.

Slandered by Lady Jackyl, at her site (http://ladyjackyl.onetruesin.net/index2.htm). SS/GL, NC-17
Yes, it's SS/GL. No, I don't usually enjoy this pairing. However, this was really very amusing. Seriously. The Weasley twins find something written in Lockhart's biography that Snape's not... happy about. And so he storms to Lockhart's rooms...

Aargh. Sorry, the title for that first Coffee series story is 'Your Horoscope For Today'. So, so sorry. If you need me to re-post it, just say so.

Really Old Fics (in fandom terms):

1. GrimSlasher's Boys' Own Camping Adventure (http://www.astronomytower.org/authorLinks/Grimslasher/Boys_Own_Camping_Adventure/) - a Sirius/Remus fic that takes place at the end of the Marauders' 7th year. Email is Quite_Serious@hotmail.com.
Summary: Soon after their Hogwarts graduation, the Marauders go camping. Remus and Sirius share a tent. Slashy things happen. This fic was first uploaded on ffn back in August, 2000 and for many in the fandom then, was their first exposure to slash fanfics.

2. LadyNettle's Into The Woods. Bearing no resemblance to Abaddon's fic of the same name, this fic was posted on the HPSlash list starting at post http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hpslash/message/2260 and going through post # 2267. It's a Draco/Harry fic, and as the summary quotes Draco as saying to Harry, "You'd better take off those wet clothes, looks like we're going to be stuck here all night." It's one of the earliest fics where Harry & Draco get stuck in some random place and are forced to spend some time with only each other for company. There is some backstory Pansy/Draco as well. No clue about a current email address.

3. A pair of fics from Hyphen (also at Quite_Serious@hotmail.com - see the overlap?):
a. A Marriage of True Minds (http://www.riddikulus.org/cgi-bin/links/jump.cgi?ID=54) - Lily, James and a riding crop, set somewhere during their last year at Hogwarts.
b. The Speculum Curse (http://www.riddikulus.org/cgi-bin/links/jump.cgi?ID=38) - The Marauders are all affected by a cursed mirror. As the summary says, "along the way you'll encounter a pugnacious Peter, a rowdy Remus, and a (very) serene Sirius" - and a neurotic James as well as a very very bitter Severus. Remember, it's pre-ootp, so one of the scenes in the last part might seem a bit jarring right now.

Honestly - I recommend everything from Hyphen (http://www.riddikulus.org/authorLinks/Hyphen/), including the fic with transvestite!snape and the one in which Draco has to explain "wanking" to Goyle.

4. Everything from

copperbadge, including All This Time (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Copperbadge/All_This_Time/) (Young Sev Snape has just gotten his Hogwarts letter, and run away from his squib parents to attend the school he's dreamed about for eleven years. But when he takes some advice from a man named Anac on the Hogwarts train, he's sorted into Ravenclaw and befriends a trio of troublemakers named Potter, Black, and Lupin. History is about to suffer some drastic changes...) and even his unexpected Moody/Lupin (http://www.livejournal.com/users/copperbadge/167325.html#cutid1) post-ootp called "The Fifth Drink". Pay particular attention to his recent About Beds (http://www.livejournal.com/users/copperbadge/174237.html#cutid1), which is S/R during their schooldays and stay tuned for his upcoming Tonks/Lupin fic, which is previewed here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/copperbadge/172616.html#cutid1).

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Whoops HPSA's alive-- and an idea

The Nominations Are Now Open!

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some recs

recs, continued

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I suppose I'll start out simple, with the fics I always plug...

Re: I suppose I'll start out simple, with the fics I always plug...

Re: I suppose I'll start out simple, with the fics I always plug...

Re: I suppose I'll start out simple, with the fics I always plug...

Re: I suppose I'll start out simple, with the fics I always plug...

More nominations

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Re: More nominations

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Must. Stop. Rambling. They won't fit in one comment...

Um. Or even two...

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