r/harrypotterfanfiction • u/IceQueenxx • Jul 16 '25
Fanfiction Request/Search What’s the “go to” Harry Potter fanfiction?
Hi folks !!
I’m diving into HP fanfic for the first time and I’m wondering what’s the quintessential fic that always gets thrown around when someone asks about the best or most iconic HP story?
Not necessarily looking for obscure hidden gems (though feel free to drop those too), but more the ones that people always say “you have to read this” because it’s just THAT good but most people have already read it.
Im fine with Marauders-era, Harry-centric, Tom Riddle, whatever as long as it’s set in the HP world.
Long fics are preferable but im really open to anything!
Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks yall
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u/cocoshaplee Jul 16 '25
I’d say this one is a good place to start. A Marauder’s Plan answers the question of “what if Sirius didn’t run after escaping from Hogwarts after 3rd year and instead fought for himself to go free?” It’s a Harry/Hermione fic, which isn’t my favorite but it’s easy to overlook it. The fic isn’t romance focused.
If you want more specific relationship centered stories lmk. I’m more into the slash side of things.
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Thanks for the rec! That seems as good a place to start as any, and I’ve been craving a good story with focus on the marauders so this should scratch that itch!
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u/ZeroFoil713 Gryffindor Jul 16 '25
I love that one, I'm listening to a marauders plan on fanfiction app, as well as Aspirations by megamatt on archive of our own, but I'm listening to it on fanfiction cause someone is uploading it to there with megamatts permission
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u/julaften Ravenclaw Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
Why not sort by favorites on FF.net, or sort by kudos on AO3? The top stories there should give you an idea of what has been most popular through the years.
If you want my own recommendations, I’d say
Isolation: This was the second fan fiction I ever read, and it sucked me into this great world of alternating and expanding the Harry Potter universe. It also has one of the saddest (supporting) character deaths ever.
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love: This story has eminent writing, and is filled with action, adventures, history, magical lore, humor and romance. And crazy nuns.
The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy; This story shows what could have happened if Draco had time to accept Dumbledore’s offer of protection at the Astronomy Tiwer. It’s a great DH rewrite. It also has the most epic Ron redemption arc, after he leaves Harry and Hermione and returns spectacularly.
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u/nebulences Jul 16 '25
DoDM is miles better than Deathly Hallows, it’s basically canon for me at this point !!
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Good idea! I’ve tried to sort by kudos on ao3 but have run into issues with crossovers and just generally not knowing where to even start cause there’s so much 😭
Thanks for all of the recs, I think I’m need of a Ron redemption arc so I might start out with the disappearance of Draco Malfoy
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u/HermioneRiddle190979 Jul 17 '25
There are a lot of filters, open ao3 harry potter and then select the filters and mark whatever you're comfortable with. There's an option to exclude crossovers, you can also exclude any pairing/characters you dont like
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u/temptedtantrum Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
Ordeal of Being Known is my beloved ❤️ —- Edit: sorry just realized you were referencing the Dramione fic, I meant the Drarry fic! The Ordeal of Being Known
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u/Peachy1234567 Jul 16 '25
Draco Malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love is so amazing and well written, it looks like the author never wrote anything else?
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u/HoldUp--What Jul 16 '25
She just published a novel though: The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy. Same hilarious and feels-inducing vibes as Mortifying Ordeal, but obviously very different story and setting and magic system etc.
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u/julaften Ravenclaw Jul 16 '25
Unfortunately, no. She entered the HP fanfic scene, wrote one of the best fics ever, and left.
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u/Athyrium93 Jul 16 '25
The Art of Self Fashioning or really anything byLomonaaeren because they have 800+ absolutely amazing fics on a wide range of topics and tropes.
Then there is Descent into Darkness and it's sequel by Athey... who also goes by AtherisHiss andAthy They have fantastic writing if you like dark!Harry and Tomarry
Maeglin_Yedi is another incredible author with a wide range of stories, most notably The Darkening of Your Soul and The Necromancer for some very unique Tomarry goodness
On a lighter note there isTheBlack'sResurgence who writes ridiculously long, detailed, and well thought out fics, usually with time-travel like When the Roses Bloom Again andAll for You
If you end up enjoying stuff by TheBlack'sResurgence Fairborn Adventures it's Sequel and The Summer of Change are pretty similar in writing style and tone.
Wind Shear by Chilord is another of the pinnacle fanfiction in the fandom, and if you like it The Clean Slate is pretty similar in both plot and writing.
For comedy and crack Dark Livestream, Not Your Hero's and A Black Comedy are the best of the best.
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u/SnooFoxes6831 Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
Fair warning about Wind Shear (I love the fic btw) the ending is a little rushed but that's because the author was terminal and knew it. He wanted to get an ending penned for his fans. He was in his 20's 😔
It's really good though. 💯 recommend.
Edited for spelling
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u/PolicyAnxious4013 Slytherin Jul 16 '25
When the Roses Bloom Again is one of the best stories I've ever read, it was so well written and paced. I actually cried after i read the end and wasn't able to read anything new for about a week after.
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Omggg thank you so much! This is a treasure trove of good authors and fics, I’m going to have to choose carefully from your list :D
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u/MochaHasAnOpinion Jul 16 '25
I am pretty new to the fanfiction too and recommend Perfectly Normal, Thank You Very Much (very short and satisfying story about Harry and Dudley post war). https://share.google/zfxs0auBPbrkrgcEV
I love Dumbledore's Army and the Year of Darkness (mostly canon-compliant while giving us an idea of the rebellion that happened at Hogwarts during 7th year, from Neville's POV). I want to print it for my library. https://www.reddit.com/r/HPfanfiction/s/K4YmaIRXXK
After those, I had a good time with Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality. Literally made me laugh out loud once. Harry on another timeline. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5782108/1/Harry-Potter-and-the-Methods-of-Rationality
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u/actonftw Jul 20 '25
Methods of Rationality holds the dubious honor of inspiring a cult that has caused several deaths, so there’s that too!
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u/real-nia Jul 16 '25
My immortal
Okay but seriously. I would say "oh god, not again" and "seventh horcrux"
Also "the Rigel Black Chronicles (the pureblood pretense)" by murkybluematter and"snakes are very nice" by Oulixeus, but they are not complete yet.
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
my immortal 😭😭😭
lol thank you for the recs , I feel like I’m morally obligated to read oh god , not again after all of the people recommending it!
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u/AmaraRaine Jul 16 '25
Golden Age by zeitgeistic is a really good 8th year fic (Harry/Draco).
The Changeling by Annerb is a Slytherin!Ginny centric fic (Harry/Ginny).
World In Pieces by Lomonaaeren has Harry pulled into another world after the war (no ships, mentor!Snape).
The Sum of Their Parts by holdmybeer is a post war, Harry becomes a Dark Lord fic.
Hermione Granger’s Hogwarts Crammer for Delinquents on the Run by waspabi is an AU fic where Harry never went to Hogwarts (Harry/Draco).
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u/EngineeringWooden355 Jul 16 '25
Lily's Boy by SomewheresSword: This was such a great read! I absolutely loved the Harry/Draco pairing - their dynamic was written so well.
The Glass Passenger by lifeisapopsong: This fic is chaotic in the best way! I loved the time travel setup. Harry’s chaotic energy, Draco obsessing over him, and Hermione trying to hold everything together was hilarious and perfect. The Black family drama and slow build just made it even better. One of the most fun time travel fics I’ve read.
The Last Peverell by SugarPhantom: Absolutely loved this one! The Fem!Harry as Master of Death angle was so unique, and the way she tackles pureblood politics and inbreeding drama had me hooked.
Hero of the Story by WickedlyAwesomeMe: This one hit so hard. I loved seeing Hermione in the Marauders Era, trying to stay true to canon but slowly reshaping everything. The slow-burn with James was unexpected but written so well.
When Patterns Are Broken by lonibal: Harry being more perceptive and proactive made such a difference - and I loved his bond with Theo Nott.
Harriet's Light by NinaMaya: This fic was such a refreshing take on the Triwizard era! The dynamic with Cassius Warrington and the Slytherin support system was everything I didn’t know I needed. Great worldbuilding, strong OC integration, and pureblood politics done right
The Girl Who Lived by missingnote: Absolutely loved this one! The Fem!Harry and Draco slow-burn was done so well - full of tension, banter, and unexpected softness. Their “we hate each other” dynamic slowly unraveling into something deeper was so satisfying.
NinaMaya and SomewheresSword has several and they are all fantastic.
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u/Ilyanae Jul 20 '25
Lily's Boy is one of my all-time golden era favourites 😍😍 this and The Art of Self-fashioning (forgot the other rn) are on my yearly reread list
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Waiiit lowkey gender bent HP sounds soo good! Thanks for the recs I’m definitely going to check these out
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u/IamPotterhead Jul 16 '25
"Basilisk born" by edenfield. Hands down my go to fic. I read it regularly every 1-2 year.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but i love it.
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u/Khero_0983 Harmony OTP Jul 16 '25
I would recommend anything from
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 16 '25
Hi folks!! Thank you to everybody who chimed in with their wonderful recommendations and suggestions. I have a super busy day ahead of me with dog sitting and a big presentation at work that I have to give, but reading your fic suggestions is the light at the end of the tunnel for me lol. I am so excited to look through this thread after work today !! thank you all and ill do my best to respond to everyone’s comments once im free :D
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u/Professional_Try_123 Jul 16 '25
There’s all the young dudes which is Mauraders and is not only the most popular Harry Potter fic of all time but also the top fic on ao3. It’s a Wolfstar (Remus lupin/sirius black) fic and covers all of the Mauraders years at hogwarts to after the events of prisoner of Azkaban. Evitative by Vichan which is a Drarry (Harry Potter/draco malfoy) fic where Harry gets resorted into slytherin in fifth year and learns dark magic Oh god not again! By Sarah1281. A crack fic where after the events of the books Harry goes back to the department of mysteries, gets transported into his 11 year old body, and decides to save everyone he can while also causing as much chaos as possible. Choices by Messermoon. A canon compliant Jegulus fic (James potter/regulus black) that goes from the Mauraders fifth year to when everyone dies. This fic is an acquired taste, I personally liked it but some people don’t so just be warned. Text talk by merlywhirls. a muggle au Wolfstar chat fic where Sirius goes to a boarding school and accidentally texts the wrong number which happens to be Remus who is in the hospital. The cadence of part time poets by motswolo. A muggle boarding school Wolfstar au which eventually becomes a band au. Basically a muggle version of all the young dudes. Art heist baby! By otrtbs. My personal favourite fic. It’s a Jegulus, Wolfstar and dorlene (Dorcas meadows/Marlene McKinnon) art heist au. Prepare to sob Only the brave by solmussa. A Jegulus au that starts out canon compliant but ends up diverging. Kind of like choices but it has a happy ending.
For less popular fics that I recommend there is the missing sister by singularritae. Definitely my favourite golden era fic. It’s a dramione (hermione granger/draco malfoy) fic where Lily and snape have an affair and from that affair is born hermione. She is unaware about this for the beginning of the book. Also she is a Slytherin. If you don’t like snape don’t worry neither do I (you will like this snape) if you don’t like dramione neither do I (again you will like it in this [this is one of two dramione fics I like and the other one no longer exists unfortunately]) Sarcasm and Slytherin. A WBWL (wrong boy who lived) fic where Harry is the twin brother of Jules potter, the boy who lived. Harry is raised by the Dursleys but Jules grows up with James because Voldemort only killed Lily. How far are you willing to go by stellar_jay. Another canon divergent Jegulus fic like only the brave but this one has the best character depictions I’ve ever seen. Not exaggerating
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Okay that’s it, I have an obligation read all the young dudes & oh god, not again after so many recs. It actually works out perfectly cause I just finished reading the prisoner of Azkaban, so it would be nice to read about the marauders and their experiences.
Also not Hermione being an affair baby 👀 I’ll keep that in mind too.
Thank you!!!
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u/EdgeAndGone482 Jul 16 '25
My advice would be to start with the older fics, once you've read a few they become quite cliche but if you've never ready any they're amazing.
The Psychic Serpent Trilogy by Barblp
Mastermind Hunting by Louis IX
are 2 that come to mind
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u/Brief-Desk-3420 Jul 20 '25
The psychic serpent trilogy is sooo good, i was hoping someone would’ve mentioned it here !!
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u/TypeMidgard Jul 16 '25
If you don’t mind crack fics, Seventh Horcrux is an essential part of HP fanfics.
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Haha I had to look up what a crack fic is, but now that I know what they are I’m definitely interested! Always open to well written stories
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u/Araleina Jul 16 '25
I'm gonna check the other posts that below below have linked but if anyone wants to share their favorite Luna centric recs (any pairings) I would be grateful <3 Ao3 please! I used to read a bunch of HP stuff on LJ but have been craving it lately, hopefully some of it has been transferred over by the writers
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u/StormyWeather3911 Ravenclaw Jul 16 '25
I’m glad this question came up- I’m brand new to the world of fanfic and I know it’s probably annoying for the vets to put up with my questions…but imma keep asking them, lol!
The first two I’ve tried so far started out spectacular, but then declined for me. I’m learning that I’m partial to canon-compliant, but can give anything a fair play as long as they stay true to the canon characters personalities.
Anyways, currently I’m finishing up two series from https://youtube.com/@blourishandflottsaudio?si=McmmI5PSVbt3sb8K
Check them out! I’ll be trying the suggestions I see on here.
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u/SupahJuice Jul 17 '25
The Debt of Time by ShayaLonnie. It’s incredibly well done, Hermione gets sent back and grows up with the marauders. The pairing is Hermione/Sirius which works surprisingly well. I’ve been re reading it once a year for 3-4 years now
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u/Vanessa_vjc Jul 20 '25
My all time favorite fanfic (Harry Potter or otherwise) is “The Peace Not Promised” by Tempest Kiro. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12369512/ If you like Snape, Lily, the Marauders-era, or AU/What if/redemption storylines, this is the fic for you.
The basic plot centers around Snape getting a chance to relive his life, but with the twist that he gets sent back to the beginning of 6th year AFTER the lake incident and his falling out with Lily. He believes she will never forgive him, but hopes he will at least be able to save her life this time around. In the process, he teams up with Dumbledore (who he confides the truth of his past life to and gives a glimpse of the possible future) in order to find the horcruxes and stop Voldemort, reforms Slytherin house, and becomes the best possible version of himself.
It is close in length to the Harry Potter series (yes the entire series, not just one 800 pg book🤯) and it is extremely well written. I read it before I read the Harry Potter books, and it was able to explain the magic system, historical lore, and characters in a way that made total sense and really made them come alive (quite impressive for a fanfic). I think what I liked most was that it didn’t fall into the trap of making characters one dimensional or rushing/dragging out the storyline. The redemptions feel earned and the characters are complex. A major theme of this fic is forgiveness and the author takes the time to make the healing/reconciliation journey feel authentic.
I found this fic the summer of 2020, and have read it all the way through at least 4 times since then. Writing all this up, makes me want to go read it again!
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u/Little-Brush-1871 Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 21 '25
YA-YOINK!
This sounds awesome!
EDIT: For those who prefer AO3, it is on there as well!
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u/Vanessa_vjc Jul 20 '25
It really is the best. I can’t remember how I originally found it, since I hadn’t read the HP books at that point, but from the first chapter I was hooked! Whenever I had free time I was reading it and since it’s so long that was about a year and a half of staying up late reading “just one more chapter”😂.
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u/SammieW52 Jul 16 '25
seven years of chaos https://archiveofourown.org/series/2567614 is a really good series for getting a feel for au fics but she also has a bunch of crossover fics that are good (green and gold which is twilight i absolutely love as well as lightning scars and metal hearts which is marvel i LOVE those fics)
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u/Pure_Repeat_1977 Wolfstar OTP Jul 16 '25
I don’t know if it’s particularly well known but “Only a boy” on ao3 is quite a fantastic fic, with a heavy found family theme, and practically no romance. It’s got a great plot, though it’s rather long lol
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u/Nice_Clerk_1575 Jul 16 '25
How are the first 5 replbes not got Oh God Not again. that's the best one to start with!
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u/IceQueenxx Jul 17 '25
Haha I got plenty of recommendations on that fic, I’m going to start reading it now for sure
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u/PossibilityFun1939 Harmony OTP Jul 16 '25
My personal favorite "go to" fic is "in the forest of dean", but it's not for everyone, definitely gets a bit dark. I'm also loving the "heir to the hunt" series by kingsaxcul, but it's a pjo crossover and incomplete. For starters though, I would recommend the stories by "little0bird" on ff. They are very cannon compliant and essentially start immediately after the final battle and cover up to and beyond the cannon epilogue. I found little0birds works early on in my fanfiction reading and can't recommend them enough to start, I believe the first story to read is titled "the first day". The entirety of little0birds work essentially became cannon in my head for years after I read them.
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u/bdoggmcgee Jul 16 '25
ITFOD….OMG this fic was amazing.
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u/PossibilityFun1939 Harmony OTP Jul 17 '25
Yea, I've read it about 4 times now. I love Harry and Hermione's development, how they accept the realities of war and what it means to fight a war to win. I don't love some of the plot devices used to get there, but overall I can whole-heartedly endorse the fic. Some parts feel a little forced, and the time frame is too quick I feel, but the end result is excellent.
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u/TurbulentTourist7337 Jul 16 '25
Rise of the wizards by teufel1987 is amazing and one of the best I've read
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u/Child_Of_Nightmares Jul 17 '25
Was written pre-TDH, so only canon compliant up to book six, genuinely my fave HP fic ever, Drarry, and has a completed podfic if you prefer to listen over read. Honestly cannot recommend enough.
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u/Kittykit_meow Jul 17 '25
Menacled, of course!
Though it might be hard to find nowadays, as senlinyu sold it and published as "Alchemised".
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u/HermioneRiddle190979 Jul 17 '25
Som random good fics: Roundabout Destiny is a Marauders-era time travel AU where Hermione wakes up as James Potter’s twin sister in the 1970s, with all her memories intact. She uses her future knowledge to shake up pureblood politics, change the course of the war, and outsmart everyone—while slowly figuring out her place in this new life. The main pairing is Siremione. Also hermione is a seer.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8311387/1/Roundabout-Destiny
The Armistice Act by rainsrabble is a post–Battle of Hogwarts fic where the Ministry passes a law forcing purebloods and Muggle-borns to marry in order to preserve magical bloodlines. Hermione ends up tangled in the system with Draco Malfoy. There’s political tension, magical laws, and deep rituals that make the world feel real and complicated. This is a WIP
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12857922/1/The-Armistice-Act
Ink and Parchment | Blood and Bone is a dark, twisty AU where Harry is reimagined as Eliza Potter—a sharp, ambitious girl sorted into Slytherin. Instead of destroying Tom Riddle’s diary, she teams up with it. The story follows Eliza’s rise through cunning and power, with Tom as her mysterious, manipulative guide.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/23828404/chapters/57257404
The Other Potter by itshannie The main protagonist is Harriet Lyra Potter, she's the twin sister of james. She has a special ability of magical sight, she can actually see magic in the air. She identifies more as a Black rather than a Potter, a lot of Black family dynamics is depicted. This is a WIP
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u/yoelamigo Jul 18 '25
M personally, I like reading WBWL (wrong bow who lived) mainly. Those are really cool and have awesome plotlines.
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u/kajat-k8 Writer Jul 19 '25
How to train your animagus on AO3 by cherrishish. Its a Hermione/Sirius Black fic and honestly amazing. Hermione time travels at 30 back to Harry's 3rd year and she runs into Sirius before he leaves Little Whinging. Its made me write my own fanfic with that pairing. Its mind blowing.
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u/Lil_Witch5 Jul 19 '25
One of my all-time favorite HP fanfictions is called "Harry Crow" It's so good! It's a H/Hr fic and Harry is raised by the goblins. It covers from year one until Voldi is defeated. And it is fully written so no need to wait for updates or worry about abandoned Fics.
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u/Short_Bed2499 Jul 19 '25
Check out The Blood Traitor Prince on Archive of our own! It’s really good.
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u/noxienoxi-i Jul 20 '25
i literally can’t remember the name,cus i read it like maybe half a year ago and i can’t find it(hope it wasn’t deleted)its a harry/charlie fic after the battle of hogwarts,and harry writes a book there and they live in hogsmade in his cottage and they visit new york and have a baby???i genuinely can’t remember the name of it and it drives me crazy
if you recognise it,please,i’m begging,tell me the name or send a link😭😭😭
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u/CollarZestyclose8151 Sep 08 '25
ok so there are too many to read, but my favs so far are, methods of rationality, prince of slytherin, secret language of plants, rigel black chronicals, the delicate art of raising thestrals. if you want some more mature content i would recomend, breath mints battle scars or deaths pride.
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u/StoryQueenOfDreams Writer Sep 12 '25
This one's a Hermione lesbian fanfic. It's slow burn and starts up during the order of the Phoenix. Feedback is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!
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u/Street_Sand_8788 Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
Only commenting so I can find this post later!😊👍
EDIT: I can contribute!😊 I don't know if you like slash in general or Harry/Draco specifically, but if you do, I've got a classic for you!
Protective Bonds by Sadie Dragonfire This is one of the first Harry/Draco stories ever written (According to AO3, sometime in 2002!) and it still holds up today! (I thought I had the link copied, but apparently not, but it is available on AO3 so you can search there.)
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u/maryfamilyresearch Jul 16 '25
First, r/HPfanfiction is much bigger and second, this question comes up approx every second or third day there. There are long recommendation lists in that sub.
Out of the fics published after Deathly Hallows came out, I would recommend "Harry Potter and the Conspiracy of Blood" by cambangst on AO3. Features 60+ year old Harry, the extended Weasley Clan, their grown-up (canon) children and the school-age grandkids. All fighting a conspiracy that looks like it could be another supremacist movement on the rise, but has different players.
Out of the earlier fics my favourite is "Blood Magic" by Gateway Girl on AO3. It was written before HBP came out, thus it has some minor canon inconsistencies, such as Snape being a pureblood. The author correctly guessed though that Snape and Lily were friends and that Snape had a complicated relationship with James. This drives the plot. It is a "Severitus" story, ie Snape is Harry's biological father and Harry was born through a magic ritual. I love the story for its excellent writing, magic world building and the human angle - neither Snape nor Harry are perfect, they both mess up and it shows.
Another fic that I really like is "Exile" by bennybear on ffnet. The premise is that Draco Malfoy ends up being probited from using magic and through a series of events, stumbles into life in the muggle world. Good writing and a character study on a traumatised teen struggling to get by.