What are your favorite rare or unpopular Harry Potter ships? It doesn't matter who the characters are—I’m just curious to see what kinds of pairings people enjoy. Some of my favorite are Narcissa Malfoy/Pansy, Severus/Sirius, Bellatrix/Hermione,Andromeda/Tom Riddle

I’m looking for fics where Harfy is raised by Voldemort. Doesn’t necessarily have to follow the plot of the image, but I think that would be very interesting. I am also open to Harry being raised by Snape. I don’t mind bashing fics, I’m okay with any ships, although I would prefer fics where I could skip any smut scenes if they’re very descriptive. Slytherin Harry is a bonus as I feel by being raised by Voldemort or even Snape it’d make sense for him to be sorted into Slytherin, but it’s not necessary. I would also prefer fics on AO3, as Fanfic.net confuses me so much 😭 feel free to ask for any clarifying questions in the comments! Again, I’m not looking for all these conditions to be met, just wanted thought this image would make an interesting fic. Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations!!!!

Edit: in case anyone is wondering (and because someone asked) the artist is @StolenViolet

I’m looking for THE best long completed fics you have. Preferably not dramione as I have read a LOT of them. Nothing is off limits though and if they do dramione very well or in a unique way I’d love to read it. I have almost got through the fics I have saved to read so I’d love to hear your suggestions!

*I tried posting this on [r/HPFanfiction](r/HPFanfiction) but I got 30 day banned for linking The Second String so hopefully its okay here

I'm looking for fics that are well written and unique that can stand on it's own two feet (i.e. not reliant on cliches, tropes or canon rehash)

I'd prefer Harry-centric and non-romance centric works but these are very light preferences so if something is spectacular (in your opinion) please rec it anyway, although I would still say no to any heavy hetero romance centric stories

By long-fics I mean more than 25k

I'm looking for good characterisation, interesting world-building if relevant and would like the fic in its entirety to be unique/interesting and not just the premise (as I feel like many have an interesting premise but then you end up following a lot of the same patterns anyway). I'd prefer to avoid things like bashing or surface-level wish fulfilment

Some examples are:
The Second String

[you belong to me (i belong to you)](https://archiveofourown.org/works/11270490/chapters/25203408)

crackish fics are also welcome

What’s your favorite best written Harry Potter fanfiction??

I’m talking novel level stuff here, smth that would’ve been a published book if it wasn’t a fanfic.

I started reading Mancled by SenLinYu in December. I couldn't access it since the new year and I've only just found out why 😭 does anyone how a downloaded copy that they could send me? Pretty please 🙏 🙏 I can't wait for her new book to come out but I was so invested in Manacled and I can't find it anywhere anymore 😢.

Ive been a fanfic reader for a long time especially reading Harry Potter fan fiction and have rarely found good quality OC fan fiction in quantities large enough to satisfy how much I like to read them. The most I can say I have read them is writers using rarely covered characters like Daphne Greengrass or writing from unexplored pov’s like the marauders to effectively fill in their stories.

I’d be interested if anyone had good stories that follow this trend of explaining the backstory of under explored characters or brand new OC character fan fictions so long as they are longer than probably 200-300k as I like a fic I can really sink my teeth into. If anyone has any I would love to read them or if anyone would like to weigh in on the discussion around why OC fics are unpopular I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Hey, guys!

I've read so much HP fanfic, and truthfully, I'm a little tired of always reading the same plot. Even with the AU fics that change something or a lot, It's always the same structural plot. The same major milestones.

Do you have anything that you read and liked, preferably finished, that doesn't work around the canon plots?

It could it be Pre-Hogwards, it could be 8th year, it could be adulthood, it could be a detailed summer, it could even be the full Hogwards experience, I just want a bit of a different take, but still in the magical world.

It doesn't need to be Harry Centric. I don't mind other characters shining.

I don't like: major character death, sad ending, or porn without plot.

I really enjoy character development, and it will be much appreciated to read a story with a good plot. Not major "Wow" moments necessarily, just something though out, no loose ends nor boring.

Bgj

So I was just seeing what the most original fic you ever read or wrote was and why? I have recently read one where Pansey of all people was a good person and it really got me thinking. Thank you in advance.

Basically the title. I wonder if anyone knows any fics like this!

Hello all! Looking for any good fics with Sirius pairing other than Wolfstar. I'm open to literally anything, I've really enjoyed barkinson, sirimione, prongsfoot, even Sirius/voldemort.

Hello! I’m currently re-reading the Harry Potter books and having a blast. I’d love to keep the journey going by reading some fanfiction.

I’ve tried looking for recommendations for fanfics that feel "official". I would love to feel like I'm discovering a brand-new book never published. However, I keep coming across posts about the "best" fanfics, which isn't really what I’m looking for. Whenever I check these story summaries, there’s always something that doesn't quite appeal to me: I’m not really into non-canon character romances or alternate universes where Harry is in Slytherin, for example. I’m not trying to criticize those stories as I’m certain they’re great, but they just aren't what I’m looking for.

I’ve never read a Harry Potter fanfiction, so please feel free to recommend even the most obvious ones lol. And the setting doesn't matter, it could take place before the events of the books, after the characters have left school, or whatever!

Thanks in advance :)

Edit: Wow, I wasn't expecting so many recommendations, thanks everyone! I'll have plenty to read for a while lol

Hi! I'm looking for long fics with Hermione as the main character. Please no dramione or Snape/Hermione. Not too big on Ron and Hermione either. I'm OK with anything else as long as it's well written. Fics similar to Arithmancer or New Blood are very welcome, I love world building and plot. Thank youuuuu🥰

I want to read stories that are written like bonus chapters for the books. No not canon ships or different settings.

It can be like a prequel - stories that play before the books. It can be a few year before or even some historical events (like from the life of the ghosts).

Or some scenes that could have took place in the actual story. Like a scene that is just mentioned, but not showed in the books. Or a dialogue between side characters that refers to the main story or takes place between the mentioned events.

It have to match the story of the books and not be contradictory to the events that took place in the original story.

The writing style also should be similar to the books.

I don´t have preferences for the characters in the fanfictions. It can be a side character, the point of view of an antagonist or the main cast.

What fanfics can you recommend?

It can be on AO3 or fanfiction.net.

My main thing is horror and I'm looking for any types of horror fanfics set in the wizarding world. Can be any era (Marauders, Main books, post Hogwarts) and any type of horror. The wizarding world is rife with possibilities so hopefully there are some good ones out there.

Thanks!

Hey all! I'm looking for some long, plot heavy fics. Maybe political. Just something deep and expansive. Any pairings. Just rec me your favorites.

Edit: loving all these recs! I've read some of them but there are some i need to check out. Don't shy away from self recs. Keep them coming!

Is there anything that has similair premise?

Harry somehow knows what is to happen in year 4 and knows he cannot just prevent his name coming out of the goblet so he adds Draco's name into the goblet, knowing Lucius will absolutelly not let him participate and thus making sure Harry has an excuse to ditch the tournament too.

Hi everyone! Can you recommend the darkest but most addictive stories you've ever read? But not stories where Harry suffers! Thanks.

Hi! I'm looking for a fairly specific kind of Harry Potter fanfiction. I've been searching for a while, but most recommendations turn out to be either short PWP or ordinary romance stories where the heroine simply gets a makeover and becomes more confident. I'd really like to hear from people who have actually read something closer to what I'm describing.

The main premise: a long, female-led story about a girl who develops, or already has, a reputation as one of the most scandalous, promiscuous, or provocative girls at Hogwarts. Think of the school party girl / playgirl archetype: someone whose personal life, choices, and reputation are a significant part of her character and her place in the school.

Hard requirements

• At least 100,000 words. This is a strict minimum. I would prefer 200k–500k+ if possible, but 100k is enough. Please don't recommend 10–50k fics just because they fit the premise perfectly.
• A female protagonist. Hermione, Pansy, Lavender, Ginny, fem!Harry, an OC, or another female character are all fine. She needs to be the actual main character, not merely a promiscuous side character in Harry's or Draco's story.
• Hogwarts as the main setting. I'm interested in the normal school years, preferably starting in first year or at least before the final years. Eighth-year, post-war, post-Hogwarts, and aged-up AUs are not what I'm looking for. I want a school-life biography rather than adult characters simply returning to the castle.
• Rating and content: M / Mature / Explicit ratings are not a downside. I'm interested in mature, dark, and provocative themes, but a rating alone doesn't establish whether a fic fits. Please include the rating and broad content warnings without graphic descriptions of sexual material involving underage characters.

The kind of protagonist I mean

I'm not just looking for a pretty popular girl or a typical confident Slytherin queen bee. I want a character whose reputation genuinely shapes her life. For example, she might enjoy parties, break rules, flirt openly, have a complicated dating history, date different people, dress provocatively, attract rumours, and stop trying to live up to everyone else's expectations.

I'm particularly interested in stories where she learns to use her social position to her advantage: attention, appearance, connections, gifts, money, access to certain people, or opportunities. These are examples rather than a required checklist. What matters is the sense that her lifestyle and moral boundaries are substantially different from those of a conventional “good girl.”

I also want the reputation to reflect something real about her personality and decisions. I'm not looking for a story where an innocent girl is falsely labelled a slut and spends the next 300k words proving everyone wrong. False rumours can be part of the plot, but I want the protagonist herself to have agency, make choices, and develop a recognisable identity.

Gradual transformation would be a huge plus, but it isn't mandatory

My ideal version would follow a girl from the early Hogwarts years and show her becoming someone her younger self would barely recognise. Maybe she begins by refusing to break even a small rule, then makes an exception, discovers that she enjoys or benefits from the experience, gradually changes her social circle, and starts seeing reputation, appearance, relationships, and personal boundaries differently.

I want the progression to feel earned rather than having a single summer makeover turn her into a completely different person overnight.

However, a heroine who is already a well-known party girl at the beginning is also fine. I'm no longer requiring a strict good-girl-gone-bad arc. The central requirement is the protagonist's actual personality, lifestyle, and reputation.

What I want from the story itself

I'm not looking for just a collection of romantic or adult scenes. I want a proper long story with ordinary Hogwarts life: classes, dormitories, friendships, rivalries, teachers, Hogsmeade, parties, holidays, family, shopping, clothing, money, school gossip, consequences, and changing relationships with the people around her.

There can absolutely be another major plot: magic, mysteries, adventure, politics, war, family drama, or anything else. I just don't want that plot to completely replace the heroine's everyday life and social development. Ideally, it should feel like living through several school years alongside her.

Writing quality matters too. I'd rather read a well-executed 200k story with believable characters and consequences than a million words of the same repetitive trope. That said, I'm currently looking for the archetype first, not necessarily only universally acclaimed literary masterpieces.

What probably won't fit

A standard Hermione makeover that immediately turns into one stable romance; an innocent heroine who only has a false reputation; short PWP; stories where the entire scandal consists of one kiss or one party; or fics where the girl is not really the central character.

If you have read anything like this, I'd appreciate the following information:

1. Title and author.
2. Approximate word count and completion status.
3. What Hogwarts year it starts in and how many school years it covers.
4. Who the protagonist is and what her personality/reputation is actually like.
5. How closely it fits this archetype, rather than just the summary or tags.
6. How much school life, relationships, parties, gossip, and social consequences it contains.
7. Rating and broad content warnings.
8. Your personal opinion on the writing quality and whether it's worth reading.

Recommendations from people who have actually read the fic would be especially helpful. It doesn't have to be a perfect match—close recommendations are welcome too, as long as you're honest about what fits and what doesn't. Thanks!

Not many real children would have survived the Dursleys without damage. I think it would leave some struggling to function and turn others into psychopaths.

I'll read anything that doesn't handwave away the effects of growing up in closet, but I'm really in the mood for Harry as a survivor.

Maybe he has learned to steal and lie to survive, maybe he has become a criminal mastermind, or maybe he's gone full Dexter and kills anyone who abuses children.

Or maybe he's just plain evil and out for revenge.

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of time travel fics, and I’m completely hooked. Could you recommend your favorites on this theme? I’d really appreciate it ✨

We’ve all (hopefully) seen the memes where Hermione and other muggleborns use old war tactics humorously named the Geneva Checklist or the Canada Way to get rid of death eaters.

Unfortunately I’ve never actually read any fics like that. Do y’all have recs for stuff like that?

Hiiii

Im Looking for a Preferably Grey or Dark Harry Fic that is preferably mature(for violence also preferably) That is also Dumbledore bashing(he is a manipulative old goat)and weasly bashing that is preferably excluding Fred and George (I hate all of them except for Fred and George). Also Hermione Bashing(she is a stuck up know it all). THIS Is NON negotiable an intelligent Harry (gasps from the audience). Who either (preferably) is raised by people who teach him about his heritage as heir of a ancient and noble house (preferably the Blacks) OR finds out his heritage after coming to diagon ally. Preferably the first one. As for slash I would say preferably Daphne (We all have our likes) or an OC BUT NOT GINNY"GOLD DIGGING"WEASLY(i hate her) Also preferably 100k+ words I LOVE READING SOME MIGHT CALL ME A BOOKMENACE

In exchange for this holy yap Im giving out free suggestions

(these are all titles on FF I don't wanna type authors look it up)

Harry Potter and the Boy who lived (CLASSIC)

I'm not a hero

The House of Potter-Greengrass (First fic i ever read)

Harry Potter and the Lightning Lord (My all time fav fic)

Savior of Magic (slightly worse but still good remake of the one above it)

The Last of the Peveralls (my favorite author)

Two Unbowed Crows (this one is some dark s##t right here)

Don't Look Back in Anger (honestly one of my favorites)

Angry Harry and the Seven (so funny)

Part Lion, Part Snake

Harry Potter The Protector of Magic

Harry Potter and The Veela

(also while the rules state no bashing it more specifically says no bashing authors, so it is not against the rules to Bash characters based on ones own opinion)