Harry Potter

1-2-0-7-0-3 by Rose
This little gem appeared out of nowhere. Dark, sinister and delicate in it's imagery, the writer places a spell over you (no pun intended) until you finish it, re-read it and then read it again.

The Amazing Bust of Nymphadora Tonks by Thistlerose
An entire fic about Tonks's breasts, and about adolescence, which is traumatic enough even when you can't change your appearance at will. Great voice. Great humour.

The Late Night Visit, or Why Jo Decided To Kill Off Someone Else Instead by Phaballa
I suppose this should be filed under real person fic, because we're seeing the world through the privileged eyes of J. K. Rowling. And it's good to be the queen. Right up until the moment Severus Snape shows up in her bedroom, taking exception to his recent fictional death.

A Feast in Azkaban by Nyx Fixx
Brilliant, long, heartbreaking story of Sirius Black and his relationships with damn near everyone -- his family, his friends, the dementors of Azkaban -- and deals with all the important bits -- his running away, the prank, the Secret Keeper fiasco in a way that will make you nod along and say, "This must be how it happened, yes." And the scene where Sirius discusses the Fidelius charm with Remus will leave you breathless and heartbroken. Couple of minor canon quibbles, and you'll need to enlarge the text size because it's tiny and the story is long, but overall an absolutely stunning read.

Accio Stone by Kris
Wonderful AU in which James and Lily don't die on that fateful Halloween. I can't really say too much without spoiling, but this story brilliantly tangents off canon into a believable alternate world, and it will break your heart both for the happiness that could have been the Potters', and the sadness they are still dealing with.

Bare Naked by Dee
Hot, sexy, clever fic in which Ginny works as a stripper and Draco finds out.

Being Noble by Poseida9
Oh, *god*, I just cried my way through this story. It's just *sniffle* it's an achy, poignant, delicate story in which Harry doesn't understand why Ginny thinks he's noble, and Ginny's explanation doesn't really clear that up. Also, it's in second person, and I love it anyway.

Clockwork by Xylodemon
Warm and tender and wistful story of Molly reflecting over everything she's got and everything she stands to lose in the upcoming war.

The Drought Story by Librae
Unutterably beautiful and moving, a lush, slowly-unfolding story about Sirius and Remus and the summer heat.

Full Circle by Xylodemon
Bitter, sad wartime story in which Ron tries to comfort Harry and knows he's not enough - Harry takes comfort where he can. Harry/Ron/Hermione/Draco in various - and painfully believable - permutations.

The Hero's Hero by Xylodemon
Harry is everyone's hero, but Ron is Harry's. So heartbreakingly gorgeous.

Lionhearted (Lions in Winter remix) by Penknife
Sad and hopeful at the same time, full of regret and unrealized potential, and possibility for the future. McGonagall and Moody, not quite where they ever expected to end up.

The Most Dangerous Star at the Dark Centre of the Universe by Xylodemon
I'm not a huge fan of Regulus/Remus, even when it is all about Sirius (which is as it should be), but this story really makes it work, and god, it hurts. Sirius is a bastard, Regulus isn't any better and Remus is painfully aware of how little he means in the scheme of things. Beautifully done.

Oleander Silence (The Ghosts That Haunt Remix) by Nichole
This is so perfectly heartbreaking and so very Remus and Sirius -- the secrets, the betrayals the regrets, the willingness to lay it aside thirteen years later, to try again. Beautiful. *sniffle*

Players by Isis
Wonderful Millicent/Luna fic, in which Luna knows way more than you'd expect, and Millicent is Slytherin enough to use it, even if she's not quite sure what she's getting out of it.

So we'll go no more a-roving by Wilde Stranger
Heartbreakingly lovely and sad, and just a little hopeful. Remus is a passive-aggressive bastard and Sirius *will* get under his skin, one way or another. Beautiful, tangled, true look at their relationship in all its complexities. Also named after one of my favorite poems of all time.

Till All My Skin Was Gone (The Homes That I Have Loved Remix) by Mousapelli
Lyrical, heartbreaking and sharply etched portrait of Sirius, Remus and Harry in their lives, and in their grief.

Visitors by Lyras
Alice Longbottom contemplates her visitors, and her mother-in-law reads her a letter. Oh, this made me cry like a baby.

Will Be Dead Men (The Claude Rains Remix) by Fleshdress
This is utterly heartbreaking, and yet so very, very plausible. I actually feel bad for Peter here, always on the outside looking in, only included when they wanted him there, and not when he wanted to be there, and always waiting for them to notice him, wanting them to notice without him having to do anything but exist. And they didn't. So sad and lovely.

Wordless by Penknife
Arthur Weasley, and all the things he doesn't say. Oh, god, this made me cry. And then I called my dad. Because yes. Just. Go read it. It's breathtaking

Diamond Dogs by Jane St Clair
This is a dark and fascinating tale of magic and family. Draco doesn't usually rock my fannish boat, but this portrait of the Black/Malfoy clan is compelling. With Lucius in Azkaban, Bellatrix descends upon Malfoy Manor, and Narcissa and Draco have no choice but to let her in. But Draco lets her in too far... This story actually overcame my incest squick. More importantly, the portrayal of magic here is very, very dark -- one truly understands why Voldemort and his ilk should be opposed. And there are lovely details that gladdened my heart.

Shifts by Fern
Let's just start by saying there aren't enough fics like this in HP fandom. This is a novel-length Lupin fic that parallels Order of the Phoenix and answers the question, "What were the other Order members doing while Harry was at school?" In Lupin's case, he poses as a Muggle and takes a job teaching history at Smeltings, in order to keep an eye on Dudley Dursley. At the same time, he has to work for the Order, care for an increasingly unstable Sirius and manage his lycanthropy -- the last with the help of Tonks, who poses as his wife in order to bring him Wolfsbane. The relationship between Remus and Tonks is lovely and realistic, and never takes precedence over the plot. Fern's attention to detail is extraordinary, but the reader never feels like the victim of an infodump. She also develops great OCs, and touches on the moral implications of hiding one society within another.

Home is the Place Where by Kyra Cullinan
The Apocalypse, Harry Potter style. Petunia waits for the end of the world. The writing, the characters, the dialogue, they are all lovely.

Honeysuckle and Smoke by Liquidscissors
Two subtle tales of Hermione and Snape, as they encounter each other in the magical town of Queerditch, where Hermione is the librarian. Liquidscissors writes with an eye for the tiny detail, and her dialogue carries a subtle sting.

Astronomy by sloanesomething
Lovely and sad and hurtful picture of Sirius and Andromeda, ready to escape the Black family, and Bellatrix, who doesn't want things to change. All three are drawn wonderfully well in lovely, spare prose, and the last line is a kicker.

Bello (A Universe at War) by Alejandra
Very, very cool and inventive stuff in this series. Harry's gone, but his scar remains, passed from Order member to Order member, and perhaps that's the most important thing. Draco and Hermione attempt to figure out how to survive and how to keep fighting in a world that's gone absolutely insane. (Links to the series index in the author's LJ memories)

Cowboys and Clowns by Nichole
Oh god. This hurts so much. Remus is just-- gah, I want to strangle him for being such a bastard, and Sirius, who wants him, and wants more than just to want him, but can’t express it, can’t ever make Remus understand, because Remus thinks he knows, so he just locks Sirius out. I can’t even be coherent, because this hurts so much in such a real, true way.

A Creature Void of Form by Ignipes
During GoF, Remus visits Sirius in the cave on Christmas. Sirius here is slightly less together than he is when we see him in GoF, but it makes sense that he's not keeping up appearance for Remus. I like the way the issues lying between them are handled, though nothing is resolved.

Culmination of a Vague Idea by hiddendaze
The flares! The old crushes! Those wacky '70s fashions! Sirius finds good things in his memories, and shares them with Remus. Just a wonderfully loving story, and one of the few 'Remus and Sirius get together during OotP' stories I totally believe.

Factories That Make Factories by alibi_factory
Lovely slice of life fic about Goyle and Snape. Gen, obviously.

Homeless Near a Thousand Homes by Sullen Siren
This story is so good at showing how Remus and Sirius overcome the distance of time and broken trust, and there's banter, and you know I love stories with banter. Poignant and sweet. And Remus cuts Sirius's hair, which I have a thing for.

Something In Between by dorrie6
Wistful story about Neville and his gran. She loves him, and maybe she hasn't always known how to show it, but he gets it now. Sigh.

The Times of Our Meeting by Ariel
Beautifully sad and lovely and heartbreaking and hopeful fic set between the end of PoA and the beginning of OotP. I love that Sirius really hasn't changed that much, that he's still stubborn and refuses to let Remus's stupid reticence stop him.

With Benefits by Switchknife
Quite possibly the hottest thing I've *ever* read. James/Remus/Sirius, with Remus in the middle. Remus, it must be said, likes cock. (Who can blame him?) Remus is also, it must be said, exceptionally lucky. So very, very hot. The hottitude cannot be measured in mere words.

Beautiful Things by Isis
Narcissa sells her jewellery, and Gringotts sends Fleur Delacour to assess the value. Isis fulfills the challenge "Beautiful women make beautiful love" without being prurient or gratuitous. Lovely. NC-17.

Slippery When Wet by Victoria P.
This is a fantastic, sexy, slippery tale of adolescent crushes, boys, athleticism and showers. Um. Yes. Vic captures the remarkable power of one's burgeoning sexuality, not to mention UST. The story is simple: fourteen-year-old Oliver loves Quidditch, and Oliver loves his Quidditch captain. NC-17 with underage boyrubbing. It's what this fandom is all about, really.

Adventures in Banking (With Dragons) by Oni Jade
In which Bill Weasley is the coolest man alive, and Fleur Delacour is the girl of his dreams. The way they're written here, Bill and Fleur should form the basis for a series of detective capers, full of witty flirtations and elaborate plots. Great stuff.

Trial Transcript: Estate of Sirius Black vs Ministry of Magic by Fee Absinthe
In which Sirius Black's estate seeks justice, and Voldemort shares some of his favourite recipes with the court. This isn't new, but it only pinged my radar last month. The trial transcript format isn't necessarily easy to read, but this is worth the eyestrain. The fandom hasn't seen anything this eyewateringly funny for a long time.

Aetiologia by Alejandra
A blackly comic fic, hilarious and mournful by turn, with a portrayal of Draco I can actually believe and enjoy, even down to the revelation about his blood. His beliefs, his assholery, his complete self-absorption -- every note rings true. I also really like Neville and Snape here.

Among the Porcelain by setissma
Exquisitely done Remus/Hermione - the way they try to forget and not-forget the past, and to lose themselves in each other. And then they remember there are other reasons to be together, and those reasons are worth remembering and exploring and living for. Stunning story. Absolutely gorgeous.

"...as we join this man and this woman..." (the Celebration remix) by Beth H.
Remus and Hermione take a long, slow stumble into falling in love. This story makes you laugh and makes you cry, sometimes at the same time. Lovely.

Get There Faster by Jintian
Harry, post-OotP, living with guilt and anger, pushing himself right to the edge, exploring his own darkness, and wanting -- hoping -- Ron can pull him back. Hard, hot, sad and true. The only false note for me was the timing of when Harry and Ron began their relationship, which I found jarring, but this is such an excellent evocation of angry, desperate Harry that it didn't really detract from the story overall.

Lullaby by blue_moony
An absolutely stunning, breathtaking Lily story - and I mean breathtaking literally. I don't think I breathed through the whole thing. Lily and James, trying to hold it together when everything is falling apart. Exquisite, painful, beautiful and true.

The Past Is Mine by Cenori
Harry finds comfort in his photo album after OotP, but he has some questions about his godfather only Remus can answer. Beautiful, poignant, heartbreakingly lovely. Make sure you've got the tissues.

Runaways (The Follow-the-Leader Remix) by Imochan
James and Remus, James and Sirius. MWPP and the aftermath of the trick, and they're such *boys* here, boys growing up and hating it and hating the changes and changing anyway. Painful and brilliant and real.

So It Goes with Faith by Nichole
Beautifully sad and true snapshots of Remus and Sirius and their relationship over the years.

Spark by Jane St Clair
Gorgeous Molly fic. Molly during the first war, doing what must be done (ignore the non-canon-ness of her not being in the first Order - it's worth it). Beautifully shows her strength and pragmatism, her love for her family and her fear of what's happening.

Tales Of A Librarian (20 Happy Moments In Sirius Black's Life Which Involved Remus Lupin) by k
Oh, man, this fic broke me in so many ways. It's exactly what the subtitle says, yet even the happy moments are edged with sadness. Such perfect, sharp little gems k gives Remus and Sirius, and us. And the ending... oh, the ending is just perfectly sad and yet perfectly hopeful and just altogether perfect.

Those Who Wait by Branwyn
Moody/Tonks. My OTP Has A Bigger Age Gap Than Your OTP. But this is gently humourous, and touching, and perfect.

How I Vanquished the Werewolf of Wagga Wagga, a Ballad By Gilderoy Lockhart by Suburban House Elf
In which Gilderoy Lockhart recounts his heroic adventures in the real Australian town of Wagga Wagga. Complete with Australianisms, including a Bachelors and Spinsters Ball, and an OC who recognises Gilderoy's true romantic value.

Endings and Beginnings by RJ Anderson
Having defeated the Dark Lord, Harry is battle-weary and faced by the expectations of the wizarding world. Except for Ginny, who offers him a great deal of practical advice and an escape route. This is a lovely short piece which offers tantalising hints of great things. Ginny and Harry are marvellously written, and very believable.

Bewitching the Mind, Ensnaring the Senses by RJ Anderson
James stumbles across one of Snape's more unpleasant secrets, one that he could use for himself. RJ offers us a darker James than we usually see in fanon, but he's still charming and believable. And her Snape is so unpleasantly greasy that you may want to wipe yourself down after a while in his presence.

Company for Dinner by Amanuensis
Buckbeak waits for Sirius to return. An amazing piece of writing, packs a huge wallop in a short space. *sniffle*

that the science of cartography is limited by Rave
Beautiful, heartbreaking, weaving between past and present as Remus remembers what is and what was. Some great insights into Remus, into Sirius, into the whole MWPP dynamic.

The Art of Walking Backwards by Mary Borsellino
Remus attempts to bring Sirius back and gets way more than he bargained for. Both happy and sad, this is a quietly beautiful story.

Bed and Board by Resonant
So the war's over and wizarding Britain is swept by an... odd craze. Everyone except Harry is indulging, and he wonders what's going on. Ron and Hermione help. They have a Harry clause (which I think is one of the Best Ideas Ever). Excellent Trio smut.

Mapmakers (The Suicide Is Painless Remix) by Casira
This is just an exquisitely, beautiful and painful story. It's a remix of Making Moony Laugh by Raven, also highly recommended, and it had me crying - not just sniffling, but suppressing *sobs* at my desk as I was prepping it for uploading. This is the story of MWPP and how Fred Weasley discovers who made the Marauder's Map, and the story of Remus and Sirius, and Remus after the Veil and how he's dealing (or not dealing) with Sirius's death, and oh god, it *kills* me. Be prepared to have something light and happy on hand to read afterward. You'll need it.

Love Is Not Love by Raven
This fic ties the themes of SHakespeare's sonnet 116 (check the title) in nicely while *understanding* the quiet, deep nature that any friendship-cum-romance between Remus and Hermione would have. It's not a romance. It's actually about the end of romance and how hard it is to be alone after you've been half of a couple. It's beautifully characterized and subtle and rings absolutely true to me.

The Opposite of Happily Ever After by setissma
This is an exceptionally painful story, both for Remus and Sirius, and for the reader. So what if they're straight, and they're really just fucking around because Sirius is bored and Remus is horny? And what if Sirius slowly realizes that maybe he wants what Remus can't give him? And what if Remus is a little slower on the uptake? Man, this story broke me.

Redeeming Time by Minx
James Potter grows up. Brilliant. Excellent characterization, subtle changes, and the boys are very, very boyish, even as they're becoming men. I think the end was a little abrupt, but it doesn't detract from a lovely story. And the James POV - all too rare in this fandom – is fabulous. Door to the River, also by Minx, is in the same continuity as Redeeming Time, though it takes place post-OotP. Remus can't leave Sirius behind, so he takes steps to retrieve him from behind the veil, following in Orpheus' steps. Lovely Bring Back Black fic.

unsticking the shadow by Pogrebin
Hermione knows irony when she sees it. Chilling, and oh-so-scarily real. What happens when 'we' turns into 'us' and 'them.'

Alive by Sam Vimes
Part 1 and Part 2
Post-OotP, Remus thinks he's going mad. Amazing look at Remus as he grieves and tries to put his life back together again, just an utterly brilliant story about which I can say nothing more because it would spoil it. Ingenious, really. Go read it now.

Breathe Out Anger by penknife
Remus in the early eighties. Painful, sad, harsh, and true. Great Remus characterization. I believe his plunge into despair and his long, slow struggle to climb out of it. A beautiful story.

Broomflight by Mad Martha
Part 1 and Part 2
How James convinced Lily to go out with him. Sweet and convincingly teenager-ish, with a James you can't help but like, as Lily learns. I also really like both the Evanses and the Potters here. An adorable story.

Civilised by Sam Vimes
Remus Lupin is always civilized. Here we see how he quietly offers aid and comfort to everyone who needs him, the solid rock on which the Order is built. Beautiful

Close Enough by Helen
This story is what Harry and Ron may become as young men who've fought a war and survived, and are just that emotionally stunted by it - especially Harry, who's not exactly the poster boy for mental or emotional health in canon. It's a hard story to read, and it hurts, but it's *true*. And I love the little details of the war and its aftermath. I even like the fanon-esque Draco, because he's not front and center, just another grace note in what is essentially Ron's story, and god, do we need more Ron like this - angry and stubborn and confused, and so fucking loyal it hurts - in the fic world.  Beautiful story, highly recommended.

The Man Who Lived by Beth H.
Snape, tired of living, no longer scared of dying, does what he believes he must. Dead on character-wise, with a heavy feeling of exhaustion leaking through, and the second person POV gives just enough distance -- Snape is as alienated from himself as he is from everyone else, and it shows. Nicely done.

Promised Eternity by setissma
Post-OotP, Remus makes some promises to himself, and finds other promises have been fulfilled. Beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful, this story made my chest tight and my eyes tear.

Seven Things That Never Happened At Hogwarts On Valentine's Day (Or Maybe They Did) by Pru
Valentine’s Day in each of MWPP’s seven years at school. By turns hilarious, touching, sweet, hot, and heartbreaking, this story is all that and more.

A Thousand Wishes by hannelore
Beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking and hopeful fic. Hermione tells Neville the story of the little girl who folded a thousand paper cranes because she believed it would make her wish come true, and it sparks something in him. If you've ever done something completely irrational in the belief that it would make everything turn out all right in the end, you will relate to Neville in this story. Beautifully characterized, subtle canon details, and lovely, spare prose that doesn't hit you over the head with anything, but lets it all sink into you as you read. And the ending... I really did cry, and I'm getting teary-eyed again just writing this rec.

Tower of Air by cluegirl
Albus Dumbledore has a private portrait gallery, and after the fight at the Department of Mysteries, he has one more portrait to add. Heartrending picture of Dumbledore and the guilt and sadness he carries, the cost of the wars he's fought, and the fact that he still lives while others don't.

Unbroken by Stella
Draco asks Luna out on a bet, and learns some things that make him a little uncomfortable. Lovely, in character, and tinged with bittersweet, aching sadness.

Wane by Pru
The fairytale of Remus Lupin. No big bad wolf here, just an exquisite, delicate rendering of a life that others might see as full of loss and tragedy, but which Remus sees as full of things that are his, that he shares with others and treasures to himself. If you don't adore Mrs. Lupin at the end of this, you have no heart. With such a strong, phenomenal woman to raise him, how could Remus *not* come out ahead of the game, regardless of what life throws at him?

Dissipate by Pogrebin
The Patil twins visit family in India.  Magic is different there, and both sisters are changed.  This has beautiful characterisation of both twins, never diverging from canon, but never falling into the trap of fanon cliche.  And the portrayal of India's magical culture is eerie and beautiful.

Listeners (The *Lessons Learned the Hard Way* remix) by winter baby
Sad, lovely, awful and beautiful. WB writes Harry/Draco and H/D fans should be happy to have her. Beautiful imagery and broken characters.

If You're Breathing by Sandy Justine
Oh. Oh. Just absolutely heartbreakingly perfect Harry/Neville post-OotP. The DA is still around, and Harry's trying to make a point. "If you're breathing, keep fighting" is Harry's rule, and Neville never gives up, even though he doubts himself. Wonderful characterization, well-written action sequence, and so sweetly achy at the end. It doesn't matter which of them has been marked by Voldemort, they're in it together

The Last Temptation of Remus J. Lupin by kai
Remus has to make a choice, and either way, it costs him dearly. This is a lovely bit of characterization (ignore the horrible nickname "Remy" - it's a friend from childhood, before Hogwarts, who calls him that). Remus deals with how the choices he makes seal his fate, to paraphrase his mother in the story. Will he choose himself or the Order? And how will he live with the choice?

Lightning Has Just Struck My Brain by Dazzler
Harry discovers some things about Neville Dumbledore wishes he hadn't. Creepy, good, and oh so plausible.

The Most Ridiculous First Name I've Ever Heard by Dazzler
Short, powerful, ungodly creepy. The story takes the premise of lycanthropy as STD to its most logical, and scary, conclusion.

Nobody Said It Was Easy by lise
Companion piece to No One Ever Said It Would Be This Hard by kel (previously recced).  Remus comes back to teach DADA in Harry's sixth year, and Harry learns more than just hexes and counterspells. The lingering grief and pain both Harry and Remus feel in the aftermath of Sirius's death
is palpable in this story - I read the whole thing through blurry eyes and with a lump in my throat. This story breaks my heart with its painful rightness.

Setissima
Oh. Lyrical, exquisite, touching, hot and sad. Just an amazing story. Remus is sent to Romania one summer after leaving Hogwarts, and to keep him company, MWPP work up a spell where whatever they write appears on the walls of his flat. It's an odd concept, but it *works*. Remus – and the reader -- can see Lily and James's love for each other; he learns about his friends' lives, and about Sirius's feelings for *him*. And then the last bit, set in the future, is just the perfect, bittersweet cap to the story.

The Bloody Stare of Mars by Yahtzee
It's impossible to put my love and admiration for this fic into words. Yahtzee has taken the Snape/Hermione ship, traditionally riddled with cliche and romance novel tropes, and turned all the overused ideas on their heads. Hermione and Snape work together to create a potion, but they're really working for Voldemort. They go to bed in a setting worthy of a Bronte sister, but the romance is tainted by harsh reality. And the plot! Harry is dead and Voldemort ascendant, and the centre of London is a magical concentration camp. This isn't an easy read, but it's ultimately rewarding.

Amid my Solitude by Sam Vimes
And the word went out: Remus/Tonks was the new adult!OTP of HP fandom. This fic isn't perfect -- there are a few cliches and some pronounced biological oddities towards the end, but the quality of writing makes up for it. Remus and Tonks spend a night together, then another, then another, while Remus adjusts to his new authority within the Order. In addition to the central relationship, Harry is particularly well-characterised, as we see a whole new idea behind his inevitable defeat of Voldemort.

Anywhere But Here by Sam Vimes
Five years after the defeat of Voldemort, Harry Potter and Severus Snape meet in a seaside down. This is harsh, but rewarding, and the dialogue is amazing.

Always a Woman by Sam Vimes
Bellatrix Black plays her games with Sirius and Remus. Twisted, hot and bitter, and the ending is a kick.

Ephemeris by penknife
Brilliant, awkward beautiful fic in which Remus knows better than to get involved with a post-Azkaban Sirius, but he's not sure he cares. The dialogue, the characterizations, everything is dead on in this story, and so, so good. Subtle and bittersweet and touching.

Forever After by Laura Smith
A hot and tasty bit of Remus/Hermione porn, with a lovely salute to Remus/Sirius and a retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" that will give you a whole new appreciation for the fairy tale. And Remus's storytelling abilities.

Into the Light of the Dark Black Night by k
A powerful, subtle, sharp and sad exploration of Lily Evans, using her love of the Beatles as a theme and her feelings of dislocation first at Hogwarts and then at home, k manages to write a story that feels completely and utterly *right*, from Lily's first reaction to Sirius being that he's mental to the slow way she finally gives in to James's charm to her alternating annoyance and sadness at the way she and Petunia grow apart.

No One Ever Said It Would Be This Hard by kel
Basically this story is Remus's point of view on events in OotP, and it's heartbreaking, clever, funny, in character, and right.

The Trouble With Harry Potter by Zahra
Zahra writes of the Boy Who Lived and the boy who could have been the Boy Who Lived, and it's touching, funny, poignant and real. I can hear Neville saying and thinking these things, and as Harry fumbles along, he's so very Harry, it's hard not to love him even when he's being an idiot.

Vector by Prufrock
Vector is the story of Sirius Black realizing, on a shopping trip to Harrods, that he’s desperately in love with Remus Lupin, even though he’s never so much as looked at another man before in his life. Pru gets right into Sirius’s head and takes you deep into his swirling thought processes as he works through this life-changing discovery, with humor and pathos and a sweetness that aches. Note the scarf, as it appears again in And Still (below), to which this is the prequel.

And Still by Prufrock
This fic broke me into a million pieces. Much like Sirius is broken, and Remus, too. Sirius is in Albania, fighting the war against Voldemort, as his world comes apart at the seams. Slightly AU, but a brilliant evocation of a man on the edge of a breakdown, in the middle of a war like nothing he's ever seen before. This story is brutal and beautiful and desperate.

Wolfsbane by Pirate Perian
Sirius spends a full moon with a Remus who is under the influence of the Wolfsbane Potion. This is simple and heartbreaking, as Sirius feels his last bit of usefulness wrenched away from him. Fabulous Sirius characterization. *sniffle*

A Little Touch of Harry in the Night by Amanuensis
This is dark -- real dark.  But there are some great moments, Harry is written as an ambiguous, omnisexual and powerful figure who dominates every scene.  Earns its NC-17 rating with the multiple pairings; a fantastic read.

Harry Potter and the Improbable Use of Chaos Theory by Debchan
Pratchett.  Rowling.  Crossover.  If those words alone aren't enough to suck you in, then let me add: Weatherwax.  Ogg.  Lockhart.  Snape/Harry.  Dry comedy.  Broad comedy.  Laughs. Aplenty.

Triumph of the Last Marauder by Dazzler
Harry makes his own escape.  Dazzler's characterisation is perfect -- neither bitter nor saccharine; she builds well on the foundations laid by OotP.  Good gen is hard to find in this fandom, but here it is.

Apogee by llamajoy
Beautiful story of hide and seek wherein Remus finally lets himself be found, though Sirius is technically the one hiding. Classic Sirius/Remus first time story.

Beyond the Veil by Helene
Sirius has to find his way back, with help from Harry, Remus and Snape. This is a beautifully plausible explanation for the Veil, its purpose and what it might be like for Sirius on the other side of it, not of the living nor of the dead. Best denial fic I've read.

Faded Laughter Against Her Ear by Mary Borsellino
Ginny finds a portrait of 15-year-old Sirius Black in the attic at Grimmauld Place. Beautiful and sad and just... Sirius.

The Gift
Gilderoy Lockhart is recovering, and one day, Dumbledore brings him a toad named Trevor and a secret. I love the tone of this story, and the way Lockhart is suddenly likable and human, and he’s not the only one. He gets to live his own fairy tale, and it’s not too sappy or too dramatic, but just right.

Magic Words by Rageprufrock
Prequel to Levity (previously recced). Remus's date from hell with Rita Skeeter. By turns hilarious and touching, and I *love* Pru's Remus.

Quiet by Te
Remus is all about control, and he can't even let go enough to deal with his grief.

Skins by Casira
First full moon after The Trick. Sirius tries to make amends. Remus just wants to feel human. Bittersweet *and* sexy at the same time.

Sublimation and The Snitch, by Remus J. Lupin by Sam Vimes
Remus writes a Freudian analysis of Quidditch for his History of Magic term paper. Hilarious.

This Side of the Veil by Elwing Alcyone
Kingsley Shacklebolt plays the piano, and then he and Remus talk. Lovely short story about grief and coping with it, and the possibilities of moving
on.

Unusual by DeeDeeINFJ
The story of how Ron came to buy 'unusual' perfume for Hermione. You know how some stories just make you achy? This is one of those - pitch-perfect characterization and all the uncertainty and pressure of being fifteen and really liking someone. Highly recommended.

The Way He Kisses Me by Mosylu
"He kisses like he’s laughing." This story is short and fluffy and probably not for anyone who isn't already a Ron/Hermione shipper. Such an exquisite description of what kissing Ron Weasley must be like. Sweeter than a maple in full sap, however, so beware.

Fidelius and Secret-Keeper by Tradescent
Muffled, chilling Snape/Harry.  This lingers in the mind long after you've walked away.

Flame and Shadow by Maya
Ron/Pansy.  So wrong, yet so right.  The sparkling dialogue and … sparks in the central relationship are more than adequate compensation for the appearance of fanon!Draco.

Cold Water by R. J. Anderson
Snape pays a visit to Lupin following the events of OotP.  RJ has some sharp points to make, but she wields her scalpel gently.

Breaking Tradition by Mortalus
Bwah! Harry dies of natural causes at a ripe old age, and an unexpected mourner pays a visit to the funeral. Too funny.

Disparity by Maki
Fred contemplates the differences between him and George. Short, sweet and a nice exploration of the twins from the inside.

Ghosts by Minx
Three snapshots involving drinking - the first is freaking hilarious, as MWPP discover a secret passageway into the basement of the Hog's Head, where all the liquor is stored. The second is a bitter "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" affair, with Sirius and Remus sniping at each other in October 1981. The third is a bitterwsweet post-GoF Remus/Sirius reunion.

The Good Morrow by Fay Jay
Remus wakes up in an interesting position. Sweet, funny first time story. I love this line: “Hitherto unknown portions of his friend's anatomy were cheerfully making their presence felt in the most disconcertingly intimate fashion. Sirius Black, it appeared, was considerably less heterosexual than all previous evidence had seemed to indicate.” Okay, that’s two lines. But the whole fic is clever like that.

House by Kest
Sirius is pardoned. He goes to visit Remus. Elegant, quiet, evocative story about Sirius relearning the feel of his skin, his life, and Remus quietly being there when Sirius needs him.

Levity by Rageprufrock
Remus is drunk and Sirius is in the midst of an identity crisis. Sharp, insightful, hilarious and touching in turn, Pru nails the characters and their complex relationship. And I’m not saying that just ‘cause I betaed.

Midnight in the Silence by Mary G
Ron and Harry in the aftermath of the Third Task. Sometimes, you just need to be quiet, and you need a friend who'll let you. Short, sharp, *true* - beautiful snapshot of the strong friendship between Ron and Harry.

Older and Between by Twinkledru J.
Raw, honest, hot and sexy Sirius/Remus reunion fic. Anger and desperation and love and sex in one short, potent little story.

Better Forgotten by Mary Borsellino
Remus makes a promise. This story makes me achy. So beautiful.

In Theory by Thistlerose
The war's over, and Remus and Sirius have a quiet celebration, and Sirius has a plan. A brilliant, beautiful plan. Just the possibility makes Remus all kinds of happy, too. Lovely, spare, poignant and suffused with hope. I love this story.

Not As a Last Resort by Arabella
Ron and Hermione take shelter in Hagrid's cabin during a blizzard. Deliciously tense and highly evocative of being fifteen and alone with the boy you like. And its sequel Getting the Point: What happens after, from Ron's POV. Yum.

Second Coming by lise and kel
And again, Sirius lies low at Lupin's. Quiet but still passionate, this story is fraught with tension and with the knowledge that they are adults now, fighting for their world. There's sorrow, but also a very real feeling of hope.

Transfigurations by Resonant
Fabulous post-war novel that, with the exception of Draco’s characterization, easily feels like it could be part of canon. But I will overlook fanon!Draco in the face of this brilliant Hermione and extremely competent Ron, the weight of sorrow and hope that pervades the whole story, and the plot twists I didn’t anticipate and so enjoyed even more.

Waltz for the Moon by Naraku
Remus is working with Snape on a project. Sirius is jealous. Yet another version of why and how, exactly, Sirius came to send Snape to the Shrieking Shack on the night of the full moon. Tight, tense, and heartbreaking.

Black Gold by Pogrebin
A beautifully layered story of money, magic, sex and war.  A war for oil, but not the war you're thinking of.  Pogrebin plays with history and canon, manipulating point of view and tenses like a master puppeteer.  The language is poetic, and the ideas are awesome, the sort of thing which is so damn good that you find yourself trying to use them in your own fic, because they're so good, they must be canon, right?

Like The Finest Gold by Cedar
Potter/Malfoy, but not the ones you're thinking of: Lucius has discovered something James would rather keep quiet, but the relationship moves beyond blackmail into something considerably sexier.  Beautifully written, and awesomely compelling.

Rising From Ashes by Arabella and Jedi Boadicea
SugarQuill has a reputation for being a bit conservative, and it's true that the archive prides itself on the "canonicity" of its fics.  But two of its bigger writers have a secret love for the not-in-the-least-bit-canonical Draco/Ginny ship, and the result is this stunning story of forbidden love.  Draco wants Ginny.  Ginny ... could come to want Draco.  This can't end well, but oh, the journey is looking good!

Four Funerals and a Wedding by Isis
Hermione Granger: Man Eater.  Literally.  If you have ever yearned for that Hermione/Colin Creevey fic, if you've ever dreamt of the speeches at a Granger-Longbottom wedding, if you secretly desire to see Hermione eat Ron's brain ... this is the fic for you.

For What Might Have Been by Weaver
A lyrical tale of Lily and Petunia, the ties that bind, and the forces that separate.

Summer Thing by Halrloprillalar
A funny, sexy Hermione/Fred/George, in which Hermione allows the Weasley twins to seduce her.  The most remarkable thing about this story is that it never feels voyeuristic or sordid.

S.O.B. Story by Isis
Severus Snape meets Salazar Slytherin.  Snogging ensues.  Helpful hint: this isn't slash.  Written for a challenge -- several challenges, in fact -- which makes reading it a rather odd experience, but it's very funny.

Harry Potter and the Mai Tai of Doom by Sushi
Harry and Voldemort run into each other on vacation.  Large quantities of alcohol are consumed, and Harry has a box of 200 condoms to work through.  And sooner or later, Voldemort will get tired of using them as water balloons.  I have a peculiar fascination with drunken!Harry, and this is probably my favourite fic in the Harry Potter and Cirrhosis of the Liver genre. (Not a direct link, but worth the trouble.)

Anatomy of a Dysfunctional Relationship by zahra
Harry hates Draco. He really, really does. That doesn’t mean he won’t take what he wants, though. Now, this is the kind of alpha male jostling for dominance slash that makes my little heart go pitter-pat.  Harry and his shadow self, and how different are they, really?

Flame and Shadow by Maya
Of all the wacky pairings, Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson. It’s convenient. It’s sex. It’s... much more than either of them expected, and at least Ron gets to be happy and have lots of sweaty sex, which makes *me* happy.

Just Let It Be by Nym
(this links to the front page as the URL changes frequently)
Sirius lies low at Lupin's. He relearns how to be a man, a friend, a wizard, with Remus's help. I want to marry this story and have its babies.

To Lucasta, Going to the Wars by Twinkledru J.
Sirius and Remus still have things to reconcile.

Alone by Bounce
Sirius is more broken than Remus realizes. Short, bitter and real.

All Soul's Day by phineas
Gorgeous, breath-stealing Remus/Sirius fic, evocative, tight - every word just fits and builds on the one that came before. Just. Beautiful.

Knowledge Is Its Own Reward by rabbit and v-Jinx-v
Dumbledore and Snape discuss a student. Snape learns being right all the time is dangerous. Absolutely hilarious.

The Squib Series by Ozma
This is one of those fics that completely changes your perspective on a character.  Written mostly in the first person voice of Argus Filch, the series tracks his evolution from a cranky, bitter old man into a three dimensional character whose irritability conceals shyness and low self-confidence -- until he comes to the attention of the Death Eaters, and begins to understand his place in the magical world.  I think I like this best for Ozma's ideas -- that Squibs have a special kind of magic of their own, that each Founder had a special, secret place in Hogwarts, and that Snape is dead sexy even when sufering from the mother of all colds.  Or maybe that's just me.  It also features that remarkably rare creature, a dead-accurate, charming characterisation of Harry.  And cats!  Lots of cats!

Explanatory Notes by Telanu
You are cordially invited to the wedding of Harry James Potter and Severus Snape.  Really.  Quite possibly the funniest fic I've ever read.  (Link points at author's homepage, but it's easy to find your way around.)

Oubliette by Kate Bolin
A chilling little fic about the little things on the edge of our perception, and the spaces between.  And the sacrifices we make.  Features one of my favourite fic Hermiones ever.

Riddles and Rumours by Liz Barr
If thinking about Minerva McGonagall as a student isn't appealing enough, this is the early enigma that is Dumbledore. A small tale, but adds wonderfully to the mythology.

Things to Do When Your Lover Is Dead, Tea for Ghosts and Table for Two by zahra
Three takes on how it all fell apart for Harry and Draco. Guaranteed to hurt.

Green Candle by Caliah
Hermione contemplates necessity. This fic captures the Hermione who is brilliant, but scary. With emphasis on the scary.

Fall on Me by Mariner
Fabulous Sirius/Remus friendship fic that damn near broke my heart.

Brave New World by Aashby
Every now and then, you find a fic which reminds you of why you fell in love with a fandom in the first place.  "Brave New World" is one of those.  It is the tale of the professor of Muggle Studies, as she raises her troubled nephew and comes to terms with her job, her colleagues, and the difficulties inherent in being a Muggle teacher at a magical school.  This is technically both a work in progress (although the first year is complete) and an alternate universe (since it posits that Harry takes Muggle Studies and will cover events following Goblet of Fire), but it is remarkably compelling, and well worth the mental time and energy it will consume.  Miranda may look like a Mary Sue, but she is a million times more interesting than the beautiful exchange students and mysterious Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers that populate fanon.  Her integration into the universe is helped by the fact that every other character is perfectly written, especially Snape, who is as snarky and cruel as his canon incarnation, and as intriguing and attractive as the fanon version.

James Potter and the Year of Chasing by Ashfae
I have a serious soft spot for good fic from the Marauders era, but unfortunately, there is a glut of badly researched love/hate fics that pile cliche upon cliche and never say anything new about James Potter or his contemporaries.  But this fic is a joy, with lively, believable Marauders (extra points for the well-characterised, likeable Peter) and a Lily who is neither paragon nor tramp.

Two Worlds and In Between by Minerva McTabby
Warning: this fic will eat your brain.  It will lurk in the back of your mind and make thought impossible, driving you to distraction as the characters offer their scandalous running commentaries on your life.  And you will love every minute of it, because if you're going to be possessed by someone else's OCs, they might as well be Julius Marvolo (Voldemort's grandfather, don't you know) and his friends and companions -- not to mention his arch-enemy, the enigmatic young Albus Dumbledore.  The Hogwarts of 1855 is almost different enough from the school we know to warrant the label of AU.  The Dark Arts are on the curriculum, girls are not sent to school, and the elaborate games of social standing and power are played out through duels in the Central common room.  And a reluctant young wizard named Aberforth Dumbledore is about to upset the precarious balance...

Wizards of Aus by Bernice
Hogwarts Down Under. In which the Hogwarts staff drink, fight, smoke and fire up the barbie. Contains incomprehensible slang, Adelaide bashing, slash and the Greatest Line Ever: Drawing deep on his Drum roll up, Snape tried desperately to disguise the roiling emotions Black's tender words had engendered deep within his bosom. "Piss off, ya mole!"

Scrabble by MartianHousecat
Slytherins take Scrabble very seriously. Great genfic.  The punctuation is eccentric, but the ideas are brilliantly funny.

Under Pressure by Kimagure
Insightful Percy genfic, the story of a boy who took on too much responsibility too soon.

According To My Bond by Ellen Fremedon
Dark, graphic Ginny/Voldemort. Not for the faint-hearted, but the Voldemort-POV is chilling.

The Dark Room by MelWil
Lucius Malfoy is a bad, bad man, and the devil is a woman with red hair.  Lucius/Lily.  It's like chocolate: bad for you, but irresistable.

Darkness Dying by Iniga
The events leading up to the deaths of the Potters.  Comedy, angst and grown-up Marauders.  And lightbulb jokes.  Can't go wrong with a good lightbulb joke.

The Darkness and the Light series by R. J. Anderson
Mad Eye Moody's niece arrives at Hogwarts, eventually allying herself with Snape.  Sounds Mary-Suish?  Who cares?  It works because R.J. Anderson has a knack for creating appealing original characters and tempering their interaction with canon characters.

The Squid-Snape-Vorkosigan series by E. H. Smith
A sentient, wish-granting giant squid, Severus Snape, Dennis Creevey and various Vorkosigans, universe swapping and some good old angst.  Bloody excellent.  (The site linked also features a couple of detours into the Darkness and the Light trilogy, and an incredibly funny Lockhart/Trelawney, also highly recommended.) (Link temporarily broken.)

Dreamwalk Blue by Viola
It's 1943.  World War 2 is raging.  The magical community is attempting to deal.  And, even when he's madly in love, Tom Riddle is a twisted little bugger.  A WIP, begun before J.K. Rowling established Dumbledore and McGonagall's ages, this is fic noir, with jazz, cocktails, cigarettes and style.

Bachelorette Set by Twinkledru J
An ongoing series.  Snape and Hermione, with Bjork, Draco and angst.  Lovely.

Fortunes Favour the Bold by Seldes Katne
Three seventh year students perform tarot card readings for Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall at the end of Book 4.  An intriguing set of character studies.

Violaceous by Twinkledru J
Draco Malfoy's 17th birthday party.  Decadent, sexy and disturbing.  Draco/Krum (yes, really).

This Lover by Liz Barr
Here's a story of a bittersweet relationship that is beautifully expressed. I love that melancholy tone that lingers after the story - it's like a sad refrain.

Dreaming and the Lifted Veil by Tess
There's just not enough girlslash in HP fandom.  Plausible, interesting Lily/Narcissa.

Close Encounters of the Harry Potter Kind by Seldes Katne
An American librarian deals with a very ... distinctive patron.

Lust Over Pendle by A. J. Hall
It bills itself as a comedy of manners and mystery.  Not only does it successfully straddle two genres, but it's also a plausible (!) Draco/Neville, and bloody funny to boot.  It opens with some embarrassing photos, Narcissa Malfoy and Neville's grandmother.  It ends with ... well, bathroom appliances, Dudley Dursley's girlfriend and general insanity.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.

A Quaint Notion by Helenish
More Draco slash, funnily enough.  Ron/Draco this time.  It's dark, fascinating and it ends with a chandelier smashing cliffhanger.

the Pop Goes the Weasel trilogy by durendal
Ron becomes a Death Eater, Harry marries his mother, and Draco is a chicken sandwich.  Utter, utter madness with a wicked sense of humour.

Fear by durendal
"Your Dark Lord is not happy when he's randy."  A very short fic about the real reason Snape left the Death Eaters.

A Small Truce by Marina
Snape threatens an owl, reluctantly saves Sirius Black from certain death, and talks to a wall.  One of those days, y'know?  Snape and Sirius are perfectly in character.  Gorgeous.

The Arithmancer's Apprentice by Alec Dossetor and Teri Krenek
A well written, beautifully plotted fic with a deceptively simple premise: Tom Riddle's ambiguous Arithmancy professor gives him a special task on a Hogwarts field trip.  What follows is a wonderfully literate, twisty story with a powerful sense of the realities of canon and the era.  Tom is almost -- almost -- a sympathetic character, and the various references to literature and real events and people are never jarring.  The authors' notes at the end are a real treat, but the getting there is even better.

Harry Potter and the Polka Dot Plague by Marina Frants
A fic with a lovely, absurd premise: a bureaucratic error causes Snape and Harry to contract a highly contagious, highly embarrassing, highly amusing magical childhood disease.  The only thing funnier than watching the invalids reluctantly share a ward is the punchline -- but I shouldn't say too much.  Go and read it -- it's well worth your time.

The Songless Throat by TangledAria
Madness, Dementors, doomed affairs and a Really Horrible Fate for Harry.

Just Like My Daddy by Liz Barr
This is one of those stories that makes you wish you were a better writer so you could convey a feeling that is this dark and mysterious because it's so damned enticing. Snape and James Potter in a story that feels so right.

Down, You Lie Down Too by Resonant
At last, Snape/Harry which isn't bogged down in its own angst.  There are no happy endings here, but by God, they'll go down with snark.

Dark Lord of the Dance by Red Scharlach
A highly amusing sketch in which Draco figures out what he wants to do with his life.  Go, read it for the beautiful dialogue and mental images...

Spirit of Brotherhood by torch
Snape, Lupin and Black must put aside their differences and work together. And no, they're not building a tower of office furniture.
Torch brings them together and keeps them in character as Snape and Black try not to kill each other during the working of a spell, and each man contemplates his own choices, and the others'.

Sundress by Rhoddlet
Hermione visits the Burrow, and the Weasleys are enthralled.  An excursion into girlslash (all too rare in this fandom), with a Hermione who is neither beautiful, nor easily likable, but who exerts a powerful attraction nonetheless.

Slowly, but Exceedingly Fine by Ellen Fremedon
Even the best readers have trouble getting their minds around some concepts, and for me, Snape/Sirius was firmly in the "implausible" basket.  Their mutal hatred burnt the pages in the two scenes they've shared in canon, and it's not the subtext-laden angsty hatred that marks Snape and James.  Or so I thought.  But this is a sexy, compelling portrait of Snape and Sirius; it's not even a quick grope in an alley, but a the beginnings of a full-blown relationship.  Which just goes to show that even the best of us have to eat our words...

By Any Other Name by Didodikali
Ladies and gentlemen, we have Snape/Lily!  It's not every day that you find an illustrated fic, and this is gorgeous and charming.

The Familiar by Resonant
Harry is a frog.  Snape ... makes for a really ugly princess, but it's possible to take fairy-tale references too far.  A fic which is amusing on the surface, darker within, and beautifully written at every level.

Nothing But Vain Fancy by Bec
Lily is pregnant, ambivalent and haunted by dreams.  A fic which sucks you in and stays with you for hours after you walked away.