r/HPfanfiction

This entire genderbent Malfoy that's been taking over the internet looks just like the Daphne Greengrass × Harry ships that have been going on since decades, the same characteristics too!!

Sirius grinned. “Hey, Harry! Now that I’ve been declared innocent, you want to come live with me for good?”
The next thing Sirius knew, he was tied up to a chair in the living room. “Ah ha, uh… Harry, what, uh, what are you doing there?”
Harry was sharpening a silver knife. “You’re not Sirius.”
Sirius blinked. “Yes, I am.”
Harry glared. “No, you’re not. Sirius Black is dead. I saw him die. So you’re either a shapeshifter, or someone under polyjuice. I’m going to figure out which.”
He slashed Sirius’s arm with the knife. Sirius winced. “Gah! Fuck! Harry, it’s me!”
Harry studied him. The flesh hadn’t burned. “Shut up, imposter.” He turned to the kitchen, and returned with something else.
Sirius ogled. “Is that…”
Harry raised a crucifix and splashed Sirius with holy water. “Begone from the corpse of my godfather, demon, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ!”
Sirius couldn’t believe it. “Are you kidding me right now?”
Harry ignored him. “Hmm, that didn’t work either. Where’s the garlic?”

…. …. …. ….

After an hour of tests, Harry could come to only one conclusion. “Sirius? It’s really you?!”
Sirius sighed. “Yes! I told you that countless times already!”
Harry stared. “But you died!”
Sirius looked at Harry like he was crazy. “I beg your finest fucking pardon? Where’d you get that idea?”
Harry returned the look. “I saw you get hit by Bellatrix’s spell! You fell through the Veil of Death!”
Sirius burst out laughing. “The Veil of- Harry, there is no Veil of Death! That was the entrance to the Unspeakables’ secret party room!”
Harry wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “…what?”
Sirius nodded. “Yeah, they sure throw wild parties, Harry. They put my Hogwarts days to shame. And get this: Sean Connery was there! Can you believe it?”
Harry was completely lost now. He desperately tried to refocus. “But it’s been five days! I thought you were dead!”
Sirius nodded. “Well, after the party ended a couple of days ago, I went to Dumbledore. He said everyone was fine, and that I should give you a couple of days to rest. It helped that I had a threesome scheduled with the Beckett twins.”
Harry tried getting that out of his head, and quickly realized something. “Wait a second. You were partying for three days?! Again, I thought you were dead!”
Sirius tried to raise his hands in a defensive manner, and failed miserably, seeing as he was still tied to the chair. “In my defense: smoking blunts with Sean Connery!”
Harry had to admit, as far as excuses go, that wasn’t the worst one he’d ever heard. Both of them fell into an awkward silence, not knowing what to say next.
After a couple of minutes, Sirius spoke up. “Hey, Harry? Mind cutting me loose now?”

It was going great, the students were cheering, the Gryffindors and Slytherins were trying to mock knock each other off their brooms, and the Hufflepuffs were trying to rally the Ravenclaws.

And then Umbridge walked in.

The hall went quiet as she went red, yelling about how they would all have detention and Fudge would hear about this.

The Gryffindor and Slytherin Beaters looked at each other

They didn't like each other

They hated this woman more.

The next second, Umbridge's eyes went wide as two bludgers slammed into her, sending her crashing through the doors to the floor below.

McGonagall stopped, staring at the crumpled woman, then at the students.

"Carry on."

Then she was gone

I am currently exasperated reading yet another 7 year fic where Harry gets outed as a parselmouth at the duelling club (this time he's a Hufflepuff)- because some rando Hufflepuff guy he has no beef with cast Serpensortia at him even though there's no reason whatsoever for him to have done so, and it inevitably hones in on Justin Finch-Fletchley.

I've even read fics with mentor Snape and also Harry himself knowing Harry is a parselmouth, warning him to conceal it, and him still exposing himself at the duelling club rather than just let Snape deal with the snake. On top of this, the same petrifications playing out in the same way, with Harry always being caught at the scene of the crime every time (which was bad enough in the original book, let alone when there's a more intelligent Harry who should know better than to stand there gawking over Justin Finch Fletchley's petrified body).

Oh and he also will never tell Dumbledore that he can hear a voice in the walls, even if he and Dumbles have a very good relationship with each other.

This got me to thinking, is there any worse year than 2nd for being Railroaded by fanfic authors to copy canon? At least Tri-Wizard tournaments often have unique spins on the tasks, or Sirius gets free or exonerated early a lot of the time, and fanon Harry's often don't simply lay down and take Umbridge's crap for the whole year.

I feel like after first year where you have the introduction of whatever the premise of any given fic is, Year 2 most often derails my interest in so many fics for this reason.

It feels like the Chamber plot gets the least amount of original takes on it throughout the fandom.

The same greenish light filtered through the windows overlooking the Black Lake. The same leather armchairs stood arranged around the fireplace. The same assortment of students gathered in their usual corners, complaining about homework, discussing Quidditch, and occasionally insulting one another.

But something had changed.

Perhaps it was the fact that the Daily Prophet was arriving every morning with another disappearance. Or the increasingly strained letters from home. Maybe the fact that certain students had begun speaking in lowered voices whenever particular surnames were mentioned. Whatever the reason, Hogwarts no longer felt quite as insulated from the outside world as it previously had been.

Tonight, eight sixth-year Slytherins occupied their customary corner of the common room. Blaise Zabini was reclining on a sofa, examining his fingernails with an air of profound indifference. Theodore Nott sat opposite him, reading a book on advanced defensive enchantments. At a nearby table, Daphne Greengrass was working through an essay for Professor Slughorn, while Tracey Davis lounged beside her, making remarkably little effort to complete her own Herbology assignment. Pansy Parkinson was seated beside Millicent Bulstrode, who was sharing a large packet of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans with Crabbe and Goyle.

Only the ninth member of their group was absent.

"Where's Draco?" Pansy asked.

Nobody answered right away.

"With Snape, probably," Blaise eventually said.

"Professor Snape," Pansy corrected.

"Yes, Pansy. Professor Snape. The very same."

She ignored him.

"Again?"

"Apparently."

Pansy frowned. "That's the third time this week."

"Fourth," Theodore said without looking up.

Daphne paused her writing. "Fourth?"

Theodore turned a page. "Monday morning, Tuesday after lunch, Thursday late afternoon, and tonight."

Blaise glanced toward him. "You've been keeping count?"

"No. I simply possess a functioning memory."

Tracey snickered. "Careful, Theo. You'll make the rest of us feel inadequate."

"Speak for yourself," Millicent said, fishing another bean from the packet.

She examined it suspiciously. "Greg, what color is this?"

"Brown," said Goyle.

"I can see that."

"Then why'd you ask?"

"Because I want to know what flavour it is, you idiot."

Goyle shrugged. "Chocolate?"

Crabbe leaned over. "Could be gravy."

Millicent considered this for a moment before finally eating it. Her expression immediately soured. "Ugh!"

"What?" Crabbe asked.

"Earthworm."

Goyle burst out laughing.

Millicent punched his shoulder. "Shut up!"

Across the table, Daphne sighed. "Do you three ever tire of that game?"

"Nope," Crabbe answered.

"Clearly."

Tracey reached for the packet. "Give us one, Millie."

"Get your own."

"You're holding the entire packet."

"Exactly."

Pansy, meanwhile, was still staring toward the entrance. "I don't understand why Draco keeps having these meetings."

"Perhaps he's finally being disciplined for something," Blaise suggested.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"One can dream."

Theodore lowered his book. "Snape's been taking a particular interest in him since September."

"Well, obviously," Pansy said. "He's always liked Draco."

"Not quite like this."

Daphne glanced up. "What do you mean?"

Theodore hesitated. "Nothing."

Blaise watched him. "How illuminating."

Before Nott could elaborate, the common room door opened. Draco Malfoy stepped inside, looking dreadful. His blond hair, ordinarily arranged with meticulous care, was slightly dishevelled. His robes hung loosely from his shoulders, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. He stopped just inside the doorway, apparently surprised to find all the others in his year gathered together, still awake.

Pansy immediately brightened. "Draco!"

He gave a distracted nod. "Evening."

"Where've you been?"

"Out."

"With Professor Snape?"

Draco's expression tightened. "What's it to you?"

Pansy blinked. "Nothing. I was only asking."

"Well, don't."

An uncomfortable silence followed. Draco crossed the room and dropped into an armchair beside the fire. Crabbe offered him the packet of sweets. "Bean?"

"No."

"Suit yourself."

Goyle took one instead.

For several moments, nobody spoke. Then Blaise broke the silence. "Well, since we're all here, perhaps someone can explain why Slughorn thinks inviting half the school to dinner constitutes an education."

Daphne gave a faint smile. "Oh, are we discussing Professor Slughorn now?"

"Apparently," said Theo.

"He's rather fond of you, Blaise," Tracey remarked.

"Yes. A deeply unfortunate circumstance," Blaise replied.

Pansy looked interested. "Has he invited you to another one of those parties?"

"Next Thursday."

"Are you going?"

"I haven't decided."

"Of course you're going," Daphne said. "You enjoy being admired far too much to refuse."

Blaise placed a hand over his chest. "Greengrass, you wound me."

"How tragic."

Theodore closed his book. "I find Slughorn…tolerable."

Everyone looked at him. Blaise raised an eyebrow. "High praise indeed."

"He's knowledgeable," Theodore continued. "And unlike Snape, he doesn't seem personally offended by the existence of students outside our house."

Daphne laughed softly. "That's one way of putting it."

Draco stared into the fireplace. "Slughorn's an idiot."

Blaise turned toward him. "He's an excellent brewer."

"He's a pompous old fool who spends more time collecting famous names than he does actually teaching."

"Rather ironic criticism coming from you," Blaise replied.

Draco's head snapped around. "What?"

"Nothing."

"No, Zabini, go on."

Blaise regarded him coolly. "I merely find it amusing that you of all people are criticizing someone for caring about family connections."

At this, Tracey abruptly became much more fascinated by her Herbology parchment. Daphne lowered her quill.

Pansy frowned. "Blaise, honestly."

Draco leaned forward. "You think you're clever, don't you?"

"Occasionally."

"Well, you're not."

"How devastating."

"Would you two stop?" Millicent interrupted.

She held out the packet of beans.

"Anyone want the last few?"

"No!" Draco and Blaise both snapped.

Millicent stared at them.

"All right, Merlin."

She pulled the packet back.

Groyle muttered something to Crabbe.

Draco rounded on them. "And what do you two have to say?"

"Nothing, Draco," Goyle said.

"Then stop whispering."

Crabbe frowned. "We weren't talking about you."

"Of course you weren't."

"We weren't!"

"Fine!"

The fire crackled. Daphne watched Draco for a moment. Then she returned to her essay. "Professor Slughorn's actually been quite helpful with our N.E.W.T. preparations," she said, deliberately changing the subject.

"Agreed," Theodore replied.

"His instructions are clearer than Snape's ever were at any point."

"That's because Snape expected everyone to read his mind," Blaise said.

"Well, he certainly expected Potter to read his," Tracey remarked.

That earned a laugh from Pansy. "Oh, Potter! Speaking of the git, have you heard about his little arrangement with Slughorn?"

Daphne looked up. "What arrangement?"

"Slughorn practically worships him."

"That's hardly surprising," Blaise said. "Potter is famous, after all."

"Potter's insufferable," Draco muttered.

"Those two traits aren't mutually exclusive."

Pansy leaned forward. "Apparently Slughorn keeps asking him about his mother. Says she was brilliant at Potions."

"She was," Theodore said.

Draco looked at him. "How would you know?"

"My father mentioned it once."

Draco's expression changed, just slightly, and Daphne noticed.

"Your father knew Potter's mother?" Tracey asked.

"Not personally," said Nott.

"Oh."

“All I heard Slughorn say was that Lily Evans Potter was one of the brightest students for Potions he had ever taught during our parents’ generation, and that Granger strongly reminded him of her.”

“How do you even know her name?” asked Pansy, bewildered.

Theo shrugged. “I hear things distinctly and tend to remember them well.” He returned to his book, and another silence settled over the group. 

This time, it was Pansy who broke it. "Anyway, Slughorn's ridiculous. He invited that awful Cormac McLaggen seventh year boy to one of his dinners."

"McLaggen's a Gryffindor," Millicent said.

"Yes, Millie, I know."

"Just checking."

"And apparently Ginny Weasley."

Tracey raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"Apparently."

Daphne considered this. "She's quite good at Quidditch."

Pansy stared at her. "Must you always find something complimentary to say about Gryffindors?"

"I wasn't complimenting her personality."

"Still."

"Would you prefer I invent reasons to dislike people?"

"Wouldn't hurt," Millicent said.

Tracey laughed.

Daphne gave her a sideways look. "Don't encourage her."

"Sorry, Daph," Tracey muttered, just to her.

Draco suddenly stood. "I'm going upstairs."

Pansy looked alarmed. "Already?"

"Yes."

"But you've only just got here."

"And?"

"Well, I thought we might—"

"Not tonight, Pansy." His voice was sharper than necessary.

Pansy recoiled slightly, and Draco seemed to notice. For a moment, something resembling regret crossed his face, but he just as quickly looked away. "Goodnight." He headed toward the boys' staircase.

"Draco," Nott called after him.

Draco stopped. "What is it, Theo?"

"How's your mother?"

The question seemed to catch him completely off guard. "My mother?"

"Yes."

Draco hesitated for a moment. "She's fine."

Theodore regarded him. "Good."

Draco remained motionless for a moment. Then he turned and disappeared upstairs. Nobody spoke until the sound of his footsteps had faded.

Pansy looked miserable. "What's wrong with him?"

Blaise exhaled. "Where would you like me to begin?"

"Blaise!"

"What? You asked."

"He's been under a lot of pressure."

"Clearly."

Daphne folded her hands on the table. "Has anyone actually spoken to him about it?"

"I've tried," Pansy said.

"And?"

"He won't tell me anything."

Millicent shrugged. "Maybe he doesn't want to."

"Well, that's obvious!"

"Then leave him alone."

Pansy looked offended. "He's my friend, Millicent."

"Didn't say he wasn't."

"Then why are you being so horrible?"

"I'm not being horrible. I'm saying if he wants to talk, he'll talk."

Crabbe nodded. "Yeah."

Goyle nodded after him.

Pansy looked between them. "Oh, wonderful. Millie, Vincent, and Greg have solved everything."

"Glad we could help," Millicent replied.

Tracey bit her lip to suppress a laugh.

Daphne glanced toward the staircase. "He's lost weight."

The others looked at her.

"What?" Pansy asked.

"Draco. He's lost weight since September."

Theodore nodded. "He isn't sleeping much either."

"How do you know?" Blaise asked.

"We share a dormitory."

"Yes, Theo. I'm aware."

"He gets up in the middle of the night. Sometimes he doesn't come back until morning."

Pansy looked increasingly distressed. "Where does he go?"

Theodore hesitated. "I don't know."

"Have you asked?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"He told me to mind my own business."

Blaise gave a humourless laugh. "That sounds like Draco."

But Theodore didn't smile. "He clearly seems to be frightened of something."

The words changed the atmosphere. Pansy stared at him. "Draco isn't frightened."

Theodore looked at her. "Everyone's frightened of something, Pansy."

"Not Draco."

"Especially Draco."

Another silence. Beyond the windows, a shadow passed through the dark water. Tracey shifted herself closer to Daphne. "Do you think his recent behavior has something to do with his father?"

Nobody answered immediately. Lucius Malfoy's imprisonment had been common knowledge since June. Draco had spent much of their time at Hogwarts, right up until the end of the previous year, boasting about his father's influence at the Ministry. Now Lucius was in Azkaban, and the Malfoy name no longer carried quite the same assurances it once had.

Blaise finally responded. "Wouldn't surprise me."

Pansy looked down at her hands. "His mother must be terribly worried."

Theodore's expression became unreadable. "Yes," he said quietly. "I imagine she is."

Daphne studied him. "Theo?"

"Hm?"

"Your father's still in Azkaban as well, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

Theodore looked mildly surprised. "Thank you."

Pansy sighed. "I wish everyone would stop talking as though something dreadful is about to happen."

Millicent looked at her. "Pansy, something dreadful happens practically every week now."

"That's different."

"How?"

Pansy opened her mouth, but then closed it.

Tracey looked toward the folded Daily Prophet on the table. "Another Ministry official disappeared yesterday."

Blaise nodded. "Yes."

"And that family in Yorkshire."

"Yes."

"And the attack in Diagon Alley last month."

"Tracey," Daphne said quietly.

Tracey stopped. "What?"

"Nothing."

Their eyes met. Daphne's expression was composed, but Tracey recognized the warning. It said not here, not in front of everyone. Tracey looked away.

Millicent broke the silence by reaching into the sweets packet. "Well, whatever happens, I'm not spending the Christmas holiday here."

"Neither am I," Blaise said.

"Mother says we're going abroad," Pansy added.

"Where?" Tracey asked.

"France, perhaps."

"Nice."

"What about you, Daphne?"

Daphne hesitated. "Home, presumably."

"And you, Trace?"

"Same."

Pansy smiled. "You two are practically attached at the hip."

Tracey grinned. "Jealous?"

"Hardly."

"Could've fooled me."

Millicent snorted.

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Must we?"

"Yes," Tracey said.

Pansy threw a cushion at her. Tracey caught it and immediately threw it back, inadvertently striking Millicent in the face.

"OI!"

Vincent burst out laughing. Gregory nearly fell off his chair.

Millicent seized the cushion and hurled it at Vincent, who ducked. It hit Blaise.

He slowly lowered the book he'd been holding. For several seconds, he simply stared at them. "How old are we?"

"Sixteen," Gregory answered helpfully.

"Thank you, Goyle."

"You're welcome."

Even Daphne was laughing now, one hand pressed against her mouth. Even Theodore was smiling. For a few minutes, the common room felt almost normal again. Then the laughter just as quickly faded.

Pansy looked toward the boys' staircase. "Do you think he'll be all right?"

Nobody answered right away.

Finally, Daphne spoke. "I hope so."

Theodore stared into the fire. "For his sake, he’s going to need to be."

How would Harry's character, personality, and story as a whole change if Petunia Evans raised him? In this scenario she never married Vernon and never had Dudley. She raises Harry with love instead of abuse, but she's still struggling with her sister's death and with the wizarding world that killed her and that she can never be part of. Would he turn out differently?

I also need to decide how and when she dies, and how that would affect him, since she'd be his maternal figure. I want her to be present when Harry talks to his parents, Sirius, and Remus while holding the Resurrection Stone, so she'd have to die before then. Should she die in the war? I was thinking about choosing the Battle of the Seven Potters but how would a Muggle even take part in it, unless Death Eaters specifically tracked her down? And wouldn't Harry have already lost enough that night (Hedwig, Moody, George's ear)?

Regardless of pairing or premise, who are the fan fiction authors who you always know will have something great, are incredible writers and storytellers.

For example: I don’t always love the pairings but I love the storytelling and world building of ObsidianPen. I’m not a harry/voldemort person at all but her fics are just so well written.

Doesn’t have to be “I don’t like the pairings but…” this is just an example. Who are your best of the best?

Daphne's Chosen One

It was a well known fact in hogwarts that Astoria had a crush on Draco. The news finds its way to the Greengrass parents, only somehow it's a distorted version where it's Daphne who is holding affections for the Malfoy boy.

Her parents panic. Draco's character...was well-known. They did not want the prejudiced prick to be dating their daughter.

Mama Greengrass decides to take matters into her own hands. What's the best way to stop a teenage girl's affections for some boy? Why, just find a way to point those affections towards a different boy! Papa Greenrass didn't like the plan, but he was overruled.

Daphne was annoyed. Why were her parents trying to get her to date a "proper boy"? She had zero interest in dating the idiots at her school. Or so she thought.

Neville was Mrs Greengrass' "subtle" recommendation, the "Chosen One": being a pureblood, rich, and meek/demure. But just like a certain Dark Lord that chose a half-blood all those years ago, Daphne instead finds herself attracted to Neville's friend: Harry Potter.

With the Addition of the Prothean Ruins found on Mars, and with the magical properties that were public to non magical and magical alike, Humanity jumped from several centuries head to nearly a millennia.

It was nine years later that Muggle and Magical alike were united as one when it was made known to all that an unknown alien species had attacked a Human ship studying one of the dormant relays, and mater that Shanxi was being invaded by said hostile race.

The 'Big Birds' as dubbed by British Auror Miles Nott when he first spotted them, were overwhelmed by the sudden assault by Magical Forces out of nowhere that arrived with the non magical ones.

Turians, as Humanity would come to know the species to be called shortly after, were completely overwhelmed by the Magical forces that would appear randomly across the battlefield then vanish, firing spells at them that bypassed shield completely, or got wounded non magicals away. Nor did command believe the reports of the humans flying through the air on tree limbs.

More unprepared for the Giants, Dragons and Centaurs that had come to aid the soldiers.

Shanxi was turned from complete Turian occupation to liberated in just a few hours.

The Space Battle went just as poorly once the Magical forces discovered that they could apparate onto Turian ships as easily as a Human, taking out surprised bridges in seconds, or mind controlling entire crews to fire on their own ships or slaughter each other.

By the time the Citadel had discovered the war between Humanity and Turians, Humans had already devastated dozens of Turian ships or captured them alongside several Turian colonies, that were used to hold Turian Prisoners

Upon Asari peace talks between the two races, the Citadel races were stunned to learn that it was not an alliance of different species from different planets, but a group from one single planet, and the flashing lights were not advanced technology as assumed, but actual magic.

Due to their competence in being able to take on the Turian Military head on, and the many magical abilities that to this day have only appeared in Humans, Humanity quickly became a Council Member Species, threatening the Turian Military superiority they'd be known for over 1000 years.

- Historian Samuel Potter, 2746, in his book 'The Turian-Human Contact War'

What happened next occurred within the space of a blink. Right when Voldemort had been certain of his body taking form... he'd been pulled away. Yanked, as if by a great hand.

He'd been dragged away from his cauldron and pulled through the air, the rudimentary body as well as his new one being left empty at the bottom of that cauldron.

Harry Potter was equally confused. At first, he'd been elated - he thought that the weird, pale baby-thing had actually drowned, just like he'd wanted. The pain from his scar had sizzled out-

-and then he (both of them) blinked.

Harry Potter's face flattened into something sinister before his brow furrowed slightly in confusion. With a burst of wandless magic, he escaped his bindings... and he had no clue how it was that he'd just done that.

His cold stare turned towards Pettigrew, who paled rapidly at the sight. His missing hand, that bleeding stump gushing blood, went forgotten.

"My- m-m-my l-lord?" He whispered, terrified.

Harry Potter's face blinked, slowly. His eyes remained cold, and sharp. "I'm not your lord, Wormtail." He hissed. The voice wasn't high, cruel, or cold... but it was sibilant. English spoken with a Parseltongue accent.

Wormtail was panting like a scared and dying animal.

"I don't know what I am, now." The thing wearing Harry Potter's body said. "I remember nothing of Lord Voldemort, and yet... I was him, except I am not. I remember everything of being Harry Potter, yet... I am not him, except I am."

With a lazy flick of his holly and phoenix feather wand, Wormtail was hung in the air by his ankle. The bloody stump gushed blood, pump-pump, pump-pump, in sync with the rat's beating heart.

"What have you done to me, Wormtail?"

I think Lucius/Lily comes closest. It is not Lily/Snape due to differences in wealth, blood purity and overall fact that they were friends.

Lucius and Lily could have easily met both at Hogwarts and in Slughorn's club (Lucius would be "Alumni" at that point).

How do you feel about this ship? Did you read any decent fics with it?

Is there any other hypothetical ships that would meet the requirements?

Harry Potter's uncle and aunt lied about many things, but one truth they always told was that Harry was a pathological liar. He doesn't know why, but Harry often blurts out lies whenever he feels nervous or anxious. Sometimes they were small white lies; other times, he made up stories with layers built on top of each other, creating an intricate web that, more often than not, brought him nothing but trouble.

Harry couldn't break the habit, even at Hogwarts. He tried not to, but Hogwarts, despite being actually magical, was big and rather intimidating for a boy who wasn't used to good things happening. So he told lies.

They fell from his mouth easily. Quickly. Randomly.

Sometimes even he would be surprised by what he said. Then he ducked his head, bit his lip, and wondered what was wrong with him. Why, did he lie?

Harry lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, hating himself for every second he told his fibs. He didn't think anyone had caught on yet, but Harry knew his time would run out soon. Eventually, someone would realize his "fun" stories weren't true. And when they did, he was sure he'd lose the only friend he'd ever made. Ron liked him, sure, but only for so long. What was his tolerance limit? No one liked a liar, not even Harry, and that was basically his label.

Rolling onto his side, Harry buried his face into his pillow, hating himself for his uncontrollable habit. He promised himself he would get better, that he would at least admit it was a lie after he told it. If only to keep Ron.

The next morning, when Ron asked him what he liked to do for fun, Harry panicked. He didn't have any hobbies or pastimes, unless you counted cleaning to earn his keep. He meant to say that, really, he did, but what came out was, "I collect rocks."

"Rocks?"

"Yeah." He sweated. "Rocks."

"Why?"

Green eyes flickered around the grand hall, looking for a reason to have one of the lamest hobbies, and when they landed on the High Table, his tongue actually tingled. Before he could think better of it, Harry turned back to Ron and blurted, "Because I'm looking for a specific rock."

"What?"

Harry licked his dry lips and swallowed as the other eleven-year-old's face wrinkled in confusion. He needed to stop. He really did. But fear slipped into his chest, loosening his lips and blanking his mind. "Yes, it's a special rock. It's one only found on the full moon, with a white strip on it. It's flat on one side, but raised on the other, like a rose. Do you know how rocks are formed? We learned about them in primary. They are formed when-"

Ron's eyes glazed over a little, telling Harry he was growing bored with the conversation. Dread pushed Harry to throw in a random layer that had nothing to do with the conversation "-and if you find the one I'm looking for, then you win whatever contest you enter!"

At that, Ron perks up. "Really?"

Before Harry could answer, the twins' laughter came from further down the table. Harry turned to see Ron's older brothers, identical down to their amused smiles. "You actually believe that, Ronniekin? It's obviously a lie."

Harry's heart launches. "No, it's not!"

"Yeah?" One says with a raised brow. He doesn't look mad; if anything, he almost looks like he's enjoying himself and playing along. "Is it this one?"

From his pocket, the twin pulled out a rock that looked exactly like the one he had described, down to the white, rose-like shape. He had no idea why the thirteen-year-old had it on him, or why, but Harry now had everyone at the table's attention. He had gone too deep again. He couldn't say no.

Harry's eyes widened. "Yes! That's it! Where did you find it?"

"Yesterday, while flying by the lake, I spotted it on the shore, isn't that right, George?" Fred asked his twin, because if the other one were George, it would be him.

"Right, you are. But, oddly, we haven't won anything, have we, Fred?"

Harry stomach dropped, but Ron, thankfully, came to his rescue. "You have to use it in the full moonlight. Duh."

The twins grin. "Oh, Icky Ronniekins, we plan to. Tonight is the full moon after all."

Harry went to bed thinking he would be exposed as the liar he is tomorrow, and he would lose his only friend. He couldn't sleep, and by morning, dark shadows sat under his eyes; a thumping headache sat at the back of his mind, and he was close to wrapping himself around Ron, if only to stop him from leaving.

That was until he saw George and Fred receive an owl midway through breakfast. They gaped at the box dropped between them, looked at each other in wonder, then slowly opened it. Inside were a bunch of galleons gleaming in the sunlight, and the box let out a loud trumpet sound, proudly proclaiming the twins as winners of some random inventor contest.

"We won," Fred said in wonder

"Two hundred galleons," George replied. "It's ours... but we entered two weeks past the due date...last night, actually... how?"

Ron thumped Harry on the back. "You were right! The rock worked!"

Harry smiled carelessly back at him, even though inside he was falling to his knees and thanking the universe from the bottom of his heart. He promised he would never ever lie again while at Hogwarts. This was far too close.

Brown leaned over the table, staring at Harry with wide, sparkling eyes. "Do you have any other rocks you're looking for? I want to win something"

He startled, not expecting the girl to even speak to him, and despite the promise he made literally two seconds ago, Harry babbled. "Um, no, but you should wear all blue on Friday."

She blinks. "Why?"

"Um... because, if you wear blue, then you'll get a super rare...chocolate frog card," Harry replied, eyes flying around the table until the gleam of a dragon ring on one of the seventh years caught his attention. He smiled weakly at her. "It'll have something to do with dragons."

"Okay." She mulled over his advice. "I don't really like chocolate frogs, but I do like rare things. I'll wear all blue on Friday after class."

Harry breathes a sigh of relief when she turns away to chat to her friends, giggling about one thing or another. He quickly busy himself stuffing food into his mouth, thinking it was the only way to stop himself from starting more lies. Thankfully, Ron isn't paying attention because he's busy congratulating his brothers, the center of attention, puffing up with pride over their win.

He almost forgets what he told Brown by the end of the week, until she comes tearing down the common room, holding the ultra-rare Chocolate Frog card of Newt Scamander from when he was on the Ukrainian Ironbelly task force. They made only ten in the world, and she found number seven on the first try.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She jumped up and down, holding Harry's hand. "I would have never bought the chocolate frog if you hadn't told me. This card is the best thing to ever happen to me! My dad is a big fan of Newt Scamander; it's the perfect gift for him!"

"Um, you're welcome."

"Do you have any more predictions?" She asks, leaning in with sparkling eyes. "Anything you can tell me?"

Predictions?

"Um...well...if you hear a chicken crow at midnight, turn on your side." He winces, trying to pry his hand from her tight grip. Around them, Gryffindors glance at each other, having witnessed the two times Harry Potter had correctly predicted the future and, although some doubted, they silently agree to be wary of chickens. Just for fun.

The following morning, the first-year girls retell the story of the collapsing bedposts plaguing the female dorms. Apparently seven had just fallen over at midnight, but thankfully no one got hurt because they all moved when they heard a chicken crow and had escaped the wood just in time. That convinced everyone that Harry Potter was a seer.

Well, almost everyone.

Granger insisted the bedposts were the result of old beds needing replacement, not a magical fortelling, but no one really paid her any attention. Even though Harry really, really, really wished they would.

And that was how, after the one week as a First Year, Harry's lying wind up making him the most famous and accurate Seer of the century. Somehow. He just had to play along for the rest of his life, and pray no one but Granger ever caught on. She seemed to take it as a personal offense every time he was right, even after they became friends.

Okay, so I've been thinking about a Harry Potter AU idea, and I honestly want to know what people think because I haven't personally come across this exact concept before.

Basically, Harry, Ron, and Hermione end up traveling back to Tom Riddle's era. But instead of just going back in time as themselves and somehow explaining why three teenagers from the future are suddenly walking around Hogwarts, they create completely new identities for themselves.

Harry becomes Hadrian Peverell-Gryffindor, the heir to two ancient and noble wizarding houses. Hermione keeps her first name but takes the surname Emrys and becomes Lady Emrys. Ron becomes Ronan Montclair, heir to House Montclair and known as Lord Montclair.

The reason they use these identities is that they need a believable cover story. They claim that their families were lost during the war and that they're essentially on their own. It gives them an explanation for why they don't have family members constantly showing up, asking questions about their past, or wondering where they came from. Obviously, they'd have to be careful about how much of their actual history they reveal.

What makes this interesting to me is that they aren't just three random people who happen to meet in the past. They're already a family in their own way. They've been through a war together, lost people they cared about, and spent years relying on each other. Even after everything changes, that bond doesn't just disappear.

I imagine Hadrian being sorted into Slytherin, Hermione becoming a Ravenclaw, and Ronan ending up in Gryffindor. They'd be separated into different Houses, surrounded by different people, and dealing with completely different expectations because of their new identities. But they'd still find their way back to each other.

And then there's Tom Riddle. Imagine him encountering these three mysterious students with prestigious family names, unusual backgrounds, and knowledge of magic that seems strange even for their age. They know things about the future that they absolutely cannot let slip, especially around someone as observant and ambitious as Tom.

I'm also interested in the idea of Hadrian, Hermione, and Ronan developing a three-way relationship. Instead of another Harry/Tom Riddle romance, the focus would be on the Golden Trio's relationship evolving into something more while they navigate a completely different time period. I'd want it to develop naturally rather than have them suddenly become a couple just because they're together in the past.

Their main goal wouldn't necessarily be to rule the wizarding world. It would be to survive, protect each other, and possibly change the future for the better. They could prevent certain tragedies, expose things that were hidden, and make choices that create a completely different timeline. But changing history could also have consequences they never expected.

I'm still figuring out the details of the three houses, their family histories, and how the magical world would react to them. I just really like the idea of the Golden Trio entering a new era with new names and different roles, only to discover that no matter which House they belong to, they're still each other's family.

Would you read something like this? And what would you change or add to the concept?

Voldemort’s wraith cursed Lucius Malfoy’s name as Harry destroy’s the diary in the chamber…

Hey guys,

I read the books when I was a child and I have recently reread them as an adult via the audible full cast audiobook. I say this as context, cause I never read any fics growing up so I don't know any of the big ones or good ones or anything like that.

What I'm looking for is Snape fics that are canon compliant and in some way explore his character in the months before he had to kil Dumbledore. Or the months after.

If you've got anything like that I would greatly appreciate it!

Any ships or rating. My only real trigger is noncon but even then I can read it if I have warning.

Thanks a lot!

As it says, what are the most underrated pairs that you would pair with Harry? Which fanfics are your favourite?

Being hit by a Levicorpus during the inquisitional squad raid, showed her that.

Harry didn’t know she followed that tradition. He didn’t even know that particular tradition existed. Had he known, he would have used petrificus totalus instead.

But as he didn’t, him and all the other boys at the scene got a sight that they would remember for a very long time.

Edit: why do people think its a comedy/joke prompt?

1. As Harrys eyes adjust from the dim tent to the bright sun he hears a metallic THUNK before him. looking down he sees, the egg?! glancing up he sees the dragon curling around her clutch of eggs completely ignoring him. Harry knows there is a saying about looking gift horses in the mouth and thinks that it goes a multitude of times harder about looking to closely anywhere for gifting dragons.

1B. As Harrys eyes adjust from the dim tent to the bright sun he hears a metallic THUNK before waking up in St. Mungo's with severe head trauma and no memory of (just the first task, the past year, anything, writers choice)

2. As Harrys eyes adjust from the dim tent to the bright sun he sees the dragon just sitting there looking at him. before he can do anything the dragon slowly reaches down and picks up the false egg. there is a brief stare down, Harry confused, the dragon just done with this bull s***, before chucking the egg over it's shoulder. The egg lands (over the stands and out of the arena, on some one deserving of karma[Draco, Ron, Barty as Mad eye, one of the judges, etc], at Luna's feet who opens "oh, it's Mermish" spoiling the next task)

3. As Harrys eyes adjust from the dim tent to the bright sun he sees the dragon just sitting there looking at him. before he can do anything the dragon slowly reaches down and picks up the false egg. there is a brief stare down, Harry confused, the dragon just done with this bull s***, before eating the egg. just popped it in it's mouth like a snack. the arena goes silent. Harry turns to the judges, "well, now what?" (failed task, incompetent/evil judges insist he still has to try [Harry tries and dies, harry just nopes out damn the consequences])

Essentially, the Horntail, instead of acting like the spicy , spikey, giant ball of anger, or the fandom one that can speak Parseltongue, does something that just throws the entire task into disarray. Not Harry or anyone else being clever or special, but the dragon. Done for crack or played serious

Also, if anyone has read fics that do this already, id love some recommendations