RELATED: Daniel Radcliffe's favourite Harry Potter movie is a pretty controversial pick
An Introduction To (Harry Potter) Fan Fiction
But, what exactly is fan fiction? Well, it’s a fictional work featuring characters from an already established universe (in this case, the Harry Potter universe) in a variety of different situations. The kinds of fan fiction out there are mind-boggling: you have self-inserts, crossovers, abused tropes, adult parodies (also called lemons), and so much more.
Fanfiction often takes the “what if?” approach to its writing. It can be as subtle as a retelling from another character’s point of view in the books, or an all-out reimagining of entire characters and story arcs. Romance is often a popular subject with these fics, and the sky's the limit in terms of who gets paired with whom.
JK Rowling may have made Harry and Ginny (or Ron and Hermione) an official pair, but in fan fiction, anything goes. For example, Draco Malfoy, Sirius Black, or Severus Snape aren’t the focus of much romance in the original books. In fanfiction? You have Dramione, Drarry, Snarry, and even Hermione-Sirius pairings.
Most of the HP fanfic today live in sites like AO3, HPFanFicArchive, HarryPotterFanFiction, and Reddit. There are dozens of pairings, hundreds of original characters, and more or less an entire alternate universe out there. Yet for all its craziness, it’s still very much a part of the world of Harry Potter.
So without further ado, here is our list of the most memorable Harry Potter fanfics out there:
10. Desperate Measures – realismandromance
“This was my mum’s favourite song.”
Book four of the original series teased Harry and Luna Lovegood. Of course, the two of them didn’t really end up together in the books. Some fans took that a little personally – and thus, this fanfic was born!
9. My Immortal – Tara Gilesbie (authorship in question)
“Hi, my name is Ebony Dark’ness Dementia Raven Way, and I have long ebony black hair…”
A young girl goes to Hogwarts, time travels to seduce the Dark Lord and falls in love with Draco Malfoy. She’s also a vampire, gets sorted into Slytherin, and regularly tries to commit suicide. Also, Satan and iPods get involved. Widely criticised as the “worst fanfic” ever made, you need to read this – if only so you can tell how bad things can get.
8. Harry Potter And The Sexy Hallows – thebabyradishspirit
“Her skirt left little to the imagination, so she hitched it up slightly and left the task of removing it to Harry.”
Fair warning: This fanfic is straight-up erotica, read at your own risk!
If you ever thought Harry and Hermione had unresolved sexual tension, then you’re in for a wild ride. Hermione/Harry pairings are the bread and butter of fanfiction, but adult parodies are the jam. If you’re looking to satisfy that Harrymoine craving, this is the fic for you.
7. The Draco Trilogy – Cassandra Clare
“At the same time, they swallowed.”
Before Mortal Instruments, there was potentially gay Draco and Harry. Very few copies of this fanfiction remain online, but it’s also one of the sweeter works featuring the two. Can get a little naughty in places, but overall it’s quite sweet.
6. Boyfriend – Molly Raesly
“Potter was going to say that he wasn't my boyfriend. I couldn't let him do that.”
The very sweet story of how Lily and James Potter got together. One of the many “what-ifs” that tackle a plot that took place before the main books, it’s a short yet relatable story of magic and young love.
5. The Accidental Bond – nkbo
“I want to know about you, Harry. If it will help, I’ll even promise to tell you anything about me that you want to know.”
One of the better harem stories out there, with a terrific conclusion that ties in neatly to the end of the actual series.
4. The Power Of Badgers – Lady Sabine
“I think we’d be good candidates for Hufflepuff, Harry said.”
What if everyone important in the Harry Potter series was secretly a Hufflepuff? An interesting spin on how Harry would’ve turned out if he had a wizarding childhood instead of a Muggle one.
3. Harry Potter And The Psychic Serpent – Barb LP
“Hermione! That’s my mother! And Snape!”
Fair warning: This fanfic has erotica in it, read at your own risk!
A fanfiction that was so detailed it got confused for an actual leaked copy of Book 5, this work contains fake rape scenes, suicide, and much more sex than the original books would ever imply.
2. Dumbledore’s Army And The Year Of Darkness – Andrew Blake
“What we saw, Finnigan, you ass, is an excellent alternative if poking the Whomping Willow is inconvenient!”
If you want an alternative view of the books, try Dumbledore’s Army And The Year Of Darkness. It’s a brilliant tale of the events going on in Hogwarts Castle during the Deathly Hallows – with some original additions but close enough to canon material. If you want a work that enriches the main story without deviating from it, this is the one for you.
1. Harry Potter And The Methods Of Rationality – Eliezer Yudkowsky
“Oh, come now, Harry. Really, magic? Magic is just about the most unscientific thing there is!”
Widely considered as one of the best fanfics ever written, Methods Of Rationality tells the story of a very different Harry Potter. While most of the people and goings-on stay the same, Harry himself is a no-nonsense Ravenclaw that’s about to learn how to break magic with a little Muggle science. The result is a familiar yet all-new take on the Wizarding world.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our recommendations! While these fanfics can go shockingly off the rails occasionally, they’re always good fun. So if we’ve piqued your interest in the underground world of Harry Potter fanfic, then we encourage you to get out there and start exploring yourself – there’s a perfect fanfic for everyone!
RELATED: Why Daniel Radcliffe won't watch 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'
