History FanficRecs / HarryPotterPeggySue

* Recommended by [[Tropers/EphemeralNight EphemeralNight]]

* Recommended by [=EphemeralNight=]

* ''Synopsis'': Harry, Ron, and Ginny all go back as the last survivors of the war, but find that things aren't quite as they remember them. It turns out that [[spoiler:there's ''another'' time traveler running around, who by the end of the story has made over half a dozen trips]]. ''Note:'' Moves the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism several notches towards cynicism (though not nearly as far as ''[=NoFP=]'' or ''DAYD''), and is thus much more violent than the original.

* Recommended by @/UncloudedTJ, @/ShadowAI, @/{{Darkaros}}, [=MKGR=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4726291/1/Eternal_Return Eternal Return]]'' by Silver Pard
* Recommended by 0Wraith
* ''Status'': Oneshot, complete.
* ''Synopsis'': Harry is reborn as Tom Riddle in the orphanage, screaming in horror and rage and confusion.
* ''Comments'': This is one of the best Harry Potter oneshots I've ever read. Very dark, very devastating. Silver Pard writes brilliant DeathNote fics too, if you're into that fandom.
[=[[reviews: Eternal Return]]=]
----

* Recommended by [=AllBlueSkies=], Xeno
* ''Synopsis'': Things had been pretty sweet for the first quarter of a century following Voldemort’s defeat, but from there things started to go downhill fast. Now Harry has finally agreed to go back and stop the wars from ever happening. He wakes up during the Ministry Battle and begins changing history for the better.
* ''Comments'': This is a twisted [[PeggySue Time-Travel Fic]] that basically takes everything that happened in canon -including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. The sarcastic slightly insane comments Harry makes throughout are funny, and how he deals with the Wizengamot is [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome hilarious]]. Lots of magic, some drama and romance with the Hermione pairing, excellent fight scenes, and it fits annoyingly snugly within the canon universe. All the while rolling every one shot plot bunny possible into such an amazing read. Complete and Highly recommended.

* Recommended by Darkholm, @/UncloudedTJ

* ''Comments'': This is a twisted [[PeggySue Time-Travel Fic]] that basically takes everything that happened in canon -including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. The sarcastic slightly insane comments Harry makes throughout are funny, and how he deals with the Wizengamot is [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome hilarious]]. Lots of magic, some drama and romance with the Hermione pairing, excellent fight scenes, and it fits annoyingly snugly within the canon universe. All the while rolling every one shot plot bunny possible into such an amazing read. Highly recommended.

* ''Comments'': This is a twisted [[PeggySue Time-Travel Fic]] that basically takes everything that happened in canon -including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. The sarcastic slightly insane comments Harry makes throughout are funny, and how he deals with the Wizengamot is [[CrowningMomentOfFunny hilarious]]. Lots of magic, some drama and romance with the Hermione pairing, excellent fight scenes, and it fits annoyingly snugly within the canon universe. All the while rolling every one shot plot bunny possible into such an amazing read. Highly recommended.

** @/MaybeYesMaybeNo: Thirded; This is a time travel story taken to the absolute possible maximum. I use an alternate ending personally and I still say it's the best piece of writing I have ever seen.

** I change my review, the end makes this no longer a tragedy, just funny as hell. Seriously, well written and funny as hell (just reading the Auror Interview is enough to wet yourself)

* ''Synopsis'': Years after the Epilogue things look bleak; Harry Potter agrees to go back to the Ministry Battle to change history for the better. Premise; "canon makes sense" though not in the way you think. Fight scenes, humour, romance, magic, and insanity
* ''Comments'': This is a twisted time travel fic that basically takes everything that happened in canon –including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. Sometimes hard to follow it is very fast paced with lots of alternative character interpretation. Good fight scenes and funny as hell.

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6763981/1/The_Dark_Lords_Equal The Dark Lord's Equal]]'' by [=Lens of Sanity=]
* Recommended by AllBlueSkies, Xeno
* ''Synopsis'': Years after the Epilogue things look bleak; Harry Potter agrees to go back to the Ministry Battle to change history for the better. Premise; "canon makes sense" though not in the way you think. Fight scenes, humour, romance, magic, and insanity
* ''Comments'': This is a twisted time travel fic that basically takes everything that happened in canon –including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. Sometimes hard to follow it is very fast paced with lots of alternative character interpretation. Good fight scenes and funny as hell.
[=[[reviews: The Dark Lord’s Equal]]=]

* ''Comments'': This is a twisted time travel fic that basically takes everything that happened in canon –including the Epilogue- and goes; what is a simple explanation for all the plot holes. Sometimes hard to follow it is very fast paced with lots of alternative character interpretation.

* Recommended by @/{{MuchGoodLittleTime}}, @/YoAdrian, Chuckg, Elenor, Psalm of Fire, White Hat, Clendy82, @/RitiTroll, @/LooneyToons, @/{{Seraviel}}, [=WarriorDrgnMage=], SilverGryphon8

*** SilverGrpyhon8: Almost better than the books themselves, from my view. Brilliant work, but really slow on the updating front because the author is juggling a couple other series and a real-life writing gig.

* Recommended by @/{{MuchGoodLittleTime}}, @/YoAdrian, Chuckg, Elenor, Psalm of Fire, White Hat, Clendy82, @/RitiTroll, @/LooneyToons, @/{{Seraviel}}, [=WarriorDrgnMage=]

* ''Comments'': Not very far along, so far, but already completely deviated from canon. Ginny doesn't mess around and subtlety isn't her favorite thing ever. determinator!Ginny. BetterThanItSounds.

%

* Recommended by EphemeralNight

* Recommended by @/EvilMidnightLurker, @/ShayGuy

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Peggy Sue fics]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: For Want of a Nail Fics]]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3766574/1/Prince_of_the_Dark_Kingdom Prince of the Dark Kingdom]]'' by Mizuni-sama (AU)
* Recommended by Eccitaze, Elenor, @/UncloudedTJ
* ''Synopsis'': A "what if?" story where Harry's parents fled with him to Germany. Voldemort winds up winning the war, and establishes a dictatorship, but instead of killing all the "mudbloods," he simply segregates the wizarding world even further from the muggle world.
* ''Comments'': A VERY interesting fic where Voldemort mentors Harry, with an interesting take on what happened to the characters (specifically, the ones who were on the losing side) and an incredible re-imagining of a lot of the characters, the Weasleys especially.
** Elenor could tell you that it has eveything from culture examinations to political intigue, but that makes it sound like something we've all seen before a hundred times. It's not, its really not. As for how you'll end up feeling about everyone, I think this quote sums it up nicely, "Tonks sighed, and ran a hand through her leopard print hair. She missed the days when you could support your allies with the same enthusiasm you could oppose your enemies."
** @/{{Nornagest}}: This is a frustrating read. It's readable, in fact fairly good, but very obviously inadequately edited; a few more revisions with an effective beta would bring it up to "excellent", but they're unfortunately lacking. A few out-of-place animesque elements don't help.
[=[[reviews:PrinceOfTheDarkKingdom]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3384712/1/The_Lie_Ive_Lived The Lie I've Lived]]'' by jbern
* Recommended by @/UncloudedTJ, @/LooneyToons, @/ShadowAI, @/FooFighter, boonerunner, @/{{Seraviel}}, @/{{Willyolio}}, @/{{Sheaman3773}}, @/HirakuJoutei
* ''Synopsis'': Not all of James died that night. Not all of Harry lived. The Triwizard Tournament as it should have been and a hero discovering who he really wants to be.
* ''Comments'':
** boonerunner: Harry James Potter combines Harry's raw power and James's experience, but he makes his share of significant mistakes and he has trouble relating to the other kids his age. Well written.
*** Your mileage may vary HEAVILY on this. It is without a doubt well-written but the author is a flagrant basher, who villainizes a few characters just to make some scenes work. That is laziness my friends. You want to know what characters he bashes? Krum and the ''Weasley Twins'' of all people. Not the usual victims of [[RonTheDeathEater villianization]] but far from acceptable targets.
** Willyolio: Agreed that this is quite well written. heck, for the triwizard events alone, it's fantastic. There's plenty of other interesting developments, too, and a pretty believable Harry/Fleur romance (thanks in part to James Potter's courtship skills...)
[=[[reviews:TheLieIveLived]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5782108/1/Harry_Potter_and_the_Methods_of_Rationality Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality]]'' by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2269863/Less_Wrong Less Wrong]] (pseudonym of [[http://yudkowsky.net Eliezer Yudkowsky]])
* Has its own [[FanFic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality page]] now.
* Recommended by Darkloid_Blues, @/LooneyToons, Ronfar, Baughn, gg, @/{{Dor}}, jaimeastorga2000, White Hat, @/{{Seraviel}}, @/HydroGlobus, @/{{iamdatroper}}, @/{{Sheaman3773}}
* ''Synopsis'': Petunia married a man other than Vernon Dursley...a scientist. The Harry Potter they raise is bright, bookish, rational, and frustrating beyond all belief to the wizarding world. He starts pointing out the logical fallacies from day one, and never really stops. Looks to be a Ravenclaw!Harry story.
* ''Comments'': Honestly, I never stopped laughing reading this story. There's one [=OC=], Petunia's husband, but he's only there for the plot, and his back-and-forths with Harry and everyone else while they talk about magic range from amusing to hysterical. It gets particularly good when Harry actually goes to Diagon Alley for the first time, as that's when the lampshading really starts. Not very far along yet, but updated regularly.
** @/LooneyToons: Strongly seconded. Chapter five is ''hilarious''. Apparently growing up in a supportive family environment allows Harry to develop some of the troublemaker traits he inherited from James Potter.
** (Unnamed troper at 128.2.101.66): This troper is a decision science major, and can attest to the accuracy and the cleverness of this fic. This is ''not'' going to be a story where a character's "genius" consists of making Black Boxes or pulling off Xanatos Roulettes.
*** Baughn: Being written by an actual genius who ''figured out a lot of the theories in the story himself'' will do that.
*** gg: It's a terrific fanfic, and funny as hell too, but calling Eliezer 'an actual genius' is a bit of exageration though, even taking into account his work on FAI.
*** He did ''not'' figure out the theories in the story himself, seeing as said theories are being taught in the aforementioned decision science major's classes. He'd probably get a better grade than the troper though...
**** I wasn't trying to suggest he figured out all of them. Actually, it might be none of them; I know he's expanded on the field (timeless decision theory, anyone?), but everything in the story seems to be relatively simple.
**** The Timeless Decision Theory seems to be barely existent outside of the places the author publishes, so it may be a little hasty to call him on it.
*** Chapter 10 is perhaps the most epic example of the Hat Sorting scene ever.
** White Hat: Throwing in my recommendation. At first, I thought the story moderately amusing and an interesting idea at first, but the story has begun to deviate more from canon and the deviations are extremely impressive.
** Ayries: Throwing a very enthusiastic rec in, but with the warning that it's maybe not for everyone. I'd also like to point out that in chapter seven, there is a seriously wtf inducing random discussion of rape that seems to have mostly been used as some kind of ill-advised shock value. It's definately not your average fic, or even your average ''story''. But it ''is'' very clever, funny and well written.
*** AS: For that matter, rape is implied at the very least in canon. Deatheaters certainly torture, murder, and rape, even if it's done off screen. Those actions don't come out of the blue. They're based in the kind of thinking and worldview that MOR simply takes the time to spell out directly. The discussion of rape is perfectly fair game and fits in with the theme he's developing throughout -- that the wizarding world (and, to some degree, his own interpretation of it) has some very disturbing ethical aspects in it's structure. Azkaban and the dementors are also discussed, and rightly so, as an abomination. The government itself literally (even if by proxy) tortures it's prisoners into insanity in JKR's created world? WTF! That isn't a massive human rights violation? He makes a valid point that JKR did not carefully think about the implications of everything she wrote. And even in JKR's books, as Harry grows up, the naive wonder he felt in book one is tempered over time by the discoveries he makes that the wizarding world has at least as many problems as the muggle one he left -- and probably significantly more trouble, corruption, and injustice, even perpetrated by the 'good' guys.
*** You have mentioned the rape issue, that´s a problem but there are others, in particular Ron and Dumbledore bashing. Now I am not a particular fan of these two, but it´s becoming to be really annoying and happens too often(especially Dumbledore).
**** It doesn't really bash them so much. Harry definitely dismisses Ron at first, but this proves to be a mistake on his part as he's [[spoiler:one of the many high ranking members of Sunshine who lead Hermione to victory in the first battle, redeeming himself completely]]. Meanwhile, Dumbles isn't bashed in the slightest; rather, he's in a conflict with Harry and Quirrel over how the world is or should be. His ideology is based in the wonder of magic, as it is in canon, as well as in the realities of politics. Quirrel is based solely in reality, both in terms of politics and in terms of life itself. Meanwhile, while Harry sees some of the realities of life, he's both idealistic in politics (although as of the most recent chapter he seems to have lost some of that) and about people, even after [[spoiler:seeing Azkaban and knowing that the will of the people caused that, because he still knows that there are people like Hermione in the world who would tear it down in an instant and replace it with a bunny sanctuary.]] The point being, no characters are truly bashed. They're simply given slightly different characters (Draco and Quirrel) or AlternateCharacterInterpretation (Dumbledore and [=McGonagall=]). If anything, the only character bashed is Snape, and that's just because of the confirmation of what we ''all'' suspected from the moment we found out he actually could read minds, that he was using Legilimency on the students.
** lanky: Another enthusiastic recommendation. This Harry basically out-Hermione-ies Hermione. He's logical and actually has some knowledge to back it up. This story is worth the price of admission based on the [=McGonagall=]-Harry interplay alone.
** Jason Carter: Mine as well. It's a stimulating read, and, if you are like myself, you cannot help but look up everything that gets referenced. It's also quite interesting watching what genius!Harry does in the story. Five stars.
** @/LordGacek: To second @/ShadowAI (who zapped his comment for some reason), the premise is interesting, and the {{Thirty Xanatos Pileup}}s are magnificent. And the author does know how to write, too. But... yeah, the almost-neverending strings of AuthorFilibuster make it, in the long run, unreadable for me (comparisons to ''AtlasShrugged'' have been done). Anyway, if you aren't scared off by that, it deserves a try.
[=[[reviews:HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2919503/1/Lunas_Hubby Luna's Hubby]]'' by Meteoricshipyards
* Recommended by @/FuzzyBoots, @/UncloudedTJ
* ''Synopsis'': 7-year-old Luna Lovegood sees how happy her parents are in their marriage and decides that she wants the same. Having heard from Ginny Weasley that Harry Potter is a good catch, she borrows their family broom and kidnaps him, refusing to tell her parents where she found him. After realizing the abusive environment Harry came from, Selene and Xenophilus adopt Harry into their home, figuring that they can dissuade Luna from the marriage plot later.
* ''Comments'': A very sweet and crazy fic. It's unabashed Harry/Luna shipping and it works spectacularly. The story ends at a slightly changed Triwizard Tournament where [[spoiler:Harry's animagus form, a rhinoceros, accidentally tramples Voldemort and Wormtail during a massive Auror raid on the graveyard.]]
** This story began as one of The Blot's Odd Ideas (see below for details) but grew from there. Considerably LighterAndSofter than its source material, but in a good way.
[=[[reviews:LunasHubby]]=]

[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5924173/1/Goodbye_My_Brother Goodbye, My Brother]] by Hermione-Anti.Twilight
* Recommended by mermaidgirl45
* ''Synopsis:'' After the final battle of Hogwarts, Harry dies. Ron is haunted by his death, until Harry appears as a ghost to comfort him.
* ''Comments:'' This is only two chapters, but is very sweet and moving. There are some discrepancies, but it's good writing, and it really captures the grief and pain of the battle, the personality of the characters, especially Ron, and is interesting to read.
[=[[reviews:GoodbyeMyBrother]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5543005/1/Yes_I_am_Harrys_Brother Yes, I Am Harry's Brother]]'', by 1411eastwest
* Recommended by @/LooneyToons, @/UncloudedTJ, @/{{Seraviel}}
* '''Warning -- dead link. The author has recently deleted all of their online work.''' There appear to be no other archives or postings of it elsewhere on the net.
* ''Synopsis'': A few years after the events of Halloween 1981, the wraith of Voldemort finds 4 Privet Drive and Harry Potter -- and is accidentally incarnated into a near-clone of Harry's 6-year-old body when the soul fragment in the child's scar rejoins with the Dark Lord's spirit. Using every bit of his cunning and experience, the re-youthened Voldemort then escapes and begins a long process that results in him returning to Privet Drive at age eight in the guise of Harry's half-brother, the result of an affair James Potter had with an American woman -- with the goal of studying Harry to learn what the prophecied "Power he knows not" might be. Along the way, Voldemort kills many, many people -- and gives Harry a much happier life. Then comes Hogwarts...
* ''Comments:'' Intriguing fic with some interesting ideas that defy fanon and fan convention without violating canon, and well-written as well, told entirely from Voldemort's point of view. Voldemort is a CompleteMonster, of course, except we learn that there's far more to him than just the homicidal maniac that the canon Harry sees once a year, and maybe -- just maybe -- he's BecomingTheMask from playing Harry's half-brother even as the death toll among canon characters at his hands keeps escalating. The author is very subtle about it though -- "Vito Potter" sometimes feels like he's just a few weeks from a HeelFaceTurn, and then he'll turn around and a professor will be dead for getting too close to his secret; the reader is never sure which part of his personality is the "real" one. He seems strangely protective of Harry and even some of their friends, while at the same time plotting their eventual destruction when he comes back into power. Complete, and definitely worth a look if you want something different among your ''Harry Potter'' fanfics.
** YMMV strongly. The story has its ups and downs, especially towards the start, but steadily declines as it unfolds. It's an interesting read, especially if you don't mind rampant character bashing, but it doesn't really stand out from all the other OC/Super!Harry (even if it's not actually Harry in this case) by the end.
** @/LooneyToons: I will agree, the ending is somewhat anticlimactic.
** I liked the ending. It was a bit anticlimactic...until I read it again, tied together the bits about the Stone, and realized [[spoiler:that Voldemort had won completely and utterly]].
[=[[reviews:YesIAmHarrysBrother]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3446796/1/Magical_Relations Magical Relations]]'' by evansentranced (AU)
* Recommended by Anthiens, Lavanya Six, @/TyrannoStorm
* ''Synopsis'': Harry didn't just get a letter -- Dudley does, too. Quite a bit of unexpected character developments, including a Hermione/Dudley friendship, Draco still being his bratty self yet being portrayed as human and Harry being in Slytherin. Extremely well done and up to fourth year.
* ''Comments:'' Anthiens: This story focuses largely on the relationships and the changes both Harry and Dudley go through. A number of people get ''very'' different interpretations... including Vernon. I don't read HP fanfic often, but this is tops.
** @/ShayGuy: I kinda liked this one's character interactions and ideas, but thought it fell short in the realm of actual ''conflict''. The bit when [[spoiler:they realize that the basilisk is still on the loose, but without a master]] is about as good as it gets, and that didn't even last very long.
** @/TyrannoStorm: Dudley's joining Hogwarts affects very little. The story is from Harry's point of view, and the main difference is Harry joining Slytherin [[spoiler:and befriending most everyone in it.]] As @/ShayGuy says, this story has little conflict, but YourMileageMayVary on whether you consider that a good thing. Personally, I found the lack of suspense a welcome change.
[=[[reviews:MagicalRelations]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2156084/1/Another_Prisoner_Another_Professor Another Prisoner, Another Professor]]'' by Marauder the Slash Nymph (incomplete, eventual Sirius/Remus, [[http://community.livejournal.com/mtsn_hp_au/profile LJ link]], [[http://www.fictionalley.org/authors/marauder/APAP01.html FA link]])
* Recommended by sauronlulz
* ''Synopsis'': In Harry's third year he must learn the many truths about the new DADA teacher, Professor Black, and an escaped convict, Remus Lupin.
* ''Comments'': The first few chapters come off as "the third book with Sirius' and Remus' names switched", but the fic gradually takes on a life of its own as more small details diverge from canon and the author makes up her own subplots. All the canon characters are IC (but Ron gets added snark!), the invented dynamics between characters who didn't meet in canon (e.g. Sirius and Draco) are done brilliantly, and OC Brutus Swift is hilarious. Remus has not yet come onstage, but the hints of Sirius/Remus are handled well. Best of all, Harry and Sirius' relationship gets the time and growth it didn't get in the books, making it Better Than Canon. Updated very slowly, but luckily not a deadfic.
[=[[reviews:AnotherPrisonerAnotherProfessor]]=]

''[[http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1248&chapno=1 Promises Unbroken]]'' by Robin. Also included: its sequels ''[[http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=1708&chapno=1 Promises Remembered]]'' and ''[[http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=2438&chapno=1 Promises Defended]]''.
* Recommended by Wookiee
* ''Synopsis'': A look at Harry's first year at Hogwarts and the political climate outside the school in an AU where Sirius was the Potters' secret-keeper. [[spoiler: Apparently]] dying rather than betray his friends, Lily and James are alive, Harry has parents, Voldemort is still at large, and the first war is still raging outside the castle walls.
* The brilliance of this story lies in the combination of making some things exactly the same as the books while radically changing other aspects. This is not a bland dark apocafic, but a very well-thought-out and detailed extrapolation of what could have been. What this author has done with the characters of James and Lily, Remus, and Peter is remarkably believable and logical, and the way a Harry who never went to the Dursleys views a much more divided wizarding world is a blend of both new twists and familiarity. The portrayal of the Marauders' friendship, including flashbacks, is beautifully rendered and heartfelt, and is the best aspect of the story. While non-orphan!Harry's personality may be a little too bland for this troper's liking, the characterizations of the rest of the characters makes up for it.
[=[[reviews:PromisesUnbroken]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6075384/1/Freaks_Arent_Allowed Freaks Aren't Allowed]]'' by lastcrazyhorn
* Recommended by orpheus-izanagi
* ''Synopsis'': After nearly freezing to death outside his relatives' home, little Harry is rescued by first a spirit and then a snarky git! The adventure isn't over yet though, as Snape soon realizes that his charge's problems aren't limited to just frostbite.
* ''Comments:'' This story is excellent for fluff: between the interactions of child!Harry and Snape, this manages to get just the right amount of fluff. It's tempered with a separate Dumbledore subplot, so if there's too much fluff for you, you can always look at that.
[=[[reviews:FreaksArentAllowed]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4745329/1/On_the_Way_to_Greatness On the Way to Greatness]],'' by mira mirth
* Recommended by Fiddlesoup, @/UncloudedTJ, @/{{MtheR}}, @/{{Sheaman3773}}
* ''Synopsis'': As per the Hat's decision, Harry gets Sorted into Slytherin upon his arrival in Hogwarts -- and suddenly, the future isn't what it used to be. Spoilers for all books.
* ''Comments'': Really amazed that this hasn't been put up here before, seeing as to how it's been around since the end of 08. A unique look at "Slytherin" Harry, where he isn't best friends with Snape or Draco. The characterizations are very good, and the plot really moves into its own. There are thirteen chapters to go as of the recent update. The story moves at a fast pace considering that each book is given a number of chapters equal to the book number. I can honestly say that this story is my current favorite piece of fanfiction -- including all of jbern's, nonjon's and others' works. A bit gory at parts, and has frequent cussing if that bothers anyone.
** @/{{MtheR}}: I have some nitpicks with this one, in regards to grammar and characterization and theme. I'm not sure that I buy all the character reactions mira mirth puts forward--something rings particularly false about Ron's, and Harry occasionally seems smarter than a teenager has any right to be--and I haven't decided whether elements such as the [[spoiler:retconned explanations for why [=GoF's=] plot was so complex]] are amusing, annoying, or necessary. On the whole, I'm hoping that Harry's something of an unreliable narrator. On the other hand, it's certainly the best Slytherin!Harry fic I've yet read, and definitely a good read for anyone who loves ridiculously convoluted political plots. Plus, sarcastic Harry is my favorite flavor of Harry, and this fic has plenty of that.
[=[[reviews:OnTheWayToGreatness]]=]

''[[http://www.the-archive.net/viewstory.php?sid=1740 Faithful Only He]]'' by Nimori
* Recommended by Valjean
* ''Synopsis'' "And if Sirius had been their keeper..."
* ''Comments'': A heartbreaking and devastatingly raw, real look at what could have been if Sirius had been the Potters' secret-keeper. The title might give a hint. This AU is beautifully written and the way it follows the simple, logical consequences of the life-changing choice is brutal but feels exactly ''right''.
[=[[reviews:FaithfulOnlyHe]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3557725/1/Forging_the_Sword Forging The Sword]]'' by Myst Shadow
* Recommended by @/ShadowAI, @/UncloudedTJ, @/{{Sheaman3773}}
* ''Synopsis'' What does it take, to reshape a child? And if reshaped, what then is formed? Down in the Chamber, a choice is made. (Harry's Gryffindor traits were always so much scarier than other peoples'.)
[=[[reviews:ForgingTheSword]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2595818/1/ Rectifier]]'' by Niger Aquila
* Recommended by foxintime, @/UncloudedTJ
* ''Synopsis'' What if during the first Chamber incident, Professor Dumbledore had caught Tom Riddle red handed? Actually, life would have been amazing for both Tom and Albus (friendship). Until, that is, when one night Professor Tom M. Riddle decided to check out if Alternate Universes do exist. Takes place around Half-Blood Prince in the canon universe. WIP.
* ''Comments'': I like how author chose not to bleach Voldemort, but give him a reason not to go down canon path of another Dark Lord. He is a bad boy here, both of them are. Friendship with Dumbledore is made of win.
[=[[reviews:Rectifier]]=]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4152930/1/Dagger_and_Rose Dagger and Rose]]'', by Perspicacity
* Recommended by @/HirakuJoutei
* ''Synopsis'': What if Dumbledore took Harry as his apprentice, after hearing the second prophesy? When Harry takes him up on the offer, he is cast into a world far darker and much more dangerous than he could imagine. With all of the lies and betrayal, can Harry see through to the light to find his one true love? Or will it suck him up, turning him into the very thing he has fought so hard against?
* ''Pairings'': Harry/Fleur
* ''Comments'': Set in the Fourth Year (Goblet of Fire). One of the best fics I have read (and I've read hundreds), dark and suspenseful, with a hint of hope. Masterfully written by an author with professional experience, this story manages to avoid the pitfalls of many other For Want of a nail fics. I can also guarantee that the ending will have you pulling out you hair. This story is complete.
[=[[reviews:DaggerAndRose]]=]
[[/folder]]

** @/UncloudedTJ:

** @/UncloudedTJ: This story starts off the same as ''Back Again, Harry?'' above, but quickly takes it along a very different path. Harry is very, very mistrusting of Dumbledore and for very good reasons in this fic. The only complaint that is commonly addressed is Harry's openness of his abilities, the author defends this with the claims that wizards aren't logical and no one has thought to directly ask Harry about this... '''yet'''.

** @/UncloudedTJ: This has been a story I've been following for a while and it definately has an interesting and mostly unique plot. The best part is that Harry doesn't know what's going to happen as he's not familiar with most of the events. In addition his appearance and a few of his actions have already shook things up enough that what he does know isn't certain either. Definately recommended.

** @/UncloudedTJ: It's a very long story at that, too. Not the longest fanfiction out there but as it's not completed and at this time it's well over 600,000 words; you have a bit of a commitment if you want to read the whole thing. In perspective that's almost as many words as the ''first five canon books combined''. Overall it is a good story and very different plot than most would suspect going into it.

* ''Comments'': A very interesting take on what really occurred the night Voldemort attacked. The story involves a vastly expanded Triwizard Tournament at its core and a really spiteful Sorting Hat. Good pacing and a realistic environment lead to some events being a bit of a shock. This story is finished however a sequel is in the works.

* Recommended by Darkloid_Blues, @/UncloudedTJ, @/LooneyToons, Ronfar, Baughn, gg, @/{{Dor}}, jaimeastorga2000, White Hat, @/{{Seraviel}}, @/HydroGlobus, @/{{iamdatroper}}, @/{{Sheaman3773}}

* Recommended by @/FuzzyBoots

** A Strong second. Although not too long it is a well made story and works very well. With a few minor grammar and spelling errors aside it definitely gives the tale of why the Wizarding World feared Voldemort in the first place.

* Recommended by Fiddlesoup, @/UncloudedTJ, [[Tropers/MtheR MtheR]], @/{{Sheaman3773}}

** @/UncloudedTJ: It's definitely a different spin on the Slytherin!Harry setting. Harry continues down his depressed state from the Dursley's and is overall much more pessimistic than his canon counterpart. Overall though it does portray Slytherin very realistically and at the end of the fifth year it certainly leaves events wide open for the future with Harry making different allies and vastly different choices as the story progresses.
** [[Tropers/MtheR MtheR]]: I have some nitpicks with this one, in regards to grammar and characterization and theme. I'm not sure that I buy all the character reactions mira mirth puts forward--something rings particularly false about Ron's, and Harry occasionally seems smarter than a teenager has any right to be--and I haven't decided whether elements such as the [[spoiler:retconned explanations for why [=GoF's=] plot was so complex]] are amusing, annoying, or necessary. On the whole, I'm hoping that Harry's something of an unreliable narrator. On the other hand, it's certainly the best Slytherin!Harry fic I've yet read, and definitely a good read for anyone who loves ridiculously convoluted political plots. Plus, sarcastic Harry is my favorite flavor of Harry, and this fic has plenty of that.

** @/UncloudedTJ: It definately gives a good reasoning for Voldemort not being an outright evil person in the other world and doesn't make him easily redeemed. Ultimately, though, the series focuses on the clash of personalities between Tom and the canon Voldemort and how Tom strugles to decide if he should help or leave the situation alone.