I’ve read fanfic (mostly of the Harry Potter variety) for over ten years. I’ve read more fanfics than I can even begin to count, and a lot of it has been really really good. These five though? These five are the ones that I think about often, that I recommend to people (even people who don’t read fanfiction!). If you love Harry Potter and are looking to get into fic, or are just looking for some recommendations – I’ve got you covered!
The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy (speechwriter)
This feels like getting to read a Harry Potter book for the first time again. I haven’t felt that in years. It gives Draco the redemption arc he deserves but doesn’t do it too quickly, which I feel is a mistake a lot of fics make. I oscillated between inhaling it and wanting to save it unread forever so I knew I’d always have something that felt like a return home.
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love (isthisselfcare)
TOP FAVE OF ALL TIME. Easily in the top three fics I’ve ever read. The writing is truly so intellectual and well-rounded. It does comedy and romance in the same breath and gives each one its due. This is peak romance, and has a healthy meme collection on Tumblr to troll through once you’ve finished reading and are going through withdrawal.
Confidential Correspondence (JuweWright, Nantai)
This is a controversial take, but I’m a big fan of Snupin (Severus Snape x Remus Lupin). Maybe it’s because they’re both teachers, maybe it’s because I love an underdog, maybe it’s because I really do like Snape despite everything and I think he deserves to be happy and have a redemption arc. But I love it anyways. Your girl loves epistolary-style fanfics, especially ones with Snape because he’s such a snarky asshole who cares too much and is unable to deal with that fact. I love this Lupin and how demure and simultaneously caustically sarcastic he is. You do need to have an AO3 account in order to read this one, but making one is really no hardship and opens up all the wonderful functions of the website.
Away Childish Things (lettered)
This fic left me squealing and kicking my feet. So spectacularly written- features Harry as a young child fresh from abuse having never known anything different and Draco realizing how much he never knew and being so gentle and kind and the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!!! Trigger warning for internalized homophobia. A fascinating exploration of a time traveling of sorts. Truly staggering plot development and character development.
together or not at all (ballerinaroy)
Last but not least, my first Ron x Hermione x Harry fic. I will now never be able to read just Romione again, because it has to be all three of them, it’s the only thing that works. So sweet, so cute, so good at navigating trauma and the difficulties of having grown up together through a war.
Hopefully you found a good read in this list of fanfics – these works have provided me hours of endless entertainment, and have brought me to tears and laughter, often in one breath.