Some disclaimers: Some of these are not written in a style I enjoy all that much. Some of them were written before book 6 or 7 came out so there are...inconsistencies with canon. But! I still enjoy them! I tend to regularly rotate between these stories (and some non-HP ones, for variety), just keeping a tab open on my phone at all times. So they're at least that good?
This is the one I reread the least, probably. I do love it though (begun pre-HBP, finished pre-DH):
Do Be My Enemy for Friendship's Sake by ByMerlinsBeard (140K words, PG)
Summary: Laura has been a good friend to Percy for seven years. She took his side during a fight between Percy and Oliver their second year. So why, during their seventh year, is Percy allowing his friend to be lonely and miserable? A fellow Gryffindor decides to try to ease Laura's loneliness by interfering in her life. The result is that Laura must suddenly deal with new relationships, including an unlikely reconciliation with Oliver.
Laura succeeded in being a good friend when she only had one friend. Now she must learn how to be a good friend to several people... including herself. Oliver/OC
Why I like it: I love this peek into minor characters' lives (Harry Potter is barely mentioned) and a glimpse into the wider wizarding world. Also, romance. Also, one of my favorite lines of any fic that I quote to myself whenever I'm jumping to conclusions.
If you think canon (at least within the seven books) is the way to go, may I suggest a little something by Northumbrian?
This one was just finished after like 7 years:
Strangers at Drakeshaugh by Northumbrian (190K words, PG13)
Summary: The locals in a sleepy corner of the Cheviot Hills are surprised to discover that they have new neighbours. Who are the strangers at Drakeshaugh? When James Potter meets Muggle Henry Charlton, his mother Jacqui befriends the Potters and her life changes.
Why I like it: A unique look at what Harry Potter and his life look like from the outside. Like, the way outside. Like...a Muggle's point of view.
It might be better to read this one first, though (just for a little more familiarity with characters and what's going on with them):
Hunters and Prey by Northumbrian (125K words, PG13)
Summary: Harry Potter has a mission: to track down the Death Eaters who escaped after the Battle. Nothing is more important, is it?
Why I like it: It uses an asynchronous storytelling style to drop clues that tie together in a satisfying conclusion (though the story's not over).
Probably my all-time favorite fanfic series is Oblivious by Pallas. You have to pretend that you don't know anything about HBP (since Oblivious, at least, was written pre-HBP) and you also have to pretend to care about Remus and imagine him a little more important to the story than he ended up being. So if you can handle that (and some interesting writing style choices), here you go!
Oblivious by Pallas (180K words, PG)
Summary: What if there were more to Remus Lupin's bite than a badly timed stroll in the woods? Secrets emerge when a feral comes to town...
Why I Like it: Important backstory and character development so Imperius makes sense and lands more satisfyingly. Also, it's funny and moving and I cried during lunch at work last month while I was reading it.
Imperius by Pallas (200K words, PG)
Summary: “Imperius…Werewolves…You Know Who…” The last words of a dying man force Remus Lupin into a dangerous investigation at the infamous Feral Institute.
Why I like it: I just love how well this story fits together! I read like 3 paragraphs aloud to my mom recently and she said "Sounds like a good story" and it is. (Also funny and moving and maybe I cried during lunch during this one)
Pallas also wrote what may be the best post-DH fanfiction ever, a fix-it fic for those who love Remus and Tonks. Still fits within canon!
A Little More Time by Pallas (120K words, PG)
Summary: Was it possible to save two lives without altering history? Was it possible to given them a future twenty years after they had supposedly died? Teddy Lupin thought so...
Why I like it: Sometimes you just want a happy ending!!!
And here's a newer story that I've been enjoying. Yeah it's great that Harry's an Auror but don't you think he'd rather be a teacher, really? So this is a story exploring that possibility.
Blackboards and Broomsticks by Glisseo (95K words, PG, INCOMPLETE)
Summary: At twenty-five, Harry Potter is at a crossroads in his life. He's achieved his dream of being an Auror, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, and with one child and another on the way, he's missing out on precious time with his family. But being an Auror is all he knows how to do - right? So he's in for a surprise when Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts, offers him a job as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher ...
Why I Like it: I love the concept and in my opinion it's pretty well-written!
"Hey...Leslie..." you might be saying now. "These are great but what if I don't...really want...to read huge novel-length fics that aren't even canon??"
Well. That's a bit more tricky. Mostly because when I read one-shots I don't usually remember them as well.
But hey, why don't you take a gander on Northumbrian's page?? There are some shorter ones there. Pay attention to the rating and whether they're complete or not, but they're all basically part of the same larger story. You can do it. (I like the MIT ones) Also some other novel-length ones that are good, I just don't like them as much as the ones listed above.
I also really like the cute ladyknightley stories, so there's some fun to be had there.
And how about this one, a James/Lily? I've read so many over the years but because this one is relatively recent (and I loved it so much) it's stuck in my mind better.
Where the Air is Rarefied by thirty2flavors (7K words, G)
Summary: If pressed, later, she’d say it was exhaustion that caused her to forget who she was talking to, and it was that same exhaustion which prevented her from foreseeing the inevitable fall-out of telling James Potter, “Ugh, no thanks, I hate flying.”
Why i like it: I love (LOVE) reading early courtship stories, and this one is just...really good.
And finally, no list of HP fanfic recs would be complete without that predictive text algorithm one that made the rounds recently.
Harry Potter and the Portrait of What Looked Like a Large Pile of Ash -- Chapter 13, The Handsome One by Botnik Studios
I admit, I only included that one because this fanart tickles my fancy. I just love Harry so much!!
So there you go. I know I'll post this and immediately remember other stories that I've just loved but this, I daresay, is a good start. Happy Birthday, Harry.
Edit: Oh I forgot to shamelessly self-promote. This story is only 1,000 words so way more doable than the rest of these. So.
Catchphrase by Cinderella Angelina (that's me)
Summary: Percy Weasley meets Penelope Clearwater.
Why I like it: Minor characters and a meet-cute.
Edit again: oh dang I forgot dirgewithoutmusic's AUs
(I mean, I've mentioned them before, but you know)
These ones, on top of being AU, play a little more fast and loose with canon than I am entirely pleased with, but if I ever want to cry these are the ones to go to. Without fail I get teary. I remember the first time I read the Snape one I literally had tears streaming down my face AT my desk. So ... these are also up there.
Well. That's a bit more tricky. Mostly because when I read one-shots I don't usually remember them as well.
But hey, why don't you take a gander on Northumbrian's page?? There are some shorter ones there. Pay attention to the rating and whether they're complete or not, but they're all basically part of the same larger story. You can do it. (I like the MIT ones) Also some other novel-length ones that are good, I just don't like them as much as the ones listed above.
I also really like the cute ladyknightley stories, so there's some fun to be had there.
And how about this one, a James/Lily? I've read so many over the years but because this one is relatively recent (and I loved it so much) it's stuck in my mind better.
Where the Air is Rarefied by thirty2flavors (7K words, G)
Summary: If pressed, later, she’d say it was exhaustion that caused her to forget who she was talking to, and it was that same exhaustion which prevented her from foreseeing the inevitable fall-out of telling James Potter, “Ugh, no thanks, I hate flying.”
Why i like it: I love (LOVE) reading early courtship stories, and this one is just...really good.
And finally, no list of HP fanfic recs would be complete without that predictive text algorithm one that made the rounds recently.
Harry Potter and the Portrait of What Looked Like a Large Pile of Ash -- Chapter 13, The Handsome One by Botnik Studios
I admit, I only included that one because this fanart tickles my fancy. I just love Harry so much!!
So there you go. I know I'll post this and immediately remember other stories that I've just loved but this, I daresay, is a good start. Happy Birthday, Harry.
Edit: Oh I forgot to shamelessly self-promote. This story is only 1,000 words so way more doable than the rest of these. So.
Catchphrase by Cinderella Angelina (that's me)
Summary: Percy Weasley meets Penelope Clearwater.
Why I like it: Minor characters and a meet-cute.
Edit again: oh dang I forgot dirgewithoutmusic's AUs
(I mean, I've mentioned them before, but you know)
These ones, on top of being AU, play a little more fast and loose with canon than I am entirely pleased with, but if I ever want to cry these are the ones to go to. Without fail I get teary. I remember the first time I read the Snape one I literally had tears streaming down my face AT my desk. So ... these are also up there.
