FAN FICTION
By Penny Linsenmayer
Fan fiction (most commonly shortened to “fanfic”) consists of fictional stories written by fans of a particular book, television or movie series. The original series (book, television, movie) is referred to as the “canon.” Fanfic stories are based on or inspired by the canon. The central location on the internet for finding fanfic of any fandom of interest is www.fanfiction.net
In the case of Harry Potter, the current 4 books in the HP series are the “canon” for HP fanfic authors. As they are published, the remaining 3 planned HP books will fall into the HP canon. Because the canon is not completed, you should be aware that all HP fanfic authors are making some degree of assumptions about what may or may not happen in the final books of the series. As one member noted, it may be useful to regard the HP fanfic pieces as an alternate universe ("AU"), with each fanfic representing one of infinite possibilities that may happen in the canon or post-canon (or what might have happened pre-canon). Fanfic may also represent what could have happened pre-canon, in the canon or post-canon.
Is fanfic legal? Interested in how fanfic authors can minimize their exposure for copyright infringement and other legal hassles? For a detailed discussion of this topic by our resident intellectual property lawyer, Heidi Tandy, see Yahoogroups Message #10283.
Is fanfic a new phenomenon (paralleling the advent of the internet)? Not according to one member, who says:
"If one were to examine the surviving works of the great Greek tragedians, we would be at a loss to discover a single original story among them. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides based their immortal theatrical dramatizations on the pre-fabricated creations of their culture's mythology. In other words: FANFIC!!!!! And the same is true of Shakespeare, who has at best two original stories (i.e., The Tempest and Love's Labours Lost) among his entire 37-play (give or take) output."[1]
The HP series has inspired a prolific outpouring of fanfic. Hundreds of HP fanfic pieces are added to fanfiction.net each week. Because of the sheer volume of HP fanfics that are posted to the internet each week, it can be an overwhelming task to locate those fanfics that are worth a read. Few fans will have the time and inclination to read all these stories or essays. Many of them are written by young children and are, of course, geared for their own age level. Since this group is intended for adult members, we have assembled a list of favorite and recommended fanfics and fanfic authors suitable for adult fans.
Anyone interested in reviewing some stories on their own may want to take advantage of the sorting features on fanfiction.net. Once you’ve pulled up the available HP stories, you can sort them by title, author, sub-genre (mystery, romance, action, etc.), censor (G, PG, R, NC-17) and entry date. This can help refine your individual searches.
Does Fanfic "Taint" the Canon?
Members have engaged in spirited debates about whether reading fanfic "taints" a reader's perceptions of the canon. If a person reads and writes fanfic, is it possible for them to distinguish between the characters' canon and "fanon" selves? Do they bring fanfic assumptions into play when interpreting and discussing the canon? Or, is it perfectly plausible that one can keep the two universes separate? Can fanfic, in addition to being entertaining, also give a reader a foundation to go back to the canon and re-read it for a different interpretation that he/she didn't see in a previous reading?[2]
The following terms, some of which are common to all fanfic and some of which are specific to the HP fanfic universe, may be useful to the uninitiated.
Canon --- The original book, television or movie series on which any fanfic is based (or inspired by).
MWPP -- Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs (the nicknames of the 4 Marauders: Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and James Potter).
Mary Sue -- A Mary Sue in any fanfic is a blatant stand-in for the author and serves to fulfill their fantasies. Most HP Mary Sues take the form of The New Girl, usually American, streetwise, aces with a wand, and the love interest of the hero (or whichever character the author may fancy). A Mary Sue is an original character (original to the fanfic author) and not a character in the canon.
Ships (or Shipper, Shippiness) -- short for “relationships,” a ship refers to a specific favored romantic pairing among the main characters. A “shipper” is someone who favors a particular romantic pairing. The most common “ships” in the HP fanfic universe are as follows:
H/H --- Harry/Hermione
R/H --- Ron/Hermione
H/G --- Harry/Ginny
H/C --- Harry/Cho
D/H --- Draco/Hermione
D/G --- Draco/Ginny
H/R --- Harry/Ron (slash pairing)
RL/SB --- Lupin/Black (slash pairing)
Slash -- A "slash" pairing involves a romantic or sexual pairing of characters of the same gender. Common examples: Harry/Ron; Sirius/Remus; McGonagall/Hooch.
These favorites are derived from members of this particular HP group. They have each received high recommendations from multiple members. If you have additional recommendations of fanfics or fanfic authors in general, please email the list moderators.
An asterisk (*) next to the author's name denotes that the author is a member of this listserve.
A Marriage of True Minds? -- by Hyphen -- an alternate view of the James & Lily Potter marriage.
The Best Man & The Best Man2 -- by Mrs. Weasley -- multi-part fanfics set in the post-Hogwarts years. The romances in these stories are R/H and H/G.
Bryter Layter -- by Rave* -- a fanfic set during the MWPP days at Hogwarts
Three Leaves Left -- by Rave* -- Sequel to Bryter Layter
Both stories and discussion can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
Call of the Wild -- by Wolfie Twins -- highly recommended by many of our members, this piece explores the life of Remus Lupin in the years intervening between the time of the Potters’ murder and Sirius’ imprisonment and his arrival to teach DADA at Hogwarts in PoA.
Draco Dormiens -- by Cassandra Claire*
Described by many as a delightful romantic comedy & mystery adventure story all rolled into one, this fanfic (and its sequels) also has a large and devoted following. At the invitation of Lori Summers, Cassie and her stories joined the PoU listserve in the fall of 2000. You can access these stories (and thousands of related messages) in the Files section:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ParadigmOfUncertainty
Set in the 6th year of the Hogwarts years (it can thus be described as a canon AU or canon possibility), Cassie summarized this story thus: Polyjuice Potion accidentally turns Harry into Draco and Draco into Harry. Draco starts to like being Harry Potter; Harry, however...well, read and find out! Angst, romance, humor, some H/H and some D/H and maybe more.
Draco Sinister -- by Cassandra Claire*
This first sequel to Draco Dormiens can also be described as mystery, action, drama, romance and comedy all rolled into one. As Cassie summarized this story for fanfiction.net: "A thousand-year-old evil threatens Our Heroes. Demons, dragons, dementors, cursed swords, ghosts, love potions and leather pants."
Draco's Days of Darkness -- by Morrigan* -- D/H romance and more
Dreamwalk Blue -- by Viola -- " London, 1943 – In which we find ancient texts, several important dreams, post-modern poetry, a pair of saucy, bar-hopping wizards, Albus Dumbledore: Ladies' Man, the evil Dead Poets Society and a young Tom Riddle doing the Lindy Hop. Seriously." The story and related discussion can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
The Farther Shore -- by Blaise* -- Remus Lupin finds romance in his younger days.
The Granger Interview -- by Dadgrid* – set up as an interview with Hermione just after the end of the 7th HP book.
Hermione's 4th Year -- by Elanor Gamgee* -- "Missing scenes" from Goblet of Fire (Hermione's point of view). R/H focus.
The Letter -- by Dadgrid* -- What would you do if your child received an admissions letter from Hogwarts?
Oh Come All Ye Faithful -- by Hyphen – Christmas with the Potters (Lily is pregnant with Harry) and the 3 other Marauders. Intriguing insights into possible Pettigrew motivations for betraying the Potters.
Paradigm of Uncertainty -- by Lori Summers*
Widely regarded as the best HP fanfic on the internet, HP and the Paradigm of Uncertainty (shortened to PoU by its fans) has a large and devoted following. Lori is a member of this group and has considerable fanfic and other writing experience. She set up a separate yahoogroups listserve for discussion of PoU and related matters:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ParadigmOfUncertainty
PoU has also spawned its own fanfic (see “A Sirius Affair” below), and Lori has several planned sequels, one of which is in progress at this time.
PoU is set 9 years after the characters have finished their education at Hogwarts. Billed by its author as a “mystery,” the story has a riveting action plot. This story also involves a strong Harry/Hermione romance subplot. In fact, one member has referred to PoU as the "Bible" for the H/H shippers. Both PoU, its sequels and its prequel, A Sirius Affair, are written with an adult audience in mind.
A Sirius Affair -- by Carole Estes* & Penny Linsenmayer*
A Sirius Affair ("ASA") is a prequel to PoU (taking place 5 years prior to the action in PoU). Set in the summer of Harry’s 21st birthday, it features Sirius Black as a prominent character. It is classed as a “romance” on fanfiction.net. Written by list members Carole and Penny, this fanfic can be accessed in the files section of PoU (see the URL above).
The Show that Never Ends -- by Lori Summers*
This first sequel to PoU begins approximately 3 months after the action in PoU ends. This fanfic is also classed as a "mystery" and continues to draw legions of fans.
Pas de Deux -- by Soz – centers on Alastor Moody and the first rise of Voldemort
A Past Unforgotten -- by Stinkerbell --
Salsa, Storage Closets & Something Else -- by Alicia Spinnet* -- a prequel within a sequel to her "Unlikely Coven" series (see below).
Second Chance -- by Blaise* -- a multi-part fanfic that examines why Dumbledore trusts Severus Snape.
Slytherin Pride -- by Rhysenn* -- What if the Sorting Hat had made a different decision? In this series, Harry experiences how life is like in Slytherin, which is decidedly more colourful given the presence of the inimitable Draco Malfoy. It has been foretold -- is Harry destined for a path of dubious greatness?
Snitch -- by Al* -- The author describes this story as a "very out-of-character slash story, dealing with a relationship between Draco Malfoy and a Harry Potter who has gone evil after being expelled from Hogwarts." The story (and Al's other stories: Time of Trial & Sleep of the Innocents") and related discussions can be found:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
Someone Special -- by Sarah Rettger -- Angelina Johnson's POV of her Yule Ball date with Fred Weasley in Goblet of Fire. The Prefect's Bathroom is a follow-up story, again featuring Fred Weasley and Angelina Johnson at Hogwarts. The stories and related discussions can be found:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
The Song of Time -- by Crazy Ivan* -- Set at the Institute at St Andrews, Britain's foremost wizarding institution of higher education, we discover the true range of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco's powers, learn more about the wizarding world and meet some new characters. Some material inspired by Cassandra Claire's "Draco Dormiens." The story and related discussions can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
The Speculum Curse -- by Hyphen -- a multi-part fanfic set during the MWPP years at Hogwarts.
A Surfeit of Curses -- by Heidi Tandy* -- Featuring Draco as a prominent character, this multi-part fanfic gives another alternative view of Draco Malfoy. This fanfic creates a plausible and wildly entertaining backstory to the 4 canon novels. The story and related discussions can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
Trouble in Paradise -- by AngieJ* (otherwise known as Ebony Thomas) -- this fanfic is set in 2008 and is told from the point-of-view of Angelina Johnson Weasley (former Gryffindor chaser). The opening chapters promise a spellbinding fanfic with abounding mysteries and romance. The author summarizes this fanfic: Ron and Hermione have loved each other since their Hogwarts days. Now that they are married, mistakes and misunderstandings threaten to tear the very foundation of what they’ve built together apart. Can their love survive the ultimate test? Written by an H/H shipper... surprises abound...
The story and related discussions can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise
Not Quite Paradise -- by George Weasley's Girlfriend (Jana) -- A prequel to Trouble in Paradise, this story
Stranger than Paradise -- by Amanita Lestrange* -- a hilarious and entertaining spoof on Trouble in Paradise (found on fanfiction.net).
Unlikely Coven -- by Alicia Spinnet* -- Set in 2016, the story involves the teenaged children of Harry & Hermione Potter, Ron and Lavender Weasley and Draco & Ginny Malfoy.
Yours and Yours and Yours -- by wotan -- Set in the 7th year at Hogwarts and involving H/H romance, the plot has some surprising turns.
Other Recommended Fanfics
The following fanfics have received at least one mention by one of our members.
Alternity -- by Slytherin Dragon
The Birthday Present -- by PennyT115@aol.com*
Double Trouble -- by Katie Bell*
Hermione Untitled -- by Another Muggle*
I was Right -- Earthwalk
Moony & Padfoot -- by Blaise*
Of Love, Fools and Little Orange Monsters -- by Princess Kate
The Other Side -- by Morrigan*
Our Yesterdays are Dusty Death -- by Katie Bell*
A Pack of Lies -- by Blaise*
Remembrance Day -- by Blaise*
Those Whom the Gods Disfavor -- by Princess Kate
Trojan Horse -- by Blaise*
Unless otherwise indicated, the fanfic work of each of these authors can be found on fanfiction.net (sort the HP fanfics by author). The focus of each author’s typical fanfic stories is indicated in parentheses after his or her name.
An asterisk (*) next to the author's name denotes that the author is a member of this listserve.
Al* (Slash)
Alicia/Sue Spinnet* (H/H)
AngieJ* (Ebony) (H/H shipper but writing R/H so far; F/A)
Blaise* (MWPP)
Cassandra Claire* (H/H, D/H, D/G)
CLS (MWPP)
Crazy Ivan* (John Walton) (H/H)
Dadgrid* (Hermione)
Elanor Gamgee* (Kathy Macmillan) (R/H)
Firebolt*
Flourish
George Weasley's Girlfriend (Jana)
Heidi Tandy* (Draco)
Hyphen (MWPP)
Katie Bell*
Lori Summers* (H/H)
Masoumi
Moon (Lupin)
Morrigan* (MWPP)
Mrs. Weasley (R/H, H/G)
Penny* & Carole* (prequel to PoU so includes H/G shippiness; Sirius Black; adult content)
Quaxon (Snape)
Rave* (MWPP)
Rhysenn*
Sarah Rettger (F/A)
Viola
Wolfie Twins (Lupin; MWPP)
Footnotes
1. Yahoogroups Message #15560.