Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Humour/Parody, Fluff, Rare Snape Slash, SS/AF

Story Summary: In which Albus Dumbledore makes an error, Severus Snape is certainly not married, and Argus Filch is the happiest man in the world.

AlbaLark’s Rec:

This clever, splendidly humorous fic opens with a quote from Mrs. Euphemia Buttons’ wizarding guidebook on marriage and yet another hare-brained scheme by Albus Dumbledore.  Severus Snape is in his first year of teaching at Howarts, and Dumbledore decides that he wants to use an old ritual to bind Severus to him in his capacity as the ‘Head of Household’ at Hogwarts to insure his loyalty.  The only problem is, the Headmaster *isn’t* the head of the castle’s household - the caretaker is.  Thus, unbeknownst to them both, after Dumbledore repeats the ritual three times, seemingly without success, Severus ends up the ‘bride’ of Argus Filch.  This sounds like it ought to be crack-fic, but, amazingly enough, it is not.  It will, however, frequently have you gasping with laughter.

Turns out, Filch has been fancying Snape for a while and is thrilled to be married.  He begins referring to Severus as ‘poppet’ and taking advice from the aforementioned marriage guide on being the perfect husband.  Severus, for his part, once the shock wears off, resists mightily any notion of being married, though he does enjoy the sex that is the side effect of the bond.  This is just a magical mishap, and any notion that he might really want or need this is just ridiculous.  But Argus is sweetly patient and persistant, managing his prickly ‘bride’ every bit as well as he handles Hogwarts. Filch is so adorable here that you just want to hug him - not one’s usual reaction.  His attempts at cosseting Severus are so sweet and funny, and Severus’s tart responses make them even funnier.

In spite of himself, however, Severus slowly succumbs to Argus’s genuine affection and tender attentions.  Suddenly, breaking that misguided spell doesn’t seem so urgent, and our favorite Potions master seems on his snarky way to unbounded domesticity.  And this winning story, full of delectable lines, lovely insights and charming scenes, will leave you smiling long after you’ve finished.

Status: Completed

Length: Novel

Tags: Het: m/f, Gen, Post-HBP, Romance, Rare Het Pairing, Fluff, Mystery/Suspense, Nevillecentric, NL/HA

Story Summary: Neville thinks his summer will be much like any other: working in his grandmother's garden and other lonely pursuits. After leaving Hogwarts many months before, Hannah Abbott believes she is trapped and isolated for good. They're both mistaken. This story is rated PG13, except for one R-rated scene in chapter 14. This story was written prior to the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

Antosha’s Rec:

It’s a bit late for Valentine’s Day, but I thought I’d share one of my favorite novel-length fluff fics. It’s definitely not all sweetness and light, but it’s wonderfully romantic and it happens to pair two of the nicest characters in the series, Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott—a couple that was quite rare when the fic was written before DH, but became quasi-canon when JKR revealed in post-book-seven interviews that they had ended up together.

The fic combines romance and mystery, very much in the vein of one of Rowling’s favorite authors, Dorothy L. Sayers. While Hannah and Neville very slowly find their way together, they are also trying to solve the mystery of her mother’s death—an event that was easy to miss in all the uproar of HBP, but which the author spins into a very canonical, compelling plot.

He didn’t seem to have much of an appetite at the moment. Instead, he poured himself a cup of strong tea from the rapidly cooling pot. As he did so, a plump tawny owl swooped in through the open sash window.

“Gran – she’s here!”

“Yes, I can see that, young man.” Augusta Longbottom’s voice softened. “Hebe – my angel. Where have you been all this time?” She held out her hand for the owl to alight. Instead, the bird settled on Neville’s shoulder and extended her leg. With trembling fingers, he unfastened the small roll of parchment and carefully spread it on the table, tea and toast forgotten.

Dear Neville,

Thank you for your last letter. It was good to hear from you, even with such awful news. I know I’ve said it before but if it hadn’t been for you and my other friends keeping in touch, the last few months would have been unbearable. Although, it’s funny because I got the strangest note from Professor Sprout the other day. It was so sweet of her to write. I miss her. In answer to your question, there’s no chance I’ll be able to go back to school next year. I’ll explain when I see you. Yes, that’s my answer to your second question, but I’ll come onto that.

Neville put the letter down for a second and took a noisy gulp of his tea. Augusta held back a retort about table manners with difficulty. Her grandson was looking more cheerful than she’d seen him since he arrived home for the holidays. For the first few days, he’d done little except limp around the garden, looking frustrated at all the work that needed doing. This week, he’d recovered sufficiently to start pulling his weight again, but he’d been going about his chores with less than his usual gusto. Although longing to, she hadn’t quizzed him about the events of the end of term, taking Poppy’s and Minerva’s advice for once. Across the table, Neville slammed his mug down with a thump, spattering the tablecloth, before starting to read eagerly again.

I haven’t heard from Susan since the start of the holidays – she said she wouldn’t be able to write once she left Hogwarts. They have to be so careful. But I’d give anything to know that she’s safe.

Death everywhere. I have to keep telling myself not to be gloomy. Life goes on. For some people, anyway.

I’m so sorry you got hurt. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been. Thank goodness you’re getting better now. You are being careful, I hope? Being hit with a Blasting Curse, even indirectly, is no joke.

I had a feeling something must have happened. I had my Galleon in my pocket, I like to keep it with me to remind me of last year when Mum before all these horrible things started happening. I was lying on my bed in the dark, talking to my cat. Reading seems pointless and I can’t seem to concentrate on my knitting, so it makes no difference. Zophy’s a real comfort though, she hardly leaves my side. Anyway, I felt the Galleon starting to get hot straight away.

I switched on the light and all I could do was sit there and look at it, and wonder what was going on, wishing I could have been there. I’m not brave like you but at least I could have done something. I can’t believe Ernie let you all down. I told him never to stop checking, but he’s always been a heavy sleeper, or so I’ve heard. I could bash him, I really could.

I can’t wait to see you and ask the millions of questions buzzing round my head. I feel like we’re just walking around in ignorance, not knowing when the next bolt from the blue is going to strike. I’ve had a lot of time to think over these last months and talking to Dad and everything he’s going through

Then again – maybe I’m better off not knowing, stuck here.

Gosh, this is a long one. I’ll get to the point. I can meet you tomorrow – well, today by the time you’re reading this. I’m coming down to London with Dad, he says he’s been promised a meeting with someone about Mum. I can’t imagine who – all our letter-writing must have paid off. He even got me to send a owl to the Ministry a few weeks ago, although I told him it was useless.

So, I’ll meet you outside St. Mungo’s at 12.30, like you suggested. The Physic Garden sounds lovely. I do hope it’s a nice day. I could do with some sunshine, and a bit of fun.

Can’t wait to see you!

Hannah

—from Asking for Roses, Ch. 1

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Het: m/f, SS/HG, Gen, Drama/Angst, Romance, Fluff, Friendship/Mentorship, Post-DH, Minervacentric

Story Summary: Birthdays are the highlights of Severus Snape's life.

harmony_bites’ Rec:

This was lovely. This does feature Snape/Hermione, but is mostly a friendship story, especially between Severus and Minerva, and later Filius. I like how this builds from birthday to birthday from the one just before Harry Potter started Hogwarts to post-Deathly Hallows. Lots of little individual details in this story was a pleasure.

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Het: m/f, SS/HG, Gen, Snapecentric, Fluff, Post-DH

Story Summary: Five times Severus Snape was reborn.

harmony_bites’ Rec:

Sweet story of Severus’ rebirth–in more ways than one. I liked the picture of him as a boy, his interactions with various characters–that as the author put it, “being given a second chance at life can change a man, and Severus Snape no longer felt the need to hold himself entirely distant from the rest of humanity.” More gen than really shippy, but it does contain a reference to Snape/Hermione as a couple, so if that would put you off, be warned.

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Het: m/f, Drama/Angst, Romance, RL/NT, Fluff, Post-DH

Story Summary: Tonks confronts the social consequences of her relationship with Remus

harmony_bites’ Rec:

This is a well-done story about the prejudice Remus and Tonks would confront due to him being a werewolf–and it *is* well-done. It doesn’t feel canned or cliched, and I like Remus’ reaction in it, not the kind of “woe-is-me-you-deserve-better-than-me” I so often see in this pairing that leaves me wanting to pull my hair.  (And Umbridge is spot-on and well used here). And the ending left me warmed.

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Slash: f/f, Drama/Angst, Romance, Fluff, Post-DH, HG/LL, Hermione Femmeslash

Story Summary: When Hermione seeks Luna's help for someone else, she gets more than she bargained for.

harmony_bites’ Rec:

I like this story not just for the Hermione and Luna aspects–and those are winning enough–but for how it deals with Hermione mending things with her parents, and the repercussions of Hermione wiping their memories.

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Slash: m/m, Romance, RW/DM, Fluff

Story Summary: Four elements. Four wizards. Will Ron and Draco be able to let the past go in order to save the future?

harmony_bites’ Rec:

Entertaining story of Ron and Draco working out problems magical and personal.  I like how this Ron is able finally to separate Hermione and Draco in terms of why both didn’t work–and why one might work now. Written pre-Deathly Hallows

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Slash: m/m, Drama/Angst, Romance, SS/RL, Fluff, Post-DH

Story Summary: Italy is always the place where England sends its wounded to recuperate.

harmony_bites’ Rec:

This is written in the rare second person, present tense, but don’t let that put you off. The point of view can lend an immediacy and lyricism well done here, and I felt very much firmly put into Lupin’s head. She also puts you firmly into the setting–Florence. I liked Snape’s characterization and backstory as well. A good read.

Status: Completed

Length: Short Story

Tags: Het: m/f, Romance, Humour/Parody, RL/NT, Fluff

Story Summary: Tonks takes on the Chocolate Frog Company. All in the name of love, mind you.

harmony_bites’ Rec:

The fic made me smile and isn’t the usual I’ve read in the ship. It’s not sappy, it’s not about Remus endlessly moaning he’s too old for Tonks. It is about Tonks doing something for Remus, and that’s where the awww-worthy part does from, but the smile comes from humor and the twist at the end.

Tags: Slash: m/m, HP/DM, Romance, Humour/Parody, Fluff, Post-DH

Story Summary: If you thought that befriending Draco Malfoy would be easier than defeating the Dark Lord you’d be wrong. Harry Potter has to grow another pair of legs and a forked tail before he can break down the frosty barrier blocking the way into Malfoy’s heart (and his underpants).

harmony_bites’ Rec:

This has an engaging and humorous Harry voice from the start with lots of witty dialogue. Even within the humor, it had its touching moments too, and the last line made me smile widely.