Did you think it was over?
This round of the Tour may be over, but firefly124 and I are claiming mod privileges and posting our own recs this round. Firefly124 has just returned from a con, so I don't expect her recs for another day or two, but she'll post before we close out this round officially. Don't worry, though. We plan to be back in October, 2011 for another round of the Tour.
I've tried to rec stories that haven't been recced on the Tour before, and due to our lovely new mod peyton07's diligence with the delicious links, it was easy enough to check. ;)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
Author: shiv5468
Link: http://www.digital-quill.org/viewstory.php?sid=848
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Hermione has had an unpleasant experience... (Genfic)
Why I fangirl this: There are no warnings on this story as the author has chosen not to warn. It deals with the aftermath of an attempted rape, but it isn't graphic. However, it is empowering, and it presents an option not chosen by any other fanfic writer that I've read. This story startled a laugh out of me, and while the humor is grim, it's very present in the story.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Breathe
Author: misstee123
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/147218.html
Rating: G
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Sometimes we have to go back to the beginning in order to find our way to the end. Original Prompt: Nine year old Snape meets Hermione Granger on the playground instead of Lily. She isn't Lily and it doesn't need to follow her story. Does Snape's life change from canon? (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This story is strictly AU, and it takes the notion of that original prompt cited in the summary very seriously, but it depicts the outcome of Snape's decision in a very different manner than you'd expect.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Chaos is Come Again
Author: Aashby
Link: http://www.mirrordance.net/aashby/bnw/ChaosIndex.htm
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in twenty-seven chapters (although, pay attention to the footnotes, they can hold links to hidden chapters)
Summary: "How ironic, Hermione thought as she flipped through the proofsheets of the latest report, jotting down marginalia. To have finally defeated the man who used Wizarding Eugenics as an excuse, and then to find it was too late anyway...." (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is the Marriage Law Challenge fic that really isn't a MLC. Intricately plotted, with wonderful characterization, it's dark and horrifying in places, and it can be a tough read at times, but it still offers the possibility of a hopeful ending. You just have to pay attention. ;)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Devil in Devonshire
Author: melisande88
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/196757.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in four chapters
Summary: In the dead of winter, something frightening and unknown seems to be targeting the less savory members of wizard society. Ministry of Magic employee, Unspeakable Hermione Granger, joins the hunt with questionable assistance from Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: There are almost no words to depict just how much I fangirl this story. This is just brilliant. It's a story that could easily have become crack!fic, but because of her skill and talent, it never tips over the edge.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Dr. Faustus, I Presume?
Author: melisande88
Link: http://www.digital-quill.org/viewstory.php?sid=356
Rating:
Status:
Summary: Filch. Gloves. Lust. But it's not what you think. What if you were given the chance to take the very thing you've longed for? What price would you pay? (Genfic)
Why I fangirl this: Of all of melisande88's glorious stories, this one has haunted me the longest. Such a deft depiction of lust and longing, and how they can drive someone past the point of reason.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Houdini's Tables
Author: vanityfair00
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/100423.html
Rating: Teen
Status: Complete in two chapters
Summary: They don't know it yet, but Severus and Hermione are perfect for each other. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that just satisfies every single one of the things I love about the HG/SS pairing. Hermione is still a thorn in Snape's side, and Snape is still as Snape-ish as ever. But she's grown up, and he's noticing...
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Lest The Old Traditions Fail
Author: Quillusion
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1392161/1/Lest_the_Old_Traditions_Fail
Rating: M
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: A medieval tradition gives Severus the courage he needs to take the last step. Short, sweet, and hopefully satisfying! (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This was one of the first stories I read in the HP fandom, and even though it's been firmly canon-shafted, it's aged very well. If there was a Top 10 list of stories to read for a newbie coming into the Snape/Granger pairing, I'd put this story on that list.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Lines Undrawn
Author: Arsenic Jade
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/54783.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in three chapters
Summary: Snape unknowingly does Hermione a favor. AU (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This Snape straddles a fine line between both sides of the war, unwilling to commit himself to either side until forced into making a choice. This is one of those lovely stories that treats the reader like an adult, allowing them to infer a great deal rather than spelling everything out for them, and it's a refreshing treat to read.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: One Day Like This
Author: Hannah-1888
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5715890/1/One_Day_Like_This
Rating: T
Status: Complete in twenty-four chapters
Summary: After suffering a setback, Hermione finds her life heading in a different direction. SS/HG, EWE.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of the few stories where Hermione actually has to deal with the consequences of a bad situation (rather than have them all sorted out for her), and where Snape is surly and rude. But the development of their relationship shines in this story, and that's what makes it such a stand-out to me.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Quality of Silence
Author: absolute_tash
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/193764.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: "We don't really even know what it IS, exactly. Or how it works. There's something...odd about the individual molecules in the stone. The bonds are so...loose. There's a strange sort of resonance it gives off...almost like a tuning fork. Like it's singing to a certain part of our brain. A very old part. The part that is afraid of the dark, but can't look away." (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that you just can't forget. absolute_tash is one of the fandom queens of darkfic, and with this story, she managed to both raise the hair on the back of my neck and break my heart. This story is the very definition of haunting.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Still Life
Author: Imhilien
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2213397/1/Still_Life
Rating: T
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: With the war on, falling in love did not automatically guarantee Severus and Hermione a happy ending. But love can win through in the strangest of ways... (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is another of my personal Top 10 Snape/Granger stories for newbies. Bittersweet but satisfying.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: There's a Good Girl
Author: cathedralcarver
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5668956/1/Theres_A_Good_Girl
Rating: K+
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: See? Over there: The one weeping into her pumpkin juice.
Why I fangirl this: Because every good girl eventually gets tired of being a good girl. Even Hermione Granger. I laughed and snickered, and because of cathedralcarver's deft touch, I understood exactly why Hermione felt strangled in the role she was in, and why Severus Snape could see exactly what was going on. (Genfic - mostly)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: White Flag
Author: snarkypants
Link: http://ashwinder.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=11841
Rating: Teen
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Severus has been unexpectedly exonerated in Dumbledore's death, and returns to join the walking wounded at Hogwarts. But things are not quite what they seem. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that seemingly leads you down a comfortable path, only to take a turn into unexpected territory. The author plays fair, and the clues are there, but they're subtly and brilliantly placed.
I've tried to rec stories that haven't been recced on the Tour before, and due to our lovely new mod peyton07's diligence with the delicious links, it was easy enough to check. ;)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
Author: shiv5468
Link: http://www.digital-quill.org/viewstory.php?sid=848
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Hermione has had an unpleasant experience... (Genfic)
Why I fangirl this: There are no warnings on this story as the author has chosen not to warn. It deals with the aftermath of an attempted rape, but it isn't graphic. However, it is empowering, and it presents an option not chosen by any other fanfic writer that I've read. This story startled a laugh out of me, and while the humor is grim, it's very present in the story.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Breathe
Author: misstee123
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/147218.html
Rating: G
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Sometimes we have to go back to the beginning in order to find our way to the end. Original Prompt: Nine year old Snape meets Hermione Granger on the playground instead of Lily. She isn't Lily and it doesn't need to follow her story. Does Snape's life change from canon? (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This story is strictly AU, and it takes the notion of that original prompt cited in the summary very seriously, but it depicts the outcome of Snape's decision in a very different manner than you'd expect.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Chaos is Come Again
Author: Aashby
Link: http://www.mirrordance.net/aashby/bnw/ChaosIndex.htm
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in twenty-seven chapters (although, pay attention to the footnotes, they can hold links to hidden chapters)
Summary: "How ironic, Hermione thought as she flipped through the proofsheets of the latest report, jotting down marginalia. To have finally defeated the man who used Wizarding Eugenics as an excuse, and then to find it was too late anyway...." (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is the Marriage Law Challenge fic that really isn't a MLC. Intricately plotted, with wonderful characterization, it's dark and horrifying in places, and it can be a tough read at times, but it still offers the possibility of a hopeful ending. You just have to pay attention. ;)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Devil in Devonshire
Author: melisande88
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/196757.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in four chapters
Summary: In the dead of winter, something frightening and unknown seems to be targeting the less savory members of wizard society. Ministry of Magic employee, Unspeakable Hermione Granger, joins the hunt with questionable assistance from Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: There are almost no words to depict just how much I fangirl this story. This is just brilliant. It's a story that could easily have become crack!fic, but because of her skill and talent, it never tips over the edge.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Dr. Faustus, I Presume?
Author: melisande88
Link: http://www.digital-quill.org/viewstory.php?sid=356
Rating:
Status:
Summary: Filch. Gloves. Lust. But it's not what you think. What if you were given the chance to take the very thing you've longed for? What price would you pay? (Genfic)
Why I fangirl this: Of all of melisande88's glorious stories, this one has haunted me the longest. Such a deft depiction of lust and longing, and how they can drive someone past the point of reason.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Houdini's Tables
Author: vanityfair00
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/100423.html
Rating: Teen
Status: Complete in two chapters
Summary: They don't know it yet, but Severus and Hermione are perfect for each other. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that just satisfies every single one of the things I love about the HG/SS pairing. Hermione is still a thorn in Snape's side, and Snape is still as Snape-ish as ever. But she's grown up, and he's noticing...
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Lest The Old Traditions Fail
Author: Quillusion
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1392161/1/Lest_the_Old_Traditions_Fail
Rating: M
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: A medieval tradition gives Severus the courage he needs to take the last step. Short, sweet, and hopefully satisfying! (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This was one of the first stories I read in the HP fandom, and even though it's been firmly canon-shafted, it's aged very well. If there was a Top 10 list of stories to read for a newbie coming into the Snape/Granger pairing, I'd put this story on that list.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Lines Undrawn
Author: Arsenic Jade
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/54783.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete in three chapters
Summary: Snape unknowingly does Hermione a favor. AU (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This Snape straddles a fine line between both sides of the war, unwilling to commit himself to either side until forced into making a choice. This is one of those lovely stories that treats the reader like an adult, allowing them to infer a great deal rather than spelling everything out for them, and it's a refreshing treat to read.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: One Day Like This
Author: Hannah-1888
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5715890/1/One_Day_Like_This
Rating: T
Status: Complete in twenty-four chapters
Summary: After suffering a setback, Hermione finds her life heading in a different direction. SS/HG, EWE.
Why I fangirl this: This is one of the few stories where Hermione actually has to deal with the consequences of a bad situation (rather than have them all sorted out for her), and where Snape is surly and rude. But the development of their relationship shines in this story, and that's what makes it such a stand-out to me.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: The Quality of Silence
Author: absolute_tash
Link: http://sshg-exchange.livejournal.com/193764.html
Rating: Mature
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: "We don't really even know what it IS, exactly. Or how it works. There's something...odd about the individual molecules in the stone. The bonds are so...loose. There's a strange sort of resonance it gives off...almost like a tuning fork. Like it's singing to a certain part of our brain. A very old part. The part that is afraid of the dark, but can't look away." (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that you just can't forget. absolute_tash is one of the fandom queens of darkfic, and with this story, she managed to both raise the hair on the back of my neck and break my heart. This story is the very definition of haunting.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: Still Life
Author: Imhilien
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2213397/1/Still_Life
Rating: T
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: With the war on, falling in love did not automatically guarantee Severus and Hermione a happy ending. But love can win through in the strangest of ways... (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is another of my personal Top 10 Snape/Granger stories for newbies. Bittersweet but satisfying.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: There's a Good Girl
Author: cathedralcarver
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5668956/1/Theres_A_Good_Girl
Rating: K+
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: See? Over there: The one weeping into her pumpkin juice.
Why I fangirl this: Because every good girl eventually gets tired of being a good girl. Even Hermione Granger. I laughed and snickered, and because of cathedralcarver's deft touch, I understood exactly why Hermione felt strangled in the role she was in, and why Severus Snape could see exactly what was going on. (Genfic - mostly)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title: White Flag
Author: snarkypants
Link: http://ashwinder.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=11841
Rating: Teen
Status: Complete, One Shot
Summary: Severus has been unexpectedly exonerated in Dumbledore's death, and returns to join the walking wounded at Hogwarts. But things are not quite what they seem. (HG/SS)
Why I fangirl this: This is one of those stories that seemingly leads you down a comfortable path, only to take a turn into unexpected territory. The author plays fair, and the clues are there, but they're subtly and brilliantly placed.