Isn't That Canon?
I've been thinking about the oft lamented tendency to confuse canon with fanon -- those things that are so pervasive in the works of fannish writers and artists that we may forget they're not actually in the books. But I'd like to suggest that sometimes fanon trumps canon by inventing elements that are so right, so "obvious" or just so fun that they ought to be canon -- things like Sirius's post-trick apology (or lack thereof), Remus's love of chocolate, Snape's spine-tinglingly sexy voice, Dumbledore's condescending paternalism and/or omniscience.
Among the most obvious fanon elements are those that come from the HP films, inarguably the fannish works with the most far-reaching audience. And of course, once something has been given a visual side, (or aural as in the case of one notably rich and sexy voice) it's hard to forget it. Thus, there's a strong tendency within fandom to adopt Remus's tatty cardigans or Lucius's silver snake-head cane as all-but-canon even though neither is anywhere mentioned in the books.
Often the Movie!HP elements are the cause of great consternation and resistance against fanonization -- like the Muggle clothing worn under robes in SS, and CoS, and openly in PoA, or like Remus being taller than Sirius, which actually contradicts canon. This consternation is often manifested in opposition to casting choices. Lots of people hated the choice of David Thewlis; many more dread that Voldemort will meet the same fate of becoming a sex icon as Snape did with the casting of Alan Rickman.
All of which is but a long-winded approach to my purpose here -- namely, to find out what fanon elements people love best (or hate most).
As for me, here are three that I love:
1. Wandless magic.
Yes, I know we see it as an expression of youthful lack of control. But I quite like its representation in fanfiction as an advanced skill, one mastered with difficulty, and (perhaps) extremely draining although powerful.
2. Snape and Lucius's "history"
It's barely hinted at in GoF, when Snape reacts to the news that Malfoy was among the DEs gathered for the return of Voldemort. And I wouldn't say there's a single fannish interpretation of their past (or continuing) connection, but there's a pervasive idea of some important relationship. This probably stems from the pervasive desire to know more about Snape, how he joined the DEs, etc. Lucius seems a likely key to some of that, one many fannish writers have latched onto ... and one that really ought to find its way into canon somewhere in the final two installments.
3. Snape's talking mirror.
Yeah, the day we see inside Snape's bedchamber courtesy of JKR ... Well, this one's just a lot of fun. Do I really need to say more?
Among the most obvious fanon elements are those that come from the HP films, inarguably the fannish works with the most far-reaching audience. And of course, once something has been given a visual side, (or aural as in the case of one notably rich and sexy voice) it's hard to forget it. Thus, there's a strong tendency within fandom to adopt Remus's tatty cardigans or Lucius's silver snake-head cane as all-but-canon even though neither is anywhere mentioned in the books.
Often the Movie!HP elements are the cause of great consternation and resistance against fanonization -- like the Muggle clothing worn under robes in SS, and CoS, and openly in PoA, or like Remus being taller than Sirius, which actually contradicts canon. This consternation is often manifested in opposition to casting choices. Lots of people hated the choice of David Thewlis; many more dread that Voldemort will meet the same fate of becoming a sex icon as Snape did with the casting of Alan Rickman.
All of which is but a long-winded approach to my purpose here -- namely, to find out what fanon elements people love best (or hate most).
As for me, here are three that I love:
1. Wandless magic.
Yes, I know we see it as an expression of youthful lack of control. But I quite like its representation in fanfiction as an advanced skill, one mastered with difficulty, and (perhaps) extremely draining although powerful.
2. Snape and Lucius's "history"
It's barely hinted at in GoF, when Snape reacts to the news that Malfoy was among the DEs gathered for the return of Voldemort. And I wouldn't say there's a single fannish interpretation of their past (or continuing) connection, but there's a pervasive idea of some important relationship. This probably stems from the pervasive desire to know more about Snape, how he joined the DEs, etc. Lucius seems a likely key to some of that, one many fannish writers have latched onto ... and one that really ought to find its way into canon somewhere in the final two installments.
3. Snape's talking mirror.
Yeah, the day we see inside Snape's bedchamber courtesy of JKR ... Well, this one's just a lot of fun. Do I really need to say more?