draconin

AU. A marriage law is instigated during Hermione's sixth year. Hermione considers her options and makes her choice, it just wasn't the one they were expecting. By saving herself Hermione's decisions cause ripples to run through the Order. The game has changed, those left behind need to adapt to survive. Canon up to the HBP, Dumbledore lives, Horcrux are still in play.

This is one where the author's description is very deceptive and does not at all do the fic justice. It's true that the initial premise is the much maligned marriage law but this is an utterly minor part of what is a wonderfully rich, complex and very adult fic. All the characters are brought to life with great depth and sympathy (including Snape!), each has his or her role to play and this is explored in great detail. Percy's role in this is particularly interesting in that it fits perfectly with canon yet enlarges on and explains his behaviour, allowing him to become one of the unsung heroes. The final battle between Harry's Secret Order and Tom Riddle is almost too easy until you review just how much careful preparation has gone into setting it all up. Definitely one of those fic where you think "Yes, this is what JKR *should* have written."

draconin

For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would become a Dark Lord. For Teddy Lupin, Harry Potter would take down the Ministry or die trying. He should have known that Hermione and Ron wouldn't let him do it alone.

I've read stories before that have been based on the premise of Harry being totally pissed off with the Wizarding World either before or after having won against Voldemort. However, I don't think I've ever read one before that is so attractively spine-chilling in its portrayal of The Dark Lord Potter. Still intensely loyal to his friends but so utterly disgusted by the Ministry and Wizengamot that his nickname becomes The Fiendfyre Lord. Very believably characterised and clever use of magic. Definitely worth reading.

draconin

Tag to 1969. They were supposed to interact with as few people as possible, but this chance encounter was years in the making.

I do like cleverly done time-travel/paradox stories and this one, although short, is definitely well written. Set during the episode "1969" where SG1 is sent back in time. As well as being amusing, it portrays Jack/Sam beautifully.

draconin

"Lily, it's him! Take Harry and run!" It began the same way, but ended in a very different way. This change caused life instead of death for many. Life altering changes provide the Power The Dark Lord Knows Not.

James and Lily's unexpected entrance into Hogwarts at the very moment that Harry's name is called out as the fourth entrant to the Triwizard Tournament is just the beginning of a new life for Harry with both family and massive danger.

This is an exceedingly well written story but is quite dark, with a highly manipulative Dumbledore. It covers the ascent of Voldemort over a conquered Britain, with Harry and other exiles fighting back viciously from overseas. Full of guerilla warfare, politics and betrayals it is enthralling but only recommended if you're looking for a fic you can get your teeth into.

Note that it is WiP and the author only seems to update infrequently (~yearly). What's written so far is definitely worth it if you don't mind WiPs.

draconin

Years 5-7. Armed with a N.E.W.T. in Arithmancy after Voldemort's return, Hermione takes spellcrafting to new heights and must push the bounds of magic itself to help Harry defeat his enemy once and for all.

Continues the story of MathsGenius!Hermione begun in The Arithmancer. Hermione is increasingly taking on a leadership role in the war, with even Dumbledore deferring to her skills. In the meantime Voldemort has taken over the Ministry and is implementing his version of the "Final Solution". Hermione has reluctantly become the leader of the resistance, while Harry concentrates on other things, and is desperately fighting a battle against overwhelming odds.

Note: This is a WiP but is regularly updated every few weeks.

Prequel is The Arithmancer

draconin

Hermione grows up as a maths whiz instead of a bookworm and tests into Arithmancy in her first year. With the help of her friends and Professor Vector, she puts her superhuman spellcrafting skills to good use in the fight against Voldemort. Years 1-4.

This is an unashamedly Hermione-centric story, with the emphasis on Genius!Hermione. If you're mathematical like me then you'll love this one - the author is clearly mathematically trained and has incorporated that into the story but you don't need to be a mathematics whiz to enjoy this. The writing quality is superb and, as it diverges further from canon, Hermione takes on a more and more important role in the fight against Voldemort.

Sequel is Lady Archimedes

draconin

All it took to change the universe was one little alteration to the time line of Rose Tyler when she was eleven years old. While an alien hunts her and preys on children, Rose meets a remarkable man called the Doctor. Suddenly her childhood is full of adventure, aliens and lots of running that will change the course of her life.

This is a very well written series where Rose becomes involved with the Doctors (9, 10 and 11) at a very young age. She is thrust into the universe of aliens and threats and, with typical Rose bravery, responds magnificently. It's an amazing alternate backstory for Rose that draws in the Doctor's other companions. It's Rose-centric and is full of friendships, UNIT, companions, various forms of the Doctor, alien invasions, and running for your life. But the shining star in this is Rose. Her evolution and life, and the way that she's just fantastic.

The series overlaps both in plot and characters with the Sarah Jane series. The format is episodic, with each story consisting of a dozen or so 'episodes', each one being a 4-5 chapter re-write of an episode from either Dr Who or The Sarah Jane Adventures but with very substantial changes due to the changes to Rose's character and timeline. The episodes are also totally out of order due to Rose's timeline interacting with so many of the Doctor's incarnations.

Although the last in the series is a WiP it is updated with clockwork regularity every week or so and the others are self-contained and complete.

The series consists of:

• The Blonde Girl
• Defender of the Earth
• The Companion Connection
• Time and Trickster
• The Tyler Factor
• Under the Mistletoe Moon
• Child of Earth
• Travels in Time and Space (WiP)

draconin

This is a fascinating and immensely complex remake of the "Harry dies, meets Death/Fate & is sent back" genre. In this version, as laid out in the first two chapters (so I'm really not giving spoilers here), there are three time lines operating. In the first, John Potter (Harry's twin, aka "The BWLived but not really", aka spoiled arsehole supreme) framed Harry (the real BWLived, abandoned by his parents as a squib (who have survived) and brought up by the Dursleys) for the depredations of the basilisk with the aid of manipulative!Dumbledore and had him sent to Askeban. Cue John dies in the graveyard, Voldemort takes over, mass deaths etc but also Harry learning hugely through his link with Voldemort which the Dark Lord gloats in keeping active while wiping out all of Harry's friends and most of the muggleborns.

In the second timeline John, send back by Death & Fate in disgust at his stuffing things up, is determined to get it right this time. Needless to say he doesn't.

In the third time line, Death and Fate have decided that Harry is their final hope to get it right and so so they send him back to age 8 complete with all the skills he learned through his link with Voldemort. Needless to say Harry is totally pissed off and very Grey.

Now comes the complexity: For Harry, this is his first trip back and he's determined to change things as much as possible and he now knows what's going on with John & Dumbledore. For John, this is also his first trip back and he wants to keep the timeline intact as much a possible so that he can predict what happens. However, he has no idea that his second timeline is now overlapping Harry's third or that Harry is also a time traveller. So he has no idea why Hermione and Ginny suddenly seem to hate him and who the hell is this "Lord Slytherin" who's so prominent but didn't exist the last time through?

This is, as I said, immensely complex. If you're not into WiPs then you won't like this at all. With the story beginning at age 8 there is a lot of lead up to even arriving at Hogwarts (chapter 16) and after 40 chapters we're only just getting to the end of first year. Lots of backstory in the politics and the logic of the spellwork and magic theory learned. Well worth the read!

draconin

To solve the murder of a young woman, Beckett and Castle take their case into an underworld of Slayers and the supernatural. …Looks like Buffy is visiting the Big Apple after all.

This is an unusual fic in that it goes out of its way to delve into the mythos of the new Slayer generation post-Sunnydale. The culture, the slang terms, the developing divide between the Slayers and the mundies (normal people) is a fascinating background to the murder mystery that is primarily the focus via Beckett & Castle. Frankly I would have loved to see a sequel, as there were innumerable plot strings that begged to be developed but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Overall, a very different and intelligent story.

draconin

What if Petunia put the blame where it belonged instead of on Harry? OOC Petunia Dursley.

Well plotted and sufficiently AU to be very different and interesting. Slytherin!Harry with Gryphindor tendencies and a highly focussed motivation that he's going to live his own life and damn anyone (such as Dumbledore) who tries to force him in directions he doesn't want to go. This is one of those really annoying WiPs that's so well written that I read it even knowing that it's probably abandoned. If you're able to handle WiPs, particularly ones that probably are abandoned, then this is well worth a look. Especially at 51 chapters.

draconin

AU. Time Travel. Snape goes back in time, holding the knowledge of what is to come if he fails. No longer holding a grudge, he seeks to shape Harry into the greatest wizard of all time, starting on the day Hagrid took Harry to Diagon Alley. No Horcruxes.

This is one that I've recently re-read & I'm amazed that I didn't add it to this list long ago; it's outstanding. Snape's character is AU but, given the horrific future he's come from and his friendship there with Harry developed over years of fighting together, this is not surprising. His careful manipulations and guidance are well plotted and very logical. Harry's abilities are considerably more than in canon but don't approach the common pitfall of becoming super!Harry. Voldemort is convincingly and chillingly portrayed without being caricatured as he often is. Highly recommended, even for those (like me) for whom Snape is not a favourite character.

draconin

Sequel to A Study in Magic and A Study in Magic: The Application.

Harry Potter accidentally turns 221B's cleaning supply closet into a magical portal that leads to worlds that reflect the deepest, most desperate curiosity of a person. Sherlock, unfortunately, didn't know that when he opened it to take out the vacuum cleaner.

This is a triple xover between classic Sherlock of Victorian England, BBC Sherlock of modern day and Harry Potter. Told from the point of view of classic Sherlock and Watson, it portrays their reactions to interacting with our modern day Sherlock. It's short and more in the nature of a Xmas fic than a serious part of the series... but it's cute and amusing.

draconin

Sequel to A Study in Magic.

This sequel deals with Sherlock, John and Harry's attempt to deal with Voldemort and his horcruxes. Currently 15 chapters long (as of Dec '17) and most definitely of the same high standard as the original. Updates seem to be roughly monthly.

Sequel is The Closet of Possibility.

draconin

When Professor McGonagall went to visit Harry Watson, son of Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, to deliver his Hogwarts letter, she was in the mindset of performing a familiar if stressful annual routine. Consequently, she was unprepared to find the cause behind Harry Potter's disappearance.

This is a fascinating xover between the BBC Sherlock series and Harry Potter. It is slightly AU in Sherlock canon in that John Watson is female and married to Sherlock. Yes, yes, "John" and "married???" but it all makes sense and is well justified within the fic. Sherlock is perfectly portrayed and you can well imagine that his attitudes and abilities leave the wizarding world nonplussed to put it mildly! Plus a Harry Potter raised by him and John is NOT going to take the sort of shit that canon!Harry took and is going to take a far more analytical look at magic.

This is one of those ones that at first glance should never work and yet, through the sheer brilliance of the writing, leaves you breathless and wanting more. Highly recommended. It is currently a trilogy with part 1 complete, part 2 a WiP and Part 3 a short stub of a few chapters that's more of a Xmas fic than a real part of the series. Updates are not frequent but it is not abandoned.

Sequels are A Study in Magic: The Application and The Closet of Possibility

draconin

At age 10 Harry finds a chest left by his mother with books on some of her favorite subjects and quickly finds that he is a rune savant. His talent for understanding and creating runes sets Harry onto a very different path than anyone had expected.

While still following a similar path (troll, basilisk, tournament) this ends up diverging massively from canon and is quite original and entertaining. It mostly manages to avoid the Super!Harry trap by ensuring that all his powers are well explained and consistent, but does stray that way a bit at times.

Note: Dark!Dumbledore, multipartner!Harry

draconin

To quote the summary: "So. Giles decides he's 'standing in the way' and buggers off back to England. What a load of horse shit. For those who don't agree, the specifics of the author's argument are encapsulated within the fic. Fortunately fan fiction writers don't have to incorporate annoying logistical details like 'one of our ensemble is leaving the permanent cast and will only be available sporadically'. Here's what I came up with instead."

This is a Tabula Rasa fic and, for those wanting a Buffy/Giles fic... no, it's not really that. What it does is try to resolve the whole 'leaving' and (in passing) the 'Spike-kissage' issues in a whole lot more mature and believable fashion than the show did. And leaves a few doors open. :-)

draconin

What would have happened if Leonard had not moved into the apartment with Sheldon? Perhaps Sheldon & Penny might have met, driven each other crazy, become friends and...

This is a slow moving but very well written and entertaining look at the Shenny relationship at its best; friendship, mutual respect and slow growth on both parts.

draconin

Harry is dumped onto the bridge of the Enterprise D in the aftermath of his defeat of Voldemort. This is the story of his new life.

I found this a very interesting story in that, while he enriches the plot, this is far more a STNG story than it is an HP one. Which is as it should be considering the setting. Magic is such an easy deus ex machina in non-HP 'verses that it's refreshing to see a story that incorporates it without letting it dominate; although Harry's magical abilities certainly play a part it is his adoption into the STNG crew and lifestyle that is the main point and this is very well handled, with believable attitudes on both his and the crew's side. The female Klingon character K'mpok (Kim) who plays love interest is really excellent and overall I was left very definitely wanting a sequel.

draconin

aelfgyfu

What happened between 'Cassie in the abandoned facility with the remains of a bomb in her' and 'Cassie in the park'? This is a short piece that looks at what the show never covered; the decision by Janet to foster Cassie and the interaction with Sam during this that developed into the friendship shown later.

draconin

Author's summary: Professor Sirius Black, Head of Slytherin house, is confused. Who are these two strangers found at Hogwarts, and why does one of them claim to be the son of Lily Lupin and that git James Potter?

"You should go back to them," he said. "They'll be missing you soon, and I'm sure your husband is looking forward to another dance with you."
Lily's eyes swept from his face across the long stretch of silent shadows over to the other room, where there was light and warmth and music. The distance seemed insurmountable to her, and the moving shapes twisted, like seen through a pane of unevenly blown glass.
Her son. In darkness even when surrounded by light. Always on the outside, looking in. "No," she said calmly. "No. I think I'd rather stay here, Harry, with you."

I've come across a few stories of dimension hopping Harry but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. The author's summary terms it as "dark humour" but I don't know that I'd agree; it's certainly dark in places but the overall feel is hopeful. And although there are certainly humorous moments the level of angst is such that I would never have used humour as part of its description. Unless you're referring to the type of humour that makes you laugh as you cry.

This Harry, Hermione, Neville & Luna have accidentally come from one AU world to another. Their world is one where, to put it mildly, things have NOT gone well. They are all shell shocked and suffering from massive PTSD, none more so than Harry. So finding a world where Serverus is Head of Gryphindor, he & Lily are still friends, the Malfoys are on the side of the good guys and... well follow the link and find out. It grabbed me within a few chapters and just wouldn't let go. The quality of writing is amazingly good and I repeatedly found myself going back to reread a paragraph or page, sometimes having to stop and wipe the tears away first. Read it!

draconin

What if Rose stayed with the Doctor through Doomsday? What if she was the one who ended up stuck in 1969 with him?

Blink is IMHO one of the cleverest, most fascinating episodes in the whole series and my only complaint about it was always that Rose was gone (damnit!). Apparently the author agrees with me because this AU has Rose staying with the Doctor rather than ending up with Jackie and Pete in the other universe. Consequently she's the one who "goes domestic" with the Doctor in 1969 and we get to see what happened at the other end of the loop to the point of view of Sally Sparrow portrayed in Blink. We see Billy as he makes his mark in his new world and tag along as Rose and the Doctor have a few adventures while they wait for the Tardis to rescue them. This also gives time for a relationship to develop and deepen.... :-)

The quality of the writing is outstanding in this fic; the interweaving small plots and the careful attention given to fleshing out OCs makes it memorable and well worth reading despite being a wip.

Note: (Oct '14) No update for a year. There is certainly more than enough already written to make it worth reading but it does end with numerous threads unresolved.
Note: (Jun '16) Recently updated. Whether this is going to prove regular is yet to be seen.

draconin

In the station between Life and Death Harry makes a different choice. Now he's eleven again, no one is turning out the same way, the Sorting Hat won't Sort him, the Malfoys are looking at him strangely, and - it's time for another visit.

We're all familiar with the standard HP "do-over" fics, so it takes something exceptional to make me recommend one here, especially one that's a WiP. But this one stands out proudly with such masters as S'TarKan's Harry Potter and the Nightmares of Futures Past and Jedi Buttercup's Back Again, Harry. Rather than simply trying to follow the same path but eliminating his errors Harry takes another path entirely, uniting the houses and making friends in totally unexpected places.

Note: WiP, last update 2011, and probably abandoned.

draconin

At the end of Time Crash the two TARDISes separated and took Five and Ten back to their respective timelines. But something went a bit wrong. The Doctors separated. The TARDIS sort of cloned. Now Five has Ten's TARDIS, and he's about to find out about the Year that Never Was. But why's he in a parallel world, and who is the girl waiting on the beach?

Reunion stories are a dime a dozen, even if you include help from another incarnation of the Doctor. This one, however, stands out from the mob. Firstly because it involves the 5th Doctor but mostly because it's so thoughtful and thorough in portraying an out of control, broken Doctor and then presenting a rather unique solution. Definitely worth reading.

draconin

A little over six years have passed since the events that ended the second reign of Voldemort. Now, Harry Potter is the one that needs to be rescued. Rising to this challenge is... Draco Malfoy?

I'm not normally a fan of anything featuring Draco since I basically see him as having very few redeeming features. But this one just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Essentially, sometime after the war's over, Draco comes across Harry in a bar pissed out of his mind and smelling like the sewer he's been sleeping in for some time. When Harry's 'friends' won't step up to the plate Draco, very much against his better judgement, takes on the task of rehabilitating Harry Potter. A great deal of wonderful snark ensues, together with a *very* reluctant friendship. Worth reading.
Note: No slash. Some bashing (IMHO justified by extrapolation of canon) of Hermione & Ron.

draconin

Time travel fics are a dime a dozen in the HP fandom but this one stands out as being distinctly different. Hermione Granger is going back not just a few years, but 20 years. She's arrived before the fateful Halloween evening that started the whole story and has just 169 days to find and destroy all the horcruxes and kill Voldemort before he can kill the Potters. Fortunately she has Sirius Black, age 21, Marauder extraordinaire and professional prankster on her side. What can possibly go wrong?

The writing in this monumental fic is of a very high quality, with a convoluted, gripping plot and detailed, believable characters. You'll also love the dry humour that abounds. The romance between Hermione and Sirius is very well handled.

draconin

There's been so much fanfic written in the HP 'verse that it's difficult to find something really original. This one most definitely fits the bill and has the additional advantage of really excellent writing.

In this AU Harry was abandoned by the Dursley's at a very early age by anonymously dumping him in an institution for children with problems. What turns this into a positive is that the staff in this institution are caring people who not only give him love and care but, when he starts exhibiting accidental magic, offer him encouragement and help him to systematically investigate his abilities. This is aided further by the arrival of the Grangers some years later who are at their wit's end with a daughter who's exhibiting the same (to them) frightening abilities. With the aid of the doctors and nurses Harry and his best friend Hermione gradually begin to gain some degree of control over their powers even though they still have no idea what they are.

Then the owls arrive...

Note: This is a WiP that is unfortunately being updated very infrequently.

draconin

If you were ever a fan of the old TV series Bewitched then you're going to love this one. The linkages between the magic of HP's world and Samantha Steven's are well thought out and there's masses of great humour. If nothing else, it would have to rate as one of the most original & humorous 'defeats' of Voldemort! Highly recommended if you've seen and liked Bewitched, forget it if you haven't.

draconin

Veronica's not the only one with detective skills. Wallace knows when something's up, and he knows the right questions to ask. Although, he might wish his detective skills weren't so great after all when he gets the answers. Lovely, lovely banter, and some of the best Wallace ever.

draconin

boyfriendincoma

An AU take on on "An Echolls Family Christmas" wherein the poker game never gets interrupted. Before long, Logan and Veronica are the last two standing, and the game drags on into a weekend long grudge match of snark and toplessness and flirting and sniping and ice cream. This story has some excellent banter and could only be improved by being longer.

draconin

Sirius decides to stay in England after escaping Hogwarts and makes protecting Harry his priority.

This is an amazingly well written story. The complexity of cultural background invented by the author (political & familial relationships & magic, depth of motivations), the insight into the characters and, to put it bluntly, the ability of the author is outstanding. This is a story of political deals, mature relationships, realistic expectations and real people. It's the story that JKR should have written, to be honest. I can't recommend it enough.

draconin

Hermione Granger is fifteen, sixteen in a few weeks. She has this summer job in the local library she loves, but something is amiss. Why does she spend so much time waving things, like this ruler, in such a silly way?

If you're interested in a great romp, with Hermione triumphant over all her enemies (aided ably of course by Harry) then look no further. Although it's slightly out of character for both of them at times, overall it's a great first story for a new author. Highly enjoyable.

Warning: language, severe bashing of Ron, the twins and Dumbledore (but not Ginny).

draconin

Ginny Weasley knew she was about to die, and that it would be the most painful death imaginable.
She was trapped, pinned down helplessly, and at the mercy of Bellatrix Lestrange, a woman who had no compassion whatsoever. She had lost her wand under hundreds of pounds of rocks, and no amount of accio had been able to summon it. She and Bellatrix were separated from the rest of the fighters, so no one would be coming to her rescue. And Bellatrix looked really, really angry.
She gritted her teeth, awaiting horrific pain.

And suddenly, a voice echoed through her head. A woman’s voice. A woman she had never heard before. A young American woman, by the sound of her.
The voice called out, “Are you ready to be strong?”

draconin

There weren't many people left now. "Moon" "Nott" "Parkinson" then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" then "Perks, Sally-Anne" and then, at last - "Potter, Harry!" (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 7)

Ten minutes later, Professor Flitwick called, "Parkinson, Pansy - Patil, Padma - Patil, Parvati - Potter, Harry." (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31)

Harry recalls that a pale little girl called Sally-Anne was sorted into Hufflepuff during his first year, but no one else seems to remember her. Not only is Sally-Anne no longer at Hogwarts; there is no trace of her in the school records, and the professors claim she never existed. Was there really a Sally-Anne? Harry and Hermione set out to solve the chilling mystery of the lost Hogwarts student.

This is an absolutely brilliant story that will send shivers down your spine. It's a fascinating idea and the writing is outstanding. My one regret is that it's one that I don't think I'll be able to read again, having now read the end and had the mystery solved. Do yourself a favour and read it.

draconin

This is a fascinating concept by a brilliant author. Start with the premise that the Dursleys were utterly unwilling to allow Harry to stay with them, add goblins into the mix and you have a version of Harry arriving at Hogwarts after being raised as a goblin all his life. As a Goblin Warrior he's definitely not going to take any interference in his life from Headmasters with questionable motives and, to a young Hermione, he's a fascinating and very attractive figure. He's also a catalyst for change in a society that's overdue for it. And as such, a threat to many.

Note: ManipulativeBastard!Dumbledore, immatureidiot!Ron.

draconin

For those who like a fic that concentrates on relationships rather than action this is highly recommended.

Following the events of the Goblet of Fire, Harry spends the summer with the Grangers, his relationship with Hermione deepens, and he and Hermione become animagi.

This author's summary basically says it all... yet fails utterly to capture the depth and quality of writing in this great story. It isn't a typical romance by any means - no boy-meets-soul-mate or Heroine!Hermione, but more of a look at how real people would react, warts and all. Hermione can be overbearing and controlling at times because that is what she is, showing her insecurities that result from being pushed aside as a bookworm for so long. Harry doesn't miraculously recover at her touch, nor does he instantly fall in love with his best female friend. He is a hurt, confused, honestly naive, boy who is deeply scarred by his upbringing. Someone who has very little idea what love looks like and has trouble recognising it when it's right in front of him.

Note: There are no miraculous god-like powers, it's not evil!Dumbledore and Ron is still a bit insensitive at times. Canon is ignored after the Goblet and there are no horcruxes. It is also more movie compliant than book based.
Warning: One instance of underage sex, very thoroughly justified by the plot IMHO and not portrayed as being erotic but as comfort.

Finally, for those who enjoyed it, there is an epilogue (short) by another author posted at PortKey here.

draconin

Ever wondered what might have happened if Halloween went differently and the Potters weren't killed? Find out in this great AU where Harry and Hermione run into each other at a Day Care centre at age 2 and divert fate at just the right moment. Some really great ideas and will leave you smiling and saying "Yes, THAT'S the way it should have been!"

draconin

Sam Carter promised Cassandra Fraiser a motorcycle trip a while back and she finally found the time for it. Cassie is picking the route, and her bike decided Eureka is the perfect place to break down.

I'd not really noticed the coincidence of the shared surnames of Samantha Carter (SG1) and Jack Carter (Eureka). Clearly this author did and the result is this great story.

The whole thing is very well written, as is usual for the author, and made doubly amusing by Sam not initially realising where she is and then, when Nathan decides to do his usual gloating over his intellectual superiority, reveling in his misperception of her as "blonde". Then, of course, there's the usual Eureka disaster...

draconin

Maturity is a journey, and often one that's painful as well as rewarding. This is Faith's journey. To quote the author:

What happened to and with Faith after the events of Chosen? Any number of authors have picked up and run with the future adventures of Xander, Buffy, and Dawn following the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not nearly as many have explored at length Faith's post-Chosen history, and the evolution of the character following those events.

This is my effort at it: taking Faith from about six months after Chosen and the establishment of the New York slayer academy through the following months and years. It begins shortly following her catastrophic breakup with Robin through her first solo adventure, finally ending up with... but that would be telling, wouldn't it? ;)

This author has a real gift for writing and you will be drawn in right from the start. Don't begin reading unless you have some time to spare - I was up very late because I just couldn't stop. :-) The primary crossover that pops up repeatedly is with Blade but you don't need to be familiar with the movies to follow things (I wasn't). Likewise for other crossovers; they're well explained internally.

The stories posted are all complete, although the series overall is not and ends rather tantalizingly (even if satisfactorily). So far there are four stories:

1. Anything for Love...
   Following a disastrous breakup with Robin, Faith parts company with the New Watcher's Council to travel and figure out who she really is now. She doesn't make it far...
2. Dancing at the Dark
   A short followup to Anything for Love...
3. Small Troubles off the Interstate
   Just a brief encounter on the highway...
4. Life is a Road...
   Looking into her birth records takes Faith not to Boston, but to Philly, of all places. A chance encounter leads to more mystery and deadly dangers...

draconin

If you're familiar with mediancat's work then you're probably already anticipating wonderful writing. If you're a fan of the Veronica Mars series then look no further: this is for you! :-) As the result of a bet that we spend most of the story waiting to find out the nature of, Veronica is in the Buffyverse, knowing what's coming and unable to do anything about it... or can she?

draconin

This is kidfic but not the sugary-sweetness that usually involves. Instead we're treated to the first day of school for each of SG1 in a series of four vignettes. Not only do they brilliantly capture the earliest essence of their characters but the very schools they're going to were perfectly chosen so that you can see how they helped to form what they became. The sort of story where you find yourself thinking "Yes. That's just how it must have been." Outstanding work!

draconin

In this series of three stories Angelus was dusted before he could be re-ensouled or sacrificed to close the portal. Xander chose to sacrifice himself to close it but, instead of hell, found himself in the Honor Harrington universe. Being Xander, we all know that he's inevitably going to land on his feet and become a hero don't we? :-)

This is an enjoyable series, and a welcome addition to the small pool of crossovers with the Honor Harrington universe. Although I got used to it, my only criticism was that I found the author's constant shifting of timeline from present day to past and back a little difficult at time.

Warning: The third story in the series is a WiP and has not been updated since 2009 (as of Mar 2015) so if WiPs are not your cup of tea then this one is not for you. I doubt it will be completed.

draconin

Knock-knock-knock. “Buffy!” Knock-knock-knock. “Buffy!” Knock-knock-knock. “Buffy!”

This is the sound of Sheldon Cooper about to introduce himself to one of the new tenants who've moved in upstairs. Something he will live to regret. Because of Penny's new job. Which is... just a bit different to anything she's had before!

DianeCastle has a true gift for writing, so when I saw that she was starting a crossover between Buffy and The Big Bang Theory I rubbed my hands with glee. It's everything I'd hoped for, with great characterisation and dialog. I did feel it ended a little abruptly but that's probably just me. :-)

draconin

To quote the author: It seems a long time ago since I was watching an episode of Buffy called The Replacement. In it the Scoobies discover Spike wandering around the local garbage dump and ask him why he's there. He replies that he was having a nice cup of tea served by the lady vampire who ran a teashop. And I thought, of course, and her name is Agnes Pringle. An English spinster lady of indeterminate age, turned in Hollywood while she was on holiday - an event which she says Was Not Her Fault. So a very reluctant vampire, a good cook, Spike's friend and forever mine as well.

Thus begins an epic and wonderful journey into the world of Agnes, who will quickly and unforgettably capture your heart. There are not all that many fictional characters that become real enough to me that I develop a mental image of their face but Agnes does. She rapidly took on a life of her own and will forever exist for me somewhere 'out there', serving tea and struggling to do the right thing despite the Unfortunate Incident that made her a vampire. You will not regret reading this. The writing is simply superb and my only regret was that it ended.

ETD: There's now a Christmas ep called "First Christmas" which can be found here.
ETD2 (2013): And now another installment set in England to be found here in "A Nice Little Business". An encounter between Agnes, Buffy & Faith.
ETD3 (2014): Another Christmas story for the end of 2014 called "…and mercy mild…"
ETD4 (2015): A Nice Little Business,Chapter 2. See ETD2 for chapter 1. Agnes fled from Sunnydale to England before the battle with the First, taking with her the vampire children she was caring for. But now Spike has died a second time, she has had a close encounter with Buffy and Giles and her unlife is about to alter once again.

draconin

Sequel to Stingers.
The AU of Buffy making her own life as a WWII fighter ace continues. Check it out.

Note: minor femslash.

draconin

When Buffy dives off the tower to close Glory's portal at the end of season 5 she ends up somewhere else entirely; a field in North America just prior to the start of WWII. This is an AU that has almost no interaction with any of the other BtVS 'verse characters and no supernatural aspect. It is basically a story of Buffy making her own life as a WWII fighter ace. Incredibly well written, meticulous period setting and wonderful characterisation. A very plausible look at who things might have gone if the US had entered the war with a really strong female pilot and a few coincidences going the right way. Most definitely worth a read.

Note: minor femslash.
Sequel is 101st.

draconin

Cameron is sent back for a preliminary mission prior to tracking down John Connor. Landing in our favourite town, she arrives between the events of What's My Line and Ted and things start changing fairly rapidly when Xander is assigned to show her around her new school.

The story is very well written, with solid characterisation and a fascinating glimpse of how Cameron might have been affected by having people around her who weren't put off by her nature and insisted on being friends.

Unfortunately this is a WiP and has not been updated since late 2010. What's been written is well worth reading but it does leave you looking for more.

draconin

When Xander stumbles through a portal he finds himself in a strange land of talking animals and wondrous castles.

Well written and imaginative, this is enjoyable but also quite sad. It contains character deaths and massive spoilers for anyone who has not read the entire Narnia series. There is a sequel in which Dawn is the central character but it's a WiP and does not seem to be updated at all regularly.

draconin

When Giles decides that it's about time that the New Council starts to anticipate apocalypses instead of simply reacting to them, Xander is sent to NCIS to learn investigative procedures from the best team around. But with Xander a probie at NCIS, DC won't know what hit it.

Quality writing, excellent characterisation and some really great humour make this a fic you won't regret visiting, particularly if you enjoy edgy/dangerous/sexy Xander.

draconin

I was recently reminded by sparrow2000 of a wonderful series that I'd read some time ago and somehow failed to post here. It's the Tenebrae Series by Linman, consisting of a massive 14 stories, and it comes highly recommended by both of us.

To quote sparrow2000: What’s the story about? - It starts when a young academic finds herself in another dimension, in Sunnydale, during season 5. She and the Scooby gang have to race against time to return her home before things go completely pear shaped.

Why do I love it? – Because this author uses words beautifully and knows how to plot both the short and long games of a story this size. Because her canon characters are written with understanding and depth and because her OC’s are vivid and glow with life. In fact in this story, I don’t even think of them as OC’s because this universe wouldn’t exist without them. Mainly I love it because the author has written a Giles who is as strong as he is fragile – a man who is staggering under his burdens, but is also willing to leave himself vulnerable to the possibility that he could have a life as well as a calling.

To this eloquent review I'll just add: The quality of the writing is amazingly good and the author has a real gift for descriptive and emotive language. I was also fascinated by how the author managed to tread such a fine line between having her(?) OC steer clear of influencing the characters and yet still richly interact with them, obviously particularly with Giles. If I were in that situation I would find it *very* hard not to influence the outcome of some of the key events.