Harry Potter Fanfic recommendation thread

[ray245]

Given that most of the time, Harry and Co. choosing to do things themselves and not listening to authority doesn't help them at all.

Officially, the war only began in the fifth book, and the DA often make certain decisions by themselves to begin with. The only time Dumbledore really give approval to do something dangerous is rescuing Sirius in the 3rrd book.

Although given that the wizards mentality of rights could be different from the real world, the entire wizarding community might not view it as wrong.

[ray245]

Repeated post. Something wrong with my browser, and I couldn't see my previous post. Sorry.

[The Romulan Republic]

Given that most of the time, Harry and Co. choosing to do things themselves and not listening to authority doesn't help them at all.

True, though often encouraged or at least tolerated by Dumbledore.

Officially, the war only began in the fifth book, and the DA often make certain decisions by themselves to begin with. The only time Dumbledore really give approval to do something dangerous is rescuing Sirius in the 3rrd book.

He took Harry along to look for a Horcrux, and of course arranged the events of book seven.

Although given that the wizards mentality of rights could be different from the real world, the entire wizarding community might not view it as wrong.

Actually more than one other wizard expressed problems with the situations Harry was go into at his age. Molly Weasly and Dumbledor's own brother, at least.

[ray245]

True, though often encouraged or at least tolerated by Dumbledore.

Well, technically, the only form of encouragement is not punishing Harry after Harry and co. has make those stupid mistakes and decisions. His mentality of why should we punish those kids when the damage has been done is faulty, that's for sure.

He took Harry along to look for a Horcrux, and of course arranged the events of book seven.

True, taking Harry to look for a Horcrux is unnecessary. Although I have to wonder, given that Voldermort doesn't give a damn about Harry and his friends only being a child, and Harry will be involved in a war no matter his age. The wizarding war is not like other wars, where the killing of kids is not a primary goal. Harry is the primary goal for Voldermort.

Given that Dumbledore is never written as a person who likes to use kids, nor viewing kids as cheap canon folder that is trained to kill.

Actually more than one other wizard expressed problems with the situations Harry was go into at his age. Molly Weasly and Dumbledor's own brother, at least.

However, given that how conservative the wizarding world seems at times, those who expressed such thoughts may be in the minority.

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, technically, the only form of encouragement is not punishing Harry after Harry and co. has make those stupid mistakes and decisions. His mentality of why should we punish those kids when the damage has been done is faulty, that's for sure.

Dumbledor was clearly trying to mold Harry into someone who could carry out his mission. For the "greater good", and all that.

Actually, wasn't that his slogan back when he was a racist little kid and boyfriends with Grindlewald? It makes you wonder how much he ever really changed. Part of why I feel let down by the last book is that it built up some interesting questions around moral dilemas the characters faced, but then I felt like it sold out at the end. Sure, people questioned Dumbledor, but at the end it seemed like neither Rowling nor Harry had a problem with some of his more questionable choices. Or Harry becoming more and more ruthless, more and more like the people he's fighting, but then (at least as I recall), its implied to be just Voldemort's pressence corrupting his sole. It just felt like their were ethical questions and character build up that were then Deus ex Machinad away in the end. But maybe I'm wrong.

True, taking Harry to look for a Horcrux is unnecessary. Although I have to wonder, given that Voldermort doesn't give a damn about Harry and his friends only being a child, and Harry will be involved in a war no matter his age. The wizarding war is not like other wars, where the killing of kids is not a primary goal. Harry is the primary goal for Voldermort.

True. I mean, I'm sure you could make a case that Dumbledor's actions were nessissary, and that he ultimately was helping prepare Harry. Doesn't stop him being a cold, manipulative son of a bitch though.

He actually reminds me of Palpatine's "Jedi Trap" in the RotS novelization. In that every time he sends Harry into danger, whatever happens, he wins. Harry wins, and that's another battle won (also elevating Harry as a symbol of hope while painting an ever-bigger bulls-eye on him). Harry dies, and its one more Horcrux gone (for more on this type of strategy and what inspired this comparison, look up the section entitled "Xanatos Gambits" on the TV Tropes site) Obviously Dumbledore preferred for Harry to live, and after book four at least he seemed to guess that Voldemort using Harry's blood would allow him to survive, but he seemed more than willing to let Harry die if nessissary.

Given that Dumbledore is never written as a person who likes to use kids, nor viewing kids as cheap canon folder that is trained to kill.

Its been a while since I've read the book, but his guilt in the afterlife sequence near the end seemed primarily to be about not trusting/lying to Harry, not using him as a human weapon. And Harry speculated as early as book one that Dumbledore was letting him face Voldemort. Also, he never shut down the DA, or did anything to discourage them.

However, given that how conservative the wizarding world seems at times, those who expressed such thoughts may be in the minority.

I know the Hogwarts caretaker liked to talk about the good old days when he could hang students from the roof, and Umbridge seemed to think she could get away with whipping students. So maybe. Also, I've just recalled that one is legally an adult at 17 in the Wizarding World. So in book 7 at least, Dumbledore's actions were likely perfectly legal.

You know, its been a while since I read the book, and maybe I just missinterperated what what Rowling was trying to say. It just left a bad taste in my mouth.

[ray245]

Well, technically, the only form of encouragement is not punishing Harry after Harry and co. has make those stupid mistakes and decisions. His mentality of why should we punish those kids when the damage has been done is faulty, that's for sure.

Dumbledore was clearly trying to mold Harry into someone who could carry out his mission. For the "greater good", and all that.

Actually, wasn't that his slogan back when he was a racist little kid and boyfriends with Grindlewald? It makes you wonder how much he ever really changed. Part of why I feel let down by the last book is that it built up some interesting questions around moral dilemmas the characters faced, but then I felt like it sold out at the end. Sure, people questioned Dumbledore, but at the end it seemed like neither Rowling nor Harry had a problem with some of his more questionable choices. Or Harry becoming more and more ruthless, more and more like the people he's fighting, but then (at least as I recall), its implied to be just Voldemort's presences corrupting his soul. It just felt like their were ethical questions and character build up that were then Deus ex Machinad away in the end. But maybe I'm wrong.

What can be achieved if Dumbledore didn't bother to prepare Harry to face Voldermort? I mean Voldermort didn't give a damn if he was going to kill of an one year old baby, what makes you think Voldermort or any of his inner circle is going to wait until Harry is a legal adult? On one hand, Dumbledore's belief that children should get to enjoy their childhood is a good mindset, but his execution of his belief is faulty. How do you balance a child's childhood when a mass murderer very focused on killing him?

The threat to Harry is constant, ever since he was marked by Voldermort. I mean Dumbledore never really bothered to involve anyone outside of Harry's circle of friends, which really makes me question, would Dumbledore bothers to prepare Harry and Co. in any meaningful way?

Fred and George was not allowed to be part of the order even when they want to, until they are 17, and if I recall things properly, Lily and the Marauders was not recruited by Dumbledore until they are of age.

In regards to the concept of greater good, what is wrong with that view? Just because someone called it a greater good does not necessarily mean the end result is really a greater good. If Voldermort can be taken down, and get the chance to revive himself again and again, the discrimination against muggleborn would not be in the interest of anyone. Preventing racism or stopping racist from spreading and acting on their belief is a greater good while racism isn't.

Moreover, racism is not considered to be a greater good, unless there is any real benefits to society. The only thing racism does is basically creates more disruption within the society, making the community have a harder time working with each other.

True. I mean, I'm sure you could make a case that Dumbledor's actions were nessissary, and that he ultimately was helping prepare Harry. Doesn't stop him being a cold, manipulative son of a bitch though.

Almost all political actions seems cold to begin with. Political actions is also make to benefit the entire society as a whole as opposed to one specific person or group. Sacrificing the pawn to save more chess pieces.

Certain 'feel good' policies like seeking peace even when it is stupid to do so and tax cuts for instance makes you seems like a warm and caring person, even though the end result is a greater harm.

I feel that Dumbledore is a person who adapts to the situation more often that he seek to manipulate the situation. Although, a person that is unable to manipulate or control and change the situation tend to lose in a war.

If Dumbledore is really that good at manipulation, he could have manipulated Tom Riddle onto the good path so to speak. Although it is funny to see so many time-travel fic complaining about Dumbledore manipulating things when Harry or the time traveller is doing the same thing as well.

He actually reminds me of Palpatine's "Jedi Trap" in the RotS novelization. In that every time he sends Harry into danger, whatever happens, he wins. Harry wins, and that's another battle won (also elevating Harry as a symbol of hope while painting an ever-bigger bulls-eye on him). Harry dies, and its one more Horcrux gone (for more on this type of strategy and what inspired this comparison, look up the section entitled "Xanatos Gambits" on the TV Tropes site) Obviously Dumbledore preferred for Harry to live, and after book four at least he seemed to guess that Voldemort using Harry's blood would allow him to survive, but he seemed more than willing to let Harry die if nessissary.

Didn't all of Dumbledore and Harry's action causes them to lose popular support? If I remember things correctly, it is the Ministry as opposed to Dumbledore who wish to paint Harry as a poster boy.

Its been a while since I've read the book, but his guilt in the afterlife sequence near the end seemed primarily to be about not trusting/lying to Harry, not using him as a human weapon. And Harry speculated as early as book one that Dumbledore was letting him face Voldemort. Also, he never shut down the DA, or did anything to discourage them.

I think the reason why he felt this way is basically he is a micro-manager as opposed to a macro-manager in a war so to speak. Like how RTS fans love to micromanage because they don't trust the unit AI to handle complex actions and response to an enemy attack and how certain generals in real life wants to micro-manage his army in a war. When you realize the units or friends you are commanding are able to handle themselves on their own without you controlling every single move, you may feel regretful of you lack of trust towards your friends.

Harry's speculation can't be used as a justification or example that Dumbledore really thinks like that. Also, in regards to the DA, the primary purpose of the DA is not a child army per say, but as a self-defense and study group. The is no real reason to shut down a self-defense group when war is around the corner, and when the death eaters would hardly give a damn about killing kids if they deem it necessary.

Moreover, it seems that by the six book, the DA is considered inactive except for Harry's inner circle of friends. The ones that seek adventures after adventures is really Harry's inner group of friends as opposed to one entire group. So, shutting down the DA is unnecessary when the DA function is not to be an army and seek Death eaters on purpose. The only people who did that tends to do those things even before the DA is founded.

[Glimmervoid]

Any alternate ending fics? I was a big harry potter fan until the last book, which used contrived magical technobabble with the wands to end the war, introduced a new plot element at the last moment (the Hallows), and basically blew all the character development of Harry and some of the more dickish choices he was making. Oh, and I still want to see Dumbledore in front of the World Court, the sorry old bastard.

So my question is, has anyone read an alternate ending that was less contrived, less technobabble, and less generally destructive to proceeding character and setting development?

Why would you want to see Dumbledore in the world court?

Kind of off-topic, but use of child soldiers. Would those not be grounds for war crimes charges?

I'm sorry but what. Using child soldiers is one of the things Dumbledore did not do. In fact he comes under a lot of flack, in the fandom, for not training Harry to face his destiny. If you want to redefine every thing in the first six books as one giant Xanatos Roulette you could make the claim but doing so is entirely unsupported by canon.

Harry and co only started fighting Voldermort after they turned seventeen which is the age of majority in the wizarding world and he never took Harry in to combat during the sixth year training (when Harry was 16). This is in accord with British (muggle) law which allows people to join the military at sixteen as long as they are not placed in active combat.

[The Romulan Republic]

I'm sorry but what. Using child soldiers is one of the things Dumbledore did not do. In fact he comes under a lot of flack, in the fandom, for not training Harry to face his destiny.

Seems to me he did things a little bit half-assed. He wanted Harry to destroy the Horcruxes, but didn't bother to give him additional combat training. I suppose this fits Dumbledore's characters somewhat, in that he's trying to balance Harry's interests (and a lot of other things) with the world's, and doesn't really trust Harry enough to let him in on every secret, but it still comes off as rather half-assed. I mean, even if he wasn't going to send him off to battle, he should have been giving him extra combat training all through his time at Hogwarts, or at least once Voldemort returned. The kid has a giant target on his back wherever he goes. And he's going to need to stay alive long enough to destroy the Horcruxes (I know he had Ron and Hermione to carry on if he failed, but that's not a great fail safe).

If you want to redefine every thing in the first six books as one giant Xanatos Roulette you could make the claim but doing so is entirely unsupported by canon.

I could probably make the case, but I don't have the books on me and I really don't care enough to invest the time right now. So I'll drop it. I have plenty of other reasons to dislike the last book anyways.

Harry and co only started fighting Voldermort after they turned seventeen which is the age of majority in the wizarding world and he never took Harry in to combat during the sixth year training (when Harry was 16). This is in accord with British (muggle) law which allows people to join the military at sixteen as long as they are not placed in active combat.

I'm not sure weather Britain's law is in line with international law in this respect. Can anyone answer that?

On the other hand, I forgot that 17 was adult in the Wizarding World, and so Harry's involvement as of book 7 appears to have been completely legal, at least within his society. I've already acknowledged that I think.

[JME2]

h++p://www.fanfiction.net/s/2636963/37/Harry_P ... tures_Past

The only one I've ever read. 'A Harry goes back in time' fic. Frelling awesome.

Yeah, that one's a favorite of mine; I wish there would be an update soon.

[ray245]

Title: . Alexandra Quick and the Thorn Circle
Author: Inverarity
Rating: K+
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
DLP Category: General???
Pairing: None
Status: Completed
Summary: The war against Voldemort never reached America, but American wizarding society has its own problems. For eleven year-old Alexandra Quick, learning she's a witch will only be the first of many surprises. Canon-compliant, but all OCs and original setting.

It's an interesting story with a interesting OC with personal flaws. What I like about the story is the fact that the America wizarding society is not a carbon copy of the British wizarding world, nor is it simply a superior version of the wizarding world. It has its own set of cultural problems and doesn't have a need for the OC to meet up with Harry Potter simply becase they are set in the same world.

Despite all the cultural difference, it still feels like it is set in the HP world.

Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3964606/1/A ... orn_Circle

Well, I have recommended the story on another forum and get some rather funny reviews coming from them.
http://forums.darklordpotter.net/showthread.php?t=13590