Harry Potter/Continuation/Fanfic Recs

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Harry Potter Continuation fanfic, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

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Fics that continue the story from where the books left off

Ambient by Caliburn
 * Recommended by Rolla
 * Synopsis: The final battle took place at Hogwarts, between Dumbledore and Voldemort. The events that happened there are quite unknown to all but the sole witness, Harry Potter. The aftermath was felt throughout Britain, most strongly at the areas surrounding Hogwarts. An oppressive leeching force drained the ambient magic innately required by all wards, structural magics and indeed the humans themselves. This force was known as the "Ambient Loss" and its origin and reason are unknown. Britain is now a no-mans-land; murders are frequent, as are muggings. But the things which they steal are not merely your possessions, but your very vitae itself. In a land where power is all you have, and blood itself is indicative of that power, can you survive with your body and morals intact?
 * Comments: Excellent story, very few obvious mistakes, great plot. The plot itself is more of a twofold plot with a personal one focusing on Harry and the people he interacts with and affects. Along with a larger plot focusing why the Ambient Loss occurred, and why Harry is seemingly immune to it. Great characterization all around; Harry is slightly cracked, as is everyone around him, leading to interesting characters who are not merely defined by those cracks and seem to evolve. The villains are delightfully twisted and the post-apoc setting is done disturbingly well. As to the rest, read it yourself.

Hogwarts Houses Divided
 * Recommended by Fireangel265, User:Roo, User:Shadow AI, Kittastrophe, Hazl, MtheR, Moo92, Keshia, jgf
 * Synopsis:The war is over, and all is well, they say, but the wounds remain unhealed. Bitterness divides the Houses of Hogwarts. Can the first children born since the war's end begin a new era, or will the enmities of their parents be their permanent legacy?
 * Comments: Tells the story of Teddy Lupin's first year at Hogwarts. Not only does this story feel like a Harry Potter book, but it stuck so close to the Word of God that I had to remind myself after reading that this is not actually canon. WARNING: Even though Harry and the rest of the gang make an appearence, this is mainly about Teddy and the kids he's going to Hogwarts with. Expect a lot of OC.
 * User:Roo: Words cannot express how much this is seconded. The writing is absolutely amazing, capturing the tone and feel of Rowling's world and characters but still with its own twist on it. The dialogue is brilliant, all the canon characters are in character, and the original characters are entertaining and likeable. Best of all, no character bashing, no overpowered Super!characters, no Author Filibusters, and a decent plot that develops in a logical way. Look for the Sorting Hat in one of its best fanfic roles to date!
 * MtheR: Wow. So very seconded. I wasn't really expecting much from this fic--and in fact, I didn't love the first couple of chapters--since, as a rule, I tend not to love continuation fics. But it was good enough to keep me reading, and I'm incredibly glad I did. Some of the best OCs I've seen, including perhaps my favorite ever: Ophilia Karait.
 * Moo92: Wow, I adore this fic. I wish it were canon.
 * Munchx3: Seconded to infinity. The author clearly did their research, sticking as close to Word of God as humanely possible. The story also feels and reads like an actual Harry Potter novel, which certainly helps, and the characters, both OCs and previously existing ones, are handled flawlessly. All in all, an excellent fic, highly recommended.
 * Now has its own page. Could do with some love... and maybe a better summary.

Glass Half Full by Pir8fancier
 * Recommended by User:Lagomorph
 * Synopsis: Twenty years after the battle at Hogwarts, it's not happily ever after.
 * Warnings: Substance abuse, filthy language, lots of smoking references
 * Comments: Ron/Pansy, in a way that doesn't make my head explode.

There's Always A Way by Starkan (a.k.a. Viridian)
 * Recommended by User:Rogue 7, Psalm of Fire, User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: A one-shot response to the "Marriage Law" plot hook. When research regarding declining birthrates and rising squib numbers comes to light (too much pureblood inbreeding, naturally), the Ministry has a complete meltdown and passes a law that requires all unwed purebloods to marry halfbloods and muggleborns in an effort to remedy the situation. Of course the Ministry being the wretched hive of corruption and injustice that it is, the process quickly turns draconian and oppressive, but when Ginny and Hermione are matched up with Lucius and Draco, an injured Harry puts his foot down and calls in some outside assistance...
 * Comments: Imagine the protagonist of Burn Notice set in the Harry Potter 'verse. Wonderfully snarky and intelligent.
 * Psalm of Fire: I'm not a big fan of anything short of epic length, but I love S'Tarkan/Viridian's writing so much I had to read everything he's written. I wasn't disappointed, this oneshot is a whole bunch of fun!
 * User:Seraviel: This is the ultimate shortfic. Viridian proves with this that he can write more than epics.
 * rinsimyaldee: This Troper has to disagree, this fic did not impress. I am not really a fan of Viridian's writing style, so this fic was really just more of the same. There was simply not enough detail here, I know it is a oneshot, but it seemed to gloss over the only aspects of the story I really wanted to see, and left out any development for a potentially awesome character. Perhaps a two-shot or three-shot might have redeemed this fic, but as is, it didn't meet standard.
 * User:Comartemis: Rec thirded. Not exactly an epic saga, but a good read if you just want to burn five or ten minutes.

Wizards Fall by Bobmin
 * Recommended by User:Looney Toons, User:Dor
 * Synopsis: In the aftermath of the defeat of Voldemort, the Wizarding World goes down a path almost as dark as Tom Riddle's. And in response, Harry, Hermione and Luna find themselves forced to take the most drastic possible measures in order to save the best of the world in which they grew up.
 * Comments: Like many Bobmin works, this is a Harry/Hermione ship and features Super!Harry. However, even if those two traits usually turn you off from a fic, don't pass this one by. Well-written and unlike anything else out there in my experience, Wizards Fall will have you simultaneously hating and pitying the villains of the piece even as the heroes' success is vaguely bittersweet. Features one of the most extraordinary versions of Luna Lovegood I've ever seen in fanfic.


 * Although this is a stand-alone story, it has spawned several sequels:


 * Rescuing the Rescuer
 * Puff and the Magic School Bus
 * Down the Rabbit Hole
 * The Truth Is Out There

After the End by Arabella and Zsenya
 * Recommended by User:Captain Timesink, Marjojo, User:Dm M
 * Synopsis: What happens after Hogwarts and Voldemort's defeat. Extrapolates an ending to the series, which had many elements that actually ended up happening in canon, and shows the characters assimilating to "normal" life without Voldemort.
 * Comments: Quite possibly the best fanfic This Troper has ever read. Warning: mild Sirius/Remus slash.
 * This Troper is shocked to see only three reccs for this incredible fic. First of all, it was written entirely before the release of Order of the Phoenix. The amount that it gets right in terms of characterization and plot prediction is impressive, to say the least. It's easily the best fanfic I've ever read, and I'm not just saying that because it is what got me into fandom as a sixteen year old. It's epic in scope with close to NINE HUNDRED PAGES in length, more than 40 chapters! And it covers so many relationships, developing the characters in a way that's convincing and compelling. Pairings include: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione (these first two were The Sugarquill's M.O.), Remus/Sirius, Bill/Fleur, Charlie/Cho, Percy/Penelope. You'll find yourself rooting for all these ships by the end of this epic. There are plenty of original characters introduced who you'll care about, too. Honestly, I think Arabella & Zsenya's idea of the Harry/Voldemort final battle was more dramatic and interesting than what happened in canon. Although it definitely didn't result in immediate peace... because the entirety of ATE is about dealing with the aftermath of the war.
 * Agreed, this is a brilliant piece. It's amazing how many details they predicted correctly.

The Children by samvimes
 * Recommended by FatRat
 * Synopsis: After the war, we gather to remember. And none of us escape unscathed, least of all Draco Malfoy...
 * Comments: Am angsty one shot written way before OotP but is still moving to this day.

Lessons Learned by loveadubdub (Next Gen)
 * Recommended by Renagirl9
 * Synopsis: My shrink says I repress feelings and emotions. She told me once that I have trouble "admitting reality" to myself. Now, I don't know if that's true. After all, I don't have the fancy Psychological Healing degree, do I?
 * Comments: Not just about Rose and Scorpius. It's about basically every next gen character there is plus a few OC's. What I liked about it was that it was real. This is how you would expect the next gen kids to end up since they are bound to be spoiled and chased by media all their lives. I like how they are all such egotistical brats at the beginning and even though a few of them still are at the end (cough, James, cough) most of the kids (including Rose) have learned their lessons. It's my favorate Next Gen fic.
 * As a warning: this is very rarely a happy fic. It is good, it is emotional, it is amazingly real and heartbreaking and wonderful; it is not happy.

The Apprentice and the Necromancer by JunoMagic
 * Recommended by Fenro
 * Pairing(s): SS/HG
 * Synopsis: Snape lives and marries Hermione.—MLC with a twist turns into AU-sequel of DH with new dangers, old secrets, and much more.—Virtual penny dreadful. Many short episodes with adventure, romance, a dash of hurt/comfort, and a sprinkling of horror.
 * Comments: At 251 chapters, this story is an epic. It expands on The tale of the Three Brothers very creatively. It also explores the art of Necromancy. Overall, very well done. This story is complete.

Death and King's Cross by sciathan file
 * Recommended by Wookiee, Shinji117, The Shiny Sword, User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: Who knew death had etiquette enough to be personalized? Post-DH Afterlife story.
 * Comments: Absolutely amazing, beautifully written one-shot comprised of snippets of varying lengths featuring the dead characters, mostly those who died during Deathly Hallows. Each afterlife is brilliantly tailored to the character (there's the epic meeting of, mirrors, and James and Sirius), and leaves enough ambiguity and unanalyzed meaning to make the reader think for a long time and re-read over and over. It's also completely canon. Sirius and Dobby's interludes were especially poignant to this troper.
 * Seconded. The ones that stood out for me were Peter's and Dumbledore's. I have only once (RE-TAKE) before actually had to cover my mouth to stop sobbing at a fanfic, and I certainly didn't expect to at the line "Sherbet Lemon?". Context (but MASSIVE spoiler): . Oh Gods.
 * That wasn't the tipping point for me- I started sobbing at the line  It's beautiful, it really is. Wholeheartedly third.
 * Forthed I haven't teared up over a fic like that in a long time. It's truly a wonderful piece that needs to be read.
 * Fifthed, completely. I started crying at Sirius's part, and then Fred's... But it wasn't just sadness, I was actually crying tears of happiness and laughing as I cried. So, so beautiful.

Remembering With Joy by puck_nc.
 * Recommended by Eoppen.
 * Synopsis: An AU fic, H/Hr, where Harry and Hermione are remembering Ron on Mexico's Dia de los Muertos.
 * Comments: I loved this fic for its seamless combination of the world of Harry Potter and Mexican culture; Harry and Hermione are on holiday in Mexico after Voldemort's downfall, and know nothing about the Day of the Dead until they run smack into it. The part where they create a Dia de los Muertos altar in their hotel room, in memory of their fallen friend, is poignant and beautifully written.

The ASP at Hogwarts by Inkwolf
 * Recommended by Sevenofdiamonds
 * Synopsis: The adventures of Albus Severus Potter in his first year at Hogwarts after he is sorted into Slytherin.
 * Comments: This fic is very much in the spirit of the earlier HP books. It's humorous, fun, and at times heartwarming and poignant. There's lots of small school adventures as well as an ongoing plot, and some great world building of the post-Voldemort culture. It also does a good job of portraying the Slytherin house and non-evil Slytherins.

Stars Fall by Lady Altair
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Pairing: Remus/Lavender
 * Synopsis: A post DH AU in three parts. We all craft our own happy endings. Even in the best of all possible worlds, romances decay and constellations fall from the sky, but Remus Lupin will pin them back up in a world that has already forgotten what he sacrificed.
 * Comments: Though the pairing seems unlikely, this is a very powerful and angsty post-war romance.

A Little More Time by Jess Pallas
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Synopsis: Was it possible to save two lives without altering history? Was it possible to give them a future twenty years after they had supposedly died? Teddy Lupin thought so.
 * Comments: Teddy Lupin goes back in time to rescue his parents during the Battle of Hogwarts. Jess Pallas has written several good stories and this is one of the very few well-conceived time travel fics in the fandom.

Amends, or Truth and Reconciliation by Vera Rozalsky
 * Recommended by phoku
 * Alternate POV: Andromeda In Which the Princess Rescues the Dragon, Draco Storm Surge
 * Pairings: Hermione/Neville, Draco/Neville, Hermione/Draco, Weird Polyjuice Experiments. (... let's just say everyones standards are slipping)
 * Synopsis: ...and all was well. And then it got worse .... The Goblins collect the debt for a certain bank robbery and Harry pays his and Ron's part. Hermione is left as a wage slave to the goblins. The British Wizarding World is cut of from the rest, her parents held in diplomatic custody and the war trials are coming ...
 * Comments: The fic starts of with one of Hermione's todo lists. One entry reads: "Fix the Ministry." The fic explores the political struggles in a post-war world, rive with rouge dementors, unrepentant purebloods and a shadow werwolf society. This is a Darker and Edgier exploration of the Crapsack World Rowling only hinted at, rive with Alternate Character Interpretations. If you can stomach the sheer detail, length and the slight hints of Mary Suedom this is a highly recommended.

65 Years Later by BOC42
 * Recommended by Fambera
 * Synopsis: Spoilers for D.H.! 65 years after the Battle for Hogwarts, George is dying. Oneshot
 * Comments: A wonderful take on George's death, as he reunites with his other half.

The Remains by Rameelia
 * Recommended by Mazz
 * Synopsis: Some said that vestiges of Voldemort's soul had remained, festered and tainted the boy. For what other reason had there been for Harry Potter to kill his own family? Now, the saviour-turned-murderer is given a chance to be acquitted as one man is ordered to find out the truth. No slash. Takes place about a year after Voldemort's downfall.
 * No longer available. It seems the author has left fan fiction, considering his/her fanfiction.net page is wiped clean.
 * Tags: Dark Fic, One-Shot
 * Warnings: Alcohol use, references to sexual and physical abuse of a minor (nothing graphic), multiple character deaths.

Questions and Answers by Little0Bird
 * Recommended by Kateydidnt, User:Looney Toons
 * Synopsis: Picks up right off from the Epilogue of Deathly Hallows and follows the younger generation for a few years. A fairly realistic look at how life continues. Excellent characterization (Albus is, as Molly puts it in one chapter, "exactly like Harry would have been if the Dursley's hadn't treated him like they did"). Author has a few minor deviations from canon (mostly departures from Word of God). Questions and Answers is a part of her larger post-DH universe which includes the following stories:
 * The First Day tells the story of the first year following the defeat of Voldemort.
 * More Than Words picks up right after The First Day
 * Tree Houses and Daisies Ron and Hermione same period as First Day/More than Words
 * and More...
 * Warnings: There isn't anything terribly graphic, but some characters are pretty openly sexually active.

Cauterize by Lady Altair
 * Recommended by Maribelle, User:Devils Advocate, felixedine, User:Looney Toons, patriciarakel
 * Synopsis: Oneshot. "Of course it's missing something vital. That's the point." Dennis Creevey takes up his brother's camera after the war.
 * Comments: Probably the best oneshot I have ever read.
 * Seconded, oh so much. I actually read this story not long after it came out, and it made me bawl. Three years later... It still has the same exact effect, and it seems /so canon/. There's one discrepancy, but unless you're a Word of God follower, then it really doesn't matter. It's a quick read, but it will make you want to read it over and over again. Absolutely beautiful.
 * Thirded, Hard. It is an experience, bittersweet and poignant. Still, it is triumphant in its ending and is very well written.
 * Seriously amazing. The pictures were so well-described and the little stories behind everythig was just perfect. Probably one of my favourite fics of all time.
 * Warnings: You will cry. Seriously. It's that good.

Life Ever After by Ophelia Raven
 * Recommended by Sethonan
 * Synopsis: A certain character is found to not have died during the battle of Hogwarts 30 years after the fact and Harry must investigate.
 * Comments: Currently a work in progress but the author works fast and posts often, if I have any complain is that it IS a slash fic after all.

Our Little Secret by Kerichi
 * Recommended by LuthienT
 * Synopsis:It was like a wizard tale. The clever Slytherin helps a hag who later repays the debt. Except that Rose Weasley wasn't a hag, and Scorpius didn't expect to call in the favour.
 * Winner of the 2010 Next Generation QSQ award*
 * Comments: Involves a seventh-year Rose Weasley and Scorpius. Very, very well written, with excellent characterization and character-voices. Cannot recommend highly enough. Excellent portrayals of Original HP characters such as Draco, Ron, Harry, Hermione, etc.

The Golden Age by Arsinoe de Blassenville
 * Recommended by Fuzzy Boots
 * Synopsis: After the War, Harry and Hermione try to carve out a life for themselves, but find difficulty living in a world at peace.
 * Comments: Theoretically set between the end of book 7 and the epilogue, although the author admits that he had to make a lot of changes to accommodate Rowling's shifting decisions on what happened in between. This story is an excellent example of flawed heroes. Both Harry and Hermione can't let go of the War and proceed to make many questionable decisions in the name of The Greater Good.

Snape's Worst Nightmare by Draco664
 * Recommended by Milarqui
 * Synopsis: What is Professor Snape's worst nightmare? Why, teaching the next generation of Potters and Weasleys!
 * Comments: This story is supposed to diverge from HP canon at some point after Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, since Sirius is dead but . However, it does not deal with the war, but with the next generation of Potters and Weasleys. Somehow, the seven Weasley siblings have children that are born during the period of time that allows them to attend Hogwarts the same year, with 3 Potters and 9 Weasleys joining Gryffindor's ranks and doing their best to annoy the hell out of Snape and the Slytherins. Very, very funny!