Top Fanfic Scenes ...
Oct. 27th, 2005 10:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snorkackcatcherHere's something I'd thought for a while about posting as a thread on FAP, but was prompted to post here by reading the Niffler application form (I'm considering sending it in).
Rather than recs of fics as such, the idea here is to highlight scenes from fanfics that really stick in the mind -- for drama, humour, hawtness, poignancy, great writing, or any combination of the above, whether or not the rest of the fic reaches the same standard. And yes, I'd be interested in seeing other people's lists (memeage hint for those so inclined). :)
My personal ground rules for this:
(1) not more than one scene from any one fic, or indeed any one author
(2) write enough about it to make it clear why it's good, quote a chunk of it where appropriate, but not to the point of giving spoilers
(3) if spoilage is unavoidable in order to comment, put it in highlight-at-your-own-peril-if-you-haven't-read-it spoiler tags
(Note: on LJ, this works:
<span style="color:white;background:white;">concealed text here</span>
e.g. [ concealed text here ])
A few disclaimers: yes, I know there are many "classic fanfics" mentioned here. My feeble excuse is that possibly it's because they had great scenes that they became classics in the first place? I have tried to pick some lesser-known ones though. Also this list is by no means exhaustive, it's just what came to mind at the time, so to anybody not mentioned below -- erm, sorry, nothing personal, may expand later? ::shuffles feet:: And the fics are listed in alphabetical order, because trying to produce a ranking order is a tad unfair ...
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After the End by Arabella and Zsenya
Scene: Ron jokes to Hermione's father about the fortunes of the Chudley Cannons in the ward at St Mungo's in an attempt to bring him out of a coma (ch40)
Why: A very moving, lump-in-throat moment, from a chapter that contains many such moments, from a "classic" fic that contains many more such moments. This one showcases a mature Ron perfectly, getting both the decency and the awkwardness spot on.
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Deny Thy Father by LupinsLittleSister
Scene: Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs demonstrate their Animagus abilities to Moony for the first time (ch5)
Why: Another very touching scene -- I hadn't really thought about how James, Sirius, and Peter would tell Remus what they were doing; and here they don't tell him until they've managed it, and demonstrate to an unsuspecting Remus on his birthday. A great portrayal of the exuberance of the three boys at what they've achieved, the surprise and vulnerability Remus shows, and the real, deep value of what they've done for him out of friendship.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Draco Dormiens by Cassandra Claire
Scene: Harry encounters the Mirror of Erised again, and both he and Hermione look in it (ch11)
Why: Probably one of the most famous scenes in fanfic, and for good reason -- an absolutely excellent and very deft use of the Mirror to settle a plot question. Well-written, too. (Hey, I admit it: I actually like the Trilogy, despite the ripped-off quotes, Leatherpants!Draco, and what-have-you. So shoot me.) The meaning of what was going on dawned on me at about the same time as it did on Hermione!
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ Hermione thinks it's just an ordinary mirror when she sees the two of them together when she looks in it, and says so, and a stunned Harry realises she wants him as much as he wants her. Neat! ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Escape by FoolOnTheHill
Scene: Harry consults with Dumbledore about the way to defeat Voldemort, and receives a thoroughly unexpected answer (post #48)
Why: This was one of those plot twist scenes that make the whole story (a Year 6 fic about Harry seeking escape from his woes with a dodgy potion, in general quite good rather than stunning) suddenly turn on its head, and one which at the time I absolutely had not seen coming!
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ I'm referring to the scene where Escape!Dumbledore tells Harry about the spell that he used to defeat Escape!Voldemort, and that Harry will be able to use when he gets back and sees the real-world version of the book. It changed the entire meaning of the story in a way that actually worked. (And then she did so again in the sequel, but that's literally another story.). ]
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Harry Potter and the City of Woe by CassieVerte
Scene: Harry sits in the cupboard under the stairs at Privet Drive and tackles his childhood demons (ch1)
Why: This is the Year 7 sequel-in-progress to the excellent Year 6 fic Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Feint, and it started with a bang with a strong bridging scene and flashforward prologue. And then a mostly lighter first chapter ended in a scene with Harry preparing himself mentally for the battles ahead, and that's the particular scene among a number of possibles that I picked out here; especially for the impact of the powerfully-written last few lines:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hero With A Thousand Faces by Lori Summers
Scene: Harry and Hermione have a quickie in his office after the completion of their rescue mission
Why: Because this is, IMHO, a rare example of something that very few writers (whether fanfic or published) manage to successfully bring off -- a fairly explicit sex scene that actually works in the context of the story.
On the whole, I'm not too keen on the Paradigm of Uncertainty series, of which this is the third story (too little connection with the Potterverse-as-we-know-it; I nearly gave up at the end of the second, until its intriguing final plot twist made me investigate the third) but as a general rule the copious shagging scenes are actually done effectively!
(Nope, no quote -- as I said, it works in context.)
-------------------------------------------------------------
How It All Began - A Christmas Story by dink
Scene: Justin Finch-Fletchley writes to Father Christmas (post #9)
Why: This fic is a great Potterverse interpretation of Santa Claus, with a largely OC-centric plot nicely interspersed with interludes featuring canon characters. The one with Justin has him as a boy about to leave prep school for Eton and writing to Santa. Not only does the scene carry real emotional weight, it actually carries a little of the storytelling weight as well, as becomes clear later as the story develops!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Remedial History by After the Rain
Scene: Remus helps out Jack's model-rebuilding efforts with a new Marauders Map, and receives a shock when he sees what's on it (ch17)
Why: A superb trademark plot twist from an author whose works offered many possible choices -- one of those "d'oh!" moments when one line suddenly sheds a whole new light on a number of apparently unconnected scenes and tidbits from earlier in the story, and makes you realise how they all fit together.
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ The mention of Rosier on the map brings together what we found out about the Pureblood Youth League's recruiting propaganda, Snape's gang, and what ghosts can do, in a context in which it was totally unexpected. Brilliantly done. ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Shifts by FernWithy
Scene: Remus goes to the Shrieking Shack to transform shortly after the Department of Mysteries battle, and has an unexpected companion (ch38)
Why: Simply one of those scenes that might have happened offscreen in canon, probably didn't, but which nevertheless just fits perfectly for the characters, both in the context of the story it's in and in the context of the books -- McGonagall in cat form assisting Remus with his transformation to honour both himself and Sirius . A memorable idea from a memorable story that has many such "I Can't Believe It's Not Canon" moments like this. One I can quote from without worrying about spoilers:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Stop All The Clocks by Lazy_neutrino
Scene: Harry on the swings at the end
Why: A haunting end to a chilling tale. I'm not going to say any more without spoiler tags because this really is a fic you'd hate me for if I did.
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ The complete bleakness and numbness of Harry swinging aimlessly after being forced to kill Lupin, and with a dead Hedwig next to him, really hits hard. ]
Rather than recs of fics as such, the idea here is to highlight scenes from fanfics that really stick in the mind -- for drama, humour, hawtness, poignancy, great writing, or any combination of the above, whether or not the rest of the fic reaches the same standard. And yes, I'd be interested in seeing other people's lists (memeage hint for those so inclined). :)
My personal ground rules for this:
(1) not more than one scene from any one fic, or indeed any one author
(2) write enough about it to make it clear why it's good, quote a chunk of it where appropriate, but not to the point of giving spoilers
(3) if spoilage is unavoidable in order to comment, put it in highlight-at-your-own-peril-if-you-haven't-read-it spoiler tags
(Note: on LJ, this works:
<span style="color:white;background:white;">concealed text here</span>
e.g. [ concealed text here ])
A few disclaimers: yes, I know there are many "classic fanfics" mentioned here. My feeble excuse is that possibly it's because they had great scenes that they became classics in the first place? I have tried to pick some lesser-known ones though. Also this list is by no means exhaustive, it's just what came to mind at the time, so to anybody not mentioned below -- erm, sorry, nothing personal, may expand later? ::shuffles feet:: And the fics are listed in alphabetical order, because trying to produce a ranking order is a tad unfair ...
-------------------------------------------------------------
After the End by Arabella and Zsenya
Scene: Ron jokes to Hermione's father about the fortunes of the Chudley Cannons in the ward at St Mungo's in an attempt to bring him out of a coma (ch40)
Why: A very moving, lump-in-throat moment, from a chapter that contains many such moments, from a "classic" fic that contains many more such moments. This one showcases a mature Ron perfectly, getting both the decency and the awkwardness spot on.
Harry marveled that even in a situation such as this, Ron could make him want to laugh out loud. But he didn't. He had never seen his best friend quite so vulnerable as this, and something prevented him from laughing as Ron forced himself to continue.
"So... your daughter." Ron cleared his throat. "Well, she finished school, you know. Top of our class by a mile. Clever... is an understatement. She built the spell that brought down Voldemort. She built the spell that helped heal you. You'd be proud of her, I'm sure. I am. She's an incredible..." Ron faltered and his ears went pink. He shook his head. "I can't do this," he muttered to Ginny. "What am I supposed to say about her to her dad?"
"You're doing it, he's so close..." she whispered back. "Just a bit longer."
Ron looked pained, and cast around for something else to say. Finally, he settled on, "I don't know how much you know about Quidditch, but the Chudley Cannons are having their first decent season in a hundred and six years, and if you're going to wake up, sir, I'm telling you, now's the time."
An odd, dry breath escaped Mr. Granger's lips.
"So... your daughter." Ron cleared his throat. "Well, she finished school, you know. Top of our class by a mile. Clever... is an understatement. She built the spell that brought down Voldemort. She built the spell that helped heal you. You'd be proud of her, I'm sure. I am. She's an incredible..." Ron faltered and his ears went pink. He shook his head. "I can't do this," he muttered to Ginny. "What am I supposed to say about her to her dad?"
"You're doing it, he's so close..." she whispered back. "Just a bit longer."
Ron looked pained, and cast around for something else to say. Finally, he settled on, "I don't know how much you know about Quidditch, but the Chudley Cannons are having their first decent season in a hundred and six years, and if you're going to wake up, sir, I'm telling you, now's the time."
An odd, dry breath escaped Mr. Granger's lips.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Deny Thy Father by LupinsLittleSister
Scene: Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs demonstrate their Animagus abilities to Moony for the first time (ch5)
Why: Another very touching scene -- I hadn't really thought about how James, Sirius, and Peter would tell Remus what they were doing; and here they don't tell him until they've managed it, and demonstrate to an unsuspecting Remus on his birthday. A great portrayal of the exuberance of the three boys at what they've achieved, the surprise and vulnerability Remus shows, and the real, deep value of what they've done for him out of friendship.
Sirius whined and nudged his nose under Remus's arm, flopping his friend's hand to his muzzle. Tentatively, Remus scratched, and Sirius felt his tail wagging.
"Well, you're really just a big puppy after all, aren't you? I don't think he's after you, Rat." Peter gave Remus a look that was so reproachful that Sirius was sure Remus would guess. But Remus simply said, "What, not Rat? Okay. How about Gus? It's a mouse from a Muggle- okay! Okay! Don't nip! Sorry. I've never been a rat fan. I'm only talking to you today because I... oh, just because." With the bite he'd put Peter down and was now using both hands to scratch Sirius's ears. It felt really good, and it set that tail wagging even harder. "I'm not bloody Cinderella, you know talking to rats and dogs because I don't have friends," Remus was saying. "I do have friends." Peter nudged him with his nose. "All right, all right. Wormtail. How's that sound?"
"Well, you're really just a big puppy after all, aren't you? I don't think he's after you, Rat." Peter gave Remus a look that was so reproachful that Sirius was sure Remus would guess. But Remus simply said, "What, not Rat? Okay. How about Gus? It's a mouse from a Muggle- okay! Okay! Don't nip! Sorry. I've never been a rat fan. I'm only talking to you today because I... oh, just because." With the bite he'd put Peter down and was now using both hands to scratch Sirius's ears. It felt really good, and it set that tail wagging even harder. "I'm not bloody Cinderella, you know talking to rats and dogs because I don't have friends," Remus was saying. "I do have friends." Peter nudged him with his nose. "All right, all right. Wormtail. How's that sound?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Draco Dormiens by Cassandra Claire
Scene: Harry encounters the Mirror of Erised again, and both he and Hermione look in it (ch11)
Why: Probably one of the most famous scenes in fanfic, and for good reason -- an absolutely excellent and very deft use of the Mirror to settle a plot question. Well-written, too. (Hey, I admit it: I actually like the Trilogy, despite the ripped-off quotes, Leatherpants!Draco, and what-have-you. So shoot me.) The meaning of what was going on dawned on me at about the same time as it did on Hermione!
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ Hermione thinks it's just an ordinary mirror when she sees the two of them together when she looks in it, and says so, and a stunned Harry realises she wants him as much as he wants her. Neat! ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Escape by FoolOnTheHill
Scene: Harry consults with Dumbledore about the way to defeat Voldemort, and receives a thoroughly unexpected answer (post #48)
Why: This was one of those plot twist scenes that make the whole story (a Year 6 fic about Harry seeking escape from his woes with a dodgy potion, in general quite good rather than stunning) suddenly turn on its head, and one which at the time I absolutely had not seen coming!
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ I'm referring to the scene where Escape!Dumbledore tells Harry about the spell that he used to defeat Escape!Voldemort, and that Harry will be able to use when he gets back and sees the real-world version of the book. It changed the entire meaning of the story in a way that actually worked. (And then she did so again in the sequel, but that's literally another story.). ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Potter and the City of Woe by CassieVerte
Scene: Harry sits in the cupboard under the stairs at Privet Drive and tackles his childhood demons (ch1)
Why: This is the Year 7 sequel-in-progress to the excellent Year 6 fic Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Feint, and it started with a bang with a strong bridging scene and flashforward prologue. And then a mostly lighter first chapter ended in a scene with Harry preparing himself mentally for the battles ahead, and that's the particular scene among a number of possibles that I picked out here; especially for the impact of the powerfully-written last few lines:
He would start by tackling the one enemy that Voldemort could not shake: his past. Harry would not be haunted by a cupboard. It unnerved him when Ron opened the door. Never again. Let Voldemort hide from his past; it would destroy him in the end. Tom Riddle could no more change his childhood than Harry could alter his own.
Harry would fight each battle as it came starting with this one. He sat in the cupboard forcing old memories on himself. He sat there as the horrors flooded his mind and he used Occlumency to obliterate any power they had over him. Occlumency made them nothing but memories. Nothing but facts. No longer a pain, a shame, just what was.
He did not leave the cupboard until his entire childhood had been sterilized.
He did not leave until he knew he could sterilize his memories of Hermione if need be.
He did not leave until he was too big for the cupboard.
Harry would fight each battle as it came starting with this one. He sat in the cupboard forcing old memories on himself. He sat there as the horrors flooded his mind and he used Occlumency to obliterate any power they had over him. Occlumency made them nothing but memories. Nothing but facts. No longer a pain, a shame, just what was.
He did not leave the cupboard until his entire childhood had been sterilized.
He did not leave until he knew he could sterilize his memories of Hermione if need be.
He did not leave until he was too big for the cupboard.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hero With A Thousand Faces by Lori Summers
Scene: Harry and Hermione have a quickie in his office after the completion of their rescue mission
Why: Because this is, IMHO, a rare example of something that very few writers (whether fanfic or published) manage to successfully bring off -- a fairly explicit sex scene that actually works in the context of the story.
On the whole, I'm not too keen on the Paradigm of Uncertainty series, of which this is the third story (too little connection with the Potterverse-as-we-know-it; I nearly gave up at the end of the second, until its intriguing final plot twist made me investigate the third) but as a general rule the copious shagging scenes are actually done effectively!
(Nope, no quote -- as I said, it works in context.)
-------------------------------------------------------------
How It All Began - A Christmas Story by dink
Scene: Justin Finch-Fletchley writes to Father Christmas (post #9)
Why: This fic is a great Potterverse interpretation of Santa Claus, with a largely OC-centric plot nicely interspersed with interludes featuring canon characters. The one with Justin has him as a boy about to leave prep school for Eton and writing to Santa. Not only does the scene carry real emotional weight, it actually carries a little of the storytelling weight as well, as becomes clear later as the story develops!
Still, at least it was his last year. Eton beckoned, next September. Justin knew that his parents were keen for him to do well, make them proud, and follow in his father's footsteps. He knew this, and yet he also knew that he didn't want to go (although he would never confess this to his parents -- how could he let them down?). He might hope for a 'fresh start' at a new school, but Eton would be like his prep school multiplied by a million: he couldn't possibly guarantee that something strange wouldn't happen there as well. His classmates were right. He was weird. He wished he could just fit in. What did it feel like, to be normal?
A voice called from the bottom of the stairs, "Justin, darling?"
"I'm coming, matro-- mummy!" Justin called in return, hoping she hadn't heard his mistake. It always took him some time to adjust between school and home. During his first week at Beaconhill, he had repeatedly called his house-master 'daddy' -- an excruciatingly embarrassing slip to make. Anyway, trying to put this from his mind, he looked down at the letter he had started. He'd better finish it quickly. What could he ask for? An idea was forming in his mind. Father Christmas had never let him down. Could he give Justin the thing he desired most? It wouldn't hurt to ask...
He picked up the pen, and wrote in his best joined-up style, "I don't know if you can give me what I want this year but I am going to ask anyway. Please could you make me normal? I want to be like everyone else. I want to fit in. And please don't tell mummy and daddy, but could you do something so that I don't have to go to Eton? I hope that Rudolph is well and that the elves are helping you to get ready. Happy Christmas. Love from Justin."
A voice called from the bottom of the stairs, "Justin, darling?"
"I'm coming, matro-- mummy!" Justin called in return, hoping she hadn't heard his mistake. It always took him some time to adjust between school and home. During his first week at Beaconhill, he had repeatedly called his house-master 'daddy' -- an excruciatingly embarrassing slip to make. Anyway, trying to put this from his mind, he looked down at the letter he had started. He'd better finish it quickly. What could he ask for? An idea was forming in his mind. Father Christmas had never let him down. Could he give Justin the thing he desired most? It wouldn't hurt to ask...
He picked up the pen, and wrote in his best joined-up style, "I don't know if you can give me what I want this year but I am going to ask anyway. Please could you make me normal? I want to be like everyone else. I want to fit in. And please don't tell mummy and daddy, but could you do something so that I don't have to go to Eton? I hope that Rudolph is well and that the elves are helping you to get ready. Happy Christmas. Love from Justin."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Remedial History by After the Rain
Scene: Remus helps out Jack's model-rebuilding efforts with a new Marauders Map, and receives a shock when he sees what's on it (ch17)
Why: A superb trademark plot twist from an author whose works offered many possible choices -- one of those "d'oh!" moments when one line suddenly sheds a whole new light on a number of apparently unconnected scenes and tidbits from earlier in the story, and makes you realise how they all fit together.
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ The mention of Rosier on the map brings together what we found out about the Pureblood Youth League's recruiting propaganda, Snape's gang, and what ghosts can do, in a context in which it was totally unexpected. Brilliantly done. ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Shifts by FernWithy
Scene: Remus goes to the Shrieking Shack to transform shortly after the Department of Mysteries battle, and has an unexpected companion (ch38)
Why: Simply one of those scenes that might have happened offscreen in canon, probably didn't, but which nevertheless just fits perfectly for the characters, both in the context of the story it's in and in the context of the books -- McGonagall in cat form assisting Remus with his transformation to honour both himself and Sirius . A memorable idea from a memorable story that has many such "I Can't Believe It's Not Canon" moments like this. One I can quote from without worrying about spoilers:
None of the safe house network shacks had seemed right, and he supposed some part of him had known all along that the Shrieking Shack was the Wolf's only real home, empty and abandoned as it might now be. But that part of him hadn't been conscious, and it was with a species of dull surprise that he opened the creaky front door and let himself in, throwing his copy of the Sunday Prophet onto the floor with contempt.
How the tabby cat sitting on the floor beside the broken kitchen table knew to be there waiting for him was fully a mystery.
He hunched down. "You don't need to do this," he said.
The cat blinked at him, and he could swear she was scowling.
Remus shook his head. "I should send you away. I'm a lot larger than a cat."
No response.
"Thank you," he said.
The tabby cat nodded and stood up. She was limping badly as she walked into the foyer, but Remus knew better than to try to pick her up or assist her in any way. He saw her sit down in the shadows, her back turned, giving him privacy to prepare for moonrise.
How the tabby cat sitting on the floor beside the broken kitchen table knew to be there waiting for him was fully a mystery.
He hunched down. "You don't need to do this," he said.
The cat blinked at him, and he could swear she was scowling.
Remus shook his head. "I should send you away. I'm a lot larger than a cat."
No response.
"Thank you," he said.
The tabby cat nodded and stood up. She was limping badly as she walked into the foyer, but Remus knew better than to try to pick her up or assist her in any way. He saw her sit down in the shadows, her back turned, giving him privacy to prepare for moonrise.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Stop All The Clocks by Lazy_neutrino
Scene: Harry on the swings at the end
Why: A haunting end to a chilling tale. I'm not going to say any more without spoiler tags because this really is a fic you'd hate me for if I did.
Spoiler-laden explanation: [ The complete bleakness and numbness of Harry swinging aimlessly after being forced to kill Lupin, and with a dead Hedwig next to him, really hits hard. ]
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Date: 2005-10-27 09:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 08:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 04:35 pm (UTC)I'd do my own version had I but world enough and time... but perhaps it's best left to the experts.
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Date: 2005-11-08 11:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-08 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-08 11:57 pm (UTC)