the "Harry/Ginny is Not Just Fluff" recs list (original) (raw)

pumpkinpasty made this great post where she wondered why so many Harry/Ginny writers take the easy way out and write fics that are all sweetness and undisturbed happiness, without the complexities and darkness and issues that are so much a part of these two characters. It's a great question, and I kind of wish I had asked it myself. But I'm not here to repeat everything that PP said... I'm here to poke holes in her theory! *pokes*

Okay, not really. Really, she's right. There IS a lot of fluff in the Harry/Ginny corner of fandom, and I know it can be frustrating to people who are interested to read the pairing but can't find anything except "Harry and Ginny get married, have babies, and live happily ever after." So -- I'm here to do the work for you!

the "Harry/Ginny is Not Just Fluff" recs list

Part One -- Must-Reads
Wake the Dead by cicatrixstories (NC-17 for sex and graphic violence) eta: Find the fic here.
Harry and Ginny have sex and fight zombies, but not necessarily in that order. Anyone who knows me AT ALL knew I would start the list with this fic. I rec it to everyone who will listen. Zombies at Hogwarts! What's not to love? Be warned: there is *massive* character death here.

Maps to the Stars' Homes by lizbee
Following the war, Harry buys a plane ticket and leaves, but the memories keep following him. Post-HBP. I'm obsessed with this fic, and with good reason. It's mostly genish, mostly focused on Harry and his character development after the war, but I also love the Harry/Ginny relationship here.

Seven Photographs by casirafics (Post-DH)
The wizarding world remembers their lost, and picks up and moves on. Mostly gen, with a huge variety of characters, but I think that's what I love about this fic -- the thoughtful exploration, and the portrait of Harry and Ginny's future as a small part of the conclusion of the larger story.

The Tale of Jenny and Henry by thetreacletart
Jenny liked to sit in the garden and play with gnomes...and to remember. This fic became an instant classic as soon as it was posted, and for good reason. It's intriguing and sad and yes, a little sweet -- but definitely not without substance.

The Naked Quidditch Match by Anya
A game of magical Truth or Dare leads to some dire consequences for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I'm guessing that most people with any interest in H/G have already read this, since it's a classic. But it deserves to be on the list anyway, since it's absolutely hilarious. Not really the "serious exploration of character issues" kind of fic that PP was looking for, but definitely not cotton candy either -- this one is more of a pie-in-the-face.

Part Two - Story & Plot
Dream World by incognito
Harry attempts to spare Ginny from the war, but the results are unexpected. I am always a sucker for time travel fics, but what makes this one great is the surprising consequences, and Harry's realizations.

Midsummer Night's Dream by magnolia_mama
Midsummer was always the most difficult time of year. There would be moments when Ginny became absolutely convinced someone was standing right behind her, but whenever she turned around, no one was there.

A Questionable Encounter by ladytory
The war rages on around a chance encounter in a dark room where questions need to be answered.

Someday by AlexandraLynch
After the war is over, Harry has demons that he can't fight alone. A well-written story of coming to terms with the past, and of the compromises and strengths of marriage.

Something Blue by ladylisse
She wears blue at their wedding... A weddingfic, but one that's definitely not fluffy. I'm glad the war didn't turn out like this for Harry and Ginny, but that almost makes me love the harsh reality of this fic more.

The Winter Glass by luminousmarble (AU)
Chamber of Secrets transformed by H. C. Anderson's 'The Snow Queen'. A slow, thoughtful fairytale of a fic, with beautiful imagery.

Part Three - Character
(Not a) Love Story by biggrstaffbunch
This is the story of you and the man you love, in a period of war and blood and trying to keep afloat in the middle of all the pain. But this is not a love story.

Seven Fortunes by maegunnbatt
Her hands were marked with little stars, crossing high up on her palms over the curves and mounts. She would be a lucky child.

Pulse by poseida9
His heart thumped beneath her hand and his heart was not at all the same as her heart, and she realized that this was not as simple as it seemed.

Translation by posieda9
Harry is a foreign language. Ginny is learning to read.

Momentum by ladylisse
A short character study of Ginny after HBP, breathless and energetic and continually moving forward.

9.8 m/s2 by delicfcd
It's all about gravity, and falling and flying, and it's perfect for Harry and Ginny.

Part Four - Darkfic
Ink-Stained Plan by starrysummer (NC-17, Harry/Ginny with some Tom/Ginny)
The blood-black ink flourishes, seduces, and shows her the way. When Harry destroys it, she has to realise her own plan, her own way, yet in those envy-green eyes, she thinks she can find it once again.

The Linnet Born Within the Cage by inkpuddle (NC-17, Harry/Ginny and Tom/Ginny)
She dreams of boys who kiss her chastely on the cheek, boys who eye her in the corridors but never approach, and boys who whisper dark promises in her ear and come to her in dreams and lick the chicken blood off her fingers and then kiss her child’s mouth.

A Tiger by the Tail by viola_dreamwalk
Harry and Ginny get married, have a baby, and live ever after. I had to put this one on the list, if only because the summary matches the theme so well. ;) This is an old fic, but one that's more relevant than ever now that we've seen that Harry really *was* a Horcrux.

Captive by Miss Snuffles
Captured by Voldemort, Ginny must battle with her inner darkness to prevent the Dark Lord from becoming immortal.

Part Five - Dirty-Filthy-Porn
Utterly Corrupted by pocketfullof (NC-17)
That’s what you are, supremely, thoroughly, utterly corrupted. Warning: incest.

Jiggery-Pokery by foreword
Harry's last summer at the Burrow is, without question, his favourite.

Being a Good Boy by millieweasley
He is lost when he sees her and wants to beg for mercy – or more – even before they start.

Part Five Point Two - Regular Porn, Neither Fluffy Nor Filthy
Five Times Ginny Weasley Fucked Harry Potter (During the War) by emmagrant01
Character exploration through sex. :) Seriously, I love this fic because it's not just smut, there's a great portrait of their relationship, and of the two of them as individuals, amidst the hotness.

Centripetal Force by pocketfullof (NC-17)
you can't always have something just because you want it.

The Brittle Madness of Love by charityj (NC-17)
Although Harry's dating other women, he can't seem to stay away from Ginny.

January Embers by cicatrixstories (NC-17)
Harry and Ginny mourn the dead...and celebrate in their own way.

Part Six - Humor
Disappointingly Historical by delicfcd
Ginny tries out the Patented Daydream Charm.

Captain's Prerogative by magnolia_mama
Harry bumps Ginny off the team to make room for a new Chaser who appears to be a prodigy. Harry reasons that he has made a fair decision as a captain. Ginny is spitting mad.

Normal and Pure Enough for Marriage by iulia_linnea (NC-17)
It wasn’t fair. Heroes were supposed to have massive, impressive-looking cocks.

I think I should make a separate recs list of stories that are happy romances but don't skimp on the characterization, storyline, or real issues... because all romances are not lacking in substance. Not every sweet fic is cotton candy -- some of them are apple pie ala mode, or something. This food metaphor is confusing me.

...so what do you think, Gentle Reader? What would you recommend that I left off? What's your input on this whole issue? What is fluff, anyway? And who does happy romance well?