Hoggywarty Recs #2

The reveals for hoggywartyxmas will take place on January 9 (Snape's birthday, of course). I have not read the final story (though I take an Unbreakable Vow to do so before reveals), but there's still time for a recs post.

As always, this fest offers consistent high quality, so choosing just a few was hard. But I never shirk a challenge! (unless I want to, which in this case, I don't).

Anyway, on to the recs --

Making a List by Anonymous (Minerva/Severus; PG-13)
This beautifully-written story offers Christmas cheer for grown-ups: acknowledging that darkness and disappointment have been part of every life, but showing how even damaged people can live and love and Share the Light.

The Life and Loves of Filius Flitwick by Anonymous (Filius/Xeno Lovegood; Filius/Albus; Filius/Horace; R)
A masterpiece of characterization and insight. This long story (40K words) will repay every second you spend with it. The Mystery Author creates such a full and complex life for Filius that you'll swear you're reading the biography of a real person. He's the canon Filius we recognize, but SO much more. The description of his duel with Albus is sheer poetry. The other characters are beautifully-drawn, too.

The Benefits of Research by Anonymous (Severus, Hermione, Minerva; PG)
A really fun epistolary story with banter and snark and fine characterization.

(My first hoggywartyxmas rec page is here.)

Mini Fest Recs

mini_fest, a Christmas-holiday-themed prompt fest, is one of the first I participated in during my early fandom days (2009). I have a real soft spot for this event, both for sentimental reasons and because the stories and art are always so enjoyable, covering a range of pairings and genres and styles, all tied to holiday fun.

Here are some recs from 2017 (reveals to come soon, so all entries are anonymous for now):

ART

Fire Kisses (Millicent/Pansy: PG)
Love Millicent's body here -- realistic and lovely.

Series: The Four Heads of Houses -- all these works are just bursting with color and Christmas cheer. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I might have to go with Flitwick.

Head of Ravenclaw

Head of Hufflepuff

Head of Slytherin

Head of Gryffindor

FIC

The Cherry Conundrum (George Weasley/Viktor Krum; PG-13)
I admit, I'd never thought of this pairing before I read this fic; nor would I have immediately thought of George and Viktor as rabid bakers in a wizarding version of The Great British Bake-Off. But both pairing and premise work well in this fun story; strong characterizations.