Themed list: Bystander fics
Posted on August 24, 2007
Filed Under HP themed lists |
What I take:
- “Bystander Fic“, or “Outsider Fic,” that is fic where relationship or events are seen through an outside character’s eyes and told from their point of view. In other words, what I’m collecting here are relationship stories from the POV of a third person, fics that feature ‘uninvolved’ narrator or ‘excluded narrator’ (narrator isn’t involded in the action).
As I already have a list of Voyeurism fics, I’d like to draw the distinguishing line here: voyeuristic stories are the stories in which the observer is sexually aroused by the ongoings of others. Here, I’m taking fics where the bystander character is not aroused by observing the couple/main pairing. It might also help: the focus in a voyeurism fic usually is on the voyeur and what (s)he is thinking and feeling while the focus in a bystander fic is what the bystander observes.
- inanimate objects, animals and magical creatures as narrators qualify if they aren’t involved into action (I mean, fics where, say, Crookshanks is the POV character and he plays a major part in bringing, say, Harry and Hermione together don’t qualify).
King Draco’s Code (Things I Don’t Take):
- Voyeurism fics: stories in which the observer is sexually aroused by the ongoings of others; such stories go to the Voyeurism fic list.
- fics where the author is narrator. If you have trouble grasping what I mean, here are some more clues: the narrator can be omniscient or limited. Bystander narrator is always limited: they don’t know or see everything that happens to the characters whose story they tell, and they don’t know what happens in those characters’ minds (although they can make a guess). Here’s a good example of what I take: The Park Bench, by Debbie where Draco and Harry’s story is told by a park gardener who sees them in the park on occasion. Have a look, it’s a short story (a sad one, too).
- as the words “bystander” and “outsider” suggest, the narrator can’t be involved with one of the characters whose story s/he tells. Often it’s just the bystander piecing together a relationship based on “gen” type activites. The 2 characters are at lunch in a public place, but the bystander notices how closely they’re sitting together, how they eat off each other’s plates, how they make eye contact during the meal, etc. A story where Snape is in a relationship with Harry and tells us about Harry’s cheating on him with Draco is not what I want here.
- if the POV character is one of canon characters and s/he is more important for the story than the characters s/he observes, in other words, if it’s a story of the observer, it doesn’t qualify.
- just multiple POV stories don’t qualify if a significant part of them isn’t told by an outside, uninvolved character.
- no WIPs that have only a chapter or two written;
- no drabbles;
- do not bring fics you haven’t read;
- do not bring fics you didn’t like;
- do not bring fics the authors of which show no grammar or spelling skill even if you liked them;
- do me a courtesy, please, do not leave only a link. I’d be really grateful if you tell me (besides the title and author) whether the fic is a WIP or completed, what the pairings and the rating are.
The fics are sorted in alphabetical order by TITLE (articles excluded).
Special marks:
# - liked
## - loved
NR - have not read
new - added in the last month or so
These are NOT my recs; it’s just a themed listing.
(reflect what you are), by Tarie (ofscarletwoman) #
PG. Trio, from James’s POV. Warning: character death. Quote: “God, but Harry is too young to fight, to face Voldemort. If he were to die, James doesn’t know what he’d do. It’s too young; Harry has his whole life in front of him. He’d been too young, too.”
Aeon, by cugami
Art+fic. Ron/Draco, PG, one-shot. Colin’s POV.
Aftermath, by luthien
SS/HP; PG, one-shot, part of the story is from Ginny’s POV. Summary: “Harry comes back to Hogwarts the year after he finishes school.”
Sequel: Compulsion.
Amidst the Doxies, by Iulia Linnea #
Snape/Harry, other pairings mentioned, NC-17, 6900 words. Genres: Postwar and Humour &/or Crack. Prompt: Career Change. Summary: Adelaide Alderton, an accomplished lady of leisure, now retired and in hiding deceased, makes (discreet) mention in her memoirs of two “celebrated” war heroes. Warnings: highlight in the fic post.
And Miles to Go Before I Sleep, by Paracelsus
Gen; PG, 3-chapter fic. The POV is that of an OC nurse in a hospital where Harry has lost his memory. Summary: “Voldemort threatens more than England, he threatens the entire wizarding world. So his defeat should have world-wide repercussions, yes? On the far side of the globe, a doctor has to treat a very unusual patient (she doesn’t recognize him, but you’d better), and nurse him back to health against his will. Set post-Hogwarts.”
And Yet He Flinched, by H.L.B
Gen; PG, Snape-centric, one-shot. McGonagall’s POV. Summary: “McGonagall remembers the dark hints about Snape’s past evident even when he first came to Hogwarts at age 11.” The story is about Snape, and McGonagall has no hold over him.
As Before, by atrata
Gen with some Snape/Harry, told through Ron. PG, one-shot. Warnings: character death. Summary: “That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller, but for want of an understanding ear.” -Stephen King.”
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder, by Redrum
SS/HP, PG, one-shot from a bartender’s point of view. Summary: “A stranger’s point of view on Severus’ and Harry’s first time at a Muggle restaurant.”
Bird’s Eye View, by isabeau
HP/RW; PG, one-shot. Summary: “A rather unique angle on Harry and Ron.” The fic is written from Pig’s POV.
Bob, by Marz-Alfgonzo
Genish (Harry/Luna), G, short. “He’d never really had a story to tell. One waitress changed that.” From the point of view of a bartender who observes the gang after Hogwarts.
Can’t Be Held Responsible, by Amy Fortuna #
PG, Gen, one-shot. Summary: “A reinterpretation of Harry Potter’s life at Hogwarts.” Narrated by Minerva McDonald.
Clearly an Idiot, by dacro
HP/DM from a third person POV; R. Scenario: “Two Aurors tracking a murderer are running out of time. The little information they have managed to scrape together leads them to a shady Goth club, and a former enemy.” Complete at two parts but the author is working on a third/sequel.
Come Together, by Marks
Gen, PG, one-shot. A look at a well-attended wizarding funeral from an unnamed witch or wizard. Summary: “You saw a wizarding funeral for someone you never knew.”
Consanguinity Arc, by by Jay Tryfanstone (tryfanstone) ##
SS/HP; R, novella-length. The third story in the arc, Consanguinity is told from various original characters’ POV.
A Dark Place in Time, by CuteCoati #
Harry/Draco, PG, ~9000 words. Team Canon. Warnings: EWE. Summary: What on earth was her son thinking, falling for Harry Potter of all people, Narcissa wonders. But after the death of her husband, she finds him useful in many, and sometimes surprising, regards.
Detention, by Lexin
SS/HP; G. Summary: “A young Hogwarts student annoys a Professor, but the punishment fulfills a long held dream.” POV: Hogwarts student.
Diplomacy, by Leni Jess #
LM/HP, NC17, one-shot. Summary: “A distant wizarding empire sends an envoy to Voldemort to ask for moderation in his dealings with Muggles and Muggle-born. The envoy is rejected, becomes Lucius Malfoy’s prisoner, and gets involved in a conspiracy Lucius is hatching, with Harry’s support.” The POV character, Tyl (OC), looks on bemusedly and begins to assist as Lucius and some Death Eaters gradually abandon Voldemort. The relationship observed is fairly consensual, but there is also noncon LM/Tyl.
An Evening at Le Maison, by Jay Tryfanstone (tryfanstone) #
SS/HP; G, one-shot. Summary: “Restaurant fiction. Post HBP.” The story is told from various original characters’ POV.
Extended Courtship by Maya (mistful) #
HP/DM; PG-13. Summary: “This features the Underwater Light characters, and can be taken if you so desire to be in the Underwater Light universe. But I seriously doubt that Harry would’ve forgotten Draco and Spin the Bottle.”
Getting It, by Lady Vader (ladyvader)
HP/DM, PG, one-shot. Author’s summary: “Greg doesn’t get it.” Goyle’s POV.
Getting Over, by Naatz
SS/HP; PG, one-shot. Summary: “Harry and Snape are forced to work with and near each other. At some point, the nearness isn’t forced anymore.” Dumbledore’s a narrator. Beware complicated structure!
The Ghost of Christmas Past, by Calanthe
PG-13, implied H/D, Ginny’s POV, short. Summary: Ginny’s Christmas joy is marred once again by the appearance of an unwelcome festive ornament.
A Grave Secret, by Jeddy83
Snape/Dumbledore through Harry’s eyes, PG. Summary: “Harry follows Snape and gets more than he bargained for.”
Green Lights, by Underlucius ##
R; pairings are asked not to be revealed. Part of the Classic Canon Challenge, Great Gatsby - Malfoy Style. Long novella. Dubious case but I think it fits.
Hatred, by Maya (mistful)
HP/DM, PG13, one-shot. Author’s summary: “The nature of hatred is more complex than people would think. How deep is yours?” Dudley’s POV.
Having Read The Book, by Shocolate #
Various het and slash pairings, NC-17, short. Summary: “The RoR has seen it all – even Snape’s arse.” Told from the POV of The Room of Requirement.
Hermione Found Out, by Jay Scene (maybejaybe)
HP/DM; PG, ficlet. Summary: “Hermione witnesses a little winter-time fun.”
In Camera, by Marks (link to part 2 at the bottom) #
SS/HP, HP/SB, HP/SS/SB; NC-17, novelette. Summary: “in camera - From Latin, meaning in secret; privately.” A couple of researchers from about 1000 years ahead from us found a vault full of the papers and artefacts that threaten to overturn their view of one Harry Potter.
In the Land of Magic, by Your Cruise Director
Snape/Lupin through an OFC’s eyes, PG, one-shot. Summary: “There were rumors about the reclusive potion-makers at the outskirts of Glastonbury.” Not exactly a “bystander’s observes relationship” fic; the POV shifts.
Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Normal Teenage Problem, by Lassiter NR
PG-13, chaptered fic, parody. Summary: “An MS fic on its head: Mary Sue as a side character in a Hufflepuff’s life instead of the other way around. As Mary Sue saves the world and shags her way through fanon, the Hufflepuff house goes about its daily business. Justin Finch-Fletchley, this is your life.” Justin is a bystander to a Mary-Sue’s story.
King, by Manraviel
RL/SB; PG-13, one-shot. Summary: “Love, Life, Wizard Chess, an unusual point of view, and a story of two men who lost everything.”
new Lamp in the Cooling Room, by Sansa ##
Harry/Draco, R, ~9000 words. Team EWE. Prompt: the Lovers. Summary: Draco and Harry become snared in a trap, but they’re not alone. Love guides our path for reasons we can’t always understand.
The Lightning Letters, by Ari Munami #
HP/DM, PG, chaptered fic. Author’s summary: “800 years on from the fall of Voldemort, a young historian sets out to solve the mystery of the Lightning Letters.” OC POV.
Sequel: The Lightning Letters II: Internal Affairs
Little Boy Lost, Elektra
Gen snip of the Dursleys + Harry at the zoo, pre-Hogwarts, from the POV of the ice-cream vendor. Rated G. Summary: “What would an outsider have thought of the Dursleys’ treatment of Harry?”
Long Black Coat, by Bloodcult of Freud (yanniconny)
SS/HG, PG-13, one-shot, told from Hermione’s mother’s POV, post-war.
Love and Monsters, by lilithilien
Draco/Lucius (Draco/Harry implied), R, short. Warnings in the fic post. Prompt: #39. After the war, Draco became involved with Harry Potter amid protests from Harry’s friends. They seemed to be very much in love, but Harry found out one day that Draco was using him to free his father from Azkaban. Summary: When the heart breaks, the mind must follow.
The Man With The Big Black Dog, by Nellie Darlin
Genfic with possible slashy interpretations, from the POV of a Muggle. Remus and Sirius-as-Padfoot, 1980-1981. Summary: “Dog owners have a bond, of sorts.”
The Moon Above, by Casira (casirafics)
PG; Gen, ficlet. Summary: “Remus faces his first night in the Shrieking Shack… thoughts from an unusual observer.”
A Mouthful of Fresh Water, by Waterbird
PG13, H/D, short. Molly’s POV. Summary: When Harry and Draco return from an arduous mission for the Order, Molly Weasley is forced to face some of her own demons as she wonders how much she can do to protect her family.
Mr Mysterio and Henry, by Girl_Tarte #
Gennish, G, short. Warning: OC muggle pov.
Not Alone, by 1ightning
HP/DM, PG-13, one-shot. Summary: “Hermione had always known that Harry would never love her, and she had never really wanted him to. But she had never thought that he might choose a man. And certainly not Draco Malfoy.”
The Old Leather Couch, by Polykleitos (or here)
SS/HP off-screen; PG-13, ficlet. Summary: ‘Their relationship seen through Hermione’s eyes.’
On the Mating Habits of Homo Sapiens Lycanthropus, by StarryGazer
SS/RL; PG-13, one-shot. Summary: “A humorous, slightly fluffy Snupin. See the complicated relationships of Homo sapiens lycanthropus. This was meant to be done in the style of an ancient National Geographic (the flat voiced narrator, the uber-respectful adjectives applied to the stately and wondrous creatures of Mother Nature) but Hermione, the POV character, had her own ideas. She’s a bit snippy in this one. Ah, well.”
Once Upon a Time, by Lazy Neutrino
Gen; PG, one-shot. An OC relates the story of Peter Pettigrew. Summary: “Who would have thought that Peter Pettigrew could end up as the hero of a child’s fairy tale?”
Only Stronger, by Rylyn
Harry/Draco, Dudley’s POV. PG-13. Summary: “Draco teaches Dudley a few things about emotions when they encounter each other on the Dursley’s drive.” Not the clearest case but fits.
Over Tea, by Dementor Delta ##
SS/HP; PG, one-shot. Summary: “Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape forge a friendship based on many things, tea, sympathy and a love for Harry Potter.” McGonagall POV.
Pariah, by Aucta Sinistra #
SS/HP; PG, novelette. Summary: “Because I was challenged to do Snape pursues Harry.” Part of the story is from an OC’s POV.
The Park Bench, by Debbie
HP/DM; PG, one-shot. Warning: character death off-screen. Summary: “Written for Armchair’s furniture challenge. An H/D tale told from an outside perspective.”
Perfectionism, by Mirabella (mirasfics)
HP/DM; G, one-shot. Summary: “Colin isn’t obsessive. He’s just a perfectionist.”
Powerful Men, by Frayach #
Harry/The Minister of Magic, R/NC-17, ~9000 words. Summary: The Battle of Hogwarts was lost, but after ten years of tyranny and terror, Harry Potter has finally defeated Voldemort. Slowly, those who suffered the most under Voldemort’s reign – the half-bloods, the Muggleborns and the blood traitors – emerge from their enslavement, literally and figuratively, seeking refuge and comfort and healing from a group of volunteers, organized by Harry’s friend Hermione Granger, working out of the half-ruined St. Giles-Without-Cripplegate Church. New friendships are kindled, laughter shared, and secrets spoken, and all the while a bell tolls. The final message from one man to another, whose deepest secret only now does he understand. Warnings: Rentboy; off-stage character death; and frank discussions of bodily functions, torture, grief, death and love.
Preferences, by Eumenides1 #
Gen; PG, one-shot. Author’s Note: “For the Classic Canon Challenge “Bartleby the Scrivener.” A post-War relationship between Neville, Draco, and Ron narrated by their employer.
Re-Discovery, by Beth H (bethbethbeth)
Snape/Hagrid through Harry’s eyes; PG, one-shot. Summary: ” Harry goes back to Hogwarts and finds that more than one thing has changed.”
Remus Lupin, Early Pioneer in the History of Magical Minority Rights, by Magnetic Pole #
Gen with some Snape/Lupin in the background, G, short. Summary: Wilhelmina Weasley writes an essay about her hero in the history of Magical Minority rights.
Required, by Predatrix
NC17, kinky, Snape/Filch, short, from the viewpoint of an underage Harry who definitely Does Not Understand What It’s All About.
Respected Elf Enslaver, by Alex25
Draco/Hermione, PG-13, chaptered fic. Summary: How could a romance, or even a friendship, or even a little RESPECT develop between Draco and Hermione? Owls between the two, IC, unique perspective, preHBP. Owl’s POV.
Roses are Red, by Cute Coati
HP/DM; PG-13, ficlet. OC POV. Summary: “The young shop assistant is really annoyed by now - why is he always being pushed aside by his employer whenever the blond man enters the shop? Perhaps an old lady can enlighten him today?”
Scrawled Letters (The Through Other Eyes Mix), by Eledhwen
PG, one-shot. Summary: Oliver, Charlie and Percy, as other people see them. Warning: Incest (POV: Ron, Hermione, Molly, OC)
The Snake Charmer, by sor_bet
Sort of Snape/Harry, PG-13, short. Fanfic to DementorDelta’s “Parseltongue-tied” (warning: bestiality). Summary: A stranger and his exotic companion visit a remote village.
Spirits in the Future, by Millie Weasley (also here) NR
Het: HP/GW, PG, novel-length. Summary: “Voldemort attacks the Potters, James and Lily try to protect their beloved baby boy. Then suddenly they’re in a house they do not know. Harry isn’t with them and they don’t know what happened. Where are they? And who are the redhead children running down the stairs? Why have they been sent? And most importantly where is Harry?” Story told through James and Lily’s eyes as they seemed to be sent to the future where Harry and Ginny are in an established relationship.
split up, they find each other, by Animimares
HP/DM; PG-13, one-shot. Warnings: Character death, angst and not explicit violence. Summary: “It isn’t because Ginny is in love with Harry anymore – she is not. She is simply worried about him, because Malfoy’s sudden interest in him (anyway, she tells herself it’s sudden) can only mean that something is bound to go very, very wrong. Nevertheless, Ginny has no choice but to watch from the sideline as events prove her right and her world breaks into pieces all around her. What she did not consider before, however, was that maybe she is not the only one who has to let go.”
Suburban Dream, by Caesia390 #
HP/SS; PG-13; short. The story is told from the POV of Harry’s son James.
Such a Charming Girl, by Dreamer Marie
Gen, PG, one-shot. Summary: When the baker of Godric’s Hollow gets a new customer, he is so intrigued by her that tries to discover her secrets.
A Swan, A Tree (something far away and happy), by Rinsbane # (locked, ask to be friended)
Genish SS/HP, canon pairings; PG, one-shot. Summary: “The war comes home to Hogwarts. So do people. Sometimes we can’t see all the pieces of a puzzle and we just have to trust that things will work out.” POV or a magical portrait.
Things that Don’t Exist, by shadoedseptmbr
Gen(ish), PG-13, one-shot. A Muggle OC starts noticing Hermione at the library.
A Thousand Beautiful Things & Delicate Sound of Thunder, by Geoviki ##
HP/DM; R. Summary: Draco Malfoy struggles with changed fortunes, shifted alliances, an ugly war, and an unusual spell, with the help of a concerned professor, an insightful house-elf, and an unexpected Gryffindor friend.” These are long novels, and only parts of these are told from bystander POVs, but this POV plays a significant part.
Three Months, by Toft (toft_froggy) (or here) #
HP/SS; PG, one-shot. Minerva’s POV. Summary: “Harry is dead. Then he isn’t. Snape struggles to cope.”
Three uses of the knife by Proserpina (korestomenos) (or here) #
SS/HP, R; one-shot. Ginny watches Snape and Harry.
Through Harry’s Eyes, by bryoneybrynn #
Albus Severus/Scorpius, Albus Severus/other, PG, 12K words. Summary: Years of working as an Auror have given Harry Potter sharp observational skills. But when his son invites Scorpius Malfoy over to visit, will Harry see something he doesn’t like? Warning(s): Some swearing, kissing and implied sexuality, blatant attempt at POV cleverness, dubious success on said attempt; Harry and Ginny happily married.
Trial by Marriage, by Leni Jess
HP/LM (other pairings off-screen); R, one-shot. Summary “The new Minister was mad.” Perhaps. He was certainly bent on forcing political opponents from the late war into trial marriages, including Lucius Malfoy and Harry Potter.” Comedy (plus some abuse of a fandom fic cliché, you’ll know the one). Rita Skeeter as dispassionate observer.
The Truth About Harry Potter, or What the House Elf Saw, by GMTH #
SS/HP; NC-17, one-shot. Summary: “Winky gets the wrong idea when she sees Harry with Snape. Dobby has to set her straight.” Well, it’s not voyeurism per se ‘cos it’s humour. Ah, well, fits here, IMO.
‘Twas the Night Before … by Beth H (bethbethbeth)
SS/RL, PG, short. Summary: “They say that dead men tell no tales. They’re wrong.” You’ll discover who the narrator is while reading.
Unlikely Cupid, by Arionrhod
SS/RL, G, one-shot. Hagrid’s POV.
A Very Different Point of View, by jellybean_slash
HP/SS, PG-13, one-shot. Summary: “Harry and Severus’ relationship from the point of view of a rather unexpected witness.” A quill’s POV.
Within These Pages, by Isis (isiscolo) #
Snape/Pince; PG13; short. Warning: character death. Summary: “A book observes the romance between the Potions teacher and the librarian. Atmospheric and bittersweet.”
The Wizard from Outer Space (Meta Remix), by AJ Hall
Gen; PG. Arthur stumbles into a con, makes friends. Narrated by an OC. Summary: “Arthur Weasley, on the town, encounters an OC. Who remembers him. Forever.”
Wouldn’t Be Make Believe (The Mirror, Mirror Remix), by kindkit
Remus/Sirius. Summary: “Memory can be a comfort.” Told from the POV of Remus’s mirror.
You Know You’re Right, by victoria p. (musesfool)
SB/RL; PG, one-shot. James’ POV. Summary: “If I can’t trust you not to use the small secrets against me, how can I trust you with the larger ones?”
You Slimy Son of a Bitch, by Laik
PG, HP/SS from Black’s POV. Summary: “Summary: Sirius confronts Snape about his relationship with Harry.”
Yule Log, by Hurlyburlesque
HP/DM, NC-17, one-shot. Parvati’s POV. Summary: “In which Parvati makes a shocking discovery, and Harry’s knees get rug burned” Parvati observes sex, but it doesn’t do anything to her, so I’m adding the fic here.
Do you know other good fics that might qualify! Please tell me!
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this is pj's fannish place made with the goal to be a sort of public library of (or a gateway to) fanfiction. I read mostly slash, I love sex and various kinks, so if you are underage and somehow wormed your way here past net nannies and warnings, please surf responsibly and go somewhere else when you are asked to!
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Having just read King Draco’s No-Nos above, I suppose this doesn’t qualify, but it used Ginny’s POV to great effect.
The Ghost of Christmas Past by Calanthe
(PG-13, implied H/D)
http://calanthe-fics.livejournal.com/57195.html
I think it fits. I’m inconsistent like that :)
“Across the Universe” by mira mirth - http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4180686/1/Across_the_Universe
Rated PG, gen. “James Potter observes as Harry arrives to an alternate dimension where his parents are alive and Neville is the Boy-Who-Lived.”
|Meduza|
Thanks, Naatz! I don’t think it fits this list but it fits two others :)