There were some recent posts regarding one-shots, and I'm still not 100% if they're valid, but I've got one that I have to put up here.
The
boy with a scar series by
dirgewithoutmusic, while technically listed as incomplete, is so engaging for me that I have to recommend it, if only so others can read it. This is a fantastic series of Harry Potter AU one-shots, containing 16 different scenarios covering a wide range of differing scenarios. Examples include differing Chosen Ones (Neville, Ron, Hermione), if Harry was a girl (cis or trans), and variations with the Dursley's (Petunia raises Harry properly, Dursley's are killed instead of Potters, Dudley is a wizard). The entire series is well-written and extremely detailed in how the change affects the universe as well as the protagonist. It also features great variety in the characters who gain focus on due to the altered scenarios, covering a wide portion of the Harry Potter cast throughout the various stories. While I would recommend this entire series for this list, I'll also list my three favourites from the series for individual consideration.
no place like home - Petunia refuses to accept Harry into her home, thus invalidating the Blood Wards. Dumbledore instead takes Harry to be raised in the safest place in the wizarding world, Hogwarts. This is a Harry Potter who is raised by teachers and students, who plays with paintings and ghosts, and who is protected by the most magical building in Britain. He grows up loved, he grows up accepted, he grows up in a house of magic and knowledge and learning. Three guess where he gets Sorted.
This Harry begins as a sort of Fae child, who knows more about Hogwarts and magic than his year-mates and has many quirks from growing up inside Hogwarts. He is kind and rather innocent and makes friends throughout all four Houses. The story develops as the threats outside Hogwarts begin intruding upon his sheltered life, allowing us to see Harry grow up from this sheltered child to an adult who is capable of leaving on a new adventure. I love the collection of friends, allies, and secrets he has accumulated from his life at Hogwarts and how that drastically changes some events while others still occur. My favourite of the series.
he will have power the dark lord knows not - Harry Potter is a squib. Yet he still must attend Hogwarts. A Harry not only saddled with the Chosen One label, but also with that of a wizarding world cripple. Gives a perspective on a part of wizarding society that is barely covered by the books, about those who could have been a part of it if not for a misfortune of birth, who are disdained and ignored by wizards, who are treated as
lesser. Much of the story is unchanged, as the story goes into great detail how many of Harry's tools and tricks are magical in their own right and how some of his climatic confrontations rely very little on his own personal magic. Also has a great look at post-Hogwarts looking at the political and societal reform that Harry and his friends work to create in the wizarding world.
the kids who choose themselves - Voldemort has a complete victory on that fateful Halloween, and both Harry and Neville are dead. Probably the darkest story of the series, with Voldemort left alive and victorious and Dumbledore forced to salvage a new plan without the aid of any prophecy. Features both a perspective within Hogwarts itself as well as a wider view of the wizarding world under Voldemort's totalitarian reign (which is
chilling to read about) and the underground operations by the Order to resist him. The primary characters are the Weasleys as a whole, although the family is split between those who would survive under Voldemort (and therefore can attend Hogwarts) and those who wouldn't (and must live in secret), but continues the trend of a massive cast-list and amazing alternate friendships and expansions upon characters who barely have any canonical information.
