i am begging you to try harry potter fan fiction

Overview

This video is a personal recommendation roundup of Harry Potter fanfiction, framed as the creator’s “gateway” into the genre after discovering how gripping it can be—beyond the usual stereotype of fanfiction as just “smut.”

Main Plot / What Happens

• The creator explains how having a baby, discovering Claude Code, and becoming obsessed with Harry Potter fanfiction changed their life—and that they want to recommend their favorite stories.
• They “zoom out” first to define what fanfiction is, admitting they previously misunderstood it as mostly teenage “spicy” retellings.
• Then they walk through five major fanfiction recommendations, each pitched with a distinct premise, tone, and length—while keeping spoilers light.

Highlights & Key Points (Book-by-Book)

1. Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (Eleazar Yudkowsky)

• Often described as a “science-y” gateway story: an AU where Harry grows up in a nerdy, science-friendly environment and treats magic like a system to be tested.
• Emphasis on logic and experiments, including poking at spells like Wingardium Leviosa.
• Harry’s personality is socially awkward and highly analytical.
• The creator highlights:
  • It’s long and immersive
  • There’s no adult romance / “R-rated stuff” here
• Reaction note:
  • The creator says it can start slow, but quickly hooks readers into a “holy freaking wow” moment.
• Community highlight:
  • Fans have turned it into a full audio drama with voices and sound effects.
• Practical advice:
  • Fanfic is free (no monetization to Rowling)
  • Tips for downloading EPUBs and reading on Kindle

2. The Debt of Time (Sha Lonnie)

• Hermione POV after major canon deaths (Sirius’s death, Dumbledore’s).
• Hermione finds a blood-magic ritual linked to the veil.
• Core premise: she explores whether Sirius can be brought back, and the story leans into the fallout.
• The creator says it dramatically changes Hermione’s arc and feels fresh rather than simply “undoing tragedy.”
• Tone notes:
  • Some romance
  • A few skippable R-rated scenes
  • The plot remains primary
• Emotional reaction:
  • The creator cries at the ending—likened to the emotional hit of Deathly Hallows.

3. The Riel Black Chronicles (Murky Blue Matter)

• A multi-book AU with major setup and identity twists, including:
  • Voldemort becomes a politician (pure-blood policy; Hogwarts access restricted) rather than an outright dark lord.
  • “Harry Potter” becomes Harriet Potter (potions obsession; wanting Snape).
  • A swap plot:
    • Sirius has a kid, Archie, who wants healing studies in America
    • Harriet and Archie swap identities to pursue their goals
• The creator expected it might be “trashy” due to the boy/girl swap trope, but is pleasantly surprised—calling it potentially their favorite of the five.
• Emotional reaction:
  • Again, the creator cries at the end.
• Status/author update joke-plea:
  • The author hasn’t updated since 2022
  • The creator ends with an enthusiastic “we need book five” appeal
  • Mentions an active Discord

4. Backwards with Purpose (Dead Woodpecker)

• Post–Battle of Hogwarts AU:
  • Voldemort uses fiend fire and almost everyone dies
  • Only Harry, Ron, and Ginny survive
• The survivors are depressed and suicidal.
• They debate whether saving more people is possible by going back in time.
• Dumbledore’s portrait provides a plan:
  • A ritual potion (“Tears of Merlin”) sends them to year one with perfect knowledge.
• The creator emphasizes:
  • Time travel is handled intelligently
  • Characters don’t behave “idiot-hat” stupidly
  • The story respects rules and plot logic
• The creator also compares it to other time-travel works that create plot holes, praising this one for better handling.

5. Manacold (Sen Lin / adapted as “Alchemist”)

• A very dark AU where Voldemort wins and initiates a forced breeding program for pure-blood repopulation.
• Hermione and other girls are pressed into concubinage roles.
• Especially disturbing dynamics involving Draco Malfoy:
  • Hermione is tied to Draco
• The creator describes heavy content:
  • Torture
  • Escalated viciousness
  • Morally gray “end justifies means” elements from the resistance
• Big note:
  • It includes major trigger-warning material
  • It’s hard to put down
  • Despite (or because of) its popularity, it has also been adapted into a bestselling conventional novel titled “Alchemist.”

Overall Tone / Creator Reactions

The creator repeatedly stresses:

• Length: often comparable to or bigger than the original series
• Sincerity: they prefer fanfiction that treats the premise seriously, not “crackfics” designed mainly as jokes
• Emotional impact: multiple recommendations make them cry

They also include a few “how to read it” / “what to expect” notes, such as:

• Availability (free access)
• EPUB/Kindle workflow
• Guidance around romance and R-rating expectations

Final Wrap-Up

• The creator invites more recommendations.
• Mentions they’re reading the Alexandra Quick series next (also long).
• Briefly disqualifies some “too jokey” crackfics.
• Ends the video.

Appearing Personalities (as Referenced)

• The narrator/creator (the YouTuber speaking throughout)
• Referenced authors:
  • Eleazar Yudkowsky
  • Sha Lonnie
  • Murky Blue Matter
  • Dead Woodpecker
  • Sen Lin
• Real-world podcast connection mentioned:
  • Cliff Whitesman (with a Speechify background)