#madharmony

[mustelidsinlove]

Unlike a Sister by madharmony

Nineteen years ago, Harry told Ron he saw Hermione as his sister. Now Hermione is in danger and Harry's feelings for her begin to change dramatically, jeopardizing everything he once knew. A post-war, Epilogue compliant fic.

"And just as gazing at a single star in the night sky causes the others to fade away, so he looked at her—an ever-fixed mark that he would bear out, even to the edge of doom."

//

"Why was it that women—particularly those who were bright and ambitious—were only loved once they were brought low in some way? Could they not be loved when they were whole and hale and unbending? But, no. Hypatia must always meet her mob. Boudicca, her dose of poison."

Art: The Reading Room, Francois Fressinier (2015)

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[kay-elle-cee]

'Tis the Season for fic recs! I know I posted a bunch this month for the @hprecfest (which you can find here!) but in keeping with tradition (aka I did this last year), I wanted to share 23 fics I loved this year. (This is in no way a comprehensive list, and I'm not reccing fics I rec'd last year—see the end of this post for more details.)

I would love to see YOUR year-end fic recs, so consider yourselves tagged if you see this!

ONESHOTS When The Skies Are Grey by @athenasparrow To Always Be Kind and True by @clare-with-no-i thorns, in amber by decemberista (not Jily) I'll Be There For You by @midnightstargazer what we had become (before we ever had begun) by @takearisk-ao3

MULTICHAPTER Found Tonight by @alittlebitofeverything23 Nom De Plume by @annabtg The Changeling by annerb (not Jily) made weak by time and fate, but strong in will by Dialux Choose Your Own (sexy) Adventure* by @ghostofbambifanfiction In Love and War* by Icepen love, james* by @isahorcrux Dead To Me* by @jamesunderwater Unlike a Sister by Madharmony (not Jily) Don't Look Back In Anger by @mppmaraudergirl and @possessingtheproperspirit Kindly Stopped for Me* by @nodirectionhome-ao3 The song remains the same* by @startanewdream Never Quite Awake by @sunshinemarauder Who Knows Who Cares by @the-dream-team Between the Desire and the Spasm* by @uncertainwallflower

SERIES Harry Potter Everyone Lives AU by @aidanchaser Call Me By Name Universe by @charmsandtealeaves Seasons by @suzyq31 (not Jily)

*Notes a WIP

I think this was harder than last year. I've read so many incredible fics this year (over 230 fics from 77 different authors, according to my tracker), but I've cursed myself to sticking with 23 for the ~vibes~. If you want more, just drop a 📖 in my ask box and I'll reply with another title! Happy New Year to you all!

[suzyq31]

Fic Rec

My other favorite Canon Compliant story for @hprecfest is probably my favorite fanfic of all time.

Unlike a Sister by MadHarmony

Summary: Nineteen years ago, Harry told Ron he saw Hermione as his sister. Now Hermione is in danger and Harry's feelings for her begin to change dramatically, jeopardizing everything he once knew. A post-war, Epilogue compliant fic.

This is one of the most gorgeously written stories I've ever come across in 20+ years of reading fanfiction. The world building is amazing, the commentary that reflects the flaws in our own world, the development of all the characters, an intriguing mystery, all of it.

The image below always makes me think of Chapter 5, which has a scene that gives me goosebumps whenever I think of it.

[wildwinter-d]

Unlike a Sister - madharmony - Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling [Archive of Our Own]

I don't even know where to begin with this one. There are so many layers to why I adore it, so let me pick one or two of the most important ones.

Firstly, one kind of HP story has the power to touch me so deeply if done well  - and that is middle aged Harry (or Hermione, or Draco, or Ron) in a crisis.

In my head canon this generation will get married, invest heavily in their careers, have children, buy houses, - only to realize in their forties (at the latest) that they can’t paint over and outrun the developmental steps, that they should have worked through in their teens but didn’t have any space and capacity for.

So, inevitably, these delayed issues will creep up and bite them in their ass in middle age. They will painfully complicate their attachment to their children, spouses, everybody in their life. Marriages will be blown up, their kids will have to reject the subconsciously delegated issues of their parents in order to be able to become themselves and act as painful mirrors, therapy will become unavoidable.

And the more functional the mirage seemed during their twenties and thirties, the bigger and more devastating the inevitable blow up will be.

So here we are, this is exactly the itch “Unlike a sister” is scratching, Hermione and Harry do a spectacular job of blowing up their lifes,  - and reading this was simultaneously soooooo incredibly nourishing while also a quite a bit painful.

Absolutely brilliant.

Secondly, there is another theme dear to my heart that “Unlike a sister” addresses with so much insight and kindness.

“All human stories are migration stories, because everyone is a refugee from their own childhood.” Moshin Hamid

Harry and Hermione are some kind of first generation migrants, who can never really settle in their new world. Their spouses and children are natives to this new land, and the former therefore lack the ability for real attunement, and the latter reject their migrant parents attempts to instill some of their home culture values, scruples and ideals in them, because they desperately need to fully inhabit the new world. It is hard to describe the bone deep feeling of loneliness this engenders in all first generation migrants, but this story does succeed in conveying it.

Heartbreaking.

It makes so much sense, that they would inevitably drift towards each other, once the busyness of childrearing and building a life dissipates and looking at this existential loneliness becomes unavoidable.

Thirdly, because it is insanely ambitious, this story also beautifully addresses the societal implications of repressed perpetrator trauma. Fascist ideology is a societal pathology, that is transmitted transgenerationally via attachment trauma - and is incredibly hard to weed out. It tends to flare up again and again in new forms because perpetrator trauma is usually never addressed adequately, much less integrated intergenerationally.

And the kind of real systemic change Hermione is working towards, will almost always engender a massive, violent backlash. And this wonderful story brilliantly posits Hermione as a lightining rod for this kind of backlash – this is such a powerful illustration of the virulent shame defense that always accompanies repressed transgenerational perpetrator trauma.

[ladyofthe-manor]

who do you ship w/ hermione?

Honestly, no one is good enough for my favorite character. 

In an ideal world, she finds a muggleborn wizard who understands her struggles, and is similarly intelligent and powerful. (He can even help her make amends with her parents post-war.) 

I don’t think canon Harry deserves Hermione, tbh. He got distracted by shiny Ginny and I lowkey never forgave him for that. 

HOWEVER, if we’re talking solely fanfiction, I find the best stories have controversial pairings. 

I love dramione. Something about it is quite poetic when it’s done carefully. You can go to any extreme really, and it will always be interesting. From soft and sweet, to absolutely devastating.

I like Theomione or at least I really like that one ShayaLonnie story. I can appreciate that perhaps Draco and Hermione have too much history, and that Theo is a blank canvas Slytherin. I’ve been invested in his character since I first read OlivieBlake. He probably has the best rep in fanfiction, for his dry wit and charm, and his sad backstory. 

Harry/Hermione is interesting to read when it’s well done. (See Alexandra_Emerson). I don’t care for Weasley or Dumbledore bashing (to the extremes), but there are some stories that are so well thought out and explore sticky situations like infidelity absolutely brilliantly. 

I LOVE time travel and pureblood culture, so pairings with Sirius or Regulus are very good in my book. Write more of these I beg of you. Regulus because I think he’s hot, and he’s already redeemed. Sirius because he’s hot and could stand to grow up a little. They’d be explosive, wouldn’t they? 

I know Hermione is not perfect, and that’s part and parcel of why I don’t ship her with Luna or Fleur. I can’t quite get over her cattiness when she first meets those characters. Also, I like Fleur/Bill and Luna/Rolf is perfect IMO. 

Fremione is very cute but for some reason I don’t like George/Hermione. Not sure why, really? 

Ron is irrelevant to me when it comes to fanfiction. 

[unlikeasister]

Unlike a Sister has finally been updated after 6 years

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6574535/1/Unlike-a-Sister

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6574535/1/Unlike-a-Sister

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6574535/1/Unlike-a-Sister

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6574535/1/Unlike-a-Sister

CHECK IT OUT NOW AND GIVE MICHELLE SOME LOVE AND CRY ABOUT IT WITH ME

[midnightfanatics]

Unlike a Sister

OMG MADHarmony just updated!!!!! WHAT THE HELL!! PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I RAVENOUSLY EAT THESE WORDS! Best of Luck Everyone!!

[prayandcoolyouranxiety]

How am I supposed to get over Unlike a Sister by MADHarmony....? I feel incomplete and I regret nothing. It's a masterpiece. The plots and subplots are well developed, everything is important. I don't know what to say other then... I'm happy it exists.

Also please send me recs about any other good harmony fics

[hms-harmony-discord]

Hi... Could you reccomend post DH Epilogue fanfic? I have already read Husbands and Wives by gluglug. And I want to read some more about post DH Epilogue

Unlike a Sister by MADharmony

Nineteen years ago, Harry told Ron he saw Hermione as his sister. Now Hermione is in danger and Harry's feelings for her begin to change dramatically, jeopardizing everything he once knew. An Epilogue compliant fic.

Time is the Fire by Oddment Tweak

What would you do if the only way to save the person you loved was to sacrifice everything else that you held dear? DH-Epilogue compliant, sort of. Some HP/GW and RW/Hr, but ultimately, epically, HP/Hr.

Fulfilling Obligations by forbiddenharmony7

Did you ever wonder what happened in the 19 years between the last chapter and the epilogue of Deathly Hallows? Or what happens afterward? Totally, completely, and eventually H/Hr, but we have a long road to get there! 

Fundamental Compatibility by HarmoniousConvergence

Harry and Hermione react as canon shifts about them. An homage of sorts to H/Hr tropes, beginning after Ron leaves them in DH. Traces H/Hr through the years to the DH epilogue as they struggle to understand the nature of forces that keep them apart and will ultimately bring them together. No bashing, though incorporating angst, mystery, drama, humor, and occasional absurdity.

Stupid by The Seamonkey

DH spoilers. Hermione's wandering train of thought as she washes the dishes. 'Ron will kill me if he sees me cleaning without a wand. You're a witch, act like it! he'd say. He doesn't understand that I need the distraction...' HHr.

[chaztalk]

Before I get into this, I’d like to provide some context.  The meme they are using is the one that I recently reblogged, basically depicting Romione and Dramione shippers are fighting about who “deserves” Hermione, meanwhile Harmony shippers (and other non-canon shippers) are in the background relaxing and indulging themselves in fanfics, not caring or partaking in the shipping wars.  Now, how I came up with this meme: first, Romione shippers are OBSESSED with Draco for some reason, so they compare the two (Ron and Draco) to show who’s better, which is just pathetic because Ron is 1000x a better person and I don’t need to write an essay to prove that; second, they actually write essays on Romione vs Dramione; and the Harmony and other non-canon shippers just no longer partake in the shipping wars anymore.

You acknowledge that I correctly tagged a post, and yet I’m still a hypocrite.  That surely makes sense.

I just want to not to things regarding the second paragraph: One, my reblog contained a pic of a Romione saying, “Ron deserves Hermione more than anyone else”; two, this person has stated that Hermione “deserves” better than Harry.  Your sarcasm/attempt to deflect isn’t going to work here.  

“Who did Hermione choose in the actual story”?  Uhhh, it’s kinda hard for her to choose if she’s not in control of her character.  The author is.  It’s kind of funny how, in the previous paragraph, you were talking about how Harmony shippers “shove their non-existent ship down others’ throats” and yet here you are now, attempting to do the same thing, but with Romione.  Also, if Harmony shippers are “cry babies”, what does that make canon shippers complaining about the existence of Harmony shippers?

.And this is a response to a comment I made on the post.  It’s outdated now, because I referenced how many favorites I got from it (48 then; 248 now).

Brian?  My name is Chaz, by the way.

Harmony shippers always trash Ron?  I don’t.  I literally made a post a couple days ago insisting that Harmony shippers should look how bad Romione is in Ron’s perspective.  I mean, there’s even Romione shippers that admit that Hermione’s abusive towards Ron.

Y’know, I recently made and posted a poll on here, asking what Harry Potter character they’d marry, and I added a 4th option (”None cuz none of them are real”).  I’m the only one that has voted for that option so far.  So, Hermione is far from being my “dream girl”.  And I’ve stated this several times on here that Hermione’s not my type (bushy hair, into politics, not being a sports buff, etc).

And all I will say about that last sentence is that it’s cringe and comes off as hating on short people.

If you think that RobSt is the best Harmony fanfic writer, then you know absolutely nothing about the Harmony fanfic fandom.  First of all, I wouldn’t consider him a Harmony shipper since he does not exclusively write Harmony.  Secondly, RobSt fics are pretty popular, but that does not mean the best.  That’s like saying the best ship in the HP fandom is Drarry because there are like 13 of their fics in the top 20 on Ao3.  Thirdly, most of his fics have Harry and Hermione end up pretty quickly, which isn’t my cup of tea.  And lastly, most of these fics are from 6-14 years ago.  Can canon shippers never move on from the past?

SweetShireen, Untold Harmony, ProphecyMarauder45, Emmy_Award_Writes, MADharmony, and ladylaughalot are all better Harmony writers.

That is all.

[disgruntledwing]

Merry Xmas all!! here is my submission for the hhr Xmas Event hosted by @hms-harmony-discord, an absolutely lovely community that I am so grateful to be a part of! This is loosely based off my favorite fanfic Unlike A Sister by MADharmony, where hhr shares their first, and very heated, first kiss tucked away upstairs during a Christmas Party. I didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted on this, but I’m happy despite that. Happy Holidays everyone!!

[harmonyfanficquotes]

As he stared at the doctor's bloodless face, he wished her voice would come to him. Tell him what to do. Like it always did. But, sometimes...you are by yourself. And you will never really know...what's right...

Unlike a Sister. Chapter 40. MADHarmony

Such a powerful passage!

[kay-elle-cee]

@hprecfest Day 29: A Post-Canon Fic

Unlike A Sister by madharmony

Ship: Harry/Hermione Rating: Mature Relevant Tags: Harry Potter Epilogue Compliant, Slow Burn, Heavy Angst, Emotional Infidelity, Extramarital Affairs, Infidelity, Mental Health Issues, Trauma, Suicidal Thoughts, Depression, Thoughts of Self-Harm, Alcohol Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Politics, Racism, Misogyny, Ministry of Magic Employees, No Weasley Bashing, Post-War Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Word Count: 410,505

Nineteen years ago, Harry told Ron he saw Hermione as his sister. Now Hermione is in danger and Harry's feelings for her begin to change dramatically, jeopardizing everything he once knew. A post-war, Epilogue compliant fic.

[suzyq31]

Hi! How you can imagine story of HHr if it was il books ( where it can start) and their Post-war life?

Hmmm, probably not the best person to ask as I don't really like the idea of them being together during the books. One reason I didn't enjoy the canon pairings (aside from Jily), is that I'm not into EVERYONE being with the first person they ever dated. I would have preferred a more open ending, without the epilogue. Personally I'm glad that romance was never the focus of the series, although I would have liked some more nuanced dynamics.

I'm quite boring and the only main head canon would be that they slowly discover their feelings over time after the war, even if it's years later.

One example I adore of this is the one shot Finding Jane by Delivermefromeve (epilogue compliant), and of course Unlike a Sister by MadHarmony. Or another personal favorite that's not epilogue related is Taking the Leap by TLM8.

In terms of my own writing, the closest I've come to portraying this is my collaboration with @bettertoflee with It Had To Be You (idiots that don't realize they're practically already together), or my shorter fic called Opal and Mistletoe.

Sorry I'm probably the worst Harmony shipper ever 😅 I'm sure teenage me would have had vastly different opinions.

[divagonzo]

What do you think of the fanfic "Unlike A Sister" by MADharmony???

‘ello Nonnie. Thanks for the question.

I’ve actually not read it so I cannot offer an opinion on it.

But if you send me a link and it doesn’t have any of my squicks in it, I’ll give it a read shortly.

[polosport40]

Me singing Reasons to bae.🐼 #MadHarmony https://www.instagram.com/p/B3K8B56HDKD/?igshid=x7ug9cfodc5s