Hey fellow Potterheads!

I was recently hit with a wave of nostalgia that transported me back to the days when I sat in front of an old PC with a chunky CRT monitor, completely engrossed in a fanfiction that, at least to me, outshone the original series for me.

Back in the day, I stumbled upon this hidden plethora of fanfic on limewire torrents and one of the series (I'm not sure I'm allowed to name it) took the Harry Potter universe to places I never imagined. The setting was familiar and it kicks off after Goblet of Fire and resurrection of Voldemort, but the narrative diverged into a compelling alternate prophecy. I vividly remember being so captivated by the storytelling that even the "Order of Phoenix" felt like a mere precursor to the fanfic's brilliance.

Maybe it's the nostalgia, or perhaps the fanfic's prophecy was just that good. The characters felt richer, the stakes higher, and the plot twists left me wanting to read more and more. I remember I wanted to print these books and make them official covers to keep in my personal library. Although I suppose I could still do that now. The only downside is that the fanfic had some nsfw scenes.

The love for Ginny is established way stronger, the dark lord is stronger, the sixth book is literally that Harry and Voldemort switch to a different timeline with Snape marrying Lily and Harry being in Slytherin!

Don't get me wrong; I appreciate the original series, especially the concept of Horcruxes, which was downright captivating. However, in that fanfic, the whole concept felt elevated, and the challenges Harry faced in hunting them down seemed more intense and adult.

Now, revisiting the original series, it almost feels like Harry's journey to find and destroy the Horcruxes was a walk in the park, a literal child's play. Of course, I get it — the books are meant for a younger audience.

The original books are still a classic and in my library but I was just thinking how a well-written fanfic can leave such a lasting impact and, in my case, create this nostalgic longing for the thrill of discovering a story that felt like it belonged in the Potter universe.

PS: in another fanfic, there is a professor from America that literally brings down a meteor or something in Diagon Alley to fight Death Eaters. I remember just rolling my eyes about that one. I believe I didn't pick it up again afterwards.