HoggyWartyXmas-Recs (for a great finish *sigh*)
"Further Adventures of the Hogwarts Knitting Society" (PG, 12700 w, Irma Pince et al.) : the story I recommended in Jan. 21 got itself a sequel *hooray*; just as inspired as the first tales about our favourite Ladies, but with an added note of suspense, and much more inclusive knitting-wise :-): https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/159058.html
"Singing Card from the Staff" (G, 19 w) : if this picture does not call to me, what could....; Carol-singing by our dear Hogwarts staff, depicted in such a brilliant way: https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/159776.html
"Hag Tales" (PG 13, 8900 w): don't let yourself get bewildered by the title — it is all about Minerva, from becoming a student at Hogwarts up to running the school, what could be more interesting? https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/161814.html
HoggyWartyXmas-Recs
For the 13th year in a row this fest has brightened the time of the Holidays and the Begin of the New Year- Thank you so much dear Mods!!
For me personally two stories stand out of all the wonderul posts (note: this year every story has been uplifting ... it seems we all felt, we did not need more drama than the real world served us):
"A Taste of Life" , R: G : https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/145388.html
this is a story about Florean Fortescue, a new guest at the fest: he talks about his "signature Ice-cream-flavours", which all have a story of their own, a special memory from his youth; this way we learn about his childhood, time at Hogwarts, his "Grand Tour" and how he found his passion for ice-cream;
"Winter Bloom" , R: Teen and up : https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/146358.html
a very thorough look at the situation of the Wizzarding Society after the fall of Voldemort; how Severus tries to help the students of his house whose world has changed the most, and how Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt supports his ideas and tries to win Severus' friendship in the process;
HoggywartyXmas-Recs
"Endings and Beginnings" by
delphipsmith (G) explores the history of the House elves, very convincing and satisfying, not only for Hermione and Dobby!"The Eyes Have it" by
lash_larue (G) makes you think much better of Trelawny than you ever thought possible; yes, she needs to take care of her eyes, as does Ollivander to succeed in his craft; a lot of insight here!"Flipping the Elephant" by
therealsnape (G) is a marvellous gift to escape from ones real world into being a new house owner in Hogsmeade: what a dream come true, one can so easily feel like Mafalda Hopkirk in this wonderful story!My Recs from HoggywartyXmas
Two of the stories tell us about the background of Madam Malkin resp. Poppy Pomfrey - their youth, upbringing, how they choose their profession and got their education, who became their best friends and so much more.
https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/127223.html "Vaticination" is the one about Poppy (PG)
https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/126877.html "A Material Girl" is the one about Mme Malkin (Gen)
And then there is the wonderful "The Unofficial Minutes of the Hogwarts Knitting Society" (Gen), https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/127525.html
- so funny: a group that starts as an excuse to avoid Gilderoy Lockhart leads to an unexpected discovery concerning Severus Snape, who happens to know all about knitting....
"Moving Forwards" https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/128175.html (12), is a story that answered a lot of my questions about how Hogwarts would be able to make a new start as a school after the battle; it is wonderful to read who will help to cope with the trauma and what changes will be made.
"To All a Good Night" https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/124969.html (G) is the story written especially for the year 2020: Hogwarts had to live through an outbreak of Corvid and the teachers are naturally exhausted at the start of the Holiday break, but there is light at the end of the tunnel...
HoggywartyXmas-Recs
Every year I think, the posts at the fest https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/ could not be matched in matters of excellent ideas and wonderful style the next time around, but every new edition of the fest proves me wrong, as there are stories again that cover new characters and background-stories one did not know one was missing until reading them :-).
This season my favourites in this respect would be:
"The Touch": Ollivander is taught by his grandfather about the details of his family trade; PG; https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/115505.html
"A Fine Romance": retired Ollivander is setting up an Antique Bookstore with his school-Sweetheart Augusta; G; https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/113610.html
"Sufficient Unto the Day": Minerva's widowed Father visits for the Holidays at Hogwarts; PG 13; https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/111730.html
Recommendation-post No. 1
hoggywartyxmas is running again *hurray*, and among all the other fantastic posts there was a story which I have read three times already:it tells about the Heads of Houses and their relationships with Severus Snape, Pomona Sprout being a sharp observer and therefore providing us with a happier ending than JKR (otherwise it is very canon-complying) - I love it to pieces:
Do Badgers Dream of Chocolate Hobnobs? :https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/101720.html
The rating is "gen", the author still anonymous.
Three recs out of HoggywartyXmas
1) Severus Snape kept a very special diary as a student and then again as Headmaster; it is a Prince family heirloom protected by very unique magic which decides who may have access to its contents: https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/89240.html (PG13) 1.Bitter, 2.Sweet
2) Hilariously funny is what happens after the ghosts of Hogwarts soak in vapor of Amortentia and decide to spread the good cheer: https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/93383.html (G) Ding Dong Merrily On High
3) A whole branch of magic not covered before opens in Bibliomancy which tells about Irma Prince, her magic, her life, work, friendships and loves: https://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/90768.html (PG)
Art-Recs and one story to go with a pic
hoggywartyxmas, but I could not possible restrict myself to three :-)So here are four ones which I love especially - but all the others over there are very delightful as well:
Minerva, completely in character, and caught in a peaceful moment, which fits the holidays (she is working nevertheless, as I said: very IC); her study is the "second character" depicted: "A Peaceful Haven" (G) hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/96097.
This next one is a series of three pictures, of which I love the third one "Christmas Crackers" especially; it catches the staff of Hogwarts pulling Crackers after the Christmas Dinner in the Great Hall; they all are depicted wonderfully, and all the details of the Hall as well keep one entertained for a long time: "A Personal Wish List and others" (G) hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/94014.
My gift "Laughing All the Way" stands out due to the contrast of black and white, the Thestral being a kind of spooky animal, but shown here in a moment of having fun, just like the occupants of the sledge it is pulling:(G) hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/92491.
My last choice shows Snape in a restful moment during the Holidays : "A Much Calmer Sutra" (G) hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/96971.
and if one wonders how a situation like this one shown might have come to happen, a story posted one day later gives one possible, very satisfying explanation: "Always, but Not Necessarily Forever" (PG) hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/97741.
My Recs from HoggywartyXmas
There are quite a number of stories which fit the "additional scenes"-category, a great favourite of mine; it is such a gift to read more "canon", explore it in greater detail and depth. I try to pick three from the lot, which is not easy - but I am sure other readers will post their recs, too, and probably choose different stories, so that all the wonderful offerings will get mentioned ;-) :
"Hiring Defence Against the Dark Art Teachers and ...." is looking at Dumbledore, Minerva and Severus facing the need to fill the staff position during Harry's years at Hogwarts; it gives us witty banter and a wide range of emotions: http://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/80436.html
"Love Hides in Familiar Faces" is a true Christmas story, as it is set during Christmas Eve at the end of 1996, with the Professors McGonagall, Slughorn, Flitwick and Snape working to exhaustion trying to hold the Dark at bay, and getting some help from unexpected but familiar quarters: http://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/77875.html
"Reawakening" has Snape rescued alive but in a coma after the battle; Hogwart's staff and students take turns visiting his room in the hospital wing; all the characters are described with great depth and insight: http://hoggywartyxmas.livejournal.com/80674.html
Cherry-Blossoms
