The Marci Rating System

The things of light, by deliciousblizzardshark

Harry nodded slowly. “I just… I don’t know what else to do,” he admitted.

Mary pointed to the man still dancing Harry across the front of The Prophet. “What does he do?” she asked.

“He’s an artist– he paints. And he goes for long walks. He reads books.”

Mary smiled. “Well, there are a few options. I think if you considered it you’ll think of a few more.”

Yesterday I wore my Hufflepuff t-shirt to work, because why not. (The dress code at work is laughably vague and mostly only applies if you are A) an important employee, or B) they think someone important might see you.) Also, my workplace is full of people who Don't Understand That Reference, so there was a humor element for me.

I did have one person strike up a conversation with me, inquire politely about my family, and then absolutely adorably not make any assumptions about whether my not being married meant that I might have (or not have) a partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend. (It was For Real super respectful; I was impressed.) But I figured it was like Neko Atsume -- you say good morning to someone enough times, and they bring you a momento, or in this case, a conversation.

But then when I got back to the apartment, a neighbor actually *called out to me* to say hello and then have a chat while we cooperated to get the oil cap off in her car. (I've lived in this building for five years; I've never exchanged more than hellos with any of my neighbors. This was very unusual.) She specifically asked about Harry Potter, and said her kids liked it, and that she'd seen the latest movie, and we talked about doing things with cars ourselves and not having to get someone else to help.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's the shirt.

Somehow, I only just this week got around to reading Floriography, by Endrina (an epilogue for the ‘Secret Language of Plants’ series). Pretty sure I was smiling and happy sighing all the way through.

Harry returned home at the age when most people start thinking about leaving.

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

I was going to rec that Harry Potter fic where Percy Weasley is a Seer, and also seriously needs a nap, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot this week, except I thought I’d already done a post about it. But then I went looking and not only could I not find a previous post, I can’t find the fic at all. Which is weird. (I mean, not that weird; I’m not a very diligent bookmarker.)

Anyway, anyone remember that fic? Percy Weasley, Seer, basically had a vision of one of the twins dying and orchestrated years of work into making sure it didn’t happen, also he had to keep saving his dad a bunch of times, and there was a big climactic battle at Hogwarts that involved — something bad that could fly? (I mostly remember being much more invested in ‘Percy Weasley: 10,000% done with this’ than the battle plans.)

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

Sticking with the Harry Potter trend for a third week! This fic holds the (dubious?) honor of being the only fic I've ever read with Theodore Nott as a romantic lead.

Extremely light-hearted, extremely AU -- featuring helpful mirrors! blind dates! everyone lives!

Finding Mr Right, by Nia_River

Wherein Ginny thinks Heidi needs to get laid, Hermione make *so many* charts, Lily wants grandbabies, the romantic prospects sometimes verge on the horrifying, and James Potter just wants to know what’s so wrong with Heidi joining a convent!

Future’s Past, by darkseraphina

This one reads like a completely enjoyable regency romance novel (absolutely intended to be a compliment, as someone who loves a good regency romance!). All of the Tragic Past pretty much wraps up after the first few chapters, and from then on it is all Enjoyable Correspondence and Strolling in the Garden. Plus, kids and cats. It is as if this story was made for me.

(PS: I had only the vaguest of ideas of who most of these characters were in the HP universe, and it did not impede my enjoyment of the story in any way!)

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

Sometimes it’s just nice to go back and hang out in the Harry Potter fandom.

In Which Harry is Magnetic North and Draco Is An Idiot, by bryoneybrynn

Potter waved a dismissive hand at him. “That part’s not hard. Just Floo them up and say, ‘Hello, I know we haven’t spoken in ten years and we hated each other’s guts back at Hogwarts, but would you like to come a party with me to help me piss off my father?’”

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

(Sometimes it’s so nice to drop back into the fic world of Harry Potter!)

Stately Homes of Wiltshire, by waspabi

Potter looked almost surprised to see him, the idiot. He had visited Draco’s home, whomever else could he possibly expect? “Hello,” Potter said, with an aborted half-wave. Thin winter sunlight gleamed off his high cheekbones, yet another in a long line of irritations. “Your gate thinks I’m a wastrel.”

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

Harkening back to fandoms of yesteryear with a Harry Potter rec!

It Takes a Village, by Saras_Girl

Eighth year isn’t exactly going to plan. Harry is definitely not running away, Draco is definitely not impressed, and it’s almost definitely not going to stop raining.

[with special thanks to jerakeen, who’s been pinboarding HP fics lately!]

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.

Yesterday, before work, I was waffling over whether to read A Private Reason for This, by Femme (femmequixotic). In the ‘go for it’ column: I had some extra time. In the ‘but why?’ column: I don’t even like murder mysteries!

Anyway, I started it. But it’s long, so I couldn’t fit it all in before I had to leave for work.

Which led to me being kind of distracted all day.

Anyone at Work: “So I have an important work question.”
Me: “That’s cool, but let’s talk about the real issue here. Who killed Hannah Abbott?”

And then I got home and finished the fic, and there were tears and feels and probably all day today I’ll be saying things like ‘but murder is just so heartbreaking, don’t you think?’

In conclusion: good fic, definitely reminded me why I don’t read mystery/crime stories more often.

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.