Fandom: Harry Potter Relationship: Hermione Granger/Harry Potter -------------------------------------------------- AU. A marriage law is instigated during Hermione's sixth year. Hermione considers her options and makes her choice, it just wasn't the one they were expecting. By saving herself Hermione's decisions cause ripples to run through the Order. The game has changed, those left behind need to adapt to survive. Canon up to the HBP, Dumbledore lives, Horcrux are still in play.
I love this AU of the horcrux hunt. So very satisfying that Voldemort's downfall wasn't like the canon one. And how refreshing that the adults actually got off their asses and did the bulk of the work? Seriously, that trope of incompetent adults in YA literature is so annoying. I was so pleased Dumbledore's bullshit was called on many occasions. I love the details of magic, and how Hermione's parents aren't obliviated and cast aside as useless to her life. I admire how the anti-Muggle sentiment of even the Light siders isn't glossed over, and how Percy is redeemed in this. I wish Sirius had lived in this somehow, but at least Hedwig did. :)
My only two issues is that Harry should have been an animagus, too. Secondly, I don't mind OP Hermione, but the author could have given more magical meat to Harry's part. Yes, she is brilliant, but he is definitely a better and more powerful fighter, and that he was the Dark Lor's equal wasn't shown. But the "power he knows not" being friends and family was great.
An excellent fic that tells a delightful story in a wonderful 314k words.
Despite the length, this is never boring, you can’t await the next chapter, and there’s not even much worldbuilding (which I don’t mind), not much background information that’s not canon.
The story itself is sound and believable; the outcome suitable for all audiences. It’s also, thankfully, not romance-y. ☺