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Accidental Animagus #2
Animagus at War
Fandom: Harry Potter
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Voldemort's back, and this time, he's not alone. Harry and his family are caught in the middle as the wizarding war goes international.
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Voldemort's back, and this time, he's not alone. Harry and his family are caught in the middle as the wizarding war goes international.
- GenresFan Fiction
285 pages, ebook
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
incomplete_all-av-so-far-read
December 19, 2023INCOMPLETE! (I guess it was listed on Goodreads at some point when it seemed to have been abandoned, or perhaps at the end of Fifth Year??) As of 12/2023, it says "35/54" chapters (estimated from an outline for years 5-7), but while 29 chapters were posted to archiveofourown.org/works/14270739/ from 2018 through the end of 2020 (Hmm, fanfiction.net/s/12088294/1/Animagus-... indicates it was begun in summer 2016, shortly after books 1 & ~1.5~ were completed (≈6.5/year)), only 6 more chapters have been written since, the latest just last month (≈2/year, but really none in 2022). Sixth Year doesn't even start until Ch. 28.
Btw, don't skip The World of the Accidental Animagus, essentially #1.5, a set of 8 mainly-outsider-PoV international vignettes bridging the completed first four years with this work. Not so much plot as creatively diverse character-and-culture studies missing from JKR's insular depiction. Click for my briefish review.
I didn't reveal the pairings in my review of TAA #1, but no reason not to here. I like both Harry/Luna and Hermione/Neville, and so far (just starting AaW) think they're good for each other. UPDATE: Romances (Sirius's and potentially Remus's, too) are still only a minor plot thread, though, at least through ch.35.
Fifth Year:
Voldemort (now with added fire powers!) and foreign national La Pantera (with ~unstoppable~ elemental rituals of her own) start taking big actions with their attack on Azkaban, and recruiting Dementors. The ICW can't stay out of it any longer as just being an internal matter, especially as Voldemort's alliance efforts continue with other Dark Lords.
Btw, I find matters serious enough that using silly nicknames feels out of place. At least Fudge isn't adding to Harry's problems with denial and slander about the resurrection and Cedric's murder.
Now that Harry's cat-animagus ability is known, he finds himself facing multiple rumors and pranks, including nasty and/or dangerous ones, making it a weakness as well as a strength.
The reveal does, however, mean that he can release expanded editions of his "True Adventures" that include his actions in cat form, as I hoped for when hearing how bowdlerized they'd had to be.
There are several interesting class curricula, including Defense (taught with practical focus by Grand Sorcerer Grayson!) and History (still led by Remus, and no longer playing catch-up) both exploring the magical-domination goal of Grindelwald's War, how it crossed the usual lines in support, opposition, and assumptions about what is or isn't "Dark", and how the Death Eaters' pureblood agenda only rose later. Group exercises in Defense and Duelling Club better reflect the circumstances the students are likelier to find themselves in for real.
In the spring term, Remus's class turns from modern history to current civics and citizenship: the theory and reality of "government, politics, international relations, and finance.” Grayson offers a better perspective on the pacifist and purely theoretical Defense text Umb*tch used in canon, and warnings of how itching for a fight can lead to disaster on all sides. Cheers for teachers who make students think!
Also, a Native American master wandmaker and an elderly Chinese master seeress, unexpected part of the ICW mission, offer seminars as visiting lecturers (and also tutoring for ill-trained Trelawney, who is replaced by Firenze while on sabbatical for it). I like the "Naming Divination" theory proposed to somewhat explain names such as "Remus Lupin". Scrying, another skill of seers first mentioned in the Russia section of TWoTAA (IIRC), is an intriguing addition, both as a tool and as something to guard against.
I'm hesitating over telling anything further of moves made on either side. You'll notice that a lot of the above just discusses interesting background matters, attempts at "normal life" even as plots and plans are made. I think I'll wait 'til I've finished the year, then add reactions here.
...
Okay, not quite done with this year but I'm starting Ch.26, and by now the author has taken things in what should be an interesting direction, but tbh, I'm finding myself less gripped (especially since I know the happy resolution is a long way from being written). I'm not really into ~war~ anyway (even in the "small town" wixen numbers), nor too much politicking, preferring my fictional conflicts to be more personal-scale, so YMMV.
As in canon, the later years have a darker tone than the beginning. You canNOT safely assume that X will survive just because they did in the books and movies (or vice versa, but...). Powerful curses fly, and there are losses, both people and ground. Even the good guys' limited successes come at a cost.
The Author's Note on Ch.29 acknowledges that their outline is sparse on personal stuff, being mainly just the central action plotline. I prefer stories that leaven the drama with ordinary life and lighter moments, so it unfortunately sounds like it will continue to be not as enjoyable for me, but who knows.
(Harry himself is frustrated at being largely relegated to a symbolic role, rarely being able to actively fight.)
Additionally, White Squirrel no longer recalls their original intentions for a few things noted in their outline, since so much time has passed since it was originally drafted; such points may be either addressed briefly if possible or omitted.
SPOILERS FOR FIFTH YEAR BELOW:
Sixth Year begins
Ch.30: Dumbledore finally tells Harry a little bit about the Deathly Hallows, but one thing that initially confused me was the status of the Resurrection Stone, currently under Grayson's protection. Albus, Sirius, and Remus managed to find and destroy the Gaunt ring in TAA without anyone actually touching it and getting terminally cursed, but the Stone was badly cracked in the process. Apparently that did not affect its necromantic power, though.
The revelation is required in preparation for Harry's presence at a complex in-person conversation of the Dumbledores with longtime-prisoner Gellert Grindelwald. Think Hannibal Lecter X Magneto for his containment here.
In Ch.35, currently the last written, there's a really interesting headcanon re. dementors, synthesized from clinical depression and the Patronus charm: "If the positive emotions are too strong to be broken by the dementors, they can’t feed properly." Since Muggle London has been suffering the unnatural cold and gloom of the new magical regime's lingering force of dementors, Statute-mandated secrecy or no, understanding what can be done against them is important. As someone whose formative reading included a lot of Regency romances, I found the unexpected solution particularly appealing.
I do have to say before I close this long-but-unresolved review of an already-LONG WiP, I'm no more a fan of prophecies and their woolly susceptibility to interpretation than Harry is, and it's definitely prophecies plural in AaW, both short- and long-term. I still think the logistics involved in countering scrying are interesting, though, which involves a different facet of seers' divination gifts.
What else haven't I mentioned yet? Well, at least a couple of the lesser characters apparently come from a tie-in video game I've never seen, much less played, HP: Hogwarts Mystery, so I can't evaluate them on that basis, or even be sure I know who all of them are.
I do have the impression that the overall proofreading in AaW is a little bit worse than in TAA, though it's certainly still quite readable — B+ fallen to B, perhaps.
I wish the author productive muses and opportunity, so this 'verse can eventually reach its planned conclusion.
**********
I'm not sure how I feel about hopping back and forth between reading and reviewing like this. It does mean I'm more likely to catch things I truly want to mention on such long works, but I think I wind up saying too much, and I'm not good at deletion decisions. 🤷
Btw, don't skip The World of the Accidental Animagus, essentially #1.5, a set of 8 mainly-outsider-PoV international vignettes bridging the completed first four years with this work. Not so much plot as creatively diverse character-and-culture studies missing from JKR's insular depiction. Click for my briefish review.
I didn't reveal the pairings in my review of TAA #1, but no reason not to here. I like both Harry/Luna and Hermione/Neville, and so far (just starting AaW) think they're good for each other. UPDATE: Romances (Sirius's and potentially Remus's, too) are still only a minor plot thread, though, at least through ch.35.
Fifth Year:
Voldemort (now with added fire powers!) and foreign national La Pantera (with ~unstoppable~ elemental rituals of her own) start taking big actions with their attack on Azkaban, and recruiting Dementors. The ICW can't stay out of it any longer as just being an internal matter, especially as Voldemort's alliance efforts continue with other Dark Lords.
Btw, I find matters serious enough that using silly nicknames feels out of place. At least Fudge isn't adding to Harry's problems with denial and slander about the resurrection and Cedric's murder.
Now that Harry's cat-animagus ability is known, he finds himself facing multiple rumors and pranks, including nasty and/or dangerous ones, making it a weakness as well as a strength.
The reveal does, however, mean that he can release expanded editions of his "True Adventures" that include his actions in cat form, as I hoped for when hearing how bowdlerized they'd had to be.
There are several interesting class curricula, including Defense (taught with practical focus by Grand Sorcerer Grayson!) and History (still led by Remus, and no longer playing catch-up) both exploring the magical-domination goal of Grindelwald's War, how it crossed the usual lines in support, opposition, and assumptions about what is or isn't "Dark", and how the Death Eaters' pureblood agenda only rose later. Group exercises in Defense and Duelling Club better reflect the circumstances the students are likelier to find themselves in for real.
In the spring term, Remus's class turns from modern history to current civics and citizenship: the theory and reality of "government, politics, international relations, and finance.” Grayson offers a better perspective on the pacifist and purely theoretical Defense text Umb*tch used in canon, and warnings of how itching for a fight can lead to disaster on all sides. Cheers for teachers who make students think!
Also, a Native American master wandmaker and an elderly Chinese master seeress, unexpected part of the ICW mission, offer seminars as visiting lecturers (and also tutoring for ill-trained Trelawney, who is replaced by Firenze while on sabbatical for it). I like the "Naming Divination" theory proposed to somewhat explain names such as "Remus Lupin". Scrying, another skill of seers first mentioned in the Russia section of TWoTAA (IIRC), is an intriguing addition, both as a tool and as something to guard against.
I'm hesitating over telling anything further of moves made on either side. You'll notice that a lot of the above just discusses interesting background matters, attempts at "normal life" even as plots and plans are made. I think I'll wait 'til I've finished the year, then add reactions here.
...
Okay, not quite done with this year but I'm starting Ch.26, and by now the author has taken things in what should be an interesting direction, but tbh, I'm finding myself less gripped (especially since I know the happy resolution is a long way from being written). I'm not really into ~war~ anyway (even in the "small town" wixen numbers), nor too much politicking, preferring my fictional conflicts to be more personal-scale, so YMMV.
As in canon, the later years have a darker tone than the beginning. You canNOT safely assume that X will survive just because they did in the books and movies (or vice versa, but...). Powerful curses fly, and there are losses, both people and ground. Even the good guys' limited successes come at a cost.
The Author's Note on Ch.29 acknowledges that their outline is sparse on personal stuff, being mainly just the central action plotline. I prefer stories that leaven the drama with ordinary life and lighter moments, so it unfortunately sounds like it will continue to be not as enjoyable for me, but who knows.
(Harry himself is frustrated at being largely relegated to a symbolic role, rarely being able to actively fight.)
Additionally, White Squirrel no longer recalls their original intentions for a few things noted in their outline, since so much time has passed since it was originally drafted; such points may be either addressed briefly if possible or omitted.
SPOILERS FOR FIFTH YEAR BELOW:
Sixth Year begins
Ch.30: Dumbledore finally tells Harry a little bit about the Deathly Hallows, but one thing that initially confused me was the status of the Resurrection Stone, currently under Grayson's protection. Albus, Sirius, and Remus managed to find and destroy the Gaunt ring in TAA without anyone actually touching it and getting terminally cursed, but the Stone was badly cracked in the process. Apparently that did not affect its necromantic power, though.
The revelation is required in preparation for Harry's presence at a complex in-person conversation of the Dumbledores with longtime-prisoner Gellert Grindelwald. Think Hannibal Lecter X Magneto for his containment here.
In Ch.35, currently the last written, there's a really interesting headcanon re. dementors, synthesized from clinical depression and the Patronus charm: "If the positive emotions are too strong to be broken by the dementors, they can’t feed properly." Since Muggle London has been suffering the unnatural cold and gloom of the new magical regime's lingering force of dementors, Statute-mandated secrecy or no, understanding what can be done against them is important. As someone whose formative reading included a lot of Regency romances, I found the unexpected solution particularly appealing.
I do have to say before I close this long-but-unresolved review of an already-LONG WiP, I'm no more a fan of prophecies and their woolly susceptibility to interpretation than Harry is, and it's definitely prophecies plural in AaW, both short- and long-term. I still think the logistics involved in countering scrying are interesting, though, which involves a different facet of seers' divination gifts.
What else haven't I mentioned yet? Well, at least a couple of the lesser characters apparently come from a tie-in video game I've never seen, much less played, HP: Hogwarts Mystery, so I can't evaluate them on that basis, or even be sure I know who all of them are.
I do have the impression that the overall proofreading in AaW is a little bit worse than in TAA, though it's certainly still quite readable — B+ fallen to B, perhaps.
I wish the author productive muses and opportunity, so this 'verse can eventually reach its planned conclusion.
**********
I'm not sure how I feel about hopping back and forth between reading and reviewing like this. It does mean I'm more likely to catch things I truly want to mention on such long works, but I think I wind up saying too much, and I'm not good at deletion decisions. 🤷
June 13, 2019
The author not only lost the thread of what they wanted to write, they also have written only 15 chapters in a 3 year period despite writing 112 chapters in that same time period for the previous book. The story as a whole has suffered and will continue to suffer because the more intricate details are being neglected.
December 19, 2019
Not complete. Unfinished.
October 30, 2020
Fic was abandoned in 2016.
I loved this until the Hogwarts Mystery characters came in...
I loved this until the Hogwarts Mystery characters came in...
December 3, 2021
The author has obviously given up on the story.
'The Accidental Animagus' is one of the best FanFics out there.
The sequel is, for the most part, soulless, perfunctory and above all, rushed.
3/5 instead of 2/5 because when the author deigns to give us a few scenes with actual character interaction instead of mindless fight sequences- it has that same spark as the first book. I believe the catnip scene is in this one, and it's one of my favourite moments of the whole duology.
More than anything else: a shame.
'The Accidental Animagus' is one of the best FanFics out there.
The sequel is, for the most part, soulless, perfunctory and above all, rushed.
3/5 instead of 2/5 because when the author deigns to give us a few scenes with actual character interaction instead of mindless fight sequences- it has that same spark as the first book. I believe the catnip scene is in this one, and it's one of my favourite moments of the whole duology.
More than anything else: a shame.
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January 6, 2018 Can't wait for now!
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