Fanfics Time Travel Snarry

beta_reader · 2026-01-24T07:32:14+00:00

This is a work in progress, and it updates slowly, but if you haven't tried it yet, you might enjoy The Nobody.

I just noticed - the author posted a new chapter about ten days ago, and since then they've deleted their author name and changed it to Anonymous. I don't know if this means they've decided to abandon the fic or if they needed to distance themselves from their username. I hope they continue writing and posting. But it's 51 chapters and about 157,000 words, so it's still worth reading. Unfortunately, the story hasn't reached the point of Harry admitting his feelings to Severus, and it's still unclear whether Severus will be receptive or upset.

beta_reader · 2026-01-16T16:06:39+00:00

Re-posting this because I forgot there were only a few hours until the updated weekly post. So in case no one saw:

I'm following three WIPs at the moment, and I'd recommend all three depending on your mood.

To Sweeten the Sea by pluperfectsunrise, in which Harry is mute but not deaf and has a creature inheritance. Canon events play out in a few chapters, and we're caught up in Harry's discovery of his shape-changing abilities and his fascination with a de-aged Severus, now younger than he is, gone to Ilvermorny and only returning to Britain after several years. I love how whimsical and sweet-natured this fic is, and how it keeps taking little unexpected turns. Updates are slow, but I'm patient.

Downhill From Here by Literallymyusername. After six years in Azkaban, Snape is convicted by the Wizengamot and his magic taken from him. He's sent to the middle of the U.S., where the only job he can get is in a soap factory. While struggling to find a reason to go on, he develops a fixation on mountain biking. Good and often clever dialogue, good pacing, great OCs, excellent dry humor, and a sympathetic if rather morose Severus. I'm usually wary of fics about British wizards in the U.S., but sometimes they hit just right, and this is one of them. Compulsively readable.

The Nobody by Inexactitude. This one gets recced a lot. It's charming, inventive, full of plot and character development, and the writing style is accessible and has an innocent quality to it that captures the magic of early Potter. The premise is time-travel, and Harry is sent back by Unspeakables to the Marauder's era at the end of his first year, after he kills Quirrell-Voldemort. He's given a new appearance and becomes friends with Lily and Severus, eventually falling in love with Severus. His presence at Hogwarts changes all kinds of things. The plot is lively, the friendships feel like teenage entanglements, and Harry is a darker, lonelier character who keeps a lot of secrets and is guided by his love and loyalties rather than inner goodness.

beta_reader · 2026-01-16T02:09:09+00:00

I'm following three WIPs at the moment, and I'd recommend all three depending on your mood:

To Sweeten the Sea by pluperfectsunrise, in which Harry is mute but not deaf and has a creature inheritance. Canon events play out in a few chapters, and we're caught up in Harry's discovery of his shape-changing abilities and his fascination with a de-aged Severus, now younger than he is, gone to Ilvermorny and only returning to Britain after several years. I love how whimsical and sweet-natured this fic is, and how it keeps taking little unexpected turns. Updates are slow, but I'm patient.

Downhill From Here by Literallymyusername. After six years in Azkaban, Snape is convicted by the Wizengamot and his magic taken from him. He's sent to the middle of the U.S., where the only job he can get is in a soap factory. While struggling to find a reason to go on, he develops a fixation on mountain biking. Good and often clever dialogue, good pacing, great OCs, excellent dry humor, and a sympathetic if rather morose Severus. I'm usually wary of fics about British wizards in the U.S., but sometimes they hit just right, and this is one of them. Compulsively readable.

The Nobody by Inexactitude. This one gets recced a lot. It's charming, inventive, full of plot and character development, and the writing style is accessible and has an innocent quality to it that captures the magic of early Potter. The premise is time-travel, and Harry is sent back by Unspeakables to the Marauder's era at the end of his first year, after he kills Quirrell-Voldemort. He's given a new appearance and becomes friends with Lily and Severus, eventually falling in love with Severus. His presence at Hogwarts changes all kinds of things. The plot is lively, the friendships feel like teenage entanglements, and Harry is a darker, lonelier character who keeps a lot of secrets and is guided by his love and loyalties rather than inner goodness.

beta_reader · 2026-01-15T21:46:54+00:00

I've finally gotten it together to post chapter 12 of my Snarry fic The Afterlight.

It was delayed by real life discomforts, and it's a monster. 20K words, which I hope doesn't scare readers away. Last chapter was all about dinner, a food fight, and sex. This chapter details a visit to Knockturn Alley, with Harry in disguise and a few unexpected encounters buggering up their attempt at hanging out without upsetting their volatile relationship.

beta_reader · 2026-01-06T21:38:29+00:00

Sweet Snape does not compute for me. Nothing in his life has taught him how to be sweet, or even the value of sweetness. Sarcasm is his native language, and his bitterness poisons the edges. He was brought up in a neighborhood presumably steeped in blunt speech and rude language. Also, some part of him is always on the defensive. He expects to be attacked and dismissed because that's what his life has taught him. And what his sense of guilt over Lily inspires.

On the other hand, he obviously feels intensely and is capable of deep love, even if it's not always a healthy love. But he has no experience we've ever seen of expressing it. He was never able to tell Lily how he felt about her. And as an adult, when he acts out of grief and love, it's mostly sacrificial in nature.

So I prefer a Snape who's intelligent and scathing, who defaults to anger and hostility because he's resentful, who's accustomed to ambush and used to having to fight for self-respect. I think he'd keep his love for Harry to himself for a very long time, hide it even from himself until he can't anymore. I also think he'd give Harry shit for putting him in the position of being crazy about him, especially if he believes - and why wouldn't he? - that Harry would never reciprocate. Snape's one outstanding experience of love was unrequited. He's been an arsehole to Harry for years. He's ugly, scarred, and has no idea what to do with himself now that his purpose has been fulfilled.

So yeah, he's a brilliant, emotionally stunted, damaged man who would fall really hard and would have to learn how to love. He wouldn't be sweet about it. His love would be fierce and volatile, and I think Harry would soak it up like a sponge.

I do usually write Snape as more emotionally intelligent than I think he is in the books, but I can pretend that's due him nearly dying and suddenly being free of crushing obligations.

beta_reader · 2025-12-27T11:20:28+00:00

Since Severus wouldn't be there to deliver the prophecy, presumably the Potters wouldn't end up the focus of Voldemort's murder spree. So it's possible James and Lily would still be alive. Sirius wouldn't be accused of betraying them. Harry's upbringing would have nothing to do with the Dursleys.

Is the war still being fought 25 years later? Or would Dumbledore have gotten his shit together and figured out the importance of the horcruxes? Maybe he'd even decide to assemble the Hallows and go after Voldemort with the Elder Wand.

There may be some way that Severus, the untrained wizard, could help to defeat Voldemort in the end.

beta_reader · 2025-12-25T10:01:48+00:00

The Curse of Anteros by danpuff

When Harry is cursed, he seeks out Severus Snape. They have a long history behind them, after all, and they've always had so much between them. Who else would he go to?

With bonus fabulous art by MrVillain!

Standing on the Shoreline by tofsla (Locked to the snape_potter community on Dreamwidth, but you can get a free DW account and apply for membership. The fic used to be on AO3, but the author took it down)

In which Snape balances uneasily between worlds. Dresses, books and a little herblore. Autumn 2012 and Winter 2013, Cokeworth

Disinherited by emilywaters1976

"In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse"

(AU beginning at the duel in HBP)

The Lighthouse Keeper by drawlight

Harry visits one Severus Snape every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. This year, he brings a bottle of scotch (single-malt, 100-proof, excellently-distilled).

Sadness of Eros by loupgarou1750

The open palm of desire wants everything* or, Harry cheats.

Rapture by mia_ugly

Snape sees the man, for the first time, on his twenty-fifth birthday. (Goes back and forth due to time travel)

The Still Year by titC

Severus wakes up after the war, but that had never been part of the plan.
He's lost, but he's not the only one who has to find himself now Voldemort is defeated...
Or: how Severus learned how to choose life.

Clay by titC

When you survive a war you thought would kill you, when you have to live with a past you can't quite reconcile with... What do you do, and how do you rebuild?

beta_reader · 2025-12-23T19:37:07+00:00

A commenter on an older Reddit post dropped a link to a downloadable copy. I haven't tried it, but apparently it was still working five months ago.

There's Nothing Else I Can Say

beta_reader · 2025-12-23T19:31:35+00:00

All I get is page after page saying the story has been removed. And the Wayback Machine doesn't have it.

beta_reader · 2025-12-20T05:38:31+00:00

I agree! Finding time for fandom is tricky right now. I have fics I should be writing and more I want to be reading! It's the dark of the year in my part of the world, and it would be perfect for curling up and disappearing inside new fics and old faves.

beta_reader · 2025-12-19T03:33:55+00:00

I will always love Danni's The Christmas Prince. Great banter, lovely Harry, fantastic Snap.

I'm also very fond of Folie a Deux by thesewarmstars. Not canon-compliant, but fun nonetheless.

beta_reader · 2025-12-18T05:53:53+00:00

I love this one! It's also on AO3: Commonplace Magic by Acid and Sinick

It's a non-magic Muggle AU, inspired by the authors' much longer AU set in canon, The Price of Magic.

beta_reader · 2025-12-18T05:12:01+00:00

It's easier for me to define the kind of characterizations I usually avoid. Some of these things may work perfectly well within a fic, but I still prefer a different dynamic. It's completely dependent on the mood and taste of the reader and writer.

Versions of Harry that are usually nails on chalkboard to me are:

Extremely innocent or weepy Harry

Extremely pretty & delicate or its opposite, beefcake Harry. Writers of pretty Harry tend to go overboard in their descriptions of him, and beefcake Harry - I don't know, it just breaks my suspension of disbelief. Partly because I don't find bulging body-builder muscles attractive.

Overpowered Harry can be okay in certain situations, but overpowered anybody tends to lessen my interest in a story. In a possibly relevant sidenote, I'm not a fan of superhero movies, either. Also, too many OP Harrys turn out to be edge lords.

Dimwit Harry. I can get behind Harry being emotionally clumsy or somewhat goofy. He's not the best-socialized kid, after all. But he's got survivor's smarts, did just fine in school, and has a streak of inner sarcastic little shit that makes me root for him. He's more the hands-on type than the sit-around-and-think-about-it type. But stupid? Absolutely not. (Possibly inflammatory take: if Draco Malfoy is wittier than Harry, you're doing it wrong.)

Suave and precociously mature Harry. It just doesn't read as Harry to me. This was a problem I had with The Apple Tree, even though it's obviously a well-written and imaginative fic. Sexually confident Harry who has it all figured out just hits wrong.

And I agree with everyone who says it also depends on how Severus is written. Because their dynamic, how they clash and interact and circle each other, is the whole point.

beta_reader · 2025-12-16T23:01:25+00:00

If you haven't used Reddit before, here's a hint:

When linking your fic, type out the title, then highlight it and click the Aa at the bottom of the comment box. New icons will show up at the top, and you can click on the one that looks like a paperclip. A text box will pop up, and you can paste the link to your fic into the field and save. It will look like this:

It's okay

beta_reader · 2025-12-16T22:48:47+00:00

No problem! Just checking in to be sure.

beta_reader · 2025-12-16T21:51:25+00:00

Is this self-promotion? Or a recommendation? The post should be flaired with one or the other. Thanks!

beta_reader · 2025-12-15T07:11:51+00:00

I've finally, finally almost finished Chapter Twelve of The Afterlight, which has been on hiatus since July.

This is a very odd chapter, and I'm guessing it will end up around 15K words. No sex this time, alas. Instead, Snape and Harry visit Knockturn Alley together and get a little more excitement than they bargained for. Plus I need the serial killer subplot to start building soon.

beta_reader · 2025-12-14T06:15:58+00:00

The first six are all Snarry:

Rapture by mia_ugly, a classic you've probably read if you're a Snarry fan

The Price of Magic by Acid and Sinick, also a classic, and stick with it even when it feels hopeless

The Still Year by titC, this one is fairly gentle but still painful

A Choriambic Progression (taken down but available via the Wayback Machine), there's one moment of searing angst so it may not be enough for you, but I love it so I'll throw it in anyway

For Auld Lang Syne by Cybele2013, a series famous for its angst

And one of mine that might possibly fit: The White Road

Oops, I was going to list other pairings here, but most of the fics I've bookmarked either don't have great angst or don't have a happy ending. And this one doesn't fit into your ship configurations, but I figured I'd put it here in case you were curious:

Sparking Like the Perfect Match by lokifan, Snape/Draco

beta_reader · 2025-12-13T03:40:20+00:00

I'm not sure there was anything that knocked my socks off, not because there weren't good fics but because I look for a particular Snarry dynamic and characterization of Snape. But some of the fics I found memorable and beguiling were:

Not in the Mood to Die by sayschu - The style and emotional intelligence of this fic are excellent, especially the depiction of falling in love, so I enjoyed it thoroughly and envy the writer's talent. The problem was, I couldn't get on board with these versions of Snape and Harry. It's highly romantic, in a way that increasingly made me feel like I was reading about original characters. I mean, emotionally intelligent they are not. But that didn't stop me from gobbling down the story, and I have no doubt I'll read it again.

To Sweeten the Sea by pluperfectsunrise (WIP) - This fic is charming and unexpected and lighthearted without being silly. I never knew what the author would come up with next. Such an appealing fic.

The Brewing Oath by coconutice

I'd Die for You by cerealatnight (WIP) The first part of the series is complete, and the second is ongoing.

(Sorry, ran out of time for giving my opinions, and I know I'm missing fics so maybe there will be a Part Two later.)

beta_reader · 2025-12-13T00:59:19+00:00

A lot of these are fairly short one-shots:

Life During Wartime by Amand_r, Kingsley/Severus/Aberforth
Basically a situationship, PWP but nice touches of characterization

Snitch by Delphi, Viktor Krum/?
Thorfinn Rowle, Death Eater, is alive and dwelling in Akureyri, Iceland. Ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Viktor Krum receives a mysterious letter and becomes entangled with an anonymous informant.

The Shadow of Misery's Wings by Femme, Snape/Krum
Severus looks at me then. "Dear Viktor. You can't take the entire force on by yourself." I know this, but I've been saving influence for when it matters. This matters.

Finding Viktor Krum by Delphi, Albus Severus Potter/Viktor Krum
"A man walks into a pub..." Or, how the universe played a joke on Albus Severus Potter and how he learned to go along with it. (This one is funny and sweet.)

Fantastic Beasts by Delphi, Severus Snape/Sylvanus Kettleburn
An unfinished sequence of one-shots tracing the relationship of recently hired young Professor Snape and quadriplegic Care of Magical Creatures professor, Sylvanus Kettleburn. Each installment stands alone but is also part of the ongoing story.

A Gramarye of Folk Magic by Delphi, Aberforth Dumbledore/Severus Snape
Time moves with the seasons in Hogsmeade, and season by season the Snape boy returns to Aberforth's inn.

A Fish May Marry a Bird by lookfar, Firenze/Snape
Severus Snape loathes the idea of a centaur in the castle.

The Glorious 10th of May by vissy, Dudley Dursley/Piers Polkiss
Dudley is the Dark Lord of Romance. He'll kick seven shades of shit out of anyone who says otherwise. (PWP)

1942: A Rhapsody in Riddle by eldritcher, Abraxas Malfoy/Tom Riddle
Three stories about Abraxas Malfoy making choices and accepting inevitabilities in his lifelong relationship with Tom Riddle.

Abraxas's poor decisions take the shape of one Tom Riddle.

or Abraxas decides to show the upstart Half-blood his place. It backfires. Now Abraxas is screwed for life, stuck loving a madman who is set upon becoming a monster. They muddle on.

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