Rec: Fic - Old Country by Astolat (HP/SPN Crossover)

[hells_half_acre]

I figured it was about time I officially recced this fic. I know I get a lot of traffic because of my Harry Potter crossover, so I thought maybe it'd be good of me to point people towards another really good Harry Potter crossover fic.

Old Country by Astolat

Now, it's pretty much a "classic" of the SPN/HP crossovers, so probably you guys know about it already, but I'm going to tell you why I like it:

It's an AU - going alternative after 2x22, and changing the battle of hogwarts from 1997 to 2007. Most of you know, I'm a stickler for canon (and especially a stickler for accurate timelines), so the fact that I'm recommending an AU that messes with timelines really says something about how good this fic is.

It's also a "Winchesters are actually Wizards" fic - which again, is not something I would normally go for....but they really pull it off. ESPECIALLY with Dean. I love how they found a way for Dean to be a wizard, without making him a wizard. They basically make Dean a subtle wizard - in that not even Dean realizes he's doing magic when he is doing it. He practices magic like goblins do - in craft form...and I think it's an amazingly brilliant idea, and suits the character brilliantly.

I love the fact that you still have the Sam-might-be-evil storyline - that Sam's obsession with saving Dean still leads him down dark roads. 

Basically, this fic goes AU from the story, but keeps the characters true to the show.

In terms of the depiction of the Harry Potter universe: I love the insight into Hufflepuff house. The fact that they made Dean a Hufflepuff is actually true to his character, I think - loyalty above all else. I also love how the Slytherins are not cut-and-dried-evil. You still have the same questionable morality, but at the same time, they also look out for Sam.

So, yeah...if on the off chance you haven't read it. I recommend it.

ETA: I forgot to warn for SLIGHT wincest. As far as I can remember though, it's hardly noticeable...and the story is obviously really enjoyable regardless.

Comments

[liliaeth]

I loved how the ghosts were terrified of the Winchesters and that Sam and Dean aren't all accepting about the ghosts being there :-)

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. I still have to negotiate that in my own fic.

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

I remember that one. It was pretty good, and then the wincest hit (and I didn't know to keep an eye out for it) and I was like "Oh MY GOD, incest, ew ew ew ew ew."

But then I kept reading the rest of it, anyway.

Which says a lot about it, I suppose.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Dude, I totally forgot to warn for incest! Thanks for reminding me!

I'm usually wincest free, but if the story is good enough I'll let it slide.

But yeah, I think the fact that we enjoy this story even though it has so much of the stuff we usually can't stand, really says a lot about how well it's written.

[kairia.livejournal.com]

Sam is in Slytherin? Hah, I'm off to read :D

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yup! I forgot to warn for Wincest though! So...umm..be warned...it's not that overt though, as far as I can remember it's really subtle (but it's been a while since I read the whole thing through).

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

IIRC there's one sex scene of dubious consent, but it cuts to commercial (so to speak) before anything gets really explicit.

[mzbrar.livejournal.com]

I havent read this fic basiclly cuz of the wincest but i think i might give it a shot now.heres one of my fav hp/spn fics
January Girl
by parenthetical
Rated R15-R
Summary:
With Sam trying out normal life at Stanford and his father working an undercover gig across the country, Dean is on his own and getting reckless. While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, he runs into a strange witch called Luna Lovegood, who is searching for what she calls a 'Horcrux'. (Seriously?) Suddenly Dean finds himself dealing with evil wizards, broomsticks, Bat-Bogey Hexes, Dementors, mirrors which order him to wear a pointy hat, and much more - all the while trying not to think too much about Luna's last name and whether it's accurate.
Completed:
2009-05-06
http://archiveofourown.org/users/pa...s/parenthetical

Hands down one of the best Harry Potter/Supernatural fic i have read! I love the way luna is so well writen and the relationship seems natural and has a flow thats true to both charicters.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

I love that one too! When I made this post, I was thinking that I had to remember what that one was called and track it down again...

At first, I remember thinking "Dean/Luna?! Are you serious?!" but they really pulled it off!

[mymuseandi.livejournal.com]

This story is the reason why i started to like SPN/HP crossovers! I love the setting, i love the attention to the dialogue, making sure that the Sam and Dean are still Sam and Dean, the lessons at Hogwarts are insightful, and mostly i like how Sam and Dean are not pushed into Gryffindor, and instead be herded into less poplar but no less important houses. I like that they are not competing with the HP world, but instead adapting so that both worlds can merged wonderfully.