Title: A Dark Mark Wouldn't Match her Pink Cardie
Author: GIRL IN STORY
Rating: T
Genre: Fantasy/Hurt/Comfort
Status: Complete
Library Category: General Fics
Pairings: none
Summary: "I thought she was making you do lines?" said McGonagall. "She is, yeah. But she didn't have me use ink," he said. "I am not Professor Trelawney," she said. "And despite that fact, I am still not psychic. You will have to use your words." OotP. No pairings.
Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9558136/1/A-Dark-Mark-Wouldnt-Match-her-Pink-Cardie

I really enjoyed this fic and in particular how original it felt. It might be worth a bit more than an almost recommended but it is short and has a few issues. The basic plot involves McGonagall discovering the blood quill and trying to get Umbridge fired; unfortunately, Fudge and Umbridge are too clever and lock Harry up in St. Mungos.

This fic is quite short. The author has a story they want to tell and they stick to it: there is very little extraneous detail and it's a quick read. The pacing can feel a little off but this may be an intentional choice to help portray the confusion and loneliness Harry is feeling.

Snape is the really interesting character in this fic. He develops an interesting relationship with Harry and I really enjoyed the way the author wrote him. He isn't too far off canon Snape- still snarky and sarcastic- but he isn't quite the same as canon. While this may turn some people off, I think the way the fic portrays the relationships between Harry and Snape and between Harry and Sirius is its strong point.

It's a fic with well written, engaging characters and an original plot, and while it is quite short I think it merits a 4/5.