Title: How We Survive
Author: twighlightshadow
Rating: T
Genre: Angst/Humor
Pairings: None
Status: WIP, relatively low update rate
Summary: An attack on the Dursleys left Harry to fend for himself. Years later, an overheard conversation results in new challenges which may prove impossible in the long run, such as remaining hidden in plain view, learning to trust again, and staying alive.
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2206813/1/

This is one of those stories where Harry bacomes a street rat at an early age and fends for himself by applying limited wandless magic. The big twist comes once he heads for Hogwarts - since everybody beleived him dead, he pretending that he's a ghost and he's actively trying to stop Quirell from stealing the stone (thus, hidding in plain view).

Big upside is Harry's character. He's not overpowered but sure as hell is a sneaky little bastard. Original twist to the same ol' alternate universe story is great too.

Downsides are slow chapter posting rate and the fact that it follows book 1's plot - that's been done hundred times already.

In general, it's above average story, not the best "alternate history" on the net, but interesting read nontheless.

 

I read it a week ago and even thought to post it here. It’s not great, but definitely worth reading.

 

I dug this story. Its all wrapped up and the sequel is being worked on.

 

I loved "How We Survive 1" but I must say I'm rather dissapointed by this sequel.

Everything is happening way too fast and without any details at all. No way Harry could just walz in Hogwarts and get sorted without having a word with Dumbledore to put him on the list. Or to live on his own again without the whole wizarding world (or at least Dumbledore) looking out for him. The author also glossed on everyone's reaction on finding out Harry was alive all the time - people like Snape shared their intimate secrets with him and now they seem just OK with the fact they've been deceived (or not? I really can't tell coz there's simply not enough details).

So, the plot still seems interesting, Harry's character as well, but writting seems more like an extended chapter summary than a real fiction.

 

I have to agree with that.

I love the story, but the way they gloss over the reactions to some of Harry's schemes (AKA: Pretending to be a ghost) annoys me. I mean, why would it take a whole year to get the news about Harry being a ghost out? And wouldn't the fact Harry aged some since he supposably died at #4 be an indication that he wasn't actually a ghost?

Still, it is definitely an original idea, and is done well. It is one of my favorite PS-alternate fictions yet. (and if isn't original, mind pointing me to where I can find more?)

 

Yeah, second one doesn't seem as good. But its still a brilliant idea that's worth checking out.

 

Meh. I must have tried reading this fic about three times already - but it is too god damned slow, and the quality of writing is little more than average. The chapters are all over the place - like the author has made the whole thing up as they went with no thought or plan, and the chapter lengths are pitiful.

I tried. I got angry. I can't be fucked with this any more.

:evil:

 

This is an odd little story. It's got 23 chapters and it's complete, but it's only 39k words long. It basically covers Harry's first year at Hogwarts, with the twist that everyone thinks he's a ghost.

Spoiler

The premise is that Death Eaters attacked Privet Dr. when he was seven, but Harry managed to escape. Everyone assumed he was dead while he raised himself on the streets and in an abandoned mansion (Riddle Manor). He learned to use magic instinctively, including how to apparate, become invisible, become transparent, float, etc.

So he arrives at Hogwarts, meets the twins, and concocts a crazy plan to hide openly as a ghost. You can pretty much guess how everything else happens, as this follows canon to a fault.

The trouble with the story is that everything is rushed. There's no characterization to be found, and the plot skips through the major events of PS at breakneck speed. Harry's interactions with the staff and other students are beyond ridiculous, as no one even questions him about his sudden appearance there. 'Huh. Harry Potter's a ghost? That's nice,' seems to be the prevailing attitude. There are also frequent and irritating misspellings of common words.

It might have worked in a different author's hands. 2/5

 

The whole "raising himself and learning magic innately" idea has been done before, and done better - TheJackOfDiamond's Hero's Path

The ghost idea is original and interesting, but it's not pulled off all that well. And with the word count being so low, it's hard to really appreciate the characters presented.

Agreed.