Dumbledore's Army of Authors: Exploring the World of Harry/Tom Riddle Time Travel Fanfic on Reddit

28 Aug 2024

harry/ tom riddle time travel fanfic reddit

The internet, a breeding ground for bizarre obsessions and surprisingly high-quality fan-created content, has a particular soft spot for time travel. Throw in the already complex and beloved world of Harry Potter, and you’ve got a recipe for some truly wild fanfiction. But amidst the standard “Harry goes back to first year” tropes, there’s a subgenre gaining traction: Harry/Tom Riddle time travel fanfiction, and Reddit is its chaotic headquarters.

Imagine this: Harry Potter, armed with the knowledge of Voldemort’s rise and the trauma that comes with it, flung back in time to face a younger, less-scarred Tom Riddle. It’s a recipe for angst, romance (sometimes), and a whole lot of existential questioning. This particular flavor of fanfiction thrives on Reddit, where dedicated subreddits and forums buzz with discussion, recommendations, and the occasional dramatic flame war.

Why the obsession with sending Harry back to the days of Tom Riddle’s youth? It’s more than just a love of time-turners gone rogue. The Harry/Tom Riddle pairing, often dubbed “Tomarry” in the online world, is already a popular trope. Add in the element of time travel, and you’ve added layers of complexity to their dynamic. Suddenly, Harry isn’t just facing the monster Voldemort became, but a boy who might still be swayed, saved, or perhaps, even fallen for.

The appeal is multifaceted. For some, it's the exploration of "what if" scenarios—could Harry change the past, prevent tragedy, or even redeem the seemingly irredeemable Tom Riddle? For others, it's the delicious tension of seeing the Boy Who Lived navigate a world where his enemy is now a charming, ambitious, and undeniably attractive young man. The power dynamics shift, creating a playground for exploring themes of morality, choice, and the very nature of good and evil.

Of course, no fanfiction trend exists in a vacuum. Reddit serves as the perfect breeding ground for this specific brand of Harry Potter obsession. Dedicated subreddits like r/HPMorpheus and r/Tomarry act as hubs for readers and writers alike. Users share recommendations, dissect plot points with the fervor of literary critics, and even engage in collaborative writing projects. It’s a testament to the power of fandom and the enduring legacy of the Harry Potter universe, even when it takes a sharp turn into the land of time travel and forbidden romance.

But like any corner of the internet dedicated to fervent fandom, things can get a bit… intense. Debates rage over character interpretations, ships are declared canon with the conviction of a religious zealot, and the occasional grammatical error can spark a comment thread longer than the story itself. It’s a chaotic, passionate, and undeniably entertaining world to witness, a testament to the enduring power of fanfiction to captivate, inspire, and occasionally, divide.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Harry/Tom Riddle Time Travel Fanfic on Reddit

Advantages	Disadvantages
Access to a large and passionate community	Potential for negativity and drama within the fandom
Wide variety of stories and interpretations	Variable quality of writing and editing
Opportunity for reader interaction and feedback	Exposure to potentially triggering or controversial content

The world of Harry/Tom Riddle time travel fanfiction on Reddit is a wild and wonderful ride. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the trope or a curious newcomer, there's a story out there for you—just be prepared for a healthy dose of drama, debate, and the occasional plot twist that leaves you questioning the very fabric of space and time (and maybe Harry's questionable taste in wizards).