New Fic Recomendations: Now that's a lot of monkeys.

[K sai]

Harry Potter: Other People's Magic (Power!RavenClaw Harry)
What if surviving that Halloween night left Harry with less magic of his
own, but with other abilities instead? Follow Ravenclaw Harry as he
learns to borrow and command the magic and energy he sees all around
him. A different Powerful! Harry tale.
I'm of two minds with recommending this one. I'm enjoying it a lot but I know PowerHarry! can get on people's nerves. For a detailed (spoiler) summary, read below.
For me, the good points are:

Spoiler

• Depth. The author has very carefully built up a depth behind the original Potterverse that is only revealed because of a change in the way Harry's magic develops. None of what is shown contradicts canon - in fact, it often very subtly reinforces it and I often found my self thinking, 'you know that would make some of the stuff that happens in the books make a lot more sense'
  
• Character changes are slow and make sense - and not always because they're logical either - they feel more like people making decisions, not always the right ones. Because this Harry is a lot more aware than the Canon one, he interacts with people differently and they respond differently - and that's what's causing the AU changes, rather than 'want of a nail' effects
  
• The Dursleys are not overdone and Petunia is shown to be human who married the wrong guy - rather than 'Evil Aunt'. Again, doesn't break canon - just a different angle.
  
• Magic. Magic is very much a main character in this story and it is epic, deep, a lot of fun and scary sometimes. (one word: Portkeys)
  
• Epic Cast:
  

1. Dumbledore is awesome. As in, 'I am so awesome, I occasionally forget these are people I'm working with'. Very much in keeping with the original concept in the books - epic power coupled with the ability to make mistakes just like everyone else.
   
2. Flitwick is Cool. As in Filus 'WarHammer' Flitwick - three times Master dueler, one of DB's team when he took down GW and Head of House for the geniuses of the magic world - and still managing to surprise and teach them (Why do so many authors forget that?). 
   
3. All the other Characters are similarly Canon compliant with epic angles.... Voldemort is scary here and so far he's only 'QMort'. Oh and Severus lovers should probably stay away - Snape is definitely the Death Eater in teacher's clothing here - as he was through the books - until DH pulled that fake 'secretly noble' crap, which I could never buy as true to the character.
   
4. Harry isn't the only 'Hero' either. Hermy is impressive as are a number of other usually bit part characters such as Lisa Turpin and Neville. Harry isn't always the one taking the lead.
   

• Goblins. The author admits to using Klingons as a template.  Gives them a serious feeling of something more than the usual here.
  
•  Character's are learning and growing with the story. No 'epic zap of power' here.
  

Things which are irritating:

Spoiler

• Harry is too comfortable with people and magic for a practical shut in and abuse victim, although he did get out more than in canon. He's also too mature. The other 11 year old's are the same. Granted this is 'explained' by the fact that Harry has seen power/magic all his life and worked out how to manipulate it pre-hogwarts - but I still think he's too smart.  (However, it's nowhere near 'Rationality' levels of absurdity or arrogance.)
  
• Story is slow. 28 chapters and we're still in the first half of 'Philosopher's Stone'
  
• First 20 Chapters have been split across 2 FF pages.
  

So yes, mileage may vary. But I'm enjoying it.