Art © Cassandra

In the summer of 2000, I was reading J. K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” and making multiple trips to see the movie “Chicken Run.” Out of these overlapping activities came a kooky fanfic idea of giving Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy, the “Chicken Run” farmers, a daughter named Jane, who would turn out to be a Potterian Witch. I invented Jane Tweedy to be a screwball soulmate for Rowling’s GoF character, Ludo Bagman, the deviously genial ex-Quidditch-star, who clearly needed a good woman to keep him out of trouble. When I started playing in Ms. Rowling’s fantastic Wizard world, my main characters were going to be Jane, Ludo, and Irene, the sister I invented for Rowling’s Remus Lupin. But a funny thing happened, as funny things often do happen when you’re writing. I needed some Ravenclaw classmates for Jane and Irene, and sketched out a handful of characters to fill the bill. Two of the boys jumped out, found their voices, and made themselves useful, and before long, I was in love with them. They weren’t even supposed to be particular chums, when I conceived them, but they played off each other so well, I paired them up, first as friends, then as more. Jane and Ludo are still around, and we’ll be seeing more of them, but this series has really become the Saga of Daisy and Pudgie, aka Freddy Shrike and Kevin Grahame, my Cute Wizard Boyfriends.

Of course, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to J. K. Rowling, for creating such an irresistible playground for the imagination in her richly detailed Wizard culture. A number of her characters put in appearances here, and I’ve also had fun playing with such Rowlingian creations as Quodpot, and the Dragon Pox. I don’t know that you have to know the Harry Potter books to follow my fanfic stories, but if you have not read Rowling’s series of ripping magical adventures yet, you certainly should!

(One more note: Most of the stories in my series were written before the release of Rowling’s fifth book, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” in which she reveals some new facts involving the succession of headmasters at Hogwarts and the tenures of some of the professors. Turns out I now have some unexpected errors. Rather than tackling the project of rewriting/rethinking my stories, I’ve decided to leave well enough alone, and beg forgiveness for the Out-of-Canon bits.)

The stories so far, in order:

The Tweedys of Yorkshire II – Jane Tweedy begins her education at Hogwarts and makes lots of new friends. How it all began.

The Grahame Legacy – Kevin Grahame gets a letter from Hogwarts, a visit from the Ministry, and a surprise from his Gran.

Visiting Day – The families of the first years descend upon Hogwarts. Mostly Tweedys, Lupins and Bagmans, but some Grahames and Shrikes, too, including Kevin’s beloved Gran.

Dragon Pox – When Kevin lands in the infirmary, Freddy plays nurse, but realizes he’d rather be playing doctor.

The Tea Leaves Never Lie – Freddy has his doubts about Divination, until Angharad Jones sees uncanny things in his tea leaves.

Making the Team – Kevin puts Freddy’s Happiness above everything, even Quidditch – but does he know what Freddy wants?

Daisy Daisy – Two love-struck boys, one deserted greenhouse, and fate.

Bedtime Story – Kevin can’t sleep, and Freddy’s not helping. PG-13 for horizontal cuddling and unbuttoning things.

Greenhouse for Two – Freddy’s been working on an extra-credit Herbology project.

An Alarming Interrogation – Freddy thinks nothing could be more awkward than telling his father the truth – until he has to have “The Talk” with his mother.

A Disastrous Outing – A love letter falls into the wrong hands, and all you-know-what breaks loose at the Grahame house.

Dancing With Dagmar – How can the boys attend the Seventh Year Ball together?  It’s Kevin’s Beautiful Swedish Pen Pal to the rescue!