This ficfest adopted from IronDad is all about fall and cozy vibes. Think the smell of the earth after it rains, wearing fuzzy socks and warm hoodies, drinking a mug of your favorite hot drink, and cuddling up with loved ones. At the same time, October is spooky season, so think about haunted houses, ghosts, and things that freak people out. Fall is also the time many kids go back to school. The fun part of this event is that you can turn any of the prompts into cozy, comforting vibes, or turn any of them into creepy ones. Welcome to Cozytober.

Answer one prompt, or answer them all. Answer them in any order you want. Also mention which prompt or prompts you’re using in your starting author's note.

Cozy Vibes

1. Hoodie/Sweater | Hoodie/PJs/Socks still warm from the dryer.
2. Sharing a blanket | Blanket burrito | Blanket cape
3. Knitting/Crocheting | Crafting Project | Tree sweaters
4. Pretty fall leaves | Fall Colors | Crunchy leaves underfoot
5. Family/Team talent show | Putting together a puzzle | Group games
6. Looking through old photo albums together | Family photos | Reminiscing
7. Boots lined with soft fleece | Rain boots | Mismatched fuzzy socks

Cozy Spaces

8. A blanket and a book by the fire/heater | Boots drying near the cabin door
9. Cozy coffee shop | Coffee date
10. A pile of pillows and the softest blankets | Relaxing in the most cozy, safe bedroom
11. Hidden nook | Secret hideaway | Favorite spot to disappear to
12. Library smell of old paper and ink | Bookstore date on a rainy afternoon | New book smell

Ultimate Comfort

13. Pulled into the safety of a warm blanket | A blanket wrapped around cold shoulders
14. "I've got you." | Being carried somewhere safe
15. A steady hand grounding trembling fingers | "You don't have to talk about it. But if you want to, I'm here."
16. Sharing headphones while curled up together | Falling asleep on someone's shoulder
17. Noticing they're not okay before they say anything | "You can stay as long as you need." | Quiet comfort

Fall Weather

18. Petrichor | Sharing an umbrella | Watching raindrops dribble down the window
19. Morning breath visible in the chilly air | Early snow/frost
20. Freezing rain making the sidewalks treacherous | Wind stealing your scarf/hat/breath
21. Cold hands tucked into someone else's pockets

Flavors of the Season

21.2 Cranberry Orange Muffins | Fresh Bread | Caramel Apples | Pie
22. Apple | Pumpkin | Cinnamon | Caramel | Squash
23. Hot chocolate | Tea | Pumpkin spice latte
24. "Why would anyone put that in coffee?" | "I've waited all year for this." | "Tastes like home."

Spooky/Halloween

25. Pumpkin patch | Carving pumpkins | Trick or treating
26. Halloween decor | Glowing eyes in the dark | String lights
27. Reading scary stories | Watching scary movies
28. Cobwebs | Murder mystery (game or real) | Haunted house
29. Touched a ghost | Seen a ghost | Colluding with the dead
30. Worst fear come true | Nightmare fuel | Lingering dread
31. Vampires | Werewolves | Witches | Zombies
32. "Something's out there." | "Tell me you heard that too." | "They keep whispering, but I can't hear the words."

Back To School

33. Not having the needed school supplies | In need of new shoes/coat
34. Nurse's Office | Relief at finally crawling into bed at home
35. Spirit week | Bake sale | Book fair | Field trip gone wrong
36. New school | Fresh start
37. Haunted classroom/locker room | Lights flickering during a lesson
38. Bullies | Comfort after a bad day at school
39. School rally | Asked to join a sports team | School club
40. Sent to the principal's office for unexpected reasons | Best day ever | Worst day ever

The Cozytober 2025 collection on AO3 is found here.

Born to Fenrir—the colossal wolf son of Loki the giant trickster—and a mysterious priestess of Hel, Harry's origins are woven from ancient myth and cosmic power. His earliest years are spent wandering the frozen, wild expanse of Jotunheim, the giant realm where his grandfather Loki was born and still holds influence. From there, Harry moves to the shimmering halls of Asgard, where Loki, ever the master of mischief and cunning, takes him under his wing. Under Loki's tutelage, Harry learns the art of deception, shape-shifting, and the manipulation of ancient magic that defies mortal understanding. Yet even among gods and giants, Harry's wolfblood heritage marks him as other—part beast, part divine, and part human. His mother's connection to Helheim, the realm of the dead, adds shadows to his bloodline, granting him the chilling ability to walk between worlds of the living and the dead.

Despite this extraordinary upbringing, Harry's fate is tied to the mortal realm. When he is sent to Hogwarts, the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry, he finds himself an outsider in a world bound by rules and traditions far removed from the gods' politics and giant struggles. His powers clash with wizarding magic, his nature misunderstood and feared by classmates and teachers alike. Harry must navigate this complex web of identities—son of Fenrir, grandson of Loki, heir to Hel's priestess—and find a way to balance his wild, divine blood with the human heart beating inside him. As ancient forces stir, and tensions between realms threaten to spill into the mortal world, Harry's journey becomes not just one of survival, but of self-discovery and defiance against the fate others would impose on him.

Requirements:

Include scenes or backstory elements showing Harry's life in Jotunheim (giant realm), Asgard (god realm), and Helheim (realm of the dead). Portray the cultural, magical, and social differences of these realms and how Harry adapts.

Weave in rising tensions between the Norse realms and the mortal wizarding world, creating external conflicts that forces Harry to choose alliances or forge new paths.

Keep the story grounded in personal choice and character-driven conflict, avoiding prophetic destiny or "chosen one" tropes.

Harry must inherit 25% Frost Giant via his father Fenrir who carries that Frost Giant blood from Loki.

Present the Potters as guardians, foster parents, or protectors — not his true parents. They care for him and raise him, but they never adopted him magically, legally, or by blood. He does not carry the Potter name, possesses no connection to their legacy or magic, and is not heir to any Potter rights, bloodline, or family protections. They are caretakers only, acting under obligation, request, or circumstance — not as true family.

Neville is the Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry must be raised in one of the Eight Realms other than Midgard (the mortal world). His upbringing should reflect the unique cultural, magical, and environmental aspects of that realm—whether it's the frost giants' harsh wilderness of Jotunheim, the divine courts of Asgard, or the shadowy mysteries of Helheim.

Harry must return to Hogwarts (Midgard) sometime between Second and Fourth Year — not earlier, not later. He may skip First Year entirely. His return can be voluntary or forced (e.g., summoned, bound by oath, chosen by prophecy, etc.), but the return must fall within that window.

Snape must serve Harry in one of two capacities:

• As a slave, bound by a powerful magical oath or binding (enhanced by Norse magic), compelled to obey and serve regardless of his own will; or
• As a guardian, charged with protecting and guiding Harry, possibly under similar magical obligation, but retaining more autonomy and responsibility.

Possible ice-related abilities Harry might have:

• Frost manipulation: Creating and controlling ice and snow, conjuring ice shards or frost storms.
• Cold resistance: Immunity or high tolerance to extreme cold environments.
• Freezing touch or breath: Ability to freeze objects or enemies on contact or with a breath weapon.
• Ice illusions: Using ice and frost to create shimmering, shifting illusions (tying into Loki's trickster magic).
• Shapeshifting enhanced by frost: Maybe Harry can shift into a wolf form with icy fur or frost-covered claws, enhancing his wolfblood powers.
• Aura of chill: A subtle cold aura that can slow opponents or sap warmth from the environment.

Possible Names (First or Middle):

• Eirik / Eiríkr — "Ever ruler" or "eternal ruler," common in Norse myth and royal sagas, suggesting strength and legacy.
• Fenris / Fenrir — Directly referencing his father's name, but as a given name to honor lineage.
• Hrafn — Means "raven," a bird often associated with Odin, death, and prophecy—symbolic of mystery and wisdom.
• Sköll — The wolf who chases the sun in Norse myth, connecting to his wolfblood heritage.
• Mørkr (pronounced "Murk") — Meaning "darkness," perfect for a child born of Hel's priestess.
• Leifr — Meaning "heir" or "descendant," emphasizing his role in the lineage.
• Dagr — Meaning "day," representing hope or light despite darkness in his heritage.
• Járn — Meaning "iron," symbolizing strength and resilience.
• Sól — Meaning "sun," a contrast name highlighting duality (dark mother, bright potential).
• Vetur — Meaning "winter," evocative of Helheim's cold realm.

Snape is Harry's biological father, and as soon as Harry arrives at Hogwarts, Harry starts to go through physical changes, and/or Snape starts to get suspicious.

I really enjoy the fics where Harry goes through physical changes, but it always happens at like 15, 16 years old. I would like to read one where he's younger.

Snape always wanted to be nothing like his father. Which is why he was determined never to beat a kid (not that Hogwarts would allow him to). But he can't just snap his fingers unlearn the instincts and attitudes aquired from Tobias Snape and the Death Eaters, that he still sort of believe - that tell him that the strong force others to respect them, that beating those who don't respect you until they just. shut. up. means strength, and that resisting the impulse to attack those who walk all over you is weak and pathetic. In his bones, Snape believes people are either weak or strong, and he's been choosing weakness by keeping his fists off of mini-James Potter while Potter mouths off to him, walks all over him, with impunity, for years.

Another side of Snape knows that it's terrible to beat a child. That normal people probably never want to hit kids. That he will never, ever, become like his father. That he must not indulge that side of himself, that indulging his nasty side is something he has left forever in his Death Eater past (except in little ways that don't matter, like scaring Neville). He will let himself feel weak, even if playing by the good guy rules doesn't earn him much respect, let alone fear, but mostly just earns him scorn for still not being nice enough or good enough who knows what else other than the fact that he won't just beat some respect into them. 

Then Snape finds himself responsible for Harry outside of Hogwarts. Harry is actively antagonizing him. Harry, perhaps, keeps putting himself in danger in defiance of Snape's orders. And finally, Snape decides to beat the fool out of him. Once he's finally done what he's been itching to do for years, what happens next? How can this be the turning point in their relationship in such a different way than Snape wanted it to be?

Harry should probably be of age if they end up friends afterward, so that it isn't some messed up abused child psychology.

Harry and Draco have a brotherlike relationship/are twins. Severus is their guardian/adoptive father.

Bonus points:

Ron and Hermione bashing

Slow burn relationship

Verisimile vinculum = an unlikely bond