The difference between writing original fiction and fanfiction is that, in one way, fanfiction is easier, because fanfiction writers can use what already has been created and don’t need to think up everything themselves, but in another way, original fiction is easier, because fanfiction writers must work with what is already there and cannot make up whatever seems convenient.

The same should be true for PPCing. Once the mini for a continuum is defined, it is part of the PPC canon and we should work with it, not come up with new varieties, not even in very rare cases (which actually translates to: whenever the writer really wants it to happen).

To use your example, "Foldemort" conveniently spawning as a mini-Basilisk would probably look like lazy writing to me, as if the writer could not think of a way to show that a mini-Aragog got Voldemort’s personality, but wanted to make a connection and thus went with "they both have snakelike features". It may not appear to be lazy if it is really well written, but even then I would prefer to see the same amount of effort put into writing a mini-Acromantula with some snakelike traits.

HG

It's just an idea that occurred to me. I have found one badfic in particular that has so many spelling errors, whoever's sporking it might as well have a bit of variety.