A great fanfic idea could be Harry using his cunning and cleverness to reform the Hogwarts curriculum. He realizes that the traditional teachings are not sufficient to face the new threats. So, he cleverly convinces the professors to introduce new courses like advanced defensive magic against dark creatures. He also uses his cunning to get the necessary resources for these courses, perhaps by making deals with some of the more wealthy pure - blood families who are initially reluctant to support such changes.
One example could be a fanfic where Harry uses his cunning to outwit Voldemort in a different way than in the original books. He might use his knowledge of Hogwarts' secret passages in a very clever way to set traps for the Death Eaters. Another could be a story where he manipulates the political situation in the wizarding world by being cunning and making alliances that no one expected.
In some Harry Potter fanfictions, you'll see characters showing courage by exploring unknown and dangerous magical realms. They do this to find a cure for a deadly magical disease. This is a big display of courage as they are putting themselves in harm's way. For cunning, a character could be really good at hiding their true magical abilities. They act like they are not very powerful but in reality, they are hiding a great deal of strength. This way, they can surprise their opponents in a fight. There are also fanfictions where a character has the courage to break away from a dark wizard group they were forced to be part of, and they use their cunning to expose the group's secrets.
In some fanfics, Ginny Weasley shows great courage and cunning. For instance, she might have the courage to explore the Forbidden Forest on her own for a particular quest. And her cunning is shown when she uses her knowledge of the forest's creatures and magic to her advantage. She could set up clever traps or distractions to avoid dangerous creatures while still making progress towards her goal. This kind of portrayal of Ginny in fanfic not only gives her more agency but also shows how the themes of courage and cunning can be applied to different characters in the Harry Potter universe.
In some fanfictions, Percy uses his knowledge of the gods' weaknesses to his advantage. For instance, he might know that a certain god is vulnerable during a particular time of day and uses that knowledge to avoid a direct confrontation. He could also play on the egos of the gods, flattering them in a way that gets him what he wants while they're distracted.
It usually features complex plots. Since cunning implies a certain level of scheming, the story should have multiple layers of intrigue. Maybe there are hidden motives among the characters, and Harry has to figure them out using his cunning. Also, it could involve political maneuvering within Hogwarts or the wizarding world at large. The relationships between characters are also important. Harry might have to use his cunning to deal with friends who have different agendas or enemies who are trying to deceive him. This adds depth to the story.
One example could be that in certain fanfictions, Harry is able to tame a wild Thestral without much difficulty. Since Thestrals are usually only visible to those who have witnessed death and are quite difficult to approach, Harry's ability to quickly gain their trust shows his talent with animals. Another example might be that he can communicate with the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest on a deeper level, getting them to help him in his adventures.
In some fanfictions, Harry might use magic to play harmless pranks on his classmates like turning Snape's potions into rainbow - colored ones for a moment. It adds a fun and mischievous side to his character.
I'm not sure of specific titles off - hand. But it could be a story where Hermione, being the studious one, tries to find a magical solution for a friend with dyslexia. Maybe she discovers an ancient spell in the library that could potentially help.
A clever Harry Potter fanfiction often has unique interpretations of the original story elements. For example, it might take a minor character and give them a whole new backstory or purpose that fits seamlessly into the Potter universe. It could also play with the magical rules in a creative way, like coming up with new spells or ways to use magic that seem plausible within the context of the series.
A clever Harry Potter fanfiction often has a fresh take on the overall themes. It could explore the idea of prejudice in the wizarding world in a new light, perhaps by focusing on a different group of magical beings than just the Muggle - borns. This shows that the author has a deep understanding of the underlying messages in the original series and can expand on them in an intelligent way.
One example could be when Neville is protected by his friends from bullies in fanfiction. His Gryffindor housemates might stand up for him, just like how they would in the original books. Another example is if a fanfic has a young character being magically shielded by a more powerful wizard during a battle. This shield could be a creative new spell created by the author for the sole purpose of protecting the child.