In the fanfic, it might be that James and Lily give Harry away because they discover a loophole in a dark curse. The curse is set to target their family, but if Harry is not part of their immediate family, he might be spared. So they give him to a Muggle family with a connection to the wizarding world, hoping that this will keep him safe until the time comes to face Voldemort.
The plot could involve James and Lily giving Harry away to a powerful wizard who has the ability to hide Harry's magical signature completely. This wizard is an old acquaintance of Dumbledore, and they believe that under his care, Harry will be safe from Voldemort's clutches. They sacrifice their parental rights to ensure Harry's safety.
In such a fanfic, perhaps a villain manipulates time and alters the memories of James and Lily. They might be living in a different reality where Harry doesn't exist in their minds. Harry could then embark on a journey to find the source of this alteration and restore his parents' memories. He could encounter various allies and enemies along the way, all while trying to come to terms with his parents' current state.
In some fanfics, James and Lily giving Harry away might be due to a prophecy that requires Harry to be raised away from them for a certain power to develop. So they make the heart - wrenching decision to give him to a family that has some special connection to an ancient magic that can safeguard him.
Maybe they were forced to. Some fanfictions could depict a situation where an external power, perhaps a more powerful dark wizard or a corrupted magical organization, compels them to give Harry away. This could add a layer of tragedy and helplessness to their story.
One possibility could be that Lily uses some kind of magic, perhaps a very powerful and rare spell. Maybe she does it out of a sense of protecting James from the pain associated with Harry. In the fanfic, it could lead to a lot of confusion for James. He might start a new life without the knowledge of his son, and then as the story unfolds, there could be a series of events that slowly make him start to remember bits and pieces. For example, he might encounter people or objects that were related to Harry, which would trigger his subconscious.
In a parallel universe fanfiction, the universe has shifted in a way that allows James and Lily to meet Harry. This could be due to a powerful spell gone wrong. James and Lily are alive in this universe and are curious about Harry, who seems to be from a different reality. They learn about his struggles against Voldemort and decide to help him, and together they work to find a way to fix the rift between the universes.
Well, it could be that James and Lily are brought back through some magical time - turning spell. They meet Harry as he is now, a young hero. Harry gets to show them all he has achieved, and they are filled with pride. They might also help him solve some new, unexpected magical problem together.
In this fanfiction, a time - travel accident could occur. Harry is sent back in time to when his parents were still alive. Lily and James initially mistake him for someone else, but as they interact, they start to sense a strange connection. Eventually, Harry reveals who he is. They then spend some time together, with Lily teaching Harry some family - specific spells, and James showing Harry some of his Quidditch moves. This encounter changes Harry's perspective on his family history and gives him newfound confidence.
One possible plot could be that through some time - traveling magic, James and Lily are brought to the future where they meet Harry and Ginny. They are amazed to see how much Harry has grown and the family he has created with Ginny. They share stories of the past and the challenges they faced, and James and Lily get to see the world they sacrificed so much for in a new light.
One possible plot could be that James and Lily, for some reason, feel the need to create clones of Harry and Hermione. Maybe they see a dark future approaching and believe that the clones could be the key to saving the wizarding world. The clones might initially be confused about their existence and purpose, and then start to develop their own identities while also having some connection to the original characters. They could then go on a journey to discover their true place in the wizarding world and face challenges along the way, perhaps even having to fight against dark forces that the original Harry and Hermione couldn't defeat.
It could be a story that focuses on the relationship between James and Lily through their portraits. Maybe it shows how their love story is remembered and revered in the wizarding world even after their death.