Well, they can make use of the existing lore but twist it a bit. For instance, take the Marauder's Map. A fanfiction writer could create a story where there's a hidden function of the map that no one knew about, and that becomes the big secret. And of course, secrets about the characters' family backgrounds can be really engaging. Maybe a character has a long - lost relative who is a powerful dark wizard or something.
Writers can make Harry cold and emotionless in fanfiction by changing his decision - making process. Instead of making decisions based on his heart and what he believes is right, he now makes cold, calculated decisions. For example, if there's a choice between saving a friend and achieving a strategic goal in the fight against the dark arts, he might choose the latter. His appearance could also be altered to reflect his new state. He might let his hair grow long and unkempt, and his clothes could be dirty and ragged as he no longer cares about his appearance. His interactions with Hogwarts itself could change. He no longer feels the sense of home and belonging, and he might start to break school rules without any remorse.
Fanfiction writers often draw inspiration from existing magical elements in the Harry Potter series. They might combine different magical properties, like taking the invisibility feature of the cloak and adding the teleportation ability of a portkey to create a new artifact. They also think about what could enhance the story, for example, an artifact that can break any spell, which would create interesting plot twists.
Writers may start with a concept that is opposite to what Harry is known for. Since Harry is often associated with light magic, a writer might create a super power that involves using a bit of dark magic in a controlled way. This could be something like being able to tap into the power of dark emotions, but use it for good. They also play with the idea of enhancing Harry's senses. If he has super - sensitive hearing, he could detect hidden enemies or secret passages. And by exploring different combinations of magical elements and non - magical concepts, they come up with truly unique super powers for Harry Potter.
They can focus on character development. For instance, exploring more about Hermione's family background and how it influenced her personality. Also, creating new magical mysteries for the characters to solve. Like a mystery involving an ancient magical artifact that has been lost for centuries.
One way to keep secrets in Dragon Age fanfiction is through the use of misdirection. For example, have a character seem to be hiding one thing when in fact they are hiding something else entirely. Another approach is to limit the POV characters' knowledge. If the story is told from a single character's perspective who doesn't know the secret, the reader will be in the dark as well until the right moment for the reveal.
By constantly teasing the secret. Drop little hints throughout the story that make the reader curious. For instance, if the secret is about a hidden treasure, mention strange maps or old legends related to it.
A hidden secret might also lie in the relationships between different wizarding families. There could be long - held grudges or alliances that are not fully explored in the official books. Fanfiction can unearth these secrets, like a feud between two families that has been going on for centuries but has been kept quiet from the general wizarding public.
Often, in these fanfictions, the use of telepathy among the students at Hogwarts can create a whole new dynamic. They could form telepathic study groups, sharing knowledge instantly. This would change the way they learn magic and interact with each other, making Hogwarts an even more interesting place.
To overcome inadequacy in character representation, writers should study the original books closely. J.K. Rowling spent a lot of time developing her characters, so understanding their motives, backgrounds, and growth arcs is crucial. For the magic system, follow the rules that are already there. If you want to introduce something new, make sure it fits within the existing framework. For example, new spells could be related to existing areas of magic like Transfiguration or Potions.
In relationships, 'keeping appearances' can also be a form of protection. Take Sirius and Remus. They might hide their true closeness in public during their Hogwarts days to avoid suspicion, especially given Sirius' family background. In fanfiction, this could be explored further. Maybe they act like casual friends in public but in private, they have a much deeper bond. This can lead to situations where misunderstandings occur when one of them breaks the 'appearance' code they've set up, and it can create a lot of drama and tension in the relationship storylines.