In a lot of these fanfictions, the Dursleys don't exist or they play a different role. Harry in the orphanage could be visited by mysterious figures from the wizarding world who are trying to keep an eye on him without revealing themselves fully. This creates a sense of mystery and danger. Also, Harry might find an old magical object in the orphanage that has a connection to his parents, which could be a central part of the story as he tries to figure out its significance.
Well, in some fanfictions of this kind, Harry might face a cruel caretaker in the orphanage. But instead of being beaten down, he uses his wits and hidden magic to stand up for himself and the other kids. He could also start to learn magic on his own, using his natural instincts, which would be a really cool plot.
One interesting plot could be that Harry Potter is sent to an alternate universe where magic is used in a completely different way. For example, instead of using wands, they use hand gestures. Another plot might be that in the alternate universe, Voldemort won in the original world, and Harry has to find a way to reverse that in this new universe. Maybe in this alternate world, the Hogwarts houses have different characteristics and he has to adapt to that new social structure as well.
One interesting plot could be Harry going back in time and preventing certain tragedies from happening in the wizarding world, like stopping Voldemort's rise before it really began. Another could be him changing the relationships between characters, for example, making Snape and James Potter become friends early on.
One interesting aspect could be the exploration of how the orphans in the fanfiction might interact with the wizarding world. Maybe they discover their magical abilities in unique ways compared to how Harry did in the original series.
In some fanfictions, there could be a magical creature that has somehow found its way into the orphanage. For example, a house - elf might be there, either sent by someone to protect Harry or just lost. This house - elf could be a key character in the story, helping Harry with small tasks and providing some comic relief. There may also be a character from the Ministry of Magic who is sent to check on Harry's well - being in the orphanage, and this person could have their own motives and secrets.
In some Harry Potter 8 fanfictions, there are plots where the characters continue to face new dark magic threats. For example, a new dark wizard might emerge, and Harry, Hermione and Ron have to use their combined skills and knowledge to defeat this new foe. Another plot could be about the exploration of the wizarding world's past in more depth, revealing secrets that were previously unknown.
In the fanfiction, it could be interesting if Harry uses his magic to protect the other orphans from bullies. He might not fully understand his powers yet, but his instincts kick in. And then when he finally gets his Hogwarts letter, the other orphans are both sad to see him go but also excited for him, and he has to figure out how to leave the only home he's known while also being eager to enter the wizarding world.
One interesting plot could be about the Potter family's hidden secrets being unearthed. Maybe there are ancient spells or prophecies related to them that no one knew before. Another could be a story where the Potter family has to face a new and powerful dark force that is specifically targeting them due to their legacy. And a third plot might involve time - traveling within the Potter family's history to correct past mistakes or learn from them.
One idea could be that the orphanage is a hidden place for magical orphans with special powers. The orphans form a secret society within the orphanage to protect themselves from dark wizards who want to use their powers. They learn magic on their own, using old books they find in the attic of the orphanage.
In some fanfictions, Harry might form a very close bond with another orphan who has latent magical abilities. They could explore the world of magic together in secret, long before he gets his Hogwarts letter. For example, they might find a hidden passage in the orphanage that leads to a small magical realm where they practice basic spells.
One plot idea could be that Harry discovers a hidden magic within the orphanage itself. Maybe there's a secret room that holds ancient spells or a connection to a long - forgotten wizarding family. Another idea is that the other orphans start to show signs of magic too, and Harry has to figure out how to protect them from the wrong kind of attention. Or perhaps the orphanage is under a curse, and Harry's presence there is the key to breaking it.