One possible fanfic could be about Harry's parents being magically changed in appearance. Maybe they were cursed by a dark wizard and had to live with different looks. This could add a whole new layer of mystery and drama to the story, as Harry might not recognize them at first if they were to somehow be brought back to life in this changed state.
One possible fanfic could be about a wizard who discovers an ancient and forbidden magical ritual. He decides to use it to change his parents' personalities. Maybe he wants them to be more lenient or more adventurous. He secretly gathers the rare ingredients and performs the ritual at midnight in an abandoned castle. However, things go wrong and instead of the expected changes, his parents start acting completely out of character, like his mother suddenly having a passion for Quidditch and his father becoming obsessed with knitting.
One consequence could be a change in the wizard or witch's magical abilities. Since parents play a role in a wizard's heritage, changing them might mess with their natural powers. Another could be a shift in their social standing within the wizarding world.
Perhaps a dark magic experiment on Harry's parents causes a magical change. They could be turned into half - human, half - magical creatures. This would make them outcasts in the wizarding society, and Harry would have to deal with the stigma associated with his parents' new forms. He might also have to find a way to reverse the change while facing many challenges and prejudices along the way.
In this fanfic, a student at Hogwarts might be bullied because of their parents' status. They come across a magical ritual that is said to be able to change the very essence of a person. They decide to use it on their parents to make them more respected in the wizarding community. The ritual requires the use of a powerful magical crystal, a potion made from a basilisk's fang, and a spell spoken during a lunar eclipse. However, when they perform the ritual, it causes a rift in the fabric of magic. Dark forces start to seep into the wizarding world, and the student realizes they must fix the ritual's effects before it's too late. They embark on a journey to find ancient spells and magical beings that can help them reverse the damage and also learn a great deal about the true nature of magic in the process.
Well, in most fanfics, it might involve complex incantations and rare magical ingredients. Maybe something like a special potion made from enchanted herbs and a spell cast under a full moon. But it's all just fan - created ideas and not part of the official Potter lore.
It could bring back old ways of dealing with dark magic. As Aurors, they had certain techniques and strategies that might have been forgotten. Their return could also inspire a new generation of Aurors. Maybe the wizarding world would become more secure as they use their experience to tighten security against dark forces.
One interesting fanfic could be 'The Hidden Years of the Potters'. It delves deep into how James and Lily managed to stay hidden for a while. It shows their daily struggles, like finding a safe place to live and getting supplies without being detected. It also explores their relationship during that time, how they coped with the fear of being found by Voldemort.
One possible reason could be to explore different parenting styles in the wizarding world. Spanking, although a controversial form of discipline, might be used by some writers to show how Harry's parents could have dealt with difficult situations. Another reason might be for shock value or to create a unique and unexpected story within the familiar Harry Potter setting. It could also be a way for the writer to delve deeper into the characters' personalities and how they might react in a situation that involves discipline.
Often, it changes the power dynamics. Instead of growing up with the Dursleys, Harry might grow up in a completely different environment, which gives him different skills and knowledge. For example, if he's raised by magical creatures, he could have a deeper understanding of nature magic.
A fanfic could revolve around a Hufflepuff whose parents are alive and own a magical business. The Hufflepuff student has to balance school life with helping their parents out during holidays. This could lead to all sorts of adventures as they meet different magical creatures and characters through the business. At the same time, they use the Hufflepuff traits of kindness and patience to deal with difficult customers and situations.