One common theme is the corruption of power. In these fanfictions, Harry often finds himself in situations where the power he has, be it magical or otherwise, starts to corrupt him. Another theme is isolation. As he becomes darker, he tends to isolate himself from his friends and allies.
He might turn to his studies more intensively. Since he has no friends to distract him, he could pour all his energy into learning new spells and magic, becoming more powerful in the process.
No. Harry Potter is a mainstream fantasy series created by J.K. Rowling. It has a well - developed magical world, themes of friendship, courage, and good versus evil. The story follows the adventures of Harry and his friends at Hogwarts. Fanfiction might exist that takes a 'dark' turn on the original concept, but the original work is not dark fanfiction.
In some fanfiction, Harry Potter can be portrayed as 'dark' and a 'bearer' in very different interpretations from the original series. Fanfic authors often like to explore alternative character arcs and personalities.
There's this abandoned piece called 'Harry in the Shadows'. In it, Harry was gradually drawn into a dark world filled with complex magic and moral dilemmas. The author did a great job in creating a really dark atmosphere, but unfortunately, it was left unfinished. It had so much potential, especially with the unique take on Harry's relationships with other characters in this darker setting.
One interesting aspect could be the unique plot ideas that were left unfinished. For example, some might have had really creative takes on the wizarding world's history or new magical creatures. Another aspect is the different character developments that were being explored. Maybe a fanfiction was showing a side of a character we don't see much in the original series. Also, the writing styles in these abandoned works can be fascinating as they often vary from very formal to extremely creative and unorthodox.
One way is to search on some old - school fanfiction websites. There are often archives where you can look for works that haven't been updated in a long time. Another option is to ask in Harry Potter fan communities. There are people there who might know of some abandoned works or have a collection themselves. You can also try searching for specific keywords like 'abandoned' along with 'Harry Potter fanfiction' on search engines, but this might be a bit hit - or - miss.
Some potential new allies could be the house - elves. They might see Harry's plight and decide to help him, using their unique magic and knowledge of Hogwarts' secrets. Another could be the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. They are very wise and may take Harry under their wing.
It might not be as mainstream as some other genres. Most fans prefer to see Harry as a hero rather than a Dark Lord supporter. However, in the vast world of fanfiction, there are always niche ideas, and this could appeal to a small subset of fans who like exploring darker and more subversive storylines.
It's hard to say for sure if it's a popular fanfiction without looking at specific data on its readership and reviews. However, the concept is quite interesting. In the original books, Harry is the hero, but this fanfiction flips the script. It could be popular because it gives readers a chance to see what might happen if Harry had taken a different path. It could explore themes of power, corruption, and redemption in a whole new light, which might appeal to a lot of Harry Potter fans who are looking for something fresh and thought - provoking.