It could be a story where the characters break the traditional Hogwarts norms. For example, instead of following the regular curriculum, students focus on a new form of magic that was previously ignored. This might change the relationships between different houses as they all work together towards this new magical discovery.
One interesting concept could be a different Sorting. For example, Harry being sorted into Slytherin instead of Gryffindor. This would completely change his relationships and the way his story unfolds. He might have closer ties with the Malfoy family and be more involved in the darker aspects of the wizarding world at first, but then use his influence to bring about positive change from within the Slytherin house.
Some fanfictions under this title might explore a world where the prophecy about Harry never existed. This would mean that Harry's life would be much more ordinary in terms of not having that huge burden on his shoulders. He could focus more on his studies and personal growth, and the wizarding world would also be different as Voldemort's actions might not be as directly related to Harry. It could also lead to different power dynamics among the wizarding families as there's no 'Chosen One' to tip the scales.
In a 'Harry Potter Twins A Different Life' fanfiction, the twins could have a different life path due to a time - travel incident. Imagine they accidentally travel back in time and meet their parents when they were young. This encounter could change their understanding of their family history. They might also influence the past in some small ways, which in turn alters their present. For instance, they could prevent a small accident that would have otherwise affected their family's financial situation, leading to a more prosperous Weasley family in their original time.
One way is through changing the setting. For instance, if the story is set in a different part of the wizarding world, like a hidden village that has its own unique magical traditions. This could include different types of magic, different ways of dressing, and different social hierarchies compared to what we know from the original books.
One thing that makes it stand out could be its unique take on character development. Maybe it gives a different backstory to a beloved character, like showing a more complex past for Hermione. It could also have an alternate plotline that diverges from the original books in an interesting way, for example, a different way of dealing with Voldemort.
Harry Potter himself often gets a different portrayal. He might be more confident or less confident, depending on the writer's take. Maybe he has different magical abilities that are not shown in the original books. For example, he could be a natural at potions and not just at Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Well, different 'want' in Harry Potter fanfiction could mean different things. One aspect is the want for adventure. Many fanfictions explore characters' desires to go on new adventures outside of Hogwarts. Another could be the want for acceptance. A character might be an outcast in the original story but in fanfiction, they strive for acceptance within the wizarding community. Also, there's the want for revenge, which can create really intense storylines in fanfiction where a character has been wronged and wants to get back at those who did them harm.
If the alternate school was in a different location, like a forest - based school, student life would be very different. They would have to learn to live in harmony with the forest creatures. Their classes might be held outdoors more often. Meals could be sourced from the forest, with students learning to forage for magical ingredients. There would be no need for broomstick flying lessons as much, but instead, lessons on how to communicate with the trees and plants. They would probably have a different set of rules, more in tune with nature. For instance, they might have a curfew based on when the nocturnal animals become active.
In an alternate school, students' lives would be different in many ways. They could have different types of magic pets. Instead of the common owls, cats and toads, they might have magical creatures from other parts of the world like mini - dragons or phoenix chicks. The school rules about magic outside of class would be more lenient. So students could practice magic in more areas of the school, not just in the designated classrooms. And the relationships between students and teachers might be more like a mentorship, where teachers really guide students on a personal level in their magical development.