One common theme is redemption. For example, characters who made mistakes in the original series might get a chance to redo things and make amends. Another theme could be exploration of different character relationships. Maybe characters who were enemies before start off as friends in this fanfiction, like Draco and Harry. It can also explore the idea of changing destiny. Instead of following the same path as in the books, characters might take different routes and make different choices, which can lead to a whole new wizarding world experience.
One reason to start questioning Harry Potter fanfiction could be the divergence from the original lore. Some fanfictions might change key aspects of the wizarding world, like magic rules or character personalities. For example, if a fanfiction makes Harry a completely different person with no regard for his canon traits, it can be off - putting.
Definitely Harry himself. Seeing him with the knowledge of what's to come and how he'll use it is fascinating. He could be more proactive in changing things right from the start. Hermione is also interesting. Her intelligence could lead to different solutions to problems much earlier. And Snape. His complex relationship with Harry and the other characters could be explored in a whole new light when starting from the beginning.
It could also be due to the fact that a large portion of fanfiction focuses on shipping (pairing characters romantically). While shipping can be fun for some, others might feel that it overshadows other aspects of the story. For example, if most fanfictions are just about who Harry should be with instead of exploring the rich magical world further, it can make you question its overall popularity.
Perhaps you could start with 'Was Snape truly redeemed? And did Harry ever fully understand his sacrifices?' These two questions can lead to a deep exploration of the complex relationship between Harry and Snape, delving into the moral and emotional aspects of the story. It can create a fanfiction that focuses on the gray areas of the characters' personalities and actions.
It could be a rewrite where Harry is raised by someone other than the Dursleys. For example, if he was raised by Sirius Black from the start, his whole outlook on magic and the wizarding world might be different. Sirius would have taught him about his family's noble history and perhaps some dark magic secrets earlier, which could change how Harry approaches challenges at Hogwarts.
Well, without actually reading it, it could be about a new start for the Harry Potter characters. Maybe it's a rewrite of the original story from a different perspective, like starting from a point where a minor character gets more focus and changes the course of events.
Hermione could be the one. With her vast knowledge of the wizarding laws and her sharp intellect, she might dig up some old regulations that prove Harry's right to his money. She would then fight tooth and nail in the wizarding courts or against the goblins at Gringotts to get his money back.
One reason could be the divergence from the original lore. Fanfiction often takes creative liberties that might distort the carefully crafted world of Harry Potter. For example, some fanfics might change the personalities of the main characters too much, making them unrecognizable. Another reason is the quality variation. There is a vast amount of fanfiction out there, and a lot of it is poorly written with weak plots and bad grammar. Also, some fanfictions can introduce concepts that seem out of place or that go against the overall theme and message of the original series.