Well, Harry might outsmart Dumbledore by using his unique understanding of the magical world in ways Dumbledore doesn't expect. For example, Harry has a more direct experience with some dark magic items due to his encounters with Voldemort. He could use this knowledge to make decisions that seem counter - intuitive to Dumbledore but are actually more effective in a particular situation.
He might give Harry detention. Harry could be made to clean the trophies in the trophy room or help Hagrid with some difficult tasks in the Forbidden Forest under strict supervision.
One possible reason could be that Harry breaks school rules in the fanfiction. For example, if he ventures into the Forbidden Forest without permission. Dumbledore is strict about the safety of students and such disobedience might lead to punishment.
Well, in certain Harry Potter fanfiction, Dumbledore can come across as insane. It really depends on the writer's interpretation and the direction they want to take the story. Some might do it for shock value, to create a more edgy or different take on the well - known character. However, the canonical Dumbledore was a highly intelligent and calculating figure, not insane.
Hermione could be a main character. She might use her vast knowledge to help Harry and Dumbledore in their adventures. For example, she could research ancient spells or potions that are crucial for their mission.
For Harry, his friends like Ron and Hermione are likely to be his allies. They've always been by his side through thick and thin in the original series, so it's natural for them to support Harry in a confrontation with Dumbledore. Neville could also be an ally, given his growth and courage shown in the books.
In a fanfiction, Dumbledore might steal out of desperation. Suppose there was a situation where a curse was about to be unleashed on Hogwarts, and the only way to stop it was by stealing a particular ingredient for an antidote from a place where it was not supposed to be taken. Dumbledore, seeing no other option, decides to steal it. His motive here is to save the school and its students, even if it means breaking the rules.
Well, it might be a fanfic where a new dark wizard emerges with a unique power to manipulate memories, and they target Dumbledore's memories of Harry Potter. Or it could be a story where Dumbledore gets caught in a complex web of magical experiments gone awry, leading to this memory loss.
One reason is that fans like to explore different perspectives. In the original books, Dumbledore is presented as a wise and mostly benevolent figure. But some fans want to see what would happen if he had a darker side. It adds a new layer of complexity to the story.
In my opinion, Dumbledore would underestimate Harry Potter fanfiction. Fanfiction is a realm where fans take the original story and run with it in all kinds of directions. There are fanfictions that change the personalities of characters, create new storylines that deviate greatly from the original. Dumbledore, who is bound by the original narrative and his role in it, may not understand the significance of this new wave of creativity that fanfiction represents. He may see it as a distortion of the world he knows rather than a celebration and expansion of it.