Alternate scenarios and other ideas originally for abandoned Harry Potter fanfic remake
Back around 2022, a friend of mine in Discord revealed a group where its members may brainstormed ideas they would probably use if given the opportunity to write, well, some sort of fan fic reboot of Harry Potter series. While supposedly faithful to original version by J.K. Rowling in many respects, certain aspects would likely be expanded and/or altered, partly because some stuff in canon didn't age very well and other factors. In fact, the reason my pal joined or created the group was to express resentments over Rowling's recent controversies (from what I heard, it's about against trans people, which was rather ironic because Harry Potter showed us horrors and desolation bigotry could possibly bring to the world as much as Marvel's X-Men and BNA: Brand New Animal), to put it mildly. I on the other hand, joined mostly because when looking back at that series, I couldn't help but wonder whether certain stuff in Harry Potter canon more interesting if played differently. Unsure of others' motivations to join the group, though.
Anyways, the group unfortunately ceased its activities some time after its establishment. Everyone got focused by other things and my friend now occupied by other things to continue what all of us started. Luckily, it wasn't before we managed to discuss a couple of ideas:
1. James Potter as Order of the Phoenix's exemplary member.
If memory serves, my fellow discord group members suspected that Rowling's gender essentialism explained why Lily Potter was a bit too overrated. It's true Lily's sacrifice in protecting Harry ensured Lord Voldemort's first downfall and Harry becoming famous but, whenever Harry's parents were mentioned by their friends among Order of the Phoenix members, Lily kinda mentioned more often than James. Whatever the case, it gave me an idea of Harry's dad being truly as important as Lily within the order: While Dumbledore being the only one who could match Lord Voldemort in strength during his time, James inspired hope to everyone through his courage and leadership skills, not only effectively made him a role model for some of his peers such as Sirius Black and Dedalus Diggle, but also allowed the Order of the Phoenix to maintain a common ground in the fight against Death Eaters throughout First Wizarding War as much as Dumbledore despite the Order being outnumbered. What motivated him to live up such role being of course, to make up the guilt from his days as a bully. When Harry founded Dumbledore's Army years later, he unknowingly emulated his late father that, coupled with the form of his Patronus matching James' own, making the Boy Who Lived the second coming of James Potter in some respect.
2. Wormtail being more bitter and less cowardly.
Perhaps because of his surprising capability to do evil, or seeing fictional characters who just as meek and cowardly as him outside yet bitter and malicious inside such as Colin Weasler from The Mummy animated series, I couldn't help but wonder whether it would be interesting if he had changed into a different person the Marauder knew rather than continued being meek as with in canon:
Even with his best efforts and support from his fellow Marauders and had potential to do so to the boot, Peter Pettigrew could never keep up with them in terms of talents, no matter what he did. The feelings of inferiority and envy toward his more talented friends embittered Pettigrew, forging a latent desire to become more than mere hanger-on among his peers. Sadly, this brought him to the dark path reminiscent to the one Quirinus Quirrell would later take. When Voldemort coerced him for the whereabouts of James and Lily, the dark lord noticed Pettigrew's obsession thus manipulated him by promised him power in exchange of switching sides. Fearful for his life yet tempted at the same time upon remembering his unacknowledged desire for importance, Pettigrew made up his mind to betray his friends.
From there on, the shy and insecure Wormtail became much more confident and ruthless, aggressive and bitter even. He even discovered his affinity with Dark Arts along the way, further helping him in outgrowing his insecurities. When Sirius confronted him for his betrayal at last, he was shocked to see how much Pettigrew changed to the worst; as if his lack of hesitation to use Blasting Curse to kill nearby muggles who unfortunate to be caught in their duel, Sirius found himself subdued by his former friend's Cruciatus Curse. At that time, however, Wormtail had a sliver of remorse over his betrayal and change that not only he let Sirius go despite having a chance to finish him off, but also went in hiding as Scabbers, showing his resolve to be with Voldemort was shaky at best. It took him being finally exposed by both Remus and Sirius that he made up his mind and stayed on Voldemort's side, believing that he already at a point of no return.
3. Sirius taking in Harry instead of Dursleys.
Now this idea intrigued me most. One of my fellow discord group members proposed an idea where Sirius became Harry's adoptive father, which perhaps inspired by Sirius' intent to do so in the canon proper. We haven't discuss much about its but, he has Hagrid and Lupin helping him out in raising The Boy Who Lived.
4. Marauder is also a band akin to Weird Sisters.
Another idea that caught my attention was Marauders being not just pranksters, but also a band like Weird Sisters. I haven't discuss much with them about this concept but, with James and Wormtail gone, the group is no longer active like it used to at best.
As of why I decided to make this post, let's just say because I wanted to and ideas I shared here had gathered dust long enough. Unsure of either me or others in the discord group are mind if someone decided to use them for their fics one way or another. It's not like this work is copyrighted anyway.
What are your thoughts? I understand very well that changing and/or expanding certain parts in Harry Potter series through a fanfic remake we planned but never realized in the end would create a story which much more different than Harry Potter canon we know and love. I believed the others in our discord group knew this as well. Criticism is welcome as long as you are not being rude about it (if you don't like it, this post is perhaps not for you).
P.S.: I believed I made a similar post on the other day but, I had to rewrite it through the input from my pal. Plus, I chose not to reveal the name of our group cuz some would find it not so appropriate. Trust me.
There are other ideas I'd like to share but, this will do for this post.
