Harry Potter fanfiction stories have been the creative outlet for fans to explore numerous ideas and concepts that J.K. Rowling might not have perceived in her original squealing series of books. "A New Beginning" is an intriguing and riveting rewrite of the original Harry Potter story, that throws the protagonist into a reality completely different from his usual life at Hogwarts School for witchcraft and wizardry.

1. Setting

In "A New Beginning", the iconic Hogwarts courts are swapped for a modern-day Muggle school. Harry, rather than being the famous boy-who-lived, is an ordinary student grappling with the realities of ordinary life. The wizarding world is oblivious to him, and he has no magical powers, making this setting a stark contrast to the original series.

Despite the change in scenery, the story maintains the enchanting touch the original series is known for. Our protagonist's ordinary life in the Muggle world is just as interesting, intense and magical, albeit in different ways. The school, his family, and his interactions in this ordinary world are rich and fulfilling, bearing unique challenges and discoveries.

2. Characters

The story adds a new twist to beloved characters. Harry Potter is an orphan living along with the Dursleys who are surprisingly kind and loving. Hermione Granger is his childhood friend while Draco Malfoy is the friendly school bully. The author breathes fresh life into the characters by placing them in this new context while keeping their core characteristics intact.

The relationships between characters have also taken different tones. Harry has a more familial bond with the Dursleys and a friendly rivalry with Malfoy. Through these new relationships, the reader gets to explore a different side of characters they already knew and loved, injecting new blood into the series.

3. Plot

The plot is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this fanfiction. While there is no Voldemort or Death Eaters, the story does not lack an antagonist or major conflict. It is the personal, real-life conflicts that Harry encounters which form the crux of this plot.

The story explores themes of friendship, love, loss, and triumph over adversity. While the plot may not contain the larger than life elements of the original, it remains equally captivating, engrossing the reader in Harry's personal journey exploring his potential in an entirely different world.

4. Harry's Personality

Harry's personality, while fundamentally the same, exhibits differences due to his non-magical upbringing. He is more grounded, understanding real-world issues and dealing with day-to-day problems that are completely relatable for the reader.

His growth as a character surviving and thriving in an ordinary world makes this version of Harry much more relatable to the reader. As a result, the reader invests in Harry's journey, feeling his triumphs and defeats as he navigates through life.

5. Conclusion

"A New Beginning" gives us a highly engrossing version of Harry's life. It explores how life would be for him in the muggle world and follows his journey as an ordinary person. This fanfiction demonstrates how rich and fulfilling 'ordinary' can be, making it a wonderful alternate universe for the series' fans to explore.

FAQs

How is Harry's life different in this new setting?

Harry's life is completely different as he is an ordinary muggle boy attending a non-magical school. His interactions, relationships with the characters, and the problems he faces are grounded in real-world issues.

Does this fanfiction maintain the charm of the original series?

"A New Beginning" maintains the charm of the original series but in a different context. Life in the muggle world poses its own set of challenges, interests, and magic. The story is grounded, relatable while remaining enchanting and thrilling.

Who would enjoy this fanfiction?

Anyone with an interest in alternate reality, grounded-storytelling as well as fans of the original series is likely to enjoy "A New Beginning". It offers a fresh perspective in a familiar universe, making it intriguing and refreshing for readers.

References

[1] Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Bloomsbury Publishing.

[2] Rowling, J.K. (1998). Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Bloomsbury Publishing.

[3] Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Bloomsbury Publishing.

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