It could also be a form of self - protection. In some fanfiction scenarios, there could be political or power - related intrigues within the wizarding world. By hiding his intelligence, Harry can keep his true capabilities hidden from those who might use or manipulate him for their own gain. He's biding his time and waiting for the right moment to reveal his full intellectual potential.
One reason could be that he doesn't want to stand out too much. In the fanfiction world, just like in the original Harry Potter story, being overly intelligent might draw unwanted attention, especially from the bad guys. He might be afraid of being targeted more if his intelligence is known.
He might want to protect himself. If others know how smart he is, he could become a target. Enemies might see him as a greater threat and go after him more aggressively.
Another possibility is that he's being bullied. In school settings within fanfictions, bullying is a common theme. Percy might be trying to hide his face to avoid the taunts and mean looks from the bullies. He could be self - conscious about some aspect of his appearance that the bullies have targeted, like a scar or his overall look. By hiding his face, he hopes to protect himself from their cruel remarks.
Maybe Harry hides his intelligence to avoid unwanted attention at Hogwarts. He could be tired of being singled out or feared because of his smartness.
One reason could be that he wants to avoid unwanted attention. In the fanfiction world, being overly intelligent might make him a target. Another reason might be that he is trying to fit in with a certain group that values other traits more. For example, if he's in a group that values physical strength over intelligence, he may hide his smarts to seem more like them.
For creativity. It's a unique twist on the original story. It allows the author to explore different relationships and how characters would react if Harry had a different gender presentation.
Maybe he is afraid of being bullied. Smart kids sometimes get picked on by others who are jealous.
One reason could be self - protection. In many light novels, the world is filled with danger. If the main character reveals his full strength too early, he might attract unwanted enemies. For example, in a world full of power - hungry villains, showing off strength could make the character a target.
Maybe he has some dark secrets in his past that he doesn't want to be known. For example, he might have been involved in something illegal or unethical that could damage his reputation in the world of the web novel.
Well, one possible plot could be that Harry hides his power to protect his friends from dark wizards who might target them if they knew how powerful he really was. Another could be that he hides his power to secretly investigate a mystery within Hogwarts without drawing attention.
Perhaps he retreats due to the losses he has endured. He has lost many friends and loved ones throughout his journey. This grief could lead him to seek solitude within his own self in fanfiction. Also, he may be trying to come to terms with his identity as both a wizard and a person with a unique destiny. Stepping back into his own self could be a way to reconcile these two aspects.