One unique element is the change in friendships. Harry would befriend different people. For example, instead of Ron and Hermione, he might form closer bonds with Draco and Blaise. It's a big shift from the canon relationships.
The way he views magic could change. In Slytherin, he might be more interested in the darker or more complex aspects of magic. In some fanfictions, he delves into ancient and forbidden spells that Gryffindors might shy away from. Also, his relationship with Snape could be completely different. Instead of the animosity in the original story, Snape could become a mentor to Harry in these Slytherin - sorted fics.
One common theme is redemption. Harry, having been abused, often finds a way to redeem himself or be redeemed in the eyes of others through his actions in Slytherin. Another theme is identity. He has to grapple with his new identity as a Slytherin, which is different from the typical Gryffindor image of him.
Some 'Harry Potter not sorted' fanfictions explore the idea of a new system emerging. For example, a fanfic could have a new magical object that determines a student's path at Hogwarts instead of the sorting hat. This new system might take into account different factors like a student's future ambitions rather than just their current personality. There could be a story where a student is mis - sorted in the original books and in the fanfic, they are not sorted initially and then later find their true place. Maybe a character like Neville could have been one such case, and the fanfic delves into how he discovers his own identity without the constraints of the initial sorting.
Well, a great 'Harry Potter sorted into Ravenclaw' fanfiction is 'A Different Sorting'. In it, Harry's sorting into Ravenclaw leads to him delving deep into the study of ancient magic. The Ravenclaw common room becomes a place of intense learning and discovery for him. Another fanfic is 'Harry's Ravenclaw Journey' where he is mentored by an older Ravenclaw student. This mentorship helps him develop his intellectual side more than in the original story. And then there's 'Ravenclaw Harry and the Forbidden Knowledge' which has Harry finding some hidden knowledge in the Ravenclaw library that could change the wizarding world.
Well, he might face a lot of challenges. In Slytherin, he'd be surrounded by students with different values compared to Gryffindor. He could have a tough time making true friends at first. But it might also give him a chance to change the perception of Slytherin from within. He could use his Gryffindor courage to influence the more cunning and ambitious Slytherins towards a more positive path.
One popular 'Harry Potter is a Slytherin' fanfiction could be 'The Slytherin's Path'. It often explores how Harry's character develops in a different way within the Slytherin house. He might face different challenges and form different alliances compared to the original story.
One possible plotline could be Harry struggling to fit in at first. He's known for being a Gryffindor, so in Slytherin he'd face prejudice from both houses. Another could be him befriending Draco Malfoy early on and changing Draco's views. He might also discover a hidden side of Slytherin's history that helps him in his fight against Voldemort.
One common theme is identity crisis. Harry has always been seen as a Gryffindor, so when he's sorted into Slytherin, he struggles with who he really is. Another theme is friendship. He has to form new friendships with Slytherins who have different values from his Gryffindor friends. For example, he might have to learn to trust Slytherins who are known for their cunning.
The uniqueness lies in the character combination. Albus Potter, a member of the Potter family, being in Slytherin goes against the traditional Gryffindor - Potter association. It allows for exploring different character dynamics and plot twists.
You can start by looking on fanfiction - dedicated websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3). It has a large collection of 'Harry Potter' fanfictions, and you can use the search function to specifically look for ones related to 'not sorted'. Another good place is Fanfiction.net. Just type in relevant keywords like 'Harry Potter not sorted' in the search bar, and it should bring up a list of available fanfictions. Some smaller, niche fanfiction communities might also have such stories, but they may be a bit harder to find.
Another plot could involve Harry discovering some long - lost Slytherin secrets. Maybe there are hidden chambers or spells that only Slytherin students are supposed to know about. Harry, being the curious and brave character he is, delves into these secrets. This could put him in a dangerous position as some Slytherins might not want him to expose or use these secrets, but it also gives him a chance to prove himself to his new housemates.