Perhaps James had some hidden magical ability that he was unaware of until that moment. It could be something that was passed down through his family but had never manifested before. This ability could have protected him from Voldemort's killing curse. Or, it's possible that there was a plot by some other characters to save James. There could have been a group of wizards or witches who had been secretly working to keep James alive because they knew his importance in the fight against Voldemort. They might have used some sort of time - turning magic or a protective charm that Voldemort couldn't break through.
One great 'lily and james potter fanfic' is 'The Potter Legacy'. It beautifully portrays their relationship and the challenges they might have faced. The characterizations are on point and it adds a lot of depth to the Potter family's backstory.
A possible fanfic could explore what would happen if Severus Snape had to save James Potter's life. Maybe James is in a life - threatening situation during a battle with Death Eaters. Snape, despite his hatred for James in some ways, decides to help him because he realizes that James is important to Lily. This event could be a turning point in their relationship, making Snape question his own feelings and James to reevaluate his view of Snape.
Friendship is a very common theme. James's friendships with Sirius, Remus, and Peter are often explored in detail, showing their loyalty and the bond they shared. Another theme is love, especially James's love for Lily. Many fanfics depict their relationship from different angles.
I really liked 'Snape and Potter: A Reimagined Past'. In this fanfic, there's a magical accident that forces Snape and James to work together. As they do, they start to understand each other more. It's interesting to see how their personalities clash at first but then gradually find common ground. The author writes in a very engaging style, and it's full of little details about Hogwarts life that add to the authenticity of the story.
In many fanfics, James Potter's glasses are often used as a symbol of his intelligence and charm. They can also be a way to show his vulnerability, like when they get broken during a fight, adding a touch of humanity to his character.
One common theme is family. Since they are father - son, many fanfics explore their relationship and how they bond over their shared family heritage. Another theme is legacy. They both carry the Potter name and the stories often deal with how they uphold or change the Potter legacy. Magic is also a big theme as they both are powerful wizards and the fanfics show their magical abilities in different ways.
One great fanfic could be 'A Father's Legacy'. It delves into James Potter's relationship with Harry through a series of magical adventures. Another is 'James and Harry: Unseen Bonds' which focuses on how James's spirit influences Harry's journey at Hogwarts. There's also 'The Potter Connection' that shows their relationship in an alternate universe where they can interact more directly.
There is a fanfic where James Sirius Potter discovers a hidden mystery in Hogwarts. In this story, he teams up with some new friends. The author does a wonderful job of creating a believable world and the relationships between the characters are really well - written. It's a great read if you want to explore more about this character.
Some social media groups dedicated to Harry Potter fanfiction could also be a good place to look. For example, on Facebook or Reddit, there are groups where fans post and discuss their fanfics. You may come across some interesting 'James Potter 2 fanfic' among the posts.