Reddit Reimagines 'Harry Potter': New Houses, Dark Temptations, and No Dead Elves

Ever wondered how different Harry Potter could’ve been if fans had written it? Turns out Reddit has — and they’ve let their imaginations run wilder than a Hungarian Horntail. A simple question on the platform — "If you could rewrite the series, how would you do it?" — opened the floodgates. The answers range from charming tweaks to downright genre-shifting plots.

Make Gryffindor and Slytherin BFFs… Until Riddle Shows Up

One of the most intriguing takes? A user suggested rewriting Hogwarts house dynamics entirely. Instead of the usual scarlet vs. green, Gryffindor and Slytherin would actually have a friendly rivalry — more playful banter, less pureblood bigotry.

They imagined it like this: before Tom Riddle ever set foot in the castle, the two houses got along pretty well. It wasn’t until his manipulations that things turned ugly. According to them, "the present-day hatefulness would be all Riddle’s fault, corrupting some of the darker Slytherins." It’s almost Shakespearean.

Slytherins: Not Just Evil Background Props

Another recurring theme? Giving Slytherins a bit more heart. Multiple commenters argued the books painted them too one-dimensionally.

One user said bluntly that they’d rewrite it so "not every Slytherin is evil," and would make sure some actually stayed to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Another added: "They’re very one-dimensional. Let them show bravery too."

Justice for Dobby (And Some Quidditch Logic, Please)

Then there are the lighter — but still fiercely defended — changes. "Dobby lives," someone declared, because honestly, who didn’t want that?

Others took aim at Quidditch. "I’d fix Quidditch. The Snitch should not end the game. No player would ever catch it if it meant losing" one fan argued.

They pointed out it was obviously invented by someone who’s never actually played a competitive sport. Can’t say they’re wrong.

A Touch of Dark Harry?

Perhaps the most deliciously risky rewrite? One fan pitched the idea of Harry dabbling in the Dark Arts. Not a full villain arc — just a taste of the forbidden.

They wrote that it would be fascinating to see Harry "temporarily tempted by the Dark Arts, maybe even experiment with them a little before seeing the light." A Dark Harry, even briefly, would’ve added a whole new layer of complexity to his character.

Fans Keep the Magic Alive in Their Own Wild Ways

It’s almost impossible not to daydream after reading these takes. Fans aren’t just revisiting Hogwarts — they’re rebuilding it from the ground up. Whether it’s fixing house politics, saving Dobby, or giving Harry a dark streak, these rewrites prove there’s still plenty of magic left in reimagining Harry Potter.