I would've explored the different varieties of magic and their various consequences, as well as the cultures and abilities of the races that rival the wizards. An example bieng the vampires exclusion from the war, why would semi-immortal blood-drinking monsters not be recruited by Voldemort when things like Giants, Werewolves and even Dementors were ? It almost implies that he couldn't for some reason.

 

I dunno. Maybe that whole being immortal thing makes them stay out of human affairs, especially warfare. I mean, it's relatively easy to kill the dudes; all you need is a wooden stake or some sunlight, and I'd imagine someone like Dumbledore or Voldemort could take most of them out instantly.

It's like asking why didn't Voldemort recruit Banshees, Hags or Acromantulas: because it would have been boring/pointless. Just fresh icing on top of a half-cooked, days old cake.

 

I imagine it's pretty difficult shove a bit of wood through a human ribcage in the dark and hit the heart dead on, especially when that undead human is trying to kill you and therefore moving around a lot.

Also, do vampires in canon have enhanced strength, speed, and senses?

 

We know literally nothing about them. Nothing.

 

Vampires are basically inexistent in canon. Their entry on Pottermore is only to say that they aren't important in books and to confirm that Snape isn't one.
Although, since one of the reason cited for that is his being able to go out in broad daylight, we can infer that vampires cannot bear sunlight.

 

You do get a glimpse of a vampire at Slughorn's party, as he is one of the guests. As I recall, he's suspiciously good with women and obviously has a taste for blood, but that's about it. There's no proof that vampires are anything as terrifying as Underworld/Anne Rice's books/most fiction, and as Voldemort didn't see them as worthy accomplices, I doubt they are something an adult wizard would have trouble with (regularly). Eldred Worple may even be good friends with one.

 

More material on Harry and Ginny's relationship. There's really very little in canon.

More knowledge on Wizards and the process of magical discovery.
How do wizards research magic?
How do they make discoveries?
What do Wizards know about the universe past Earth? The model of the solar system in the DoM suggests they know a lot, but is nonspecific.

 

I think Rowling missed a huge opportunity to develop Harry and Ginny's relationship after Chamber of Secrets. Ginny vanishes for two books after CoS, but I think she should have become closer to Harry over their experience in the Chamber. That way them dating in Half Blood Prince wouldn't seem so sudden.

If anyone knows a fanfiction that does this, I'd love to read it.

 

I am sure there are plenty, but most of them are shit.

 

I have found a few, but as you say, they're shit.

 

This fic here features Ginny in a rather influential role. Ahem.

 

Not really, she dies in the first chapter. Not really what I'm talking about.

 

Ahem usually implies sarcasm, bruh. If you're looking for a good Ginny/Harry friendship/romance, this probably isn't the place. Google "Sink Into Your Eyes"

 

Huh. I never knew 'ahem' implies sarcasm, but it's good to know that. Shame I've already made myself look a fool.

I thought this might be a good place to find a fic where Ginny is developed as a character properly. I know a lot of people here dislike Ginny's characterisation (me included), so I thought someone on here might have tried to rewrite her and 'fix' her characterisation. SIYE is full of Mary Sue Ginny, so I try to avoid it.

 

Meh, a lot of people hated Ginny back in the day (me included), but I've since realized that was merely the stupidity of being an idiot. Ginny's fine, even if her love story was rushed in canon. Since my realization, I know I'm sick of seeing her trashed, it's played out.

 

The fic I linked is a genuinely quality work, despite the slow update rate. I was taking the piss by reccing it in response to your request.

This one is a good Harry/Ginny though. Honest this time.

 

Addendum to the previous, I would've also explored American Wizards, especially considering that wizard culture is in some ways set back in the 1850's this would've made for an interesting contrast and probably conflict.

 

I think if you want to augument and expand canon, you could use some fanon ideas that could be modified to fit more with canon. There's a lot of failed fanon ideas that try to expand certain things in the wizarding world that I think if tweaked could work.

Like perhaps a 'ward' is not actually a spell or charm, but rather a name used to describe a series of protective spells and charms placed on a single object or location.

Another thing that can be reworked and augmented is the idea of a notice-me-not charm, which I've always viewed could be a spell that literally makes a person hard to notice at a glance, but does not prevent people from noticing you if you bring attention to yourself. I imagine it's more of a spell to use to sneak around rather than have secret conversations, as the spell wouldn't hide you speaking to someone.

Also, for the idea of a 'Ancient and Noble House', perhaps it's not a actual title but some some pureblood families like the Blacks began to call themselves to make themselves seem more important. I imagine Sirius knows this and that's the reason for his mocking of the 'title' in book five.

 

Augmenting canon, submission wh01:

The arithmantic basis of the value of seven is easy to understand when put in the context of its meaning: 'I am here'.

Using a three-dimensional coordinate grid, place points 1 unit out from the center along all six axes. Connect them- the figure described is a pyramid, with a center and six vertices. This is the power of seven, known well into the ancient world.

 

Unless there's a sunlight/fire spell (or charm, enchantment, etc) that kills them basically instantly. There's a reason wizards can get away with treating basically everything else in the world like second class citizens, they have the tools to take care of just about everything.