Rather than have Harry thrown into the past, have him thrown into the far distant future. By distant I mean so far that there are no records or complete records of the result of Harry's litte scrap with Voldemort.

Maybe at that point in the future, the muggles still are not aware of the existance of the wizarding world, but the wizarding world has gorwn large enough that the Internation Confederation of Wizards has decided that no more Muggleborns will be brought into the Wizarding world, so that it has stopped growing to any real extent. It stays at a fairly level population number, with the entire society constructed around the Families. Not like pureblood families in the current HP times, but since no other surnames are being brought in, family is extremely important, and society is based on them. There could be a possibility of have the Major Families and Minor Families. That could be a sub-plot or recurring theme if you wanted.

Have it that at that point in the future, what Harry thinks of as current magic, is actually thought of as really really ancient magic, with very few spells remaining, and only a few folk being able to cast them. Instead there are a few possibilities. There is a possibility that you could have it so that each family is dedicated to a specific element, and they teach their children as they grow up how to use that element. Perhaps if you do that, have it that children are "introduced" to the element in a small ritual at birth or something. Another possibility is that each family could be dedicated to a specific type of magic. Like some might be dedicated to potions, some to enchantments, some to transfiguration, some to the mind. Of course, this would not be the same type of stuff as is in the current HP world, but it is roughly the same type of thing. Another possibility is that they control raw magic through their wands, or whatever channeling device you choose. Another possibility is that each family is known for a specific skill, perhaps like necromancy, demonology, chronomancy, illusions, animamancy etc. Or you don't have to use these ideas and can come up with your own.

Have Harry have to stay there for quite a while, until a mathod of sending him far enough back in time can be created. Perhaps have him become friendly with some under dog scholars, and make the deal if he teaches them some "ancient magic" the they teach him some of their magic. Or you could have him become friendly with some more important folk. Its up to you. But by the time he leaves, he must have at least enough of a grasp of using their type of magic that it gives him an edge in battle whe he gets back, but he can't be so good at it that he just obliterates Voldemort.

Perhaps when he gets back, he has aged so much, that at first the order doesn't think its him. And the question is, has time passed, or has it not when he gets back. Perhaps whatever sent him back has misjudged the distnace, and he either gets sent a little too far, or a little too short, just to cause some confusion. Anyway, when he gets back he can't just go and defeat Voldemort, because he doesn't have the necessary skill. Perhaps have him fall out with his friends that way if you want.

I would like it if you don't do a really manipulative Dumbledore. Just have him as an old man that makes mistakes. Perhaps have him and Harry grow closer after Harry comes back, because Harry can't seem to be as close to his friends as before.

Other Order members, are up to you. Perhaps have the Order split with those who want to throw Harry into the fray with his new powers (perhaps led by Moody), those who want to give him his choice (led by Dumbledore) and those who want to lock him in a padded room swaddled in cotton wool (led by Mrs Weasley).

I personally don't think Harry would go back to Hogwarts as a student, though perhaps as an apprentice to Dumbledore, so he can develop his new magic, with the aid of Dumbledores intuition. Certainly don't have him go to Hogwarts as a teacher of any sort.

Perhaps having stayed for several years in a future where Family is so important, he gets interested in the Potter family history, and makes some interesting discoveries from that, whether it be long forgotten vaults, ancient properties, or political power, it is up to you.

If anyone has any questions please ask. I would love to see this written, even in a modified format, and if you do, pelase send me the link. I would appreciate being given a mention at the beginning for the idea.

thanks

 

Interesting challenge, someone should take this up. Only problem is that this story will be GIGANTIC and complex.

 

I have just started reading Frank Herbert's Dune and it gave me an idea for your challenge. The Families could be like the Families of the Imperium in Dune with the Confederation being like the Imperial Family. And the families would have power of certain lands, like a feudalism. Say Family Ravenclaw over France and Gryffindor over Scotland and so on and thus forth. It has potential, the idea, and yes I agree the story would be massive and complex. But what would be the trouble of this future time? Surely not another all powerful Dark Lord like Voldemort, but more of a Family rivalry like in Dune between House Atriedes and House Harkonnen?

 

Yeah, I like that idea, never having read Dune I can't say I agree exactly, but I know what your thinking of. I was thinking when i mentioned the major and minor houses, that perhaps every major house is a sort of distrustful ally of every otehr major house, and its set up like that, simply because they are so powerful there would be major problems if they got into a fight with each other. So a lot of political dancing could happen there. I was also thinking that there could be a good deal of resentment from the minor houses about how powerful the major ones are. Im thinking the minor ones are newer than than the major ones, and where as the major ones may control the main large Country areas, though not necessarily the way they are set out in the current world, the minor houses may only have smaller amounts of less prime land. The author could perhaps have it that all the minor houses join together in small confederations, so that they can combine resources and power. These confederations could be facing off against each otehr as well.

To sum up, its really up to the author about conflicts, but I prefer the idea of more subtle shows of power and threats and political confrontations, with no one wanting to go to war because of how much damage could be done to the world. So a sort of very uneasy peace.

And yeah, it would be very long and complex