Draco Malfoy and Flashman
Do you wonder that Draco Malfoy is based on Harry P. Flashman (started out in Tom Brown's Schools day?
1. Both of them are despicable aristocrats.
2. Even though both of them are villains, they are portrayed with positive side by another author (Fans for Draco, and Fraser for Flashman).
P.S- What do you view with more favor? Flashman or Flash Thompson.
Re: Draco Malfoy and Flashman
Aside from the fact that people other than the original author have chosen to write stories with them as a (slightly) more sympathetic protagonist- there isn't that much in common.
A case could be made that the fanfic writer had read the Flashman books, or Gregory McGuire's Wicked, or something similar, and was inspired by that notion to do it for Draco- I wouldn't know.
There's quite a few authors who get that notion.
Re: Draco Malfoy and Flashman
Also there is the fact that fanfics ALWAYS have those who write the bad guys in a sympathetic light. Especially when its situations like draco and harry, or sasuke and naruto.
Re: Draco Malfoy and Flashman
It wouldn't surprise me, Tom Brown's School Days is very much a precursor to Harry Potter -- although Rowling herself saved the Draco Malfoy character from full vilification to become a mere Butt Monkey.
Re: Draco Malfoy and Flashman
#1 is because it's a common trope. Everybody knew that one snooty rich kid in high school, it's an easy way to express a character without much work. Which, given that Draco was mostly there to help define Harry and be an antagonist when the big bad wasn't appropriate, is about the right amount of characterization for plot importance.
#2 is the nature of fanfic. Given that the Potter series started out as stories Rowling told her own kids, I think it's incredibly unlikely that she developed the characters with an eye towards internet fandom would take to them. I don't see how the behaviors of third parties can be used as an argument that A is influenced by B.
Re: Draco Malfoy and Flashman
Come on people! Don't any of you know your histories? Harry Potter was inspired by this.