What is an AU?
AU is a term coined by fanfiction writers to denote an alternate universe or timeline. An AU can be as elaborate as everyone goes to Hogwarts and their adventures to something silly and simple like a character having a different power or weapon.
AUs differ from headcanons in that they alter something fundamental about the source, creating an alternate universe or timeline. Headcanons are an assumption about a character’s quirks, preferences, or other personal details like being a cat person or hating chocolate ice cream.
Since fictionkin often subscribe to the theory of multiple universes or timelines, it only makes sense that AUs and “headcanons” will show up. However, what’s the limit for them? Honestly, nobody can say.
If a world where a bunch of teenagers run around destroying darkness incarnate with giant keys and magic with Jack Sparrow is theoretically possible (and yes, I’m using one of my kintypes for this situation), why can’t that same concept, but with everyone having another animal form or being elves, be theoretically possible as well? (Not saying that’s how my world is, but you get the picture.)
If we pick any world apart, including this one, it all seems pretty bizarre and unusual. If we told aliens that we are the product of millions of years of genetic mutations that look at words on a screen for entertainment (or whatever it is you do), it sounds pretty silly and more than a little fake.
If one thing changed in the past, we could either still be here, or something else entirely could have taken our place. Since “convergent timelines” have been talked about, there could definitely be a world where Ganondorf DID take over Hyrule or Animagi are actually the norm in the wizarding world. Against all odds, maybe Discord accidentally(?) turned Equestria into a dystopian nightmare, something that goes against all norms of the source material.
If we are to assume the creator has choice as to what they use or omit in the final product, or even put into words or storyboards or drafts, there are an infinite amount of possibilities that haven’t been used or even seen the light of day. If we limit ourselves to published canon, we may feel fake or insecure if an element from our other lives pops up that seems unusual but fitting and right.
We could accidentally be removing key details about our lives simply because they diverge too much from accepted canon. I’m not saying this is always the case, I’m just saying massive breaks from the source can and do happen. Take everything, even things that match up with the source, with a grain of salt until you’ve explored them further.
