I haven’t poked in detail at the mythology behind veela, but the feathers are referencing archaic Greek harpy statues, of which we have a lot. And there’s an entire mythical chain of similar bird/woman creatures like rusalka, vilies etc. The harpy statues are just the oldest examples I can think of where we’ve got both art evidence and written evidence.
Most fic tho is very clearly going more modern and playing with angel romance tropes or wingfic tropes. Not really my thing usually, but it’s very definitely a thing and in the right hands it can be hilarious. (Would that more of it was intentionally hilarious)
Both Supernatural and Lucifer fandom probably have or will have stuff with wings as a thing, so if wings really do it for you then that’s maybe something to look into.
I won’t say bat wings never show up in myth, but it makes me suspect Rowling was trying for something specific.
what if you were a muggle who went to primary school with harry potter
like, maybe you knew him a little? maybe you didn’t get close to him, you weren’t his friend, but you were nicer to him than most, and sometimes you think about the skinny orphan kid with the messy hair that you haven’t seen since you were 11, and wonder what happened to him
and then you marry a wizard, and you learn exactly what happened
“Congratualions, Harry” she said, beaming at him. “I wonder if you could give me a quick word?” “Yeah, you can have a word,” said Harry savagely. “Goodbye”. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
After all these years, Skeeter should have seen this one coming.
SliceOSunshine 