I want to ask you guys what is considered copying. For instance, a child going to the school for the first time. I imagined a scene for my story where the children are going to a special school, and are given a list of textbooks and few other things to bring with them, gets fitted for a school uniform. All of these things are common to a child attending school the for the first time. Yet I can't help thinking of the Harry Potter scene when Harry has a list of books and equipment, he needs to being to his school. My MC and the scene has no wands, no cauldrons, no magic in the story at all, no wizards, no witches, no black robes. I'd like to write the scene with my MC going to a new enchanting place, getting a school uniform, and textbooks like Harry does. Would it be considered copying ?
You sort of answer your question right there No it's not copying and even if the story did have magic, etc., there is the concept of scènes à faire. Think of all the sports/martial arts/combat movies with a training montage scene. Having some or even a lot of similar elements isn't copying, but where the line is drawn between inspiration and plagiarism is not easy to answer but it is definitely more than just a common setting or scene.
The more you generalise a story / theme / scene, the easier you will find similarities to existing material. And if you let your confidence slip, you'll be tempted to generalise your work. "Bearded mentor-figure introduces young orphan raised by uncle & aunt to a world of magic and reveals to him his role in saving the world" also applies to Harry Potter, but it's also the plot of Star Wars' original trilogy.
I wouldn’t consider this copying. It seems to be quite broad. Sounds like you should run with the concept.
It's a common thing that lots of kids go through, so no, it wouldn't be copying. J.K. Rowling doesn't own a copyright on all school stories until the end of time.
