Wizarding Games: What if

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

What if...


Details: What if one slight decision at any point in the Harry Potter books had been different? What if Dean Thomas' father had told Dean's mother why he left the family to protect them? What if Ariana was standing one foot to the right had never been killed? What if Ariana had decided to stay indoors instead of going outside and meeting those Muggles in the first place? What if Kreacher had gone crazy and killed the baby Regulus meaning Sirius was the only child of the Blacks?

Have a think and a debate/disscussion about how small/big a change could have changed something ridic big/not at all. Uh. Be creative! try to find something different or interesting to change, you can use the ones above if you must.

Steps:
1. Pick a thing from HP to change
2. Explain how you think this would have changed the way the story unfolded, and if it'd change the outcome at all. Maybe the differences in the world once the story was over? (min 100 words)
3. Discuss/debate with other people about yours and theirs. Do you think it wouldn't have made the changes they think it would? Explain why. Do you agree and see some other changes that would have occurred, let them know :) (min 30 words and you can't just wholeheartedlyagree and gush at them)


Rules:

1. Don't pick the same one as someone else. If someone has already picked something then reply to their comment discussing/debating
2. Don't cause drama. Prove you can all civilly debate and discuss stuff.
3. Take heed of the word limits (100 words for first comment, 30 words for additional replies with a point that add to the discussion/debate)
4. Try not to make it a silly thing e.g. Harry ate some toast one morning instead of cereal and therefore the world ended.

Points: 10pts for your 100 word comment, 2pts per 30 word comment with a point. 30pts cap. 10pts for any crystal ball if you earn over 15pts. Dont' forget to register your bonus items in this post.
Deadline: 26th November 5pm UTC Converter
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First comment
<b>Thing you're changing:</b> <b>How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?</b> min 100words for this section



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[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

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[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

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[slumber.livejournal.com]

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Evy//Ravenclaw

[dragongirl3745.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Sirius' Death
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? I think this would have affected the books in a big way, especially for Harry. Once Sirius was cleared of the murder charges, Harry would have had a guardian who cared about him. He wouldn't have had another person he loved die. He would have had a home and an adult he could get advice from. There would have been one more person on the side of good there at the final battle. Harry would have had someone who really knew his parents and could have told him about them, how they were as students and as adults. He would have had a physical connection to someone who knew his parents.

Anna//Hufflepuff//Word Count: 111

[yasonablack.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with you. I also wonder if Sirius stays alive, if Harry would be a lot more reluctant to die at the end of Deathly Hallows, as he finally has a real family with Sirius.

[yasonablack.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Dudley's a Wizard
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? I think Dudley being a wizard would have made a really interesting difference in the books. While I can't see it changing the way Petunia and Vernon treat Harry, they would most likely still treat their son better which would mean that once both Harry and Dudley are in Hogwarts I think more people would notice that there's something screwed up at the Dursleys. Given Dudley's actions at the end of the series, I think Dudley would also warm up to Harry earlier (not too early though) and Harry would have a slightly better connection to blood family. Also, as Dudley would end up being sorted before Harry, depending on the house, Harry might be more likely to fight against 'not where Dudley is' rather than 'not Slytherin'.

Yasona//Slytherin//141 words

[deirdre-aithne.livejournal.com]

Petunia's problem with magic always seemed to stem from jealousy that she wasn't 'special' like her sister, so I'd say Dudley being a wizard might put him and Harry on much more even ground, actually. As their son or not, Petunia and Vernon wanted 'normal'. I'd imagine they'd be just as keen to try squashing the magic out of Dudley as they were with Harry, and treat them very much the same.

[deirdre-aithne.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Hermione Granger's sorting.
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? Although she's brave and suits her house well, Hermione (in my mind, at least) just as easily could have been sorted into Ravenclaw. If that had happened, I'd say the story would have been extremely different, from year one and on. Without Hermione, I don't think Harry and Ron would have tried getting past Fluffy at all in first year, let alone made it through all the trials to reach the Mirror. So Voldemort wouldn't have been split off from Quirrel that year, and may have returned to teach in their second year. No Hermione to brew Polyjuice potion for them means no using Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, and therefore never discovering the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Even if Harry and Ron had still made friends with Hermione through sharing classes, her impact couldn't have been nearly as great if she didn't share a house with them, so that one small thing would make a huge difference for the story.

Stephie//Slytherin//161 words

[faeriesfolly.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Harry and Ron would have died several times over without Hermione's help. I think Hermione as a character is even written much more as a Ravenclaw than a Gryffindor. Personally, I think JKR only includes her in Gryffindor to keep her hero alive and round out the trio, but forgot to make her fit Gryffindor's traits more than Ravenclaw's.

Morgan//Slytherin//6

[slumber.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: The Slytherins came back
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? This is a minor change in the final chapters of Deathly Hallows, but the one thing I really wish had been different. In interviews JKR had mentioned that Slughorn came back with students from Slytherin house, but the book never explicitly mentioned as much. I think this would have better driven JKR's point home, that there is no black and white and even Harry's schoolboy biases are just that: biases. I feel like if in the books this fact had been explicitly mentioned, it could have been one more thing that Harry told Albus as proof that being a Slytherin was okay.

More than what happens within Harry's world, however, I think doing so would have been thematically in line with all the lessons that JKR had been trying to give about prejudice. She does such a great job challenging everyone's preconceived notions within the world, even one that nobody would have thought to think twice about like house-elves, but I think she could have done more in pointing out the biases that protagonists and readers may have formed against Slytherin house.

Evy//Ravenclaw//182 words

[faeriesfolly.livejournal.com]

Now I want to drag my books out, because in my head I remember Slughorn coming back with the Slytherins being an actual thing that happened. Quite possible my wishful thinking took on a life of its own. I don't recall it being fleshed out with them in action or anything, so it might be a dream.

I think JKR needs to get rid of her own preconceived notions against Slytherins (and Hufflepuffs, but that's another story alltogether).

Morgan//Slytherin//5

[faeriesfolly.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Severus and Lily got together instead of James and Lily.
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? Well, for one, Harry would not be Harry. While he may "have his mother's eyes", Harry Potter is very much his father's son. I see Harry Evans-Snape having the best of both his parents (and yes, they would hyphenate). He would be a much more well-adjusted Snape. Good looks, not greasy, a keen mind, a potions genius, and I envision him having a lot more confidence. Harry Snape-Evans would never have been orphaned. His father would likely not have ended up as a Death Eater, and I see them having had a lovely life. They may have been Order members, but I see James as having been the volatile part of that original pairing. Neville would be the boy of the prophecy. This would basically change the whole story.

Morgan//Slytherin//129

[slumber.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, this would have changed a LOT. Fundamentally it changes a lot of things, I can't even begin to wrap my head around what would have stayed the same. He might even have been Sorted into Slytherin or something. I can see this becoming Neville's story, but I can also see it becoming Hermione's. And what role would Sirius/Remus/Peter/James have had?

Evy//Ravenclaw//4

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Harry never freed Dobby
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? During Chamber of Secrets, Hermione never actually met Dobby. So she only found out about him through Harry. If Harry never freed him, would she have had any particular measure to which she could hold other elves against captivity? Probably not; her only experience of a freed elf by that point was Winky, who became an alcoholic wreck. She would have really loathed Crouch's way of dismissing her but her attitude would not be wrought with the same convictions.

What's equally curious is that even though Dobby was under the ownership of the Malfoys, he was clearly loyal to Harry! Meanwhile, Sirius Black-- Harry's godfather and owner of Grimmauld Place wherein the Order set up camp-- was the master of a different elf, Kreacher, who was obviously loyal to the remaining free members of the legitimate black line: the Malfoys! Imagine how THAT would have screwed with everyone's heads! Go on, I dare you.


rob/gryffindor/4

[slumber.livejournal.com]

Somehow I don't know that Hermione would have been stopped by the notion that elves don't like being free. I don't remember much of CoS' details, but I feel like Hermione was spurred on by just finding out that the elves were basically enslaved by wizarding society.

Evy//Ravenclaw//9

[defined.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Arthur Weasley dies after the snake attack
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? This was something JKR had in mind but she ended up not doing it. I think that was a good idea because if Arthur had died, it would have been really depressing. The Weasley family would have been devastated. I think Ron would have had a hard time going on for awhile and be too upset to help Harry and Hermione. I think the twins, though, would have been even more inspired to create their joke shop to cheer people up. I also think Percy may have come back to the family sooner. Molly would also be very upset for a long time. I can see her being really hesitant to let her children get involved with the War, not wanting anyone else to die, which would make it hard for Ron and Ginny to help Harry. After awhile, I can see her being fired up for her vengeance, but I think for the first while she'd take it very hard.

Chelsea/Ravenclaw/161

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

I agree with a lot of this, which is why I think ultimately JKR decided not to kill Arthur -- it just would have been too hard. The only positive familial figures in Harry's life would suddenly be really depressed and perhaps Molly wouldn't even be as motherly to Harry due to her depression and that would be extremely hard for him. And knowing Ron's character, he would probably blame Harry a lot and it would strain their friendship.

Caitie//Hufflepuff

[lilacmermaid.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Hermione trapping Rita Skeeter at the end of GoF
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? Kind of a weird one, I know, but this occurred to me when I reread the book this summer. I could see this going one of several ways. If she had just escaped, she would have had an absolute field day with everything that she had heard in the hospital wing that night, and it seriously could have ruined everything. But what if Hermione had captured Rita, but then taken her to Dumbledore instead? Maybe they could have forced her to help the Order? I so want to read a story with a premise like this!

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

That would be a great way to change things! The Daily Prophet would probably have to tell the truth earlier on, lessening the Ministry's grasp on things during the OotP year. On the other hand, there are unintended consequences here too: how would the Quibbler get any credit as a credible opposition paper? It would probably keep its "loony" reputation instead of being the one paper willing to tell the truth!

William//Slytherin

[mrschucknoblet.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Fred Weasley's Death
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? Aside from the obvious that large amounts of fandom would be happy, one thing that would have happened if Fred had lived is that one of the other Weasley's would die. It is doubtful that all the Weasley's would have lived through the war, so one could assume that another Weasley would perish. Fred and George (had they both lived) probably would have gone on to keep the shop open and become even more successful. Also, Fred living would likely mean that he and Angelina Johnson would have stayed together. George and Angelina would never get together and have children, which could change a lot of what happened after the war.

Courtney Rose/puff/111

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

I think I had read somewhere that JKR intended for Ron to die - and... this may be REALLY off... but for Hermione to somehow end up with Fred (and therefore Fred and Angelina not ending up staying together). I know, this sounds like a *really* bad fit so my memory must have been off.

William//Slytherin

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Harry meets Lucius instead of Draco outside of Madam Malkin's
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?
The first person Harry Potter really interacted who wasn't "pre-approved" by Dumbledore was Draco Malfoy, whom he first saw outside Madam Malkin's robe shop. Sadly, Draco was not yet schooled in proper Slytherin tact (he was only eleven!) so he tried to make friends with Harry the only way he knew how: by showing off - which, unbeknownst to him, had the exact opposite effect (Harry managed to view this attempt at making friends as being worse than Dudley Dursley... to the point that he engaged in behavior that would qualify for a Muggle vote at Hogwarts is Home when getting Sorted to ensure that he would stay away from him!)

Now, if Lucius, who was much more tactful at the time, had talked to Harry instead - all he would need to do was say a few choice words about how Harry deserved MUCH better than the abuse he was getting at Harry's 'filthy Muggle' godparents the Dursleys (and how it was that 'that meddling fool' Dumbledore who was responsible for reducing 'the biggest hero of the Wizarding world' to this state); then offering to help Harry out... Harry would effectively be putty in Lucius's arms!

(Lucius could then, of course, introduce Harry and Draco to each other - and not only would Harry's allegiances be set: "I'm Lucius's man through and through!" but he would likely be pushing FOR Slytherin when that time came!)

William//Slytherin

[naushika.livejournal.com]

Haha, I love this. So, what would happen during the events of PS I wonder? Would Harry align himself with the Malfoys and be pro-Voldemort? Or would it create a rift between them? I'm thinking probably the latter since above all else, Voldemort murdered Harry's parents and I'm not sure anything could overcome that.

Noelle // Slytherin // 2

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Helena never tells Tom Riddle about her diadem
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? I've always thought this was interesting. But try as he might, Tom Riddle can't get The Grey Lady to reveal her secret hiding place for the diadem and he has to choose a different object for his horcrux. I imagine he'd be upset, now only having items belonging to 2 of the 4 Hogwarts founders. But the real change would come when it was time for Harry to find and destroy all the horcruxes. Sure, Voldemort may have found another object that he wanted to hide inside Hogwarts, inside the Room of Requirement's lost things room but it wouldn't be as readily recognizable. Would Harry and company be able to find the object at all? If we're going for a happy ending, the answer is yes. But either way, it'd probably take him much, much longer. And since the retrieval of the diadem was already a pretty dangerous task, I think maybe more than just Crabbe wouldn't have made it out alive.

caitie//hufflepuff

[naushika.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting thing to change. I think if he had needed one more object for a horcrux, because he couldn't get the diadem, he would have gone for something else important to Hogwarts. Perhaps even something he would steal from Hogwarts, and then after making it a horcrux, return it to its rightful place so it would be taunting Dumbledore by being under his nose the whole time in the halls of Hogwarts.

Noelle // Slytherin // 1

[naushika.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Harry Potter's sorting
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? The sorting hat very nearly put Harry into Slytherin. If that had happened, things would have been quite different. I think Harry still would have been at odds with Draco - their personalities would just never make for friends. But I don't think Harry would have become friends with Ron and Hermione. Considering the anti-Slytherin sentiment strong in Gryffindor at that time, Ron would have likely pulled away from Harry, and there wouldn't have been an opportunity for Harry to become friends with Hermione. I think instead, Harry would have ended up friends with the "outcasts." Likely Neville - I can see Harry defending Neville still during the flying lesson, and a friendship evolving from that. And then later on, Luna joining their group as well. Since Harry wouldn't have Hermione's assistance in dealing with the events of the books, Harry would have become a bit more serious and more committed to, for example, researching for any hint to who Nicholas Flamel is, in PS.

Noelle // Slytherin // 166 words

[astrophelind.livejournal.com]

I've often wondered what would happen if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin too. I agree with the whole Hermione and Ron aspect too, Ron would be too stubborn to associate with a Slytherin and Harry would just see him as acting like a git. Or maybe the other way around. You get my point. As for Harry being a bit more serious...I don't know, I'd like to think he would be. Also, do you think he'd be vastly different from his fellow Slytherins in how he treats other non-snakes? Or would he slowly become indoctrinated in their (often) muggleborn-hating ways, not willing to go against the status quo of the first place he could truly call home?

Ria//Slytherin//3

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Sirius didn't go after Pettigrew on Halloween '81
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? If Sirius didn't go after Pettigrew that night, he would have stood a chance to prove his innocence regarding selling out of the Potters. I believe that a Pensieve memory of him talking James into making Peter the Secret Keeper would clear him. That means Harry would never end up with Dursleys. He'd grow up with Sirius (and Remus :x) spoiling him and teaching him pranks from an early age. However, I believe that Harry would end up somewhat of a bigot because Sirius would always portray Slytherins as the bad ones. Of course, Harry then wouldn't have a shred of respect towards Snape.

But thanks to growing up in the Wizarding world, Harry would be easier with his fame and he wouldn't be as shy about it. He would probably even learn how to manipulate it. Or, you know, maybe there wouldn't be such a hype about the Boy-Who-Lived since the Wizarding world would be able to see him in Diagon Alley etc. He'd probably have more friends as well, growing up with the Weasley kids, Neville, Luna.

Another change that would bring would be the fact that Pettigrew wouldn't be able to hide in his rat form, since Sirius would inform the Ministry about it. So Pettigrew would either be caught at some point, or would be forced to flee the country. I'm not sure if he'd go in search of Voldemort then, since in a way it was his fault the Dark Lord was reduced to being a leech. If he left Britian, I think he'd head for Australia or US and try to keep a low profile. Which, in turn, would mean there would be no prophecy from Trelawney in 3rd year and no-one to help resurrect Voldemort.

Lena//Gryffindor

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

I think Harry's character would get a pretty intense overhaul if he had grown up in a normal family. I just feel like so much of his personality is because of how he grew up - second-rate and pretty much marginalized. He has an issue with emotions, in that he overreacts to little things and that he is uncomfortable with others displaying intense emotions (read: Cho crying). Harry would relate to others much more easily and because of that, his friendships may have been a little different. I feel that Ron latched onto him so easily because Ron, too, was marginalized in his gigantic family. He found Harry, even though he was the Boy Who Lived, non-threatening and since he knew nothing about the magical world, Ron could be his guide. If Harry grew up with knowledge of Hogwarts, their friendship may not have started so immediately on the Hogwarts Express -- though I don't doubt they'd eventually make friends since they shared a room forever. Either way, Harry wouldn't be as broody all the time, which would probably make his time in the Tri-Wizard Tournament a little easier, as well as his fifth year. Living with Sirius, he'd be all up in the Order of the Phoenix anyway.

Caitie//Hufflepuff

[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Draco doesn't fix the vanishing cabinet
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?

If Draco doesn't get the Vanishing Cabinet fixed then a lot of things would change. The Death Eaters wouldn't get into the castle, so it would be less likely that Dumbledore would die at that time, he'd be more likely to die of poison from the ring or from the liquid he drank to get the locket. Especially since Draco was actually vacilitating on whether he could kill Dumbledore before the Death Eaters arrived as backup. Harry would be less likely to leave to go on a hunt for the Horcruxes if Dumbledore doesn't die. Since the Death Eaters and Greyback don't get into the castle at that time, Bill Weasley never gets scarred.

Laura//Hufflepuff//114 words

[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

This is interesting. Because you could then wonder if Voldemort would still be evil ala the nature v. nurture debate. I guess my question is how much of his evilness can be construed from his hatred of Muggles based off his father and the orphanage experience and how much if it is just him? Who knows, but I like to think that you're right and everything would have been much happier had his father just accepted his mother and him.

Laura//Hufflepuff

[everythingshiny.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Ron and Harry didn’t take the car in CoS, but waited for help.
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?
Firstly, the two boys wouldn’t get into trouble at the beginning of the term, Secondly, Ron would have his wand intact throughout the book, which would have been helpful through out their adventures.
Thirdly, Gilderoy would have perhaps performed that memory spell, instead of it backfiring onto himself and they wouldn’t have rescued Ginny, who probably would have died :(. Along with that, Harry wouldn’t have learnt about the sword of Gryffindor so early on (ohh important later on I see what you did there) and would have lost one of the things that make life worth living for in the final books.
Finally, Tom Riddle might have lived and we would have had two Voldemorts for the price of one, and surely that can’t be a good thing.

Tash//slytherin

[astrophelind.livejournal.com]

You've thought this through! It's interesting that you picked to change such a small and seemingly insignificant thing. Actually the long term consequences are frightening, especially with Gilderoy and Tom Riddle in the mix. I don't know if it would go off without a hitch because there are so many variables to consider, but it's definitely a challenging situation.

Ria//Slytherin//5

[lotrangel17.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Petunia wasn't scare of what Lily could do but was fascinated by it.
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? Petunia would have been a much more understanding and loving aunt to Harry and would have been more involved in his early years. If Harry had known all during the first years of his life about being a wizard then his attitude and actions throughout the books would have been different. Its also quite possible he would not have needed friends like Ron and Hermione because he would already know things about the Wizarding world and how things were done and all about Voldemort being told all along by his aunt about James and Lily. Also Pentunia might have been closer to Severus and hate him and therefore Severus could have been more of an influence on Harry as he grew up and Severus could have prepared him more for the time when Voldemort came back. Severus could have been more like an uncle to Harry and the whole outcome of the story would be different because Severus would never be trusted by Voldemort had this occurred.

Stephanie//Hufflepuff//167 words

[defined.livejournal.com]

Hmm I don't know if he would have been spoiled and defiant. It depends on who raised him and what values they taught him. He obviously would have known about his fame from an early age and would be in a home that loved and respected him, but I don't know if that necessarily means he'd grow up to be arrogant. Nature vs nurture is a hard subject to analyze.

Chelsea//Ravenclaw

[ivory88s.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Cedric and Harry didn't grab the Cup at the same time
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books? I think for this, it depends on who actually grabbed the Cup, obviously. If Harry grabbed the Cup, I think things would have been similar, but he wouldn't have been burdened with the death of Cedric. I think Harry always put too much blame on himself for things that were out of his control. On the other hand, if Cedric had been the one to grab the Cup, would the Death Eaters have kidnapped Harry anyway? Would they have stormed the pitch to bring him to their Master? Or would they have just laid low? And if Cedric's body had been sent back without Harry's statements that Voldemort was back, maybe everyone would have believed it more readily than when Harry said it to "get attention."

Malory//Ravenclaw//126 words

[defined.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wonder what would have happened if Cedric grabbed the cup. I think you're right about the Harry bit. If just Cedric's body came back, that wouldn't be any proof Voldemort was back, but would make people wonder what happened in the maze (possibly blaming Harry anyway). Also, Barty Crouch Jr. would have gotten reamed out by Voldemort for letting that happen and probably killed for ruining the plan that had been going on for months. Considering the Death Eaters needed Harry alive and mostly unaware to get his blood, they probably would have needed to completely devise a new plan.

Chelsea//Ravenclaw

[pinksonia.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Crookshanks actually kills Scabbers
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?

Had Crookshanks killed Scabbers while stalking him Sirius would never have had the opportunity to clear himself at all. Harry would still believe that his Godfather was directly responsible for the death of his parents, so presumably Sirius would have remained on the run until discovered and given a Dementor's kiss. At which point harry wouldn't care. Buckbeak would have died, and Harry would still be unable to produce a Patronus. Likely Lupin would have left at the end of the year and Harry wouldn't think of him again.

By the time of OotP, the DA would be changed since Harry would not be as adept at defense spells. Voldemort would be unable to use Sirius to lure Harry to the ministry leaving Dumbledore or a Weasley as likely candidates to take his place. Either of those options would be easier to check, particularly since Grimmauld place would no longer be Order headquarters, making the ministry battle less likely to have happened at all.


Allison//Ravenclaw/164

[signe-chan.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing: Instead of going for Harry and marking him, Voldemort goes for Neville
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?
Well, I think it's pretty obvious that the book would be very different. Harry was insulated until he went to Hogwarts, had Neville been the one who was marked he'd be raised in a the wizarding world, being praised for what he was perceived to have done. I presume Neville would still be a late bloomer, but instead of just being a disappointment to his family he's a disappointment to the whole wizarding world. Everyone's waiting for him to show this amazing power that defeated you-know-who but instead he's Neville, not very good at anything, really.

He would no doubt have more friends than he did early in the books because of the celebrity that surrounds him, and a stronger drive to prove himself then he did which might lead him to act more recklessly. I think he'd probably get himself hurt more, his low self esteem teaming up with a burning desire to prove himself that isn't present in the books as they stand making him reckless. He'd constantly feel like he has to be the best but he'd not be able to outshine the others.

I'd like to think that he'd be mentored by Dumbledore and get the guidance to do what we know Harry did and to come to terms with his destiny with only minor implosions, with kind of the same arc we see in him where he finds the things he can do well, the core of bravery in himself, and ultimately fulfils the prophecy, but that's just my inner optimist talking. I could see Neville not allowed to grow into himself but forced to grow up, never given the space to discover his own value, he'd defeat Voldemort as the prophecy says, but I think he'd come through it more damaged then Harry came through (though I never bought how mentally sound Harry is. Childhood of abuse followed by being expected to defeat the dark lord doesn't sound like a good mental space to me).

Emma//Hufflepuff//331 words

[defined.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think you covered most things. Even though he grew up with the fame, I can see Neville getting a bit overwhelmed by it when he entered Hogwarts. I also agree he would defeat Voldemort because he had to, but it would probably break him. I wonder what Neville's and Dumbledore's relationship would be like. Would Dumbledore be as reserved with information about the prophecy and the like as he was with Harry? I can see it going both ways.

Chelsea//Ravenclaw

[shellzconlon.livejournal.com]

Thing you're changing:Hermione doesn't figure out that Rita is a beetle
How do you think this would have affected the outcome of the books?
If Hermione hadn't figured out that Rita Skeeter was an unregistered animagus, then Rita would have gone crazy with her stories like she always did, but what's really important here is the information she could have released from what she gathered in the hospital wing the night of Cedric's death. The confrontation between Dumbledore and Fudge, hearing of Voldemort's return, seeing Sirius Black, all of these were seen by Rita. This could go a number of ways. Harry could be seen even further as an attention seeking lunatic with his claims that Voldemort has returned which would build up the case against him in OotP, the hunt for Sirius would be aided since the Ministry would know about his animagus form, etc. Not to mention that Rita wouldn't have written up her interview with Harry for The Quibbler

Michelle/Gryffindor/138

[pinksonia.livejournal.com]

I think this could have had interesting development through choices for Rita. She would have overheard the truth, and therefore be able to print it, but she would also be under pressure from the ministry to tow the line and make Harry look crazy. It would be interesting to see which direction she chose to go in since both choices would result in well read stories.

I could have been interesting to have Rita print what she heard (or even just attempt to and be blocked by an editor), fall a foul of the establishment, and be forced to write full time for the Quibbler. She might have even become the leading voice against Voldemort.

Allison/Ravenclaw