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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Comments

[naushika.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I definitely remember reading that somewhere. I actually don't find Fred/Hermione such a strange concept, but I'm weird. ;)

I think JKR stuck to somewhat "safe" options when it came to killing characters. Imagine how much harsher the end of the series would have felt if Ron *had* died. Though if that happened, I almost think Hermione would stay away from the Weasleys at that point - too many memories.

Noelle // Slytherin // 10

[astrophelind.livejournal.com]

I like this concept alot. However, I feel that Lucius is the kind of man that likes to play a beta role. Voldemort referred to him as his 'slippery friend' and that's exactly what he is: sly and unwilling to put his neck on the line for anybody. (Except maybe his wife and son). Whilst I agree on the fact that Lucius would undeniably try to sweeten Harry up, I don't think he'd go as far as to try and 'win' if you like, Harry over. That would be too much of a stretch on his part, and there wouldn't be much of a motif to do so. The Malfoys are (I'm assuming) well known in social circle since they are virtually pureblood aristocracy, so Lucius wouldn't need the 'fame' side of associating with Harry, and he didn't yet know in the first book what Voldemort's plans were for Harry.

But a very original concept nonetheless!

Ria//Slytherin//1

[astrophelind.livejournal.com]

I think the outcome would also rely heavily on whether Dumbledore had managed to collect a memory pertaining to that alternative Horcrux. If not, well. More than one Crabbe indeed. But like Noelle said, Voldemort would've probably still picked something from Hogwarts just to spite Dumbledore. He may even have picked something to do with Ravenclaw just to taunt Helena.

Ria//Slytherin//2

[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

[green-queen.livejournal.com]

I really do think this would be fascinating. Personally, I think this would cause a rift between Vernon and Petunia. Petunia was jealous of Lily and afraid of her, but she definitely doted on her son. I think if he'd been a wizard, she would have fought it at first but ultimately accepted it, whereas Vernon would still be very much against anything weird or abnormal to his mind. I think they'd split up, and Petunia would also warm up to Harry a lot more. There are hints of her being a better person than her bitterness and jealousy allowed her to be in the books; I think Dudley being a wizard would have opened her up to her better nature.

As for Dudley, I also think he'd be a Hufflepuff, and he'd probably have been a hell of a lot nicer a hell of a lot earlier - particularly if removed from the presence of Vernon.

Green Queen//Gryffindor//1

[pinksonia.livejournal.com]

I've always thought it is because you are not necessarily sorted based on the qualities you have, but the qualities you value. So you could have no natural intelligence what so ever, but if you thought learning was the most important thing you could do, you would still be a Ravenclaw (you would just have to work super hard).

So Hermione's line in SS/PS "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things -- friendship and bravery." is really the biggest clue to her sorting. She may possess and use the intelligence of a Ravenclaw, but she values bravery more.

Allison/Ravenclaw/1

[pinksonia.livejournal.com]

I think on of the big differences for the books from killing Arthur would be more of a presence from the Bill and Charlie from that point, if nothing else, because the already poor family would have lost their only source of income. With out Arthur in the picture, I would think all the of age Weasley boys would feel obligated to come back and help support Molly and the younger children, which might actually have had the consequence of both bringing the family close together than they already are, and ameliorating some of their financial issues since they would now have three possibly four (from Percy) incomes.

The other way I would see it going, is the Order essentially taking in the Weasleys. Making Molly almost a full time Mother/Housekeeper an Headquarters, which would allow Harry to contribute as well as more fully integrate into the family as they would be around all the time, but in his house so the guest barrier (of his visits to the burrow) would no longer be there.

Allison/Ravenclaw/2

[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

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

I think you are right about Harry being at the odds with Draco. He'd probably rather hang out with Theo or Blaise if they accepted him at all (which I think they would; Blaise would probably be ordered to be courteous to Harry but not too friendly in order to maintain his neutrality). Although I think the older Slytherins would be constantly testing Harry to see just what he was made of and they wouldn't be too happy about Harry hanging out with the 'outcasts' and would try to mentor him a bit. Especially after finding out his gift for Quidditch.

Lena/Gryffindor/1

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

I think that would have made him angry enough to go after something belonging to Gryffindor, just to make sure he had a tie to Hogwarts yet again. Or, in a rather devious move, he'd turn one of the library books into a Horcrux. Maybe it would be a book that he enjoyed reading in the library; he'd definitely let it stay there, however I think he would have placed strong wards on it so that no-one besides him would be able to find it. Now that would have thrown the Trio for a loop.

Lena/Gryffindor/2

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

While I absolutely love the idea, I don't think Harry would be as putty in Lucius' arms as you think. He was a smart kid and I doubt he would entirely trust Lucius. I think he would have been cautious and took whatever Malfoy Snr said with a pinch of salt. He'd probably be civil with Draco until it came to the sorting. While he might have agreed with being placed in Slytherin, I think he'd still be the Golden Boy who fought against Voldemort. He would, though, break the stereotype that all Slytherin wizards are evil. Heck, if he was placed in Slytherin after meeting Lucius, I think he would have started seeing the benefits of befriending powerful people and would have started rooting for inter-house communication much earlier.

Lena/Gryffindor/3

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

I think you might be right that another Weasley would have died. And I think it might have been Ginny; Molly would be too late to save her daughter but she still would have killed Bellatrix. But that would have changed her completely, her only daughter dying. The rest of the family would be bereaved and of course Harry would never quite become the real son to them.

Lena/Gryffindor/4

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

While Dumbledore would have used Rita to spread out the word that Voldemort was back, I think she would have looked for a way to undermine the message. I think Rita would try to sabotage both Dumbledore and Hermione for finding out the truth about her. I think Rita would have been slick enough to come up with another pen-name under which she would start writing that Dumbledore was trying to cause mass panic etc. And, of course, the Ministry would have encouraged her. Heck, I think they'd even give her animagus amnesty or something.

Lena/Gryffindor/5

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

While I agree that the family would have taken it hard, I think Arthur's death would have brought Bill and Charlie back home, so they could help out. I think Bill would have assumed the role of the head of the family, thus being able to veto some of Molly's decisions. I think Bill was able to see that while his brothers and sister were young, they would have fought in the war anyway and Bill would have pushed Molly to allow them to train and prepare for it. Also, I think Arthur's death would have pushed Percy away from the family, instead of closer to it. He'd probably try to make a new reputation for the Weasley name.

Lena/Gryffindor/6

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

While Hermione wouldn't have Dobby to 'measure' other elves against, I still think she would have started campaigning for elvish rights. Only, after seeing the state Winky was in, she would probably concentrate more on education and mental care for those elves who had been freed.

Lena/Gryffindor/7

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think that if Hermione was sorted into Ravenclaw she wouldn't have stayed at Hogwarts. She found it extremely difficult to make friends and Ravens weren't exactly the most friendly bunch out there (the disappearance of Luna's things? Yes, that's bullying. And no, that's not acceptance of creativity and eccentricity or whatever other BS Pottermore has in that introduction speech). I think that after a while, she would have realised that even though she was the smartest witch out there, it meant nothing without friends. While it would have definitely hurt her and her ego, I think Hermione would have asked her parents to withdraw her from Hogwarts. And I think she would have chosen another school, or maybe even private tutoring in magic while she also attended Muggle school. Because our Hermione is just that over-achieving ;)

Lena/Gryffindor/8

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

Harry Evans-Snape would be an absolute terror. Either that or every teachers perfect student (although he could use a little less attitude). However, I think he would have been friends with Neville since they were children, which would have meant that Neville wasn't as terrified of Snape and did better at potions. I think Harry would still be part of the Golden Trio since he would have been friends with Nev. If he was a Ravenclaw, I believe he would have befriended Hermione (who is a Claw in that verse) and that would be the Golden Trio. Of course, they wouldn't be as hot headed and they would actually think things through. Or, you know, they would talk to an adult when they thought something was up.

Lena/Gryffindor/9

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I do think that if Dudley showed any accidental magic, Petunia would have blamed that on Harry. I don't think she would have treated them any differently than she did in the books. And when she learned that Dudley was magical, I think her first reaction would be fear. She loved her son very much and all she knows about the Wizarding world is that it cost her sister her life. So I think she'd try to make Dudley stay home. She might even refuse to let Dudley go to Hogwarts (since she is his mother and legal guardian and all). If that happened, she'd probably try to make Harry stay too, because she wouldn't want Dudley to crave magic the way she did; and she would be afraid that every time Harry came back from school, he'd try to convince Dudley to attend Hogwarts.

And my, oh my, how different Harry's life would be during the first holidays if Dudley was in school with him. Can you imagine Dudley actually telling what happened then to his parents and their reactions?!

Lena/Gryffindor/10

[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

[capeofstorm.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think Harry and Ron would have known each other long before the Hogwarts Express, since Sirius was in the Order, just like the Weasleys. I think he'd get over his issues with Molly just so Harry could have someone his own age to spend time with, you know.

Lena/Gryffindor

[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

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[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

http://hih.leaky-sponge.com/owned_items.php?username=pixiestyxs

I have a crystal ball.

[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with you. If Sirius had lived, Harry wouldn't have felt alone and abandoned, and therefore he would have wanted to live because he had someone that was there for him.

Laura//Hufflepuff

[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

This is an event that I've thought of too, especially because it's a trope for fanfiction and each writer does it differently. I do think there is the possibility that Hermione and he could find their way to being friends faster if Ron wasn't involved since most of the aggravation with her stemmed from Ron in the first book I believe. I think that Harry would be more willing to giver her a chance since she would be an outcast just like him.

Laura//Hufflepuff

[pixiestyxs.livejournal.com]

I think this is very interesting. Draco was definitely not the best person that Harry could have met first. He basically gave him a very poor first look at the wizarding world. I can definitely see Lucius being smarter about it, especially if he realized who Harry was. He'd be very wily in his interactions with Harry.

Laura//Hufflepuff