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).
no subject
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