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

[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

[signe-chan.livejournal.com]

I could see Neville's gran getting the informaton about the prophecy out of Dumbledor, I think she's work out something was going on and press him for it. I'd hope Dumbledor would mentor Neville like he did Harry but I wonder if Neville wouldn't be less open to that mentoring since Harry desperatley wanted/needed an adult to be a mentor to him but Neville probably got quite enough of that from his Gran.

Emma/Hufflepuff/5

[signe-chan.livejournal.com]

He could have. I think, though, Dumbledore's main motivation in putting Harry with the Dursleys was to keep the magical protection his mother gave him active. For Neville, even if he got the same sacrifice from his mother his closest relative was his Grandma.

Emma//Hufflepuff//4

Getting points on the train like a boss.