I'm sure there's a fanfic version somewhere, but I like to imagine how the whole story might have been different with Neville as the "Boy who Lived". Harry, perhaps living under James Potter, might not have been quite a nice of a kid - or, perhaps in this version, he actually dies, but Neville (still scarred) grows up a relative unknown. A bumbling pureblood wizard that nobody really cares for and can barely even keep his own wand working, a kid that *isn't* a champion at anything -
Until he discovers the entrance to the Sorcerer's Stone, and realizes that *he* is the only thing that can stop it.
Don't know - a more bumbling but earnest hero who, by Book 5, blossoms into his own would have made an interesting series. As popular? Probably not - few would care of the annals of Longbottom the Loser compared to Harry Potter. But - you never know.
Actually, I read an article today about an interview she did where she specifically said that her intention from the very beginning was to have Harry expect to die, willingly sacrifice himself, but survive anyway, so it'd be easy enough for her to set up the plot so that people wouldn't know until the end whether or not he'd survive.
And as far as Neville goes, I think he was made to be another option because A) it was kind of ironic that he of all people could have been in Harry's position and B) so Dumbledore could bring up the point that Voldemort chose the half blood Harry over the pure blood Neville.
The problem with any "the prophecy *really* meant Neville" theory is that, well, the Dark Lord didn't mark Neville as his equal. It only could have meant Harry or Neville up to the point where he tried to kill Harry.
Oh that is exactly what I was going to say - Voldemort chose Harry so there is no question of Neville at all. He can be brave on his own etc., but he isn't the one meant to kill Voldemort. It really has nothing to do with the prophecy and everything to do with Harry and Voldemort themselves.
Also, Neville could pull the sword out of the hat because it presents itself to any deserving Gryffindor in their need (as it did for Harry in his second year). I think desdenova said it all. Also about Harry dying. She's got it all covered.
And about Hermione...yeah, she probably messed up. She's done that a TON throughout the series. It's not too bad, though, just on minor things like that :\
Voldemort does, however, single out Neville as Hogwart's representative at the end, even going to far as to set the burning sorting hat on his head as a symbol of his (Voldemort's) triumph.
At which point Neville pulls out the sword and kills the last of the Horcruxes, leaving Voldemort vulnerable.
It's not wholly a stretch to say that Neville was, at this point, marked as an equal. Now a lot of the rest probably doesn't apply, but sufficient allegorical prophecy-bending may still make it work.
Yes, but he singles him out because Neville steps forward. Voldemort would have done the same to anyone who stepped forward; it was a symbol of his triumph over rebellion, not Neville. He didn't even know who Neville was until Lestrange told him.
Now a lot of the rest probably doesn't apply, but sufficient allegorical prophecy-bending may still make it work. You are putting too much store by the prophecy (:P). But seriously - the prophecy never had to be fulfilled; that's the point. Harry chose to fight Voldemort after Voldemort himself had chosen Harry. They were each others' matches.
I'm pretty sure Hermione put a Confundus cahrm on her folks. So technically the first time she used Obliviate was in the diner.
My big question is, if the Elder wand allows you to win all of your duels, how the heck did Dumbledore get it away from Grindelwald? I'm pretty sure he says he duelled him, although Skeeter mentions something about how that duel wasn't what it seemed. Still, very confusing...
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Until he discovers the entrance to the Sorcerer's Stone, and realizes that *he* is the only thing that can stop it.
Don't know - a more bumbling but earnest hero who, by Book 5, blossoms into his own would have made an interesting series. As popular? Probably not - few would care of the annals of Longbottom the Loser compared to Harry Potter. But - you never know.
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*cough*
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And as far as Neville goes, I think he was made to be another option because A) it was kind of ironic that he of all people could have been in Harry's position and B) so Dumbledore could bring up the point that Voldemort chose the half blood Harry over the pure blood Neville.
The problem with any "the prophecy *really* meant Neville" theory is that, well, the Dark Lord didn't mark Neville as his equal. It only could have meant Harry or Neville up to the point where he tried to kill Harry.
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Also, Neville could pull the sword out of the hat because it presents itself to any deserving Gryffindor in their need (as it did for Harry in his second year). I think desdenova said it all. Also about Harry dying. She's got it all covered.
And about Hermione...yeah, she probably messed up. She's done that a TON throughout the series. It's not too bad, though, just on minor things like that :\
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At which point Neville pulls out the sword and kills the last of the Horcruxes, leaving Voldemort vulnerable.
It's not wholly a stretch to say that Neville was, at this point, marked as an equal. Now a lot of the rest probably doesn't apply, but sufficient allegorical prophecy-bending may still make it work.
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Now a lot of the rest probably doesn't apply, but sufficient allegorical prophecy-bending may still make it work. You are putting too much store by the prophecy (:P). But seriously - the prophecy never had to be fulfilled; that's the point. Harry chose to fight Voldemort after Voldemort himself had chosen Harry. They were each others' matches.
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My big question is, if the Elder wand allows you to win all of your duels, how the heck did Dumbledore get it away from Grindelwald? I'm pretty sure he says he duelled him, although Skeeter mentions something about how that duel wasn't what it seemed. Still, very confusing...
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