A/N:: This is something I thought up and hope many will enjoy. Below is something of an introduction to the universe I have in mind, a few changes here and there to liven it up. I hope people enjoy reading it. The prologue is a bit different, but I hope will help people ease into the Alternate Universe here.
It was strange how things that happen to someone can make all the difference in their life. For example, the death of one's parents leaves in them a sense of abandonment, betrayal, and perhaps resentment. Questions such as: why did they leave me? May run through a child's mind. For one whose parents were murdered it leaves an ache, a loss, a pit that must somehow be filled, especially when they have no guardians to that fill their needs.
A perfect example would be Harry Potter. Bereft in a muggle world left to be raised by his anti-magical guardians. This elicits many a sigh from most who learn of their nature, and many shake their heads when they learn that the one who put him their was their own guiding light, Albus Dumbledore. Of course, in the air of Voldemort's fall it was quite obvious a wonderful idea, seeing as the child's primary ability to live was far more important than the nature of his wellbeing. Of course, that is also debatable.
Harry was resilient in his youth, raised with so little love, actually none at all. He was not abused per se, but neglect can have a way of harming a child, especially when they become mal-nourished. Yet, despite all this he prevailed and went on to conquer basilisks at age twelve, grown wizards at age eleven, a dragon and maze at fourteen and dementors at age thirteen, close to a hundred.
And let us not forget that memorable time in the Department of Mysteries where he and his fellows held off a dozen dark wizards, whose abilities were not in question. True, they did not prevail in the end, but they held their own nonetheless. Startling feats for one so young, yes?
But what if the shoes were worn by another, the other child of prophecy, would not he be able to step forward and claim that spot just as a one Harry Potter was able to?
Neville Longbottom. A nervous wreck who came into his own bathing in the light of Harry Potter. Yet, in some worlds he survived. He grew and he conquered. Yet, he did not brighten those worlds as Harry had done the original. He darkened one such world with his weight and overbearance of attitude. Many looked to him with chilled regards for the way he walked, yet others tread behind his shoes licking the hems of his robes.
This is where our tale shall begin. Shall a brief jaunt down memory lane be required? I shall give a broadened history, for our story does not unfold until sixth year. At one year old, Neville's parents sacrificed themselves for him, leaving a scar upon his brow of a lightening bolt. Albus Dumbledore, feeling the old magic added his own dappling of arts and transferred the spell to his Grandmother, Augustus Longbottom.
From their the survivor became the light and breath of the wizarding world, much to Dumbledore's dismay. When cautioned this, Augustus breezed the old man from the boy's life. So when it was time to attend Hogwarts, everyone catered to the young boy and everyone wished to find him pleasant and heroic and smart. He was all this, save pleasant. He expected everyone to tread lightly with him. He expected many to hear his voice and obey.
The cycle had begun among his peers. When showed less than he thought he should be given he set about to teach the person a lesson. Over the range of five years, a number of his classmates had come to resent him, but the world as a whole still gobbled up every scrap of news they could about the boy who lead such a dangerous life.
In his first year he beat Quirrel and saved the stone. In the next he battled a Basilisk and defeated it without his magic, in the end saving a frail child's life and ending Voldemort's shadow. In his third it was calm save for an attempt on his housemate, Harry Potter. With a hundred dementors bearing down on the lad Neville conjured a Patronus to fend them off, until Dumbledore arrived to settle the cloaked demons.
None knew the true adventure through time the lad Harry Potter had traveled save himself and his godfather. But, that is later.
In the fourth year came Neville's admission to the Goblet of Fire where he drudged through the trials and in the end won the final cup, only to be sent to a dank graveyard where his blood was used to resurrect Lord Voldemort. In his fifth he was nearly tempted in entering the Department of Mysteries. When a vision came to him showing his Gran in trouble he almost rushed off with a small group behind, but with quick words from his Potion's Master, his tail and his friends was saved.
Now the implications of all this is obvious. Dumbledore is still losing his power and sway among the wizarding world while his Order of the Phoenix tries desperately to stem the tide of a now hidden war. Neville is still seen with awe and inspiration, despite the many lies filtering among the papers. He is still the Boy-who-lived. And, despite his arrogance, he is still a young, charismatic, and powerful wizard. Many despise him and many hate him.
And it is within this air that our tale unfolds about a young man whose own feats are unknown and unnoticed. The world remembers his tragedy, and look to him with pity. That young lad is named Harry Potter. Now, let our story commence.