Disclaimer: If you recognize it, Jo owns it.

Author's Note: This is how I imagined the story would work if Voldemort had chosen Neville, assuming certain things stayed the same. I tried to keep true to the characters and setting, within constraint.

So many children….so easily crushed, like bugs…..all it would take is a single curse….no. I must focus. I came here for one child, and one child only.

A hooded, cloaked Voldemort swept down a street in Otterey St Catchpole. It was Halloween, and the town was filled with costumed children. This was blessing, he supposed. No one would notice just another cloaked man.

Not that it would be difficult to make myself invisible. Or end their miserable, filthy muggle lives.

He approached his destination in silence. As the Dark Lord neared the house, he saw Frank and Alice sitting on a couch in their living room with the child. A bowl of candy sat nearby, but no wands.

The fools. To trust that they are safe enough to discard their only protection. They will soon pay for that mistake.

None knew, except Severus Snape, where the Dark Lord was tonight, and what his intentions were. He preferred to act in this shadow of the unknown. It saved him the troubles tonight of having to break through a curse, or hunt the Longbottoms down wherever Dumbledore would've sent them.

But no. The fool thinks I'm going after the Potters. I am a merciful leader. When Severus begged for the life of the girl, at first I thought he'd gone soft. But he desires her, and who knows, he mused, the Longbottom boy might have proved more of a threat.

The door slammed open with a flick of his wand, and the Dark Lord stepped inside.

And they call themselves wizards, living in a place that reeks of filth. It will be good to rid the world of such blood traitors. They should thank me.

The Dark Lord heard movement in the other room. Alice was attempting to find her wand to flee with the boy.

Fools.

The Dark Lord cackled, and sent a flash of green light exploding into the room. Frank Longbottom fell limply the floor like a rag doll. Another flash, and Alice followed him.

Now for the boy…

He raised his wand one last time, savoring the victory. Another blinding green flash enveloped the room. A screech of agony resounded, but it was that of the Dark Lords!

How is this happening? Noooo………..!!!!!

As Voldemort felt his spirit being tugged up and away, he saw the house collapse into a pile of rubble.

A/N: Ok, for all of you dedicated Potterheads, I do realize that this isn't possible, because what saved Harry was the love from his mothers willingness to die for him when her life could be spared. Because there was no Snape to beg for Alice's life, she would have died anyway, and thus the Dark Lord could have killed Neville no sweat. But aside from that little hitch, please tell me what you think. Constructive criticism is very welcome.

Danke, and until next time,

Meg