Fate never seems
to do things by halves
ever drawing parallels
between the one and the almost
.
As second year, the sword
was drawn in dire need
to defeat the basilisk
and the tiny hero reigned supreme
.
Again as seventh, the sword
was drawn from fiery folds
to kill the horocrux, Nagini
and as the hat fell
the clumsy Gryffindor blossomed into a true legend
.
Both were born as July died
to parents who thrice-defied
and all it had taken was one small choice
to define chosen one and almost
.
Both lost their parents as November rose
and were left to homes of misery
a Gran who looked no farther than her son
and an Aunt who looked no farther than her sister
.
Technically, the chosen's life was worse
yet still his Aunt and Uncle
never tried to drown him
or drop him from a window
.
And fore'er in the back o' my mind
will reside the thought
that the almost's relatives
were far, far less well-meaning
than he made them seem
and wonders wher' or not his Gran truly cared
.
Yet still the parallels were drawn
and both confronted the dog
yet only the almost was the one
to alert them of the danger
.
And 'er again
the journey of the year
seems to have a spot for his specialty
A plant that surely he would know
.
Then again we must draw
while somewhat incorrect
a prisoner thought to have betrayed
the chosen's parents
escapes
and then two years later
the torturer of the almost's parents
escapes
.
And then again
that same year we draw more
enclosing them now
circling all 'round
.
The torturer kills
the closest the chosen had
to a real, live parent
and so the parallels draw 'round again
ever so the same, can you see
.
Throughout their lives
experiences similar
ring through
so very much the same
.
a simple change of words
a simple change of decisions
and two boy's destinies
are flip-flopped
.
Neville Longbottom
defeater of Nagini, Herbologist
Gryffindor, Leader of Dumbledore's Army
Almost the Chosen One
.
Harry Potter
defeater of Tom Riddle, the-Boy-Who-Lived
Gryffindor, Leader of Dumbledore's Army
Chosen One
.
And the parallels start to run
perpendicular
run-ins, mishaps
a closer friendship, perhaps?
.
So many questions left unknown
and answers left ungiven
and two legends amidst it all
who only wish for normal
AN: Yet another lovely poem. This whole poem could easily be turned into an essay on how similar Neville and Harry are, but alas I only had time for a poem. This is probably my second favorite poem I've written, the first would be "Mishap Managed".
Disclaimer: Dis- means not. Notclaimer, eh?