General 'What If...?' Thread

[bellatrix93]

Originally Posted by Dobson

What would have happened if Malfoy had killed Dumbledore? Would he have been praised by Voldemort? And what would have happened with the Elder Wand?

I think he would have lost any chance he had of redemption. Voldemort's praise would have made up for any guilt he could have been feeling. If he killed one person, he could easily do it again. His end would have been much sooner too, as Voldemort would have known that he's killed Dumbledore becoming the master of the Elder Wand.

Oh and Snape wouldn't have died, .

[willfitz]

What if Voldemort had chosen Neville, instead of Harry?

[MSRxphile]

I wonder, if Neville had been the one Voldemort went after, would Bellatrix have tortured James and Lily as she had Neville's parents?

[DorrisTheClock]

What if Harry was a girl? (I know this was the question on the latest MuggleCast, but keep that under your hat :P ) How would it affect 'the trio'? And would He Who Must Not Be Named become She Who Must Not Be Named?

[Dobson]

Originally Posted by bellatrix93

Oh and Snape wouldn't have died, .

Um...I could live with that.

Originally Posted by MSRxphile

I wonder, if Neville had been the one Voldemort went after, would Bellatrix have tortured James and Lily as she had Neville's parents?

She would have tortured someone. She's just evil. She would have needed information. If Voldemort had chosen Neville, he would have Harry's life, but Harry wouldn't necessarily have his.

[bellatrix93]

Originally Posted by MSRxphile

I wonder, if Neville had been the one Voldemort went after, would Bellatrix have tortured James and Lily as she had Neville's parents?

Depends on whether James and Lily were Aurors and if it were rumored that they had information about Voldemort's whereabouts..

I wonder how GoF and OotP would've changed if Sirius' record had been cleared (with Peter still escaping and going to Voldemort)?

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by ajna

On the other hand, if Hermione had been Ravenclaw, how much exposure would the two have had to each other. I've always had the impression that it was their exposure to each other that built their attraction. Not saying it couldn't happen though.

Of course they would be aware of each other and would certainly get the chance to know each other at least a little bit as while they wouldn't be in the same house they would still have a few classes together and then of course there is all the free time Ron and Hermione would have when they are no in classes or their respective houses where there is always a chance they will run into each other.

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by GingerCat1

Of course they would be aware of each other and would certainly get the chance to know each other at least a little bit as while they wouldn't be in the same house they would still have a few classes together and then of course there is all the free time Ron and Hermione would have when they are no in classes or their respective houses where there is always a chance they will run into each other.

I wonder how Ron would react when fifth year he gets Percy's letter and he's thinking about asking a Ravenclaw Perfect (Hermione).

The one thing is clear, Harry, without Hermione would have to reach out more to others. Maybe second year Harry would find a way to ally with the Hufflepuffs worrried about Justin, assuming he could find a way to overcome their fears. Perhaps third year they approach Percy's Girlfriend or Cho assuming their smart because they're Ravenclaws.

Perhaps there is a proto DA before OotP?

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

I wonder how Ron would react when fifth year he gets Percy's letter and he's thinking about asking a Ravenclaw Perfect (Hermione).

The one thing is clear, Harry, without Hermione would have to reach out more to others. Maybe second year Harry would find a way to ally with the Hufflepuffs worrried about Justin, assuming he could find a way to overcome their fears. Perhaps third year they approach Percy's Girlfriend or Cho assuming their smart because they're Ravenclaws.

Perhaps there is a proto DA before OotP?

The DA was fundamentally Hermione's idea but i do wonder if Ron would have come up with something similar had Hermione not been there.

I suspect though that even if Hermione was in Ravenclaw she would have still ended up helping Harry and Ron in CoS as Hermione was a muggleborn and i can't see a Ravenclaw Hermione not studying constantly trying to figure out what type of creature is targeting muggleborns.

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by DorrisTheClock

What if Harry was a girl? (I know this was the question on the latest MuggleCast, but keep that under your hat :P ) How would it affect 'the trio'? And would He Who Must Not Be Named become She Who Must Not Be Named?

Assuming she was in Gryffindor, Harrietta would probably bond w/ Hermione as to under confident loners would become a pair as opposed to Parvarti/Lavander. She might not have gotten in the car with Ron and may not have bonded with him. At around age 13+ relations with Dudely would become problamatic and he might just end up spending most of the summers with the Grangers.

Her first crush would be Cedric Diggory and his death might lead to a temporary alliance with Cho and either more sympathy for her grief or mutual jealously. Someone female, probably Tonks, would take her by the hand and keep an eye on things like her relationship with Sirius and act generally like an 'older sister'.

I could totally see her ending up with either Fred, George, or Oliver Wood.

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

Assuming she was in Gryffindor, Harrietta would probably bond w/ Hermione as to under confident loners would become a pair as opposed to Parvarti/Lavander. She might not have gotten in the car with Ron and may not have bonded with him. At around age 13+ relations with Dudely would become problamatic and he might just end up spending most of the summers with the Grangers.

Her first crush would be Cedric Diggory and his death might lead to a temporary alliance with Cho and either more sympathy for her grief or mutual jealously. Someone female, probably Tonks, would take her by the hand and keep an eye on things like her relationship with Sirius and act generally like an 'older sister'.

I could totally see her ending up with either Fred, George, or Oliver Wood.

Or we could just end up with a love triangle between Ron/Hermione and Ron/Harrietta

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted by FutureAuthor13

Ooh...that's a very intriguing 'what if'...

I think Sirius would've reacted very badly to Remus's death. I imagine him to be quite an explosive character, emotionally, so I think he would quite openly show his grief in the Department of Mysteries; rather similar to Harry screaming "SIRIUS" in OOTP. Remus tries to hold himself together for Harry in the DoM, but even he can't control his own voice breaking, so I think Sirius would be quite the opposite case.

Harry would still be stricken but perhaps he may not have chased after Bellatrix (if Bellatrix killed Remus), maybe even Sirius would. Harry may not have even been possessed by Voldemort in the DoM.

Afterwards, I think Sirius would be incredibly guilt-ridden- perhaps even shout at Dumbledore/another character like Harry himself did in OOTP. Being a free man would help his grieving process as he wouldn't be trapped in the memories of Grimmauld Place...but he would definately sorely miss Remus and blame himself for what had happened. I think he would try to be there for Harry as best he could but would nearly always be wrapped up in the traumatising emotions surrounding Remus's death.

Just my opinion.

Thats a pretty interesting idea. Its very possible Sirius would feel all that. I think it would just heighten his need to fight against Voldy.

This could be interesting. Would Sirius end up marrying Tonks?

Ehhh doubt it. Sirius was always the loner when it came to the romantic side of thing. Not only that but he was dead set against his family's ideology meaning he probably would not be into marrying cousins.

If Harry was a lady, i think Ron and LadyHarry would be into each other.

What if Snape has not fallen out with Lily but Lily got with James anyway? Would Snape have eventually ended up friends with the Marauders?

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

If Harry was a lady, i think Ron and LadyHarry would be into each other.

I could easily see a female Harry falling for Ron.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

What if Snape has not fallen out with Lily but Lily got with James anyway? Would Snape have eventually ended up friends with the Marauders?

I personally don't think so as i imagine what it would have been like if Harry and Hermione fell for each other (which thankfully would never happen) i really couldn't see Ron continuing to be friends with both of them. He wouldn't be mean or anything but i think being around Harry and Hermione when they are a couple, seeing Hermione happy with Harry and not with him would be far to painful for Ron to handle. I think the same would be true of Snape when he sees James and Lily together.

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by GingerCat1

The DA was fundamentally Hermione's idea but i do wonder if Ron would have come up with something similar had Hermione not been there.

i can't see a Ravenclaw Hermione not studying constantly trying to figure out what type of creature is targeting muggleborns.

I guess I picture this alternate DA forming more organically from an expanded list of Harry's friends rather then being anyone's 'idea', though Hermione might formalize it.

As for a Ravenclaw Hermione studying constantly, I think is a Ravenclaw is a place for the smart but not nessasarilly the academically inclined students. In fact I see those hard workers being in Hufflepuff or passionately pursuing their studies in Gryffindor.

The two Ravenclaws we meet, Luna and Cho back this up. In a way, I could see the Weasley Twins, with their experimenting with jokes, being closer to would be Ravenclaws 'wit beyond measure' than Hermione.

Like Harry in not giving into the ambition to be in Slytherin when the sorting hat tempts him and becoming, through his actions the 'Anti-Slytherin' even though he was initially an 'almost Slytherin', I think Hermione, in holding to 'Gryffindor is best' and not considering the possiblities like Luna would may have defined herself as a bit of an 'Anti-Ravenclaw' through her act of rejection.

Thank You Mexicant for starting this thread. It's one of the funnest threads I've seen in a long time and one I was afraid to start?

What if Ginny had played regularly with the only other Wizarding Girl in the area from an early age;Luna Lovegood?

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

I guess I picture this alternate DA forming more organically from an expanded list of Harry's friends rather then being anyone's 'idea', though Hermione might formalize it.

As for a Ravenclaw Hermione studying constantly, I think is a Ravenclaw is a place for the smart but not nessasarilly the academically inclined students. In fact I see those hard workers being in Hufflepuff or passionately pursuing their studies in Gryffindor.

The two Ravenclaws we meet, Luna and Cho back this up. In a way, I could see the Weasley Twins, with their experimenting with jokes, being closer to would be Ravenclaws 'wit beyond measure' than Hermione.

Like Harry in not giving into the ambition to be in Slytherin when the sorting hat tempts him and becoming, through his actions the 'Anti-Slytherin' even though he was initially an 'almost Slytherin', I think Hermione, in holding to 'Gryffindor is best' and not considering the possiblities like Luna would may have defined herself as a bit of an 'Anti-Ravenclaw' through her act of rejection.

The reason i think Ravenclaw Hermione would study more is even if she does make friends with some of the Ravenclaw students i don't see them being as keen at stopping her from studying and getting her to have fun as Ron and Harry were (specifically Ron). As a result Hermione would probably spend more time in the library than she does in the books (if that is even possible).

In some ways i think Ravenclaw Hermione would be less confident as well as i think Hermione's confidence was really helped with having friends like Ron and Harry.

Originally Posted by Lunatic

What if Ginny had played regularly with the only other Wizarding Girl in the area from an early age;Luna Lovegood?

I actually think Ginny was perfectly happy when she and Ron were both not old enough to go to Hogwarts as i think she liked hanging out with Ron back then. It is only the year where Ron is at Hogwarts and Ginny isn't where i think Ginny was particularly lonely.

Originally Posted by Lunatic

Thank You Mexicant for starting this thread. It's one of the funnest threads I've seen in a long time and one I was afraid to start?

Here is a dumb what if. What if Ron decided to go through with the threat he made to his mother in GoF and go to the Yule Ball naked?

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by GingerCat1

I actually think Ginny was perfectly happy when she and Ron were both not old enough to go to Hogwarts as i think she liked hanging out with Ron back then. It is only the year where Ron is at Hogwarts and Ginny isn't where i think Ginny was particularly lonely.

But what if she had?

Originally Posted by GingerCat1

Here is a dumb what if. What if Ron decided to go through with the threat he made to his mother in GoF and go to the Yule Ball naked?

Lavender would be much more well informed with what she was dealing with in HBP, wouldn't she?

[wicked87]

Originally Posted by willfitz

What if Voldemort had chosen Neville, instead of Harry?

I think Harry would have been a very different person. He would have grown up with both parents quite possibly, and he would have grown up in the wizarding world. I think he would have had more confidence-with James as a father, it's possible he would've even be arrogant. It's weird to imagine it

[GingerCat1]

Originally Posted by wicked87

I think Harry would have been a very different person. He would have grown up with both parents quite possibly, and he would have grown up in the wizarding world. I think he would have had more confidence-with James as a father, it's possible he would've even be arrogant. It's weird to imagine it

I could see Harry being quite arrogant if he did in fact grow up with both parents as Harry would have spent almost his entire childhood hearing about the exploits of the Marauder's and he would have grown up with the belief that this is how he should behave.

If Harry was like his father (and there is every reason to believe he would be) then i can't see either Ron or Hermione being friends with him. I think it would be far more likely that Harry would be friends with Seamus, Dean and maybe Neville as i am assuming that Neville would have been raised differently in this scenario as well.

[bellatrix93]

Originally Posted by Slartibarfast

What if Snape has not fallen out with Lily but Lily got with James anyway? Would Snape have eventually ended up friends with the Marauders?

James and Snape loving Lily was a strong reason why the Marauders and Snape disliked each other, but even without this obstacle, I don't see them getting on well together. They don't have many things in common, they don't share much if any, interests.

[Rodrick]

What if there was no such thing as houses at Hogwarts? Everyone just had the same uniform? How does this affect the wizard world on a grand scale? Or would the effects be small?