The Ultimate Showdown: Neville vs Voldemort - Who Would Prevail?

Highlights

Neville Longbottom could have been "The Boy Who Lived" if Voldemort had chosen to attack his family instead of the Potters.

Neville's selection as the chosen one would have undoubtedly altered the course of the series, presenting him with distinctive obstacles and necessitating the utilization of alternative talents. Ultimately, Neville's triumph over Voldemort attests to his prowess, implying that had the events unfolded in a similar manner, he would have attained the status of a hero akin to Harry Potter.

The Boy Who Lived is one of the most renowned characters in the Harry Potter universe. While devoted fans are well-versed in the series' adventures, few may realize that an alternate reality could have drastically altered the course of events. A simple change could have prevented Harry from becoming the prophesied child who ultimately vanquished Voldemort.

In this alternate reality, Neville Longbottom had an equal chance of becoming the chosen one, without the need for any love potions. However, through sheer luck, Neville's role as the savior was avoided. Although Neville's life was far from fortunate or blissful, he was relieved of the immense burden of single-handedly defeating Voldemort. Naturally, one cannot help but wonder how Neville would have fared if he had been tasked with such a responsibility and whether he would have successfully emerged victorious against the most formidable dark wizard of all time.

Could Neville Have Been The Boy Who Lived Instead?

The prophecy in the Harry Potter universe is incredibly vague, applying to both Harry and Neville. Important aspects of the prophecy include being born in July, having parents who defied Voldemort, and Voldemort marking the chosen one as his equal. Interestingly, all of these components are applicable to Neville as well. Neville's parents were integral members of the Order of the Phoenix, and he was born just a day before Harry at the end of July.

Essentially, Neville could have been the chosen one known as "The Boy Who Lived" if Voldemort had chosen to attack the Longbottom family instead of the Potters. Had this happened, Neville would have faced the same fate as Harry and his family. This event would have made Neville Voldemort's equal and transformed him into the true chosen one, leaving Harry as an ordinary child.

How Much Would Neville Have Changed The Series?

It is difficult to determine the extent to which the series would have been altered if Neville had been chosen as the protagonist. However, there is certainly a possibility for significant changes. If Neville were to maintain his lack of confidence and enduring mistreatment, he would face challenges in breaking out of his shell and forming the relationships necessary to overcome the obstacles faced by the chosen one. Despite his lack of confidence, Neville does exhibit a considerable amount of courage. Nonetheless, a young Neville would undoubtedly require the assistance of intelligent and strong-willed friends even more than Harry Potter did.

It is intriguing to consider how Neville would approach challenges compared to Harry Potter. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Neville would likely have pursued a different method of retrieving the flying key, as he does not display any proficiency in flying throughout the series. However, he might still attempt it, hoping to redeem himself after his earlier broom performance in the same film. Interestingly, it is likely that Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets would unfold in a similar manner.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban could showcase a slight deviation where Neville's proficiency with the Patronus charm may not be as impressive. However, with the assistance provided, he would still manage to hold his own. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Neville's intellect and expertise in herbology would likely come into play as he tackles the challenging tasks of the Triwizard Tournament, ultimately leading to the continuation of the subsequent films following a similar trajectory to Harry's journey. While Neville may encounter initial hardships in his magical expedition, it is important to consider that his character and persona might remain unchanged, even if he were to become a child of prophecy.

Could Neville Have Beaten Voldemort?

Ultimately, Neville's actions in the canonical events of the series suggest that he possesses the capability to defeat Voldemort, much like Harry Potter. This is exemplified in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, where Neville plays a crucial role in destroying Voldemort's final Horcrux, Nagini. By doing so, Neville and Harry jointly deliver the decisive blows that lead to Voldemort's downfall. Considering that Harry's victory over Voldemort was largely attributed to luck, it is reasonable to extend the same level of credit to Neville and believe that he would have been able to triumph as well.

If the events in the series unfold similar to how it did, with Neville disarming Malfoy at Malfoy Manor, he would become the true master of the Elder Wand and have the ability to defeat Voldemort in their duels. However, the story has countless possibilities depending on the different choices Neville could make, making it impossible to account for all the potential outcomes. Nonetheless, if the main series remains largely unchanged, it is safe to say that Neville would become a hero similar to Harry Potter, despite his initial lack of confidence.