I've decided to write about something completely different but one of my favorite things ever: Harry Potter. For those of you who don't really know me, I am an avid Harry Potter fan, an enthusiast of sorts. On Pinterest, I have a whole board dedicated to the series and its fandom. I read scenarios that might have taken place after the final battle, analyses of different events. But what makes me think the most is the alternative universes, especially what would have been if Harry's parents had not died, or if Neville had been chosen by Voldemort as a threat instead of Harry.
Sometimes I think about how Harry's life would be different if Voldemort didn't exist and Harry's parents were still alive. I like to imagine a bubbly little boy raised by two loving parents (and three uncles) in Godric's Hollow among a wide variety of other wizarding families. James, Siruis, Remus, and Wormtail would tell Harry stories about their legendary pranks during their time at Hogwarts, teach some of them to him, pass on the legacy. Each Marauder would have a completely unique relationship with little boy.
Starting with James, he would be the best father ever. James and Harry would constantly pull pranks on each other, much to the exasperation of Lily. James would teach Harry how to ride a broom before he could even walk, and they'd play the best games of 1-on-1 Quidditch. They'd be best friends, have such wild adventures. James would be sitting down, watching something on the television, and Harry would sneak up and jump on him and they'd start wrestling. I can imagine James letting Harry borrow his wand to try a few simple spells but then accidentally blow up the kitchen. Lily would run into what remained of the small room, and James and Harry would be peeking out from behind the shreds of the refrigerator, waiting for her wrath to come down. And it would be something that they'd eventually come to laugh about. And James would either be the best or worst father to ask for advice about girls. He didn't do the best job in wooing Lily during their time at Hogwarts, but he still was one cool fox. I think Harry would be a fairly smooth guy with the ladies, with his perpetually messy hair and crooked glasses, having learnt all the moves from James. If Harry got in trouble at Hogwarts for a successfully executing a prank, James would send a Howler not to chastise him but congratulate his victory and give advice on how to do even better. James would even send Howlers after Harry won his Quidditch matches: "I KNEW YOU WOULD WIN! YOU ARE MY BOY AFTER ALL! LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON! KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK! SEE YOU AT CHRISTMAS!"
With Sirius as a godfather, Harry would never have a boring moment in his life. And if Harry and James ever got into a fight, Harry could just run to Sirius's house to stay the night, and James would know he's safe. Sirius would help calm Harry down, help him see it from James's perspective. Sirius would tell Harry all the embarrassing stories about James, their adventures as little rascals themselves. Sirius would also give baby Harry rides on his back as a dog, and James would do the same as a stag. And I think Harry would help soften old Kreacher's heart at Grimmauld Place, where Sirius lives. His heavy, stiff heart would be lifted, and they'd play together! When Harry was in Hogwarts with friends, Sirius would lend a helping hand to host some killer wizard parties. Sirius would sneak onto the Quidditch pitch via the Shrieking Shack to watch Harry play and win, maybe even perform a few charms on the other team for amusement. Sirius would show up in the Gryffindor tower to surprise Harry or comfort him in times of stress. Their bond would grow stronger and stronger each year, with countless memories of laughter.
Now Remus was the most practical out of all of the Marauders. So he would teach Harry all about Defense Against the Dark Arts at a young age, help him with his homework when school started, and give him all the ins about all the teachers, especially Snape. Remus would teach Harry cool spells that are overlooked in the classroom, give him a leg up. But Remus would also give Harry advice, help him not feel discouraged. Harry would learn about the misfortunes Remus endured at school because of his werewolf condition, the discrimination. Harry would be a better person because of Remus, kinder and more understanding. But Harry would also help Remus, fill him with happiness and laughter, bring him joy. I think baby Harry would help Remus stop beating himself up about his past and downfalls, and toddler Harry would help Remus let all that go. They would both bring out each other's sensitive side. Harry would turn to Remus during times of loneliness, self-blame or maybe depression, and Remus would talk about his personal experiences and how he was able to push past them. Remus and Harry would have a mutually beneficial relationship; they'd both grow stronger and help each other.
Now Wormtail is a very special person. He's been through a lot, mostly the tag-along, and as Professor McGonagall put it, "a little lump of a boy." He was the runt of the group, not taken as seriously, and he was the one who betrayed Lily and James. But I'd like to think about how he would have been had he not done that. If he was a part of Harry's life while he grew up, I'd like to think that Wormtail would have a very unique relationship with Harry. Toddler Harry would help Wormtail with his insecurity and low self-esteem; when Wormtail was having a particularly bad day, Harry would climb into his lap and comfort him. And when Harry grew up and had a bad day himself, Wormtail would be there to comfort him. And Wormtail would help Harry's friends too, tell them personal stories about how he triumphed over self-doubt, depression. He would empathize, and encourage them to persevere and not look back. Wormtail wouldn't be the sorry excuse of a man that he actually was in the movies; he would be a man strengthened by overcoming years of low self-esteem and self-confidence. He would be there to help Harry through his own dark times.
Lastly, I'd like to address Lily Potter. She is the rarest, most beautiful one of all. Lily sacrificed herself for her son, like most mothers would. But she is so much stronger, braver, and kinder than typical mothers. For those of you who read the books, her back story, you know her true character; you know that only kindness fills that gentle heart of hers. If she was alive to nurture Harry and watch him grow up, she would not fail to be one of the greatest mothers. I can imagine her sitting on the couch with a cooing baby Harry in her lap playing with an enchanted rattle with laughter bouncing off the walls. She would take him to the park, push him in the swing, and heal his scraped knee when he fell. But Lily would also be a tough mother! She wouldn't let anything get past her; she would stop Harry and James's antics in their tracks, with her hands on her hips and a disapproving scowl. And sometimes even she couldn't help herself from cracking that frown and break out into smiles and laughter. She'd pick up Harry and kiss him on the cheek while James came up and tightly embraced his beautiful family. Lily would be the one to send the real Howlers to chastise him when Harry got in trouble at school, while James tried to get a word in about how Harry's prank was transcendent. Lily would love Harry with all her heart and more, with every fiber of her being.
I can't help but think about how much better Harry's life would be if his family hadn't died. I know that it's all fictional, but having grown up with him and spent so much time with him, I'd like to imagine a better life for him. One without so much death and pain and suffering. He deserves better, even if he is just a fictional character.
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