Chapter 1: The Boy Who Could Have Been

Neville Longbottom sat alone in the Gryffindor common room, surrounded by the quiet hum of students engrossed in their studies or leisurely conversations. But Neville's thoughts were far from the ordinary chatter of his peers. With a heavy heart, he traced the scar on his forehead, a constant reminder of the night his life changed forever.

As the boy who could have been the Chosen One, Neville often found himself grappling with the weight of expectations – both his own and those imposed upon him by others. While Harry Potter rose to fame as the Boy Who Lived, Neville remained in the shadows, his own potential overshadowed by the legend of his friend.

But Neville Longbottom was more than just a footnote in someone else's story. He possessed a quiet strength and resilience that belied his timid demeanor. Though he stumbled and faltered along the way, Neville refused to let fear define him. And as he sat in the dimly lit common room, lost in his thoughts, he vowed to forge his own path, no matter where it might lead.

Little did Neville know, his journey was only just beginning.