1. Harry's Life and Identity:
* Orphaned and Raised by Others: Harry, without his parents' love and protection, could have been raised by relatives, friends of the family, or even in an orphanage. This would impact his personality, his understanding of his magical heritage, and his eventual connection to the wizarding world.
* The "Boy Who Lived" Myth: The prophecy, now unfulfilled, could have been distorted or forgotten. The magical world would have no reason to believe Harry was special, and the threat of Voldemort might have taken root and spread more deeply.
2. The Prophecy's Impact:
* A Different Chosen One?: The prophecy's mention of a "boy born at the end of July, who has the power to vanquish the Dark Lord" could have applied to another child. Perhaps someone with a different upbringing, personality, and approach to magic. This could drastically alter the conflict and how the wizarding world reacted.
* Voldemort's Unchecked Power: Without the prophecy's specific mention of Harry, Voldemort could have felt more secure, emboldened, and less cautious. His reign of terror could have grown much stronger, leading to a more terrifying and oppressive wizarding world.
3. The Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore:
* Different Priorities: The Order of the Phoenix, knowing Voldemort was still alive and dangerous, would have likely focused on protecting other potential candidates for the prophecy, or on a more proactive approach to combating Voldemort.
* Dumbledore's Strategies: Dumbledore might have taken different steps to protect the magical world, focusing on bolstering defenses, gathering information, and perhaps preparing other wizards for a more direct confrontation.
4. The Impact on the Magical World:
* Fear and Despair: The loss of Harry's parents, the symbol of hope and resilience, could have plunged the wizarding world into deeper despair and hopelessness.
* A More Divided World: The lack of Harry's unifying presence might have caused greater divisions and mistrust within the wizarding world, perhaps even leading to civil war or more extreme factions.
5. Harry's Journey:
* A Different Path: Without his connection to the prophecy, Harry might have lived a "normal" life, or perhaps even chosen a path of darkness himself, fueled by grief and resentment.
Ultimately, the "what if" scenario allows us to explore different facets of the Harry Potter universe. The loss of Harry's parents would have created a very different world, one filled with fear, uncertainty, and perhaps a darker outcome.