My Thoughts on Neville

[boyblue_mn]

If you read Book 4, you find out some very important stuff
about Neville that helps explain why he is the way he is. 

Neville doesn't in any way lack wizarding power, he comes
from a family of powerful and respected wizards. Neville's 
only problem is that he lack self-confidence, actually, it
more like he is frightened easily, and when you read
book 4, you will see why he has every reason to be 
frightened.

In every stituation in the first 4 books, where people 
weren't undermining his confidence, he performed well. 
Harry told Neville that he (Neville) was worth 12 Malfoys.
Later, Neville takes on Crappe and Golye single handed in 
a fight. True he lost, but you don't think it took courage
for Neville to fight those two goons? 

Remember in book one when they have their first flying 
leason? Neville broom took off and was soaring all over 
the place. That is a perfect example of how Neville is
conflicted. It's like he is in a conflict between his head
and his heart. In his heart, he is a great wizard, but in 
his head there are too many thoughts, too many fears
mucking everything up. When, in flying class, his broom 
took of soaring, that was Neville's heart, that was his 
core essence. The natural wizard in him flew without the 
slightest effort. But is mind confused him to the point 
where he fell off and got hurt.

We Prof. Lupin has Neville face the Boggart first in the 
Dark Arts class, Lupin doesn't undermine his confidence, 
instead he encourages him and expresses belief in his
abilities, and Neville faces his darkest fears reflected 
in the Boggart, and performs fantastic. 

I really like Neville, and I think the story is setting us
up to gradually see Neville for who he is in his heart. I
think before the end of the last book, we will see great
things from Neville.