[HPforGrownups] Re: Thoughts on Neville

[Mary Shearer]

No: HPFGUIDX 32294



jrober4211 wrote:

> My thoughts on Neville, and this occured to me while reading GoF, is
> that he is a victim of a memory charm. Remember Crouch Sr. and his
> behaviour when he broke through Voldemort's memory charm and made his
> way to Hogwart's to try and warn Dumbledore? Also, Bertha Jorkin's
> absent mindedness was blamed on the memory charm that Crouch Sr.
> placed on her when she discovered that he was harboring his
> supposedly dead son. Another example of memory damage done by a
> memory charm is the muggle charging admission to the camp field at
> the quidditch world cup. Its just a thought, but if Neville witnessed
> what Voldemort did to his parents,it would make sense for his overly
> protective grandmother to place a memory charm on her grandson.
>
> JRoberson

>

Interesting point. However, in GoF, Dumbledore, in telling Neville's
story to Harry, says that Neville visits his parents at the asylum with
his grandmother regularly.  That's not to say that she couldn't have
erased the event itself from his mind, but he does have knowledge of
it.  With all of Neville's trouble in school, at home, etc. with
forgetfulness, would she mark him in such a way just to blot out a
single event that he knows about intellectually, if not experientially?

Harry's distress, when he learns of it, is at himself for not having
asked Neville why he was "orphaned" too.  He does not ask himself why
Neville has not approached him about it, and Dumbledore advises Harry to
leave the subject be until he does so. Therefore, I would be more
inclined to believe that Neville does remember the incident, at least in
flashback form, much as Harry does his own.  But that, along with his
overbearing grandmother's influence has left him less resourceful, or
self-confident as Harry - and he just might be a gentler soul than
Harry. Brave and true, as evidenced by his standing up to his friends
during SS/PS when he knew they were in danger,  but unable to cope with
violence (or the memory of it) and doesn't have enough self-esteem to
consider himself in Harry's league.  Otherwise, wouldn't it stand to
reason that the two would form an instant and intimate bond with one
another given their similar backgrounds?  They would understand one
another in ways that the others could not, and perhaps help one
another.  All this must be running through Harry's mind when he learns
of Neville's parents, and explains why he is so distressed.

Now that Harry is open to it, I look for Neville to eventually establish
this relationship with him, and grow into himself as a result of it.
BoyBlue mentions that he expects "great things" from Neville in the
future. I hope that's true - because in several ways, he is an even more
tragic figure than Harry, and deserves some literary retribution for his
suffering.  IMHO, (and because of my Pollyanna tendencies) I like to
think that all Neville needs is the support of good friends to see him
through to his potential.  Wouldn't it be great if this lonely boy makes
it into H, R & H's inner circle and transforms into a major player?
-Mary,  who knows that her soft spot for Neville is showing, and downs
some chocolate to release the lump in her throat!

>
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