[HPforGrownups] The Importance of Being Neville (was Re: who is who--trio vs maruauders)

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 42602

Fyre Wood writes:

> I think Neville does know about his past and everything that came to
> be. How else would he have known about the curse that hurt his
> parents? Remember how he volunteered to name a curse in GoF and it
> surprised everyone? He also sees his parents every holiday from
> school, but they don't recognize him.

I think he knows everything, but has been memory charmed (or something
similar) *if* he was present at the torturing session.  For a small child
that would have been way too traumatic to "get over."  I think he was told
what happened when he was old enough to deal with it.  So yes, he knows
about the Cruciatus curse.  And remember his reaction when Moody/Crouch
performed it on the spider?    "Neville's hands were clenched upon the desk
in front of him, his knuckles white, his eyes wide and horrified."  This
makes me think that he had never seen the Cruciatus curse performed (or been
memory spelled if he had) and was seeing for the first time what his parents
experienced, although only on a spider.  Harry, I don't think knew that the
AK was how his parents died until after Moody/Crouch AK's the spider and
says the only known person to survive it is sitting in front of him.

> Dealing with parents who barely recognize you and being raised with

Not barely--they don't recognize him at all.  According to Dumbledore.

> high expectations from Grandparents to succeed, no wonder why Neville
> is clumsy and has no self confidence. No one has ever said "hey,
> Neville.. you did a really great job! Have a cookie!!" For him to
> receive those ten points from Dumbledore during book 1 was a huge
> shock to him--probably the most emotional high he'd ever received.

Don't forget, Harry told Neville he was worth twelve of Malfoy and gave him
a chocolate frog. :)  I always thought that was very sweet.

> I think he'll eventually have a talk with Harry about his past and
> maybe he'll be able to finally lose the pressures and fears he has of
> magic. Maybe he feels that if he's a "good wizard" (interpret that
> any way you want), that the incident that happend to his parents will
> happen to him.

I think eventually Neville will face a huge decision.  Either to betray his
friends and save himself or stand up and fight for them and risk his life.
I believe he will choose to fight (whether Voldemort or a death eater I
don't know)  and possibly die.  This is where the similarities between he
and Peter will cease.  Neville will choose the right road, even if it means
death, whereas Peter chose the wrong road.  When and if Neville does die, I
will probably cry.  Poor little Neville. <sigh>  I know, I kill everybody
off.  But I figure if I'm prepared it won't come as such a shock when JKR
starts letting people die left and right!

Richelle