FF: Harry and Neville

[Cindy C. <cindysphynx@comcast.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48717

"Neville, are you in here?"  Harry glanced around the darkened dorm, 
whispered "Lumos" to light his wand, and peered toward Neville's 
bunk.

"Yeah."

"Listen, Neville," Harry began.  "I just talked to Dumbledore.  He 
told me about what happened to your parents.  I'm terribly sorry 
about that.  But listen.  How come you never told me?  I mean, we're 
pals, we share the same dorm, yet you never said a word."

"Huh?"  Neville blinked.

"Your parents," Harry demanded.  "Tell me about your parents!"

"Uh . . .  You mean Frank and Marissa, my mom and dad?"

Harry sighed impatiently.  "Yes, Neville."

"Well, they don't do much.  They just lie in their beds at St. 
Mungo's and all.  They're not the warm and friendly type or 
anything.  They don't recognize me, I don't recognize them, so it's 
kind of boring, really."  Neville shrugged.

"You don't remember what happened the night they were attacked?"

"They were attacked?" Neville repeated.  "You know, I *knew* they 
should have beefed up security at St. Mungo's.  Anyone could just 
walk right into that place and –-"

"Neville!"  Harry cried.  "I don't mean they were attacked at St. 
Mungo's, for cryin' out loud!  I mean they were attacked after 
Voldemort fell!  In your house!  When you were but a small child!  
And you watched the whole thing!  Remember!?"

Neville hesitated, thinking hard.  "Nah, doesn't ring a bell, 
Harry.  Sorry."  Neville pulled the curtains around his four-poster 
and lay back down.  Soon, his snores filled the room.

****************

See, I've always thought that the idea that Neville has a memory 
charm isn't very, er . . . . what's the word? . . . explosive.  The 
events on the night the Longbottoms were attacked are likely very 
exciting, yet if Neville has a memory charm, there is hardly any 
chance that there will be a climactic and explosive scene when Harry 
confronts Neville about it -- as we all know he will in OoP.

Cindy

**************

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For lots more on Memory Charmed Neville, check out Messages 36772 
("Still Life With Memory Charm") and 38812, 38813 and 38848 ("Memory 
Charm Symposium").