Neville, Memory Charms and O.W.L.'s

[uncmark]

No: HPFGUIDX 35042

Got into an online chat about memory charms and Neville. Several 
online pointed out that Absentmindedness and forgetfulness are 
definite signs of memory charms (Bertha Jorkins' reputation and 
Gildaroy Lockhart' Obliviate Overdose)

The symptoms for Neville were clear in Book 1. We only find the cause 
in book 4. It's logical(or thge wizard equivalent) to cast Obliviate 
on a child who witnessed his parents being tortured.

Dumbledore says Neville will share "When he is ready" so I'm guessing 
that an overprotective caster thinks they are shielding him.

BUT Fifth year and OWL's is coming and with the exception of  
herbology, Neville is only an average student. The key questions to 
ask are Is Neville aware of his memory charm? He visits his parents 
in the hospital and remember Cruciatus. Does he know his memory was 
altered and was it meant as only a temporary remedy? 

I feel Neville is addled by some spell, but the sorting hat 
recognized his qualities of bravery and placed him in Griffindor. 
Remember him standing up to Malfoy and fighting Goyle?


I was seeing several possible subplots for Neville.

A) O.W.L.'s are coming this year for Harry's class. After consulting 
with McGonagall, Dumbledore decides that Neville has matured enough 
to handle the memory and with O.W.L.'s coming, they decide Neville 
would have the best chance at the tests with the charm removed. 
Neville spends a few days in the infirmary but later gives Hermione 
a run for top marks and even surpasses her in Herbology.

B) Neville on his own formulates a potion he developed in herbology 
(based on mandrake maybe?) Unhindered,he gives Hermione a run for 
top marks, surpasses her in Herbology, and works on a potion to cure 
his parents.

C) Harry keeps it under his hat, but Hermione (or Ginny maybe) while 
researching Voldemort or Crouch find a reference to the Longbottom's 
torture and decide to help Neville. After research they find a 
potion or charm and decide to cure him without Dumbledore's approval.
 
D) Snape, for reasons undisclosed, slips Neville a potion to cure 
his memory charm, or more sinisterly gives a lesson on restorative 
potions for charms planting the idea for the HRH trio. Maybe he means 
it as bait so he can have evidence to expel them later.

uncmark