Neville Longbottom

[cathubodva_raven]

No: HPFGUIDX 40789

Bboy_mn wrote:

>To me, that powerful flight shows the powerful wizard hidden
>underneath. Sometime, when circumstance are right, even the most
>frightened person can set aside that fear and do great things. I ?
>think this is what will happen with Neville. He will reach a point 
>where the demands of his own internal needs and the demands of 
>external circumstances will become so great that he will have no 
>choice but to drop his fear, and show us his true mettle.

My interpretation of this scene was entirely opposite.  Yes, it does 
demonstrate that Neville has power, but I can't see how it shows 
Neville "setting aside his fear to do great things".  In essence, the 
broomstick attacks Neville, and I had always assumed it was *because* 
he was afraid.  Dogs can sense fear, and so (why not?) can 
broomsticks.

The more frightened and desperate Neville becomes, the more violent 
are the broomstick's attempts to dislodge him.  I would hardly 
describe the results of this encounter as 'great': Neville ends up 
with a torn robe, a broken wrist, and a large dose of humiliation.

However, having checked up on the Neville v Harry history, I think 
this scene contrasts with the Devil's Snare, where Harry (the 'Anti-
Neville'?) is able to relax, clearly overcoming his fear.

Cathubodva.