The Sorting of Neville Longbottom

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 40004


> Elkins said:
> 
> >>In fact, if I were Helga, I think that I would have tried to 
foist 
> Neville off on somebody else.  *Anybody* else.  Probably 
> Godric. 'Cause you know, the thing about those warrior types with 
the great big swords is that they can never resist a *challenge.*  
They just love lost causes.  And they're suckers for orphans and 
widows, too.  And puppy dogs.  And the lame and the halt.  They're 
just big old *softies,* is what they are.  Sentimental.  And 
verrrrrry easy to manipulate.
> 
> Which is pretty much exactly what I think happened inside that 
> Sorting Hat.<<
> 

And Hana wrote:

> I agree with the fact that Neville doesn't really fit in 
Hufflepuff, that he doesn't, in fact, seem to fit into ~any~ of the 
houses.
> 
> I'm not sure, however, that he's only in Gryffindor because they're 
softies at heart.  That would play a role, definitely, after all, 
what other house would stick up for him and take care of him despite 
his weaknesses?  I think though, that there must be some secondary or 
undeveloped traits in Neville that helped the Sorting Hat choose 
Gryffindor.  
> 
> The Gryffindor traits from PS/SS and GOF:
> 
> brave at heart
> daring
> nerve
> chivalry
> bold
> (and intelligent since Godric made the Sorting Hat)
> 
> He ~has~ shown courage in helping to fight Malfoy, Crabbe, and 
Goyle in PS/SS, as well as when he stands up to the Trio so bravery 
is there, deciding to fight might be considered daring (for him) and 
show some nerve since he's not really the picture of fighting 
strength. 
> 
> Chivalry?  I'm not really sure.  He wants to help protect his 
house, but that's not necessarly the same thing.
> 
> So, Neville appears to have some of these traits, but they need a 
lot of nurturing to develop.


And I'm writing: 

There are a few Neville moments we are forgetting in this discussion.

Brave and bold? Neville actually asked Hermione to the Yule Ball AND 
has scored a date with Ginny before Harry and Ron even approached a 
girl. Harry basically lucked out with the last girl on his list and 
was able to get her to bring his sister along for Ron.

Neville has learned the first rule of dating: They won't say no if 
you don't ask... but dang it, they won't say yes either. 

Heck, there are people three times his age that don't have that kind 
of courage.

Nurturing to develop? We've got three cited examples of canon (and a 
fourth implied if you count what is probably incredible positive 
reinforcement from Sprout) of professors going out of their way to 
help Neville.

Lupin: Pointedly chooses Neville to tackle the boggart first, AFTER 
Snape warns him. 

Moody/Crouch: Takes Neville aside and builds his confidence up. 
(Crouch has ulterior motives to be sure -- he wanted Neville to have 
the solution to the second task -- BUT from Neville's point of view, 
it's a teacher building him up.)

And of course, Dumbledore himself: D-Dore knew he just needed to give 
Gryffindor 170 points to beat Slytherin for the House Cup is SS/PS. 
He could have divided it up any way and in any order possible. He 
chose to have Neville put Gryffindor over the top. 

Neville is being groomed for something. By the time this series is 
over, the names of people the wizards - and Muggles -- will have to 
thank for their continued existence will include Neville Longbottom.

Even people who think Snape is some dark avenging hero can find 
comfort in this notion. He's the classic bad cop, pushing Neville to 
achieve great things, which other professors will praise him for.

Neville belongs exactly where he is.

The boy took on two boys twice his size. The boy risked his 
friendship with Hermione, Ron and Harry -- and as it turns out, his 
safety -- because it was best for the house.  The boy stood up and 
said: "I lost the passwords," when he thought (he was wrong, of 
course) that he was responsible for endangering the lives of his 
fellow students.

That's Godric's kind of kid if I ever saw one.

Helga Hufflepuff pawned Neville off on Godric?

Stupid chick doesn't know what she's missing out on. 

ACRONYM: HOPE SHE'S ILL WITH REGRET

Helga's Opportunity Passed and Everyone Says Harry's Entourage 
Shouldn't Include Longbottom Loser, but Wretched Incompetent Tot 
Holds Resounding and Everlasting Greatness Regarding Evil's Tumble. 

Darrin
-- Full disclosure: I came late to the HP books and I was able to 
read all four for the first time right in a row. The scene where 
Dumbledore gives Neville the winning 10 points is where I said: "I 
see now what the hype was about."