Still-Life With Memory Charm

[naamagatus]

No: HPFGUIDX 36792

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "ssk7882" <skelkins at a...> wrote:
<snip wonderful analysis> 

> More to the point, though, what do people imagine the *thematic* 
> function of a Memory Charmed Neville plotline to be?  I have my own 
> reasons for considering it a fascinating possibility, but although 
> I've already hinted quite strongly at them, I'm now finding myself 
> feeling reluctant to go into any greater detail along those lines,
> as I do recognize that my own favored reading of Neville is not 
> only highly idiosyncratic, and not only unusual, and not only
> subversive, but also actively *hostile* to what I believe to be the 
> author's true intent.  
> 
> I therefore would like to open up this field of inquiry to others 
who 
> do not share my hostility to the authorial perspective when it 
comes 
> to Neville and his thematic relevance to the story as a whole.  
Tell 
> me, memory charm fans: what do *you* see as the narrative function 
of 
> this plotline?  What do you imagine its thematic purpose to be?  
What
> do you perceive as the thematic relevance of issues of memory, 
> remembrance, and the past to the story as a whole?
> 

Amazing, Elkins (although I do not agree with your "highly 
idiosyncratic" reading of Neville!).

I have just one idea to offer, and it is this: why couldn't it have 
been Neville's PARENTS who had put him under a memory charm? 

Suppose the Longbottoms to be in posession of some crucial 
information, probably regarding Voldemort, and that Neville (as a 
very young child) also, somehow, got to know whatever it is. To 
protect him, the parents obliviate him. 
Or, wait, I have a better scenario. The Longbottoms somehow get word 
that they are about to be attacked and are afraid that they may die. 
Which means that with them dies the important information (whatever 
it may be). They tell it to Neville (somehow), put him under the 
memory charm, and send him to his grandmother. Maybe they also put 
themselves under a Lunatic charm, i.e., a charm that turns them 
insane the minute they are about to divulge the secret?

If so, then it makes sense that the memory charm has an inbuilt 
expiration mechanism. Maybe the charm will expire once Neville 
reaches a certain age? Or, maybe the hidden knowledge is supposed to 
be triggered by some event (meeting with Voldemort, maybe)? What if 
Neville carries, unbeknowest to him, the information that Harry will 
need in order to vanquish Voldemort? (Smeagol's soft spot comes to 
mind... )
It is the last battle. Harry is facing Voldemort, wands aloft. A 
bloody and semi-unconcsious Neville is lying on the floor (having 
been flung to the wall by a contemptous Voldemort). He opens his eyes 
blearily. Their glazed look changes, focuses inwardly, he screams at 
Harry ..... And Voldemort, with a look of utter fury, dies.

Okay. So I'm not a good prose writer. But you get the idea, right? 
Neville, the Raven (whatsitsname?), carrier of secret information, 
the unexpected source, etc.

Naama