Was Neville a witness? (was: neville longbottom)

[tcyhunt <tcyhunt@earthlink.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50560

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, snapesrighthand 
<stormlass at y...> wrote:
> Opal:
> I think Neville will become more important later
> on, either as a casualty or 
> as an asset. But yes he will have an impact.
> 
> Alex: Yes, I agree.  Rowling gave us important
> information about Neville.  She kept dropping
> hints... like... paraphrase... Harry would have
> heard that Nevilles usual snores were not heard.
 
<snip>

> Alex:  I have often wondered if Neville was
> tortured to?  Why is he so bad with magic?  Did
> he witness his parents being tortured?  Is he
> scarred and that is why he can not do magic well?
>  Did they put some kind of memory curse on him
> dimming his mind so he would not remember
> something?  
> 
> just my 2 cents
> alexandra

now me:
Alex, sorry it took me so long to respond...IMHO, Neville was witness 
to his parent's torture.

In the US hardcover edition of GoF, in chapter 21 (The House-Elf 
Liberation Front) on page 366 - Harry has just returned to the common 
room for the 'surprise party' after he completed the first task.  
Several of his housemates try to talk him into opening the golden 
egg.  He does and they hear the hideous noise.  Fred yelled for him 
to shut the egg, Seamus said it sounded like a banshee and then... 

"It was someone being tortured!" said Neville, who had gone very 
white and spilled sausage rolls all over the floor.  "You're going to 
have to fight the Cruciatus Curse!"  

This sounds like first hand knowledge to me.

Tcy (who's humble opinion is worth just what you've paid for it :-)