Neville and Remus (Was: snape the lapdog/Neville the lackey

[bookraptor11]

No: HPFGUIDX 71534

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "oh have faith" 
<rshuson80 at y...> wrote:
> No, I don't think Neville is guileless enough to worship anyone, so 
> I agree he didn't worship Harry.  None the less, Neville had 
nothing 
> but good intentions towards the gang, but he still never got to be 
> part of their in-crowd. They never take him into their confidence, 
> or appear to think much of him – they defend him when Malfoy
picks 
> on him, but not because they believe in his inherent power or 
> strength, but because he's a Gryffindor and Malfoy's a Slytherin.  
> They feel no such qualms when Fred and George (cooler Gryffs) turn 
> his head into a canary.  Nor do they ever seek out his company; 
they 
> simply tolerate him when he's there.  Harry spends some time when 
> he's trying to sneak into Hogsmead in POA actively trying to lose 
> him.  It's not that they think he's untrustworthy or that he's not 
> nice; it's just that he's Neville.  He's just not really cool.  And 
> I bet he knows how he's percieved, too, and I bet it smarts.

I see Neville as the anti-Lupin, rather than anyone's lackey.  He has 
problems getting accepted because he's forgetful, lacking in self-
confidence, definately not "cool."  However, unlike Lupin with his 
friends, he never compromises himself to keep Harry's good will or 
respect.

Two examples, from the first and fifth books. He stands up to the 
trio in SS when they're leaving the Gryffindor Common Room at night, 
even though it might cost him what little bit of a relationship he 
has with them.  I agree that it isn't a friendship at that point or 
indeed at any point in the series. In OOP, he may not be the first to 
speak up but he insists on going along to the MOM, and won't back 
down.

Lupin went along with Black and Potter because he'll bend over 
backward to be liked.  I wonder where Neville found his self 
assurance. He did have a few years with his parents. Maybe that early 
influence was enough to give him a basis, and he was able to build on 
it despite his grandmother's unconscious put downs.