JKR's Theme/Neville/Prophecy SPOILERS

[rlharalson]

No: HPFGUIDX 62231

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Liz Muir" <rowen_lm at y...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Grey Wolf" <greywolf1 at j...> 
> 
> <snip> > 
> > Errr... canon violation. In only one year in the DA, Neville has 
> > demonstrated that he doesn't have less magical power. He was 
second 
> to 
> > Hermione only right at the end. That's a lot of power there.
 <snip>
> 
> I'll consent on your think about Neville, though I still feel he 
> doesn't have a high of magical talent. I think that his improvment 
in 
> DA is the result of his choices and a lot of effort but he still 
> (IIRC) does poorly in his OWLs and potions. Maybe I'm wrong about 
> him. Bad example.

I don't think we have any evidence that Neville does bad in his OWLs 
especially his potions OWL. Harry comments that like himself Neville 
seemed more comfortable without Snape. I think we will see a stronger 
Neville in the future books, after all it was only Voldermort's 
choice of which baby to try to kill that kept him from becoming 
the "Boy Who Lived" And when they are fighting the death eaters 
Neville holds his own till he has to use Hermione's wand and can't 
pronounce his spells.

<SNIP>

As far as the prophecy goes, I knew it was coming from the hint 
dropped in PA, but it still made me feel like it was at odds with the 
theme of choices being most important. JKR is complex, so we will see 
much more on this. At the end of OoP, Harry is left thinking it is 
kill or be killed. But Dumbledore also told Harry what his greatest 
strength was ( I interpreted that as Love) and perhaps there is 
another choice outside of the prophecy. Dumbledore also said that 
there are things worse than death. Perhaps Harry 'kills' Lord 
Voldermort, but leaves Tom Riddle. :) I'm not JKR, so I'm just 
guessing here, but I can't wait to find out where she goes from here.

Renee