OOP: Neville-Blind Faith?

[ezzleberry621]

No: HPFGUIDX 64096

Spoiler ahead
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Maybe someone can help me out here. I was under the impression that 
the majority of the wizarding (and muggle) world still think that 
Sirius is a dangerous criminal. Obviously the Order is aware of his 
innocence, as well as HRH & the other Weasley siblings, but this is 
not known by the other Hogwarts students, is it? 

I was pleasantly surprised by Neville's reaction to Sirius's death. 
(p. 808 US version):
"Harry...I'b really sorry..." said Neville <skip> "Was dat man-- 
Sirius Black a-- a friend of yours?"

He doesn't react with fear or shock to see the "murderer" as one might 
expect, but he's ready to accept him if Harry does. I guess it's a 
case of "any friend of yours, is a friend of mine". Neville is really 
showing his inconditional respect & admiration for Harry.

Erin (guilty of reading OOP a bit