OOP - Neville, his Parents, etc.

[katrinawitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 64931

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Wow, there are some teriffic theories here, and I've just loved 
reading all of the amazing posts.  This is what a discussion board 
should be!

That being said......just a few words about Neville Longbottom.  I 
love how JKR really didn't give us much/any indication of the 
importance of this character in the previous four books.  But then 
again, she may have, and I just missed them.  I just started 
listening to the series on CD in my car (long commute!), and it's 
amazing how much more I pick up on now, how many hints JKR has given 
us in the earlier books, that I didn't know at the time were hints!  
However, the changes and growth of Neville, and the revelations 
about him, were quite a pleasant surprise to me.

I just loved Neville in this book, but felt so sad for him!  So many 
questions come up about him.  Obviously, what's his involvement in 
the Prophecy; I'm sure it's something important.  But the main 
question that comes to mind is, how young was Neville when his 
parents were "tortured into insanity" by Bellatrix Lestrange?  Was 
it around the time that Harry's parents were killed?  I'm sure it 
was never mentioned, but recent events have brought to light how 
Harry and Neville's lives seem to parallel each other somewhat.  I 
get the sad feeling that he was just a baby, too, and never got to 
know his parents, just like Harry.

Plus, he ROCKED in the Department of Mysteries!  He's definitely 
showing his Gryffindor colors now!

Kat (who thinks Bellatrix Lestrange is an awesomely gruesome name!)