Neville and Snape

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 79448

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, malior <userdqc at t...> wrote:
> <waves from the back of the room>
> Unlurking to ask...
> 
> If Neville is gaining in importance and strength (and I do believe 
> that), what to make of the fact that his boggart assumes the form of 
> Snape? Is Neville wrong (I hope), is Neville right (I wonder), or is 
> this just a red herring?
> 
> malior, slinking back to the dungeon

bboy_mn:

Not sure what you mean by 'wrong' and 'right'. Are you referring to
whether Snape should be feared?

As far as Neville, I have been a Neville fan and promotor for years. I
have been telling anyone who would listen that Neville is an important
character in the story, and that he is a great and powerful wizard.

It's common knowledge that Neville is a bit timid and lacking in
confidence, and that makes him the perfect target for Snape's bullying
and intimidation. It's easy to see why Neville would dread Snape's
classes and fear Snape. But you will notice that he continued to go
and continued to struggle with the fear and intimidation on his own.
He did go running for help or looking for a shoulder to cry on, and
from what I recall, has never outwardly complained about it. I think
that says some pretty positive things about Neville's true strength.

Now in the latest book, Neville faced 10 Death Eaters in heated
battle, and instead of cowering in the corner, time and time again,
charged right into the thick of that battle fighting furiously with
everything he had. Finally, we see Neville as Neville was meant to be.

So, how scary do you think Snape is going to look now that Neville has
bravely and courageously fought against 10 Death Eaters? Suddenly, I
don't think Snape is going to look all that scary. In fact, I'm kind
of hoping for some kind of confrontation between Snape and Neville in
the next book. A confrontation where Neville makes it clear in no
uncertain terms that Snape is a great bullying git, and that Neville
isn't falling for that act any more.

What I would like to see, amoung many other fantasy scenarios, is
Snape brutally bully Neville in class, then walk away with a satisfied
smile. Oddly, instead of looking fearful, Neville is smiling.
Suddenly, Neville cast a huge golden Gryphon Patronus at Snape,
causing Snape to fall over backwards recoiling in fear. Then, still
smiling, Neville says, 'Oh sorry, my mistake, thought you were a
Dementor for a second there'.

Or some equally smartass remark.

bboy_mn, who will never ever resign from the N.I.N.E club.