Neville and his Mum

[fiondavhar]

No: HPFGUIDX 96353

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kimberly" <ekrbdg at m...> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> >2. Neville's parents in St. Mungos are trying to get a message to 
> >Neville using the gum wrappers (my guess)
> 
> 
> >Kristen
> 
> *Kimberly's comments*
> This was such an odd thing for JKR to throw into the mix that I 
remain completely undecided about it.    Part of me feels it was too 
bizarre not to have some sort of meaning.   

snip   
> 
> But then the other part of me thinks it was in there simply to 
convey to us the extreme severity of her condition.   Kind of like 
giving us a first hand glance at what became of the Longbottoms.     
> 
> Kimberly
> 

Bonny:

I sort of took it as a sign that Neville's mother still has some sort 
of idea of who he is - or at least that he is special to her - and 
wishes to show him that she feels it. Neville's acceptance 
demonstrates that he understands her message, and treats every gift, 
no matter how inconsequential, as sacred. 

I think this scene is important because it contradicts Dumbledore's 
statement in GoF that Neville's parents do not recognize him. His 
mother obviously does, to some degree. I do find it interesting, 
though, that his mum makes "tentative" gestures towards Neville when 
she gives him the paper - almost as though part of her realizes that 
she is not in her right mind, and she is a little embaressed, but 
still feels the need to give him the gift. 

Come to think of it, I suppose she might be trying to send some sort 
of messgae with the wrappers, though I can't imagine what it might 
be. Perhaps she is slowly regaining her mind? Erg. Now I have written 
myself into a state of confusion. Where was I? Oh yes -

I think this strange relationship between Neville and his mother will 
be very important, for whatever reason. Maybe love will once again 
come into play? And where was Neville when his parents were tortured? 
Was he there, did he see it? Was HE tortured, to try and get his 
parents to talk? Maybe he blocked it from his memory, or maybe, as 
has been speculated by many on the list, somone put a memory charm on 
him so he would forget. 

Also, Neville looks just like his mother, like Harry looks like his 
dad. These are the only two characters in the book who are 
specifically mentioned as looking like one parent in particular, and 
the only two who could be the subject of the prophecy. I also find it 
intersting that, in appearance, it is Neville/mum Harry/dad - both 
the parents, making a set, a couple - hmmm. I theorize that in order 
to bring about the fall of LV, these two orphaned boys will have to 
work together. Perhaps the prophecy referred to both of them, and it 
really didn't matter which one LV picked, because they are 
both "marked as his equal"... perhaps Neville's mark is a mental one. 

Bonny