Neville's future role/Evil!Neville

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 97161

Jessica: " I strongly believe that if anyone can be fooled by Lord
Voldemort, it will be Ron.  I do believe that Ron is good at heart,
and will ultimately redeem himself by sacrificing himself for his
friends, but he could be easily tempted by the idea of having people
look up to him.  After all, lets not forget what he saw in the Mirror
of Erised...."

A lot of people have had the same fear, me included, especially during
GoF when Ron's sense of self-worth and his envy of Harry seemed most
troubled.  What I feared for Ron was not that he would turn to
Voldemort – he knows too much for that – but because of anger at or
resentment of Harry he would fail to take action or support Harry at a
critical moment – not a deliberate betrayal, but a major letdown when
Harry really needs him.

I fear that much less now.  Ron seems more confident, more secure in
his place in the world, and much less vulnerable.  He seems to be past
resenting Harry (realizes Harry's burden, for one thing) and has his
own accomplishments as a fighter and an athlete.

The  knowing self-sacrifice you mention is still a strong possibility
for one of Harry's close friends. I would rate, in order of
probability: Neville, Ron, Percy (as an act of redemption) or Luna,
Ginny, Hermione.  I put Hermione last because I feel sure her destiny
is to live.  Neville is likely to decide at some desperate turn that
Harry is more valuable than himself, and give himself up accordingly.
He showed us that kind of selflessness already.

Jim Ferer