Neville and thestrals.

[rach9112000]

No: HPFGUIDX 89367

   I might be making something out of nothing here but even on first 
reading of the book I had some doubt as to the reason Neville gave 
for being able to see the thestrals. When Umbridge asks Neville 
"Whom did you see die?", he replies, "My...my grandad." (Chapter 21, 
US version pg 449).
   We all know from OotP that Neville still has a crucial role to 
play in the series and I have discussed before my support for the 
theory that he is a victim of a heavy dose of memory charms (an 
explanation for his extreme forgetfulness and clumsiness). I think 
he knows (or at least prior to the memory charms, knew) quite a bit 
of information that someone needed to cover up. Maybe about 
Voldemort or the Death Eaters or the death of Harry's parents. 
   I think there's a chance that the death that Neville experienced 
in order to make him capable of seeing the thestrals may not really 
be his grandad. A memory charm is capabe of wiping someone's memory 
but it can't wipe away the fact that the experience itself occurred 
which would explain why Neville is still able to see the thestrals.
I'm not sure if there's more canon to support this but if anyone 
knows of any, I'd like to know. Thanks, Rachel.