What Does Neville Know? was Re: Why it was necessary:

[augustinapeach]

No: HPFGUIDX 89619

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "quigonginger"
> <quigonginger at y...> wrote:  <<much snippage>>
 
>Ginger wrote:  
 Why, as many have asked, did Sirius have to die?  Here's my 
theory:  Harry and Neville need to become closer than before.  For 
some reason, perhaps the Prophecy, they will need to be at each 
other's side more than ever.  <snip>  Now that they have this common 
bond, and are free to talk about it, I feel that they will become 
closer and better unified to fight not only Bellatrix, but her 
master as well.  Bellatrix is the catalyst.
 
>Entropy wrote: 
 
> I think this theory makes a lot of sense.  My problem with Sirius 
all along has not been so much "why did he have to die?" but, 
rather "why did he have to be?"  <snip> However, your theory really 
makes some sense.  It puts things in a different perspective, which 
brings me back to my original question: "why did he have to be?".  
The answer is, "he had to be, so that he could die." And, as you 
have written, the reason for his death may be to solidify the bond 
between Harry and Neville.  Good work.
 
Now AP:

Does anybody else out there think Neville may know about the 
prophecy?

This thought first occurred to me while reading the fight scene in 
the DoM - Neville was *so* passionate about Harry not giving the 
prophecy to the DE, even when he was faced with the Cruciatus 
Curse.  Of course, it could be that he was just beside himself with 
adreneline, or maybe it is that he just didn't want the DE to get 
whatever it is they wanted.  But it *might* be because he knew what 
was at stake.

When the prophecy was made, DD didn't know whether it referred to 
the Potters or the Longbottoms, so he probably put protections in 
place for both families, meaning the Longbottoms (including Granny, 
I guess) would know about the prophecy and its contents.  I just 
wonder if Granny has told Neville.  She apparently discusses matters 
related to LV with Neville, since he tells Harry in OoP, "My gran 
says that's rubbish. . . .We believe Harry.  My gran's always said 
You-Know-Who would come back one day.  She says if DD says he's 
back, he's back" (p. 219).  And we know Neville is mighty good at 
keeping a secret.

What difference would it make?  Building on the idea of the posts by 
Ginger and Entrophy, it might provide another link between the two 
boys that would deepen their relationship.  Maybe Neville could help 
Harry process the whole "responsibility for protecting the WW" 
burden. 

AP