Why it was necessary

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 89620

After reading my theory about the HP/N,F,AL/SB/BL connection, David 
asked:
> Can you explain what you mean by something being 'necessary' in the 
> series?
> 
> For myself, I don't know if it was necessary that Sirius die.  I 
can 
> speculate as to the author's purpose in killing off this character, 
> and then as to whether that purpose could have been achieved any 
> other way.  Even if the answer is no, that doesn't prove necessity, 
> because of the place of that purpose in the author's wider aims.
> 
> Please understand I'm not knocking the concept.  I just feel it 
> needs a bit more definition.
> 
Ginger replies:

You are absolutely right when you say it could be done another way.  
JKR could have come up with any number of ways, half of them probably 
in her sleep;)

What I meant by "necessary" was that it was necessary to get from 
point A to point B.  This was simply the way she chose to do it.

Let me explain.  She starts with Harry and Neville as roomies.  They 
know each other, but until Harry becomes privy to Neville's past via 
the penseive, they are never really that close.  Harry barely thinks 
of him at all unless he is right there.  He is merely Neville, the 
Toadless Boy.  The readers see him that way as well.  The first 3 1/2 
books are Point A.  They are aware of each other.  Point B, which we 
need to reach, is them working closely  together, more or less as 
equals.  The penseive is step one of the journey.  The meeting in St. 
Mungo's draws Neville closer, as Harry sees his Gran's relationship 
with Neville's parents as well.  Bellatrix's release spurs Neville 
on, and his improvement in DA is also noticed by Harry, and so, the 
readers.  

If it were left there, without Sirius dying, it would be a one-sided 
pity.  Harry would feel for Neville, but Neville would have no reason 
to reach out to Harry.  With Sirius dying, Harry is now in the 
position to be pitied, and Neville rises to the occasion.  To be 
honest, the picture of Neville struggling to get to Harry to offer 
condolences is one of the most touching scenes in the books.  IMHO, 
of course.  

So now we have them on a more even level.  Both have been hurt, which 
could have happened any number of ways, but both have been hurt *by 
the same person*.  That's where a stronger unity comes in.  That's 
what is at the heart of my theory.  Oodles of people have been hurt 
by LV.  But these two share the Bellatrix connection.  

There we are at point B.  Not yet, though. They haven't had the 
chance to really talk it out, but they are well on their way.  
Neville has always been the one helped by Harry and his friends.  Now 
Neville has something to offer to Harry.  

This is all bunk if Neville doesn't have a more active role in the 
next two books, but as much as he has been around, I have a feeling 
that the WW will not remember him as "The Boy Who Lost His Toad".

Hope that clears it up, Ginger