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

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 89622

 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.
(snip)
Maybe Neville could help 
> Harry process the whole "responsibility for protecting the WW" 
> burden. 
> 
Now Ginger:

What a great thought!  I had only thought of the connection being a 
bond that would play out in battle-kind of watching each other's 
back.  I hadn't thought of the fact that Neville, being the 
other "prophecy boy" and raised in the WW, would have vital 
information for Harry.  

All those times when we want to bean Harry for not asking questions!  
Neville may have some of the answers, at least as far as the prophecy 
is concerned.  This new bond between them would be the catalyst for 
Neville opening up to Harry.  With Neville's low self esteem, he 
likely would have been hesitant about sharing, and Harry, with his 
pride, would have been hesitant about asking, like they were with the 
Gillyweed.  Harry only asks his closest friends for their input, but 
ignores Neville as a source of information.  Now Neville is poised to 
be included in that inner circle.

And, yes, I got the same reaction from reading Neville's insistance 
about the prophecy.  He *knows* something!

Oh, this opens up the door for a *lot* of answers!  Thanks, AP!

Ginger, also thanking Entropy for the kind words of support.