Is Neville getting better at Potions?

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 94520

 
> Joe in SoFla:
> There may be something to this. In fact, I think this culminates 
> during the Potions OWL (Ch. 31, OotP) it says:
> 
> <<The afternoon practical was not as dreadful as he had expected 
it 
> to be. With Snape absent from the proceedings, he found that he 
was 
> much more relaxed than he usually was while making potions. 
Neville, 
> who was sitting very near Harry, also looked happier than Harry 
had 
> ever seen him during a Potions class.>>
 
 
> Bookworm:
> Neville's best subject is Herbology – a hands-on kind of
subject. 
> It's interesting that of all the students mentioned during the 
> O.W.L. chapter, the only time Neville is mentioned is during the 
> Potions exam. Was that a hint? I wonder what surprises JKR has for 
> us when the test results come out.
> 


Potioncat:
Surprises on top of surprises, no doubt.  

OoP "Career Advice" p656, Ron announces he doesn't want to be a 
Healer, and lists everything you have to have E level NEWTS in: 
Potions, Transfigurations, Herbology, Charms and DADA.  Why do you 
suppose JKR told us that? Neville springs to mind as someone who 
might want to be a Healer. To be honest, I'd never thought of him 
being in Potions after 5th.

Also, same chapter p663  McGonagall is speaking: "...Yes, Potter, 
Potions," she added, with the merest flicker of a smile.

I always wondered if she was smiling at the look on his face, or 
some inside joke she might share with Snape, or at the anticipated 
look on Snape's face.  Now I wonder if 15 minutes before Potter 
she'd said "Yes, Longbottom, Potions."

Potioncat who is beginning to think 6th year Potions might be very 
interesting.