Why don't Ron and Ginny know? (WAS Gum Wrappers)

[Tim Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 113129

Hi All,

Mac wrote:
>>> Longbottom incident met very widespread outrage and would have 
been WELL known - BUT among the adults and not the kids <<<

What I don't get is why some of those adults who clearly do know 
about the Longbottoms do not treat Neville better? Take McGonagall, 
she must know Neville's sad family story and have known his parents, 
but when he indirectly gives Sirius the password to Gryffindor Tower 
she really really takes it out on him. Where's understanding gone 
then? Either JKR forgot that McGonagall would be always walking on 
eggshells with Neville, or McGonagall is pretty nasty. (Or there's 
some sub-plot between McGonagall and Neville which we have only seen 
pale reflections from, see, for example, my second ever post :-) 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/41158 
http://tinyurl.com/3n5yk )

Here are some quotes, read them and weep.

----------

PoA, Chapter 13:

"Which person," she said, her voice shaking, "which abysmally 
foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying 
around?"

There was utter silence, broken by the smallest of terrified 
squeaks. Neville Longbottom, trembling from head to fluffy slippered 
toes, raised his hand slowly into the air.

PoA, Chapter 14:

Neville was in total disgrace. Professor McGonagall was so furious 
with him she had banned him from all future Hogsmeade visits, given 
him a detention, and forbidden anyone to give him the password into 
the tower. Poor Neville was forced to wait. outside the common room 
every night for somebody to let him in, while the security trolls 
leered unpleasantly at him.

----------

Imagine that you are teaching a boy who is struggling with his 
education, and you know that he was brought up by his grandmother 
because his parents were tortured close to death and now reside in a 
mental home. Would you be able to treat him as McGonagall treats 
Neville?

Cheers,

Dumbledad.