JKR's FAQ poll -- Neville's potential as prophecy boy (spoilers for FAQ)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 129018

SSSusan:
>>> But OTOH JKR also acknowledges that Dumbledore "believes that
Voldemort did indeed choose the boy most likely to topple him, for
Harry's survival has not depended wholly or even mainly upon his
scar." <<<
 
Nora:
> > This is also reinforcement for the idea that JKR thinks of her
> > characters in terms of *character*; that is to say, internal
> > abilities and dispositions that take form when combined with
> > intentions.  Harry is not Neville, he does not think like him, 
> > does not want the same things, etc.  This is a part of what makes 
> > Harry Harry, and these character traits/virtues are likely to 
> > play a large role in the denoument of his story.
> >
> > Yes indeedy, there is Something About Harry.

Laura: 
> I suspect that SSSusan believes that the Something is a special 
> power/amount of power that Harry has.  You, on the other hand, seem 
> to think the Something is more just a function of Harry's 
> character, inner strength, etc.  Personally, I like both ideas, and 
> I'm interested in knowing what other listies might think.

SSSusan:
Using up my third post of the day to say, actually... I'm more in 
line with what Nora has said than I am with the idea that the 
Something About Harry has to do with *a* special power.  He may very 
well have some special power or ability or talent -- in fact, I think 
he probably does -- but I've also always thought there was Something 
About Harry in terms of his inner character/strength/compass -- 
whatever phrase you want to attach to it.  Or, as Nora eloquently put 
it, it's one's abilities & dispositions *combined* with one's 
intentions.

It's the part of Harry that somehow knows he doesn't want to be like 
the Dursleys, who doesn't bully others even though he's been bullied 
himself.  It's the part of Harry that reaches out to Ron on the 
train, buying all those sweets & sharing them and being a friend.  
It's the part of Harry that -- and, yes, I KNOW it's often reckless 
and ill-advised, but -- feels like he must DO something when others 
are in danger or perceived danger, like getting to the Stone, like 
rescuing Ginny, like going back for Hermione & Gabrielle, like going 
after Sirius.

It's right intentions, it's bravery, it's watching out for the 
greater good, it's nobility -- heck, I've never been able to find one 
word for it, which is why I always latch onto the phrase Something 
About Harry. But I know that it does speak to character as Nora 
mentions it.

This is not to say that Neville doesn't have any of these selfless or 
generous or noble traits as well, and we know that Neville is working 
on bravery, but Harry's got... more? is in better control of it? 
comes by it more NATURALLY?  Ack, I'm not sure how to describe that 
either.  

Clearly, I need help on this. ;-)

Siriusly Snapey Susan