Neville as a dynamic character (Was: Harry's character development: Static or Dy

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 183738

> Carol:
> I agree that Neville is a dynamic character, but I think that the
> change in him is profound and fundamental. Yes, he was always brave,
> but he was not always confident and resourceful. In books 1 through 4,
> he's low man on the totem pole (though the encounter with the Crucio'd
> spider in GoF marks the beginning of a change in him, IMO. Until then,
> he's been terrified of Snape. 

Montavilla47:
I think it begins earlier, when he defeats the boggart in PoA.

Carol:
>Witnessing the Cruciatus Curse reminds
> him that the real enemy is Bellatrix Lestrange and her DE cronies--one
> of whom, unknown to him, is casting that curse). In OoP, we see a new
> determination in him (though he's still struggling with his father's
> wand) and a fierce courage at the MoM where he actually confronts, and
> is tortured by, Bellatrix. It's odd, but I don't recall much about
> Neville in HBP except that Harry treats him with more respect and
> calls him a friend, 

Montavilla47:
There's very little of Neville in HBP, but one of my favorite Neville
moments comes in that book.  At one point, Ron and Harry are
headed to Gryffindor Tower and have to change their course because
Peeves is blocking a corridor and demanding that students set their
pants on fire in order to pass.

A few minutes later, when they are in their dorm, Neville comes
trudging in, in order to change his pants, which are smoking.  It's
a very cute, clever joke, but it seems to me the esssence of Neville.
Although, he's not in most of the N.E.W.T. level classes that Harry
is in (or Harry is simply not bothering to notice him), Neville is 
still there, plugging away at his classes all on his own, like the
tortoise who keeps going, even when the hare is miles ahead.