 Neville's Role
Neville Longbottom - weak link or dark horse?
The first time we meet Neville Longbottom, he's looking for his frog and Hermione Granger has taken him under her more-than-capable wing. It is an ignoble start and seems almost to foretell a similarly ignoble future. Neville is destined to be the comedic cornerstone, dutifully forgetting and losing, always to be rescued by one of the Trio, our heroes. Is Neville doomed to this fate? I don't think so; I think JK has steadily been giving us hints that Neville's best is yet to come and his worst is merely outside of his control.
Consider Neville's past - forgetful and cowardly. We often wonder HOW he got into Gryffindor in the first place. His forgetfulness, however, has led greater Potterite sleuths to the conclusion that he has been put under a powerful Obliviate spell, one that often damages a person's memory (GoF, Ch. 35). He forgets things, yes, but you have to wonder if he'd be so absent-minded if such a spell were removed. As for a lack of magical aptitude, we learned early on that a wand is fit to its owner, and that using someone else's wand offers less control (SS, Ch. 5). Neville had been using his father's wand up until the end of OotP (Ch. 35). I wonder what his abilities are with a proper wand, one that is fitted to him. As for the cowardice, Neville's true Gryffindor qualities become more apparent in each book. We watch a boy who once trembled in fear at everything stand up to his friends (SS, Ch. 16), his biggest fear (PoA, Ch. 7), and finally a flock of adult DE and potentially Voldemort himself (OotP, starting in Ch. 33). At this rate, who know what the next two books will show us about Neville's courage.
Based on the steady growth of Neville's abilities and courage through the series, I think it’s safe to assume that Neville is more than a comedic element and more even then a Pettigrew-like figure to the Trio. He has shown no weakness of character, always able to stand when the time comes. Neville is linked to Harry through friendship and destiny - the prophecy. I believe his growth and emerging powers can only culminate in Neville playing a vital role in the defeat of Voldemort. We don't yet know how the prophecy will play out, but Neville will be there powerfully. |