There are some characters within the world of Harry Potter, that I believe will be making a bigger and bigger importance to the story in these last two books, that are yet to come out. Neville Longbottom is one of those people. He started out such a forgetfull, clumbsy, and just a very shy kid. In book 5, we really saw Neville blossom. Not only in the last couple of books, with his talent with herbalogy, but now with learning DADA. Neville joins Dumbledore's Army during the 1995-96 school year. He learns a lot of Defense Against the Dark Arts spells and takes part in the running battle in the Department of Mysteries in June of 1996 against a band of Death Eaters. Neville was wounded in that battle, but fought bravely nevertheless
So, I thought that we could discuss not only Neville... but he's family as well. His parent's were taken down by Voldemort... but they aren't dead. Though, they might as well be.
Neville does not fit the typical Gryffindor image of being brave and courageous. However, Neville has his own kind of bravery, once standing up to other Gryffindors when he knew he was right, another time attacking Crabbe and Goyle even though he knew he would be beaten up. His fellow Gryffindors treat him with respect and defend him at times; Hermione Granger in particular helps him out when necessary. Snape picks on Neville mercilessly and it is a mark of his inner courage that he doggedly keeps attending those classes in spite of the abuse.
One key to Neville is that he was using his fathers wand. Remember that the wand picks the wizard. Neville will get a new wand for the 6th year, so we should see a big difference in his abilities. Neville is coming into his own. He had a domineering grandmother who never thought he could do anything. Neville is just starting to realize his own worth.
That's right... and once he is able to stand up and 'be a man', I believe that those who are sided with Voldemort better watch out. He's going to want to see justice served for what's happened to his parents.
You know... speaking of his parents. When Voldemort is finally defeated, for good, do you think that the spell that drove them insane will reverse? Just a thought there. Since they aren't dead... and we were introduced to them at St Mungo's in book 5. I mean, there IS a reason for that... there just has to be.
Frank and Alice Longbottom were tortured and driven insane by Bellatrix Lestrange and a ground of Death Eaters. They are currently in St Mungo's...
When Neville goes there, his mother "supposedly" doesn't recognize him... but, she gives him gum wrappers, which his grandmother tells him to throw away. He pockets them, and keeps them. For what? Who knows... but there has got to be SOME reason for this.
Neville's grandmother is a forceful woman. She has been raising her grandson since Neville's parents were struck down. We know that she wears a green dress, a fox fur, a hat with a stuffed vulture on it, and carries a red purse/handbag. She treats her son, daughter-in-law and grandson very unsentimentally.
I do think that we will find out soon. If the 6th book turns out to be the Green Flame Torch, then they will be healed. The torch is supposed to be a healing tool.
Good point there, Sherry.... And I have a feeling that Frank and Alice Longbottom have some information locked up in their heads that could give the Order some much needed answers.
What if the Longbottoms weren’t just ‘accidentally’ driven insane, but they also knew some big stuff on Voldemort and Harry/Neville too, so the Death Eaters closed their mouth forever (for-?-ever?). Still they have some power or knowledge because of which they mustn’t be killed by the Death Eaters! Isn’t it strange the DEs didn’t just kill them off after torchuring them? And why did they torchure them? There were so many other Aurors that could have known where Voldy dissappeared so the DEs wouldn’t devote to them only just like that! I like the idea about them knowing Lily’s big secret, it’s very likely – and I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be connected to The prophecy as the Longbottoms had as much to do with it as the Potters, until Voldy ‘chose’ Harry as his rival.
Anyhow, we’ll see what it’s all about in book 6, where Neville’s positively gonna have a *role*. A real role.
And I have a feeling that Frank and Alice Longbottom have some information locked up in their heads that could give the Order some much needed answers.
