Neville Strongbottom

            In the world of Harry Potter, Harry seems to grab the spotlight most. Not far behind him are Ron and Hermione. It’s natural, then, that the series focuses closely on the relationships between the trio and the way they've shifted over time and through their development as people. One character, however, that shines through his development is Neville Longbottom. Neville has shown his growth throughout the series and I believe Rowling has given his psychology a lot of consideration, as other posters have noticed.

            In book four, fake Mad Eye Moody gives the Cruciatus curse and Neville reacts very strongly to it. He’s been scarred by what his parents have gone through, but unlike Harry with his lightening scar, Neville is damaged on the inside. For example, it isn't until book four that we learn Neville’s secret about his parents and when Neville is caught visiting his parents at St. Mungo’s. None of his friends knew that Alice and Frank Longbottom were tortured into insanity, except on accident. This shows a stark difference between Harry and Neville, as everyone knows the story of Harry’s orphaning, but no one asks Neville why he speaks so often of his grandmother and never of his parents.

Throughout the series, Neville keeps his feelings very close to his chest. When participating in Dumbledore’s Army, however, Neville finally releases the rage and determination that has been stewing inside of him. Order of the Phoenix is often called the most “angsty” of the Harry Potter novels, and with good reason. Tensions are high – and so are the hormones. Fifteen year olds are ripe for rebellious acts and romantic entanglements because, as they come into their own as adults, they have a lot to prove and a lot of chemistry telling them they have to prove it right now. Neville is not immune to these urges, but does channel them differently than the other characters. Where Harry yells at his friends to relieve his anguish over his deceased parents, Neville channels his fear and angst into hard work. Where Harry constantly worries about Cho, Neville reconsiders his Mimbulus Mimbletonia.

I think Neville has undergone very profound change through the series and maintains that change as the books progress. He grows from being barely able to stand up to (and defend himself against) his friends in the Gryffindor common room in book one, to being able to stand up to Death Eaters and help save his friends in the Department of Mysteries in book five.  These novels are founded on the idea of choice, and we can see how this seeming side character chooses the way that he channels his energy. As I read Harry Potter from a writer's perspective, I can see the way Rowling uses even her supporting characters in deft ways to explore the differences between all people and how that can affect the outcome of conflicts. She shows a deft hand at portraying teenaged characters coming into their own as attempting balance, but being subdued by injustice. (Though, to be fair, Hogwarts students seem a little worse off than those from the other wizarding schools in the injustice department)

Through the series, Neville is swiftly growing from the sniveling introvert we see at his introduction into the man his parents would want him to be.

-Carrie Callahan