Episode #7: Neville Longbottom - Hero
Who doesn’t love Neville Longbottom? We’ve watched veryone’s favorite herbophile grow from an awkward young kid into a…somewhat less awkward teenager. But seriously, along the way, we’ve seen Neville mature and begin to come into the magical legacy left to him by his parents. What does the future hold in store for Neville? Penny and I offer our thoughts in this weeks’ podcast.
A roundup of the news:
- Vote for Goblet of Fire, The Movie, in the BAFTAs.
- HBO On Demand will show Movie 5 trailer.
- David Thewlis (aka Remus Lupin, aka Nox Harrington) says Daniel Radcliffe thinks Harry will die.
- Jason Isaacs tells JK Rowling to put Lucius in Book 7 so he can be in the movie.
You can listen to the podcast using the player below, or download an mp3 directly.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Hi Greg and Penny! I really love the show. One polite request - the microphone volume seemed to be up too high on this show - a lot of distortion. Can you all watch the levels? It makes it easier on the ears.
November 11th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Thanks Dan! We are working on it. We’ll keep you posted.
November 12th, 2006 at 2:39 am
Dan, we’re working on the microphone situation, hopefully for next week or the week after. Thanks!
November 16th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Good discussion of Neville!
Neville’s character seems to be all about being yourself, doing your best, and making the most of what you have - he’s kind of an “everyday hero.”
Neville has limited talents, but he sort of doggedly keeps working hard, trying to do the right thing, and be himself. He’s always kind of chronically overshadowed - by Harry as the chosen one (even if Neville doesn’t know the whole story), and by his father (whom his Gran keeps pushing him to be), and the one thing he shines at is Herbology, which seems to be a rather unglamorous subject. He turns out to be decent at DADA too, but of course, Harry’s better.
Neville could feel cheated and bitter about the way his life has worked out, but he doesn’t; he works hard, exhibits moral courage and loyalty, tries to get better at the things he’s not great at, and puts his heart into his greatest talent, even if it is just Herbology. If Neville does survive - I could go either way on that - I wonder if he will wind up becoming some form of “everyday hero”, like a teacher or something - maybe not literally a teacher, but what I mean is, someone who makes a consistent positive contribution without a lot of glamour or recognition, as that seems to be his destined role in the series.
I also wonder if Neville may also tie in somehow to the whole house theme. He’s the most “Hufflepuff-ish” (i.e., hard-working and loyal, but without Ravenclaw-ish brilliance) of the students in Harry’s immediate circle, and I’m not sure it’s coincidental that he excels as the subject taught by the Hufflepuff Head-of-House.
November 21st, 2006 at 5:03 am
I was thinking about Neville being the unsung hero. I believe you could look back to the first book, even though it is quite subtle. His bravery is the reason that gryffindor won the house cup that year. Could it be possible that this is a hint of what is to become of neville? I do believe that he will do great things and help Harry out alot in the 7th book
November 21st, 2006 at 6:48 am
Interesting thoughts both Janice and Shane.
Janice- I absolutely LOVE the teacher idea and the “unsung hero” thought. Are you a teacher by any chance?
Shane-good call on the first year stuff. I never thought of that (well maybe I did years ago but I honestly can’t remember) but it is true. I have always said that I think Neville will play a big part in the downfall of Voldemort. He has been too affected by him not to. Keep the comments coming!
November 25th, 2006 at 7:38 am
My prediction: Harry kills Voldemort, but not completely… Harry is obviously the final horcrux, so as long as he lives, Voldemort could rise again. Neville kills Harry upon Harry’s request to permanently eliminate Voldemort.
Why do you think they needed Harry in the Tri-wizard tournament? They needed his blood to reanimate Voldemort, because a bit of Voldemort runs through Harry’s veins (also explains the parseltongue and the scar/disfigurement… ) Also, this would explain why both Harry and Neville are predicted to destroy Voldemort… one destroys Voldemort the creature and the other destroys the little bit of Voldemort left over in Harry.
It may go the other way… Neville kills Voldemort and Harry kills himself for the sake of the wizard world.
Snape’s a good guy, by the way. He’ll destroy the Malfoys and die trying at the hand of Voldemort, just as Voldemort is about to kill Harry.
Also, Harry will learn the Horcrux spell and will be able to live again.
Another theory… Harry does the Horcrux spell and puts part of his soul into Neville. This could explain why the prophecy says both Harry and Neville destroy Voldemort. Or… maybe Dumbledore knows the horcrux spell too, and will be able to live again to help out.
December 2nd, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Shane’s point about how Neville really did tip the scales in Book 1 is well taken. Rowling seems to me to like parallels, so it wouldn’t suprise me if Neville did something similar in the big finale as he did in Book 1, i.e., take the crucial action that tips the battle.
Penny - no, I’m not a teacher - I just live with one!
December 3rd, 2006 at 1:06 am
I used to live with one too (my mom). I think it definitely makes you appreciate teachers and all they do when you are so close with one. For that reason, I ALWAYS behaved as a student and now I make sure to show my kids’ teachers my appreciation for all they do.
December 5th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
I don’t really remember how voldemort found out that Harry was the one who he had to kill, but do you think it’s possible that neville was actually the one that the prophecy was supposed to be about? Maybe Neville will kill Voldemort?
August 29th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
In the Harry Potter’s last series Deadly Hallows Harry and Neville both killed Voldamort and his Horcrux . Voldemort knows his and harry’s wand is same, for this cause Voldemort search a more power wand that is “Elder wand”, Who can survived harry. Dunbledore hold the elderwand that can transfar to Draco Malfoy and then Harry. But Voldamort think that Professor Snape can hold and voldamort ordar to nagini to kill snape to get elderwand. But unfortchunately Malfoy made his master and then harry. Harry teach to Longbottom about Horcrux and it’s effect and ordar to find Ron Or Hermione. They Destroy it. When Voldamort learn that Longbottom cuples is his praents, then he invited to join the ‘Dead Eaters’ for his pureblood wizerd. But Neville refused it and voldamort put up the sorting hat on Neville head to quary about his ability and prerpares a post for ‘Dead Eater’ then Voldamoet go for dule. Then Neville managed the hat put the Griffindor sord to destroy nagini and destroy final Horcrux to kill voldamort.
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…”
Above Prophecy Neville and Harry both match
1] both born at the end of July that year
2] both of whom had parents in the Order of the Phoenix
3] both sets of parents having narrowly escaped Voldemort three times
But Harry is marked as equal for Voldamort to Kill and destory .
Is Neville, not Harry, the one with power the Dark Lord knows not? Is Neville, not Harry, the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord? If he is, who doesn’t want us, or him, to know that?
Because except Harry and Neville no one can get and hold the Griffindor’s Sord.
Neville destroy the final Horcrux[Nagini] and confarm destroy.
So Rowling gifted a character Neville Longbottom as Second Harry Potter
September 27th, 2007 at 8:27 am
i just want to say harry potter is my best movie no matter what nobody can stop me from having harry porter as my best movie well i just want to add to my statment that please harry potter should’nt die in this episode