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Reader Comments: (Page 6)

dave, neville was mentioned in connection to the prophecy because it COULD have been him. as in you-know-who had not made his decision as to who to try and . neville is NOT and NOT be signifigant to the direct downfall of he-who-must-not-be-named.

Posted by David Anastaiso from south windsor ct on May 30, 2007 08:39 AM

Maybe it is Neville that is the chosen one, but it is Harry that is a horcrux so in order for voldemort to be destroyed forever Harry must and then it be left to Neville to voldemort. possibly

Posted by victoria from Newcastle on May 30, 2007 09:16 AM

Ooh, Vivek, that's a great idea. I always wondered why "the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord" was repeated twice in the prophecy. It just seemed so redundant. That makes me think Victoria could be right...

Posted by Sara from Houston, TX on May 30, 2007 11:13 AM

Harry is the chosen one, not Neville. One of the messages of the books is that we "create" our destiny, and are not "victims of fate". The prophecy became true only because Voldemort took it seriously. He made it happen by trying to Harry and "marking him as his equal" by doing so. That's what Dumbledore was explaining to Harry in this discussion. Before Voldemort took any actions, the prophecy could have pointed to either Neville or Harry. Voldemort created his own downfall by wanting to be prevent it to become true. And after his attempt to Harry, Harry became the only one that fitted the prophecy - because of Voldemort's action. The prophecy pointed to Harry, and only Harry, from that point on.
JKR makes clear in the books that divination is not to be taken seriously (Hermione is her spokeperson for this matter) and even a "real" prophecy contains truth only because people take it seriously and act accordingly.
Neville is an important character, but only because of his courage: he transcends his lack of talent and magical abilities, another important theme of the books. You are the actor of your life, and your choices are what matter the most. You cannot hide behind fate or lack of talents.

Posted by Cecil from Tacoma, WA on May 30, 2007 11:19 AM

Cecil, I couldn't agree more!

Posted by Olga from Barcelona, Spain on May 30, 2007 12:52 PM

if such a spell does exist, i think it wear off when neville turns 17.. i have a feeling so many things are about to happen on his and harry's birthay

Posted by Lastkiss on May 30, 2007 1:32 PM

That's quite a theory you have here. My friends and I have also come up with a theory about Neville and his role in the seventh book, and another theory about wands.

At first I was thinking, well Mr. Ollivander closed up his shop and left it deserted in Diagon Alley. Voldemort is a clever wizard and if he did not understand the connection between the his wand and Harry's wand (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) then certainly Voldemort could have found a way to "borrow" Mr. Ollivander. Mr. Ollivander remembers every wand he has ever sold (according to the first book The Sorceror's Stone) and surely realized that Fawkes only gave 2 tail feathers for 2 magical wands- and these wands belong to Voldemort and Harry. Dumbledore explained this connection to Harry in book 4, but Mr. Ollivander would most likely be able to explain the magical effect that said that when brother wands meet, they not work properly against each other. Voldemort can acquire this information from Ollivander, and can use it to his advantage. If this happens, Voldemort realize that either he or Harry must use a different wand.

My friend told me that she thinks Neville play a large role in the seventh book, and after reading your theory, I am determined that my friend's statement is correct (and your's too, for that matter).

Neville's large role and Mr. Ollivander missing, however, can contribute to an additional theory. Neville (who until receiving a new wand from his grandmother) was using an old family member's wand. Neville has never been truly magnificent at magic. Mr. Ollivander always said that it is the wand that chooses the wizard. But Neville didn't have that option at first. But after making his grandmother proud (sorry I can't remember which book, perhaps you can, maybe the 5th one) Neville told Harry that he would be allowed to get a new wand. This COULD mean that Neville become better at magic.

Since Harry and Voldemort cannot use their wands properly against each other, perhaps it be Neville that uses his wand (which is NOT a brother to Voldemort's wand since Fawkes only gave 2 tail feathers) against Voldemort.

I enjoyed your article, as it sparked new ideas and gave sufficient clues to my theory as well.

Posted by Jordan from Buffalo, NY on May 30, 2007 5:26 PM

While I agree that Neville's memory problems could be due to a memory charm being applied by witches or wizards unknown, it is also possible that Neville's problems stem simply from witnessing his parents' torture. It happened just after Voldemort's downfall, so he would have been at least fifteen months old. A toddler would be totally traumatised to see something like that happen to his parents. It would certainly have an effect on his emotional and social development. Translate that into wizarding terms and apart from the emotional trauma, it could easily delay or inhibit his magical development.
There is no doubt that Neville play a vital role in the last book. JKR has developed his character and made him more prominent over the previous three books. No author wastes that many words on something that isn't important.
Betraying Harry and the others? Unlikely. Unless he makes a mistake. But so much of his development in the last two books has shown his growing ability and increased confidence that even that seems unlikely. I doubt that Neville turn out to be the Chosen One. I think Harry have to finish Voldemort off in whatever way. I do think though that Neville's contribution, whatever it turns out to be, be vital. That Harry would otherwise fail.

Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on May 30, 2007 9:51 PM

There are an awful lot of gum wrappers on JKR's website - a not so obvious connection/clue?

Posted by andrew from Ansonia ct on May 30, 2007 9:56 PM

I think the similarities between the two group of friends show us possibilities based on choices. Neville and Peter are similar in their characteristics of being left out, however Peter is cowardly, evidenced by his return to Voldemort, whereas Neville isn't, as Dumbledore explains when Neville stands up to the trio. JKR has implied on her website that Neville is not the chosen one, but is it possible that by attacking his parents and targeting Harry, that Voldemort has marked Neville that way? The memory idea is good, it may explain why the Rememberall is on the UK HP7 cover.

Posted by mmc from sa, australia on May 30, 2007 10:24 PM

maybe nevilles mother knew about the dark lords horcruxes, because i think that is the clue she is trying to tell him.

Posted by adam from newcastle on May 31, 2007 01:24 AM

Neville has always been a favorite character of mine and thinking of him being the chosen one lightens up my thoughts about him. He could be the Chosen one or not. But if you think in like the OotP you see that at some points in the department of mysteries Neville is the only one left fighting along side with harry... wouldn't it be sweet if he had giants blood in him and had a huge fight and ed 6 eaters at the end.... what a twist that would be, also i reason with Neville NOT being the chosen one because in the 1st book, Ollivander gives Harry the wand that shares the same pheonix's feather as Voldemort's...does that mean anything?

Posted by Kevin from Arlington Heights, IL on May 31, 2007 07:13 AM

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